What SW costume?

[Reelo]

Hello people,

I'm relatively new here (and happy to finally be able to post) and I've been asking me a question lately:

I would really like to have a SW costume, but I'm hesitating between several different ones. Getting them sewn is not too much of a problem, as my mother's pretty skilled in that area, but only if I can provide her some decent patterns.

I'm hesitating between Rebel Fleet Trooper, which, on the one hand seems easy enough, considering the fact that the pants need almost no conversion, and putting together the shirt and vest wouldn't be too much of a problem either. But on the other hand, I'd have to buy a helmet, which could be tricky, since I live in Europe. I know some websites sell them in the US (and the weak Dollar would make it pretty cheap for me to buy) but then there's postage and delivery and all to worry about too.

My other choice would be an Imperial Officer costume, which I like really much (and the Imperial side IS more appealing, I admit) but then I'm facing 2 problems: Fabric choice/price and the fact that I'm missing a pattern. I have a great pattern for the hat already, but finding a ready-to-use pattern for the uniform itself is really difficult.

What would you guys recommend me? Do you think a Rebel outfit (including buying the helmet) would go cheaper and faster than the Imperial one? Tough choice.

Oh, and then there's boots to worry about, too, but those are (as far as I remember) about the same for both uniforms, so that's something inevitable...

Anyway, just wanting to test the waters here, as to what people are thinking on this fine forum.

Thanks for any hints/tips/recommendations.

 

[Jango Wes]

I say go Imperial Officer. IMHO, if the costume is tailored and made to fit properly, it will look sharp and have a certain "snap" to it. However, if it fits poorly, obviously, that whole crisp look is shot. If you go that route, I would suggest getting the proper boots as well and putting a nice polish on them. Not spit-shine, but a nice brush polish will do nicely.

Wes

 

[Too Much Garlic]

If you go the Imperial Officer route the fabric is absolutely the most important thing to get the look right. Too thin and too shiny will not work as the uniforms were stiff and rigid like old German WW2 uniforms that were made from thick wool, afaik. Also... the Imperial uniform is also more classy and parade-like in its appearance and is more militaristic than the rebel uniforms.

The Rebel Fleet Trooper seems easier, but I have no clue whether it'll be less expensive and I have no real knowledge of the costume components.

Good luck with the project. :thumbsup

 

[tk1780]

Hey welcome to the boards.

Just to clarify, are you looking to join a group when you get your suit, or is this just to have for going out once in a while in costume ?

If its the later, and its for only once in a while there are some inexpensive options.

The Imperial officer uniform is made by a few firms, one on ebay called costume base. now this uniform will not get you inot hte 501st as I dont hink its up to par, but it is not prohibitive expensive. If nothing else the caps are cheap I have one, they are not bad.

There are other thing smiliar on his list of things avaliable.

Otherwise I am sure if you look there are some paterns avalibale out there that you should be able to snag. But again it comes down to what you are planing on doing with it when you get it, and how expensive you want it to be.

There are a ton of people on here with more info than I have, so hope some will shedd some more light on this for you.

Best of luck to you.
:thumbsup

 

[Reelo]

First of all, thanks for the responses so far. I know it is a tough call, as (since we all know) you can never have enough different movie props/costumes.

As i already said, I would prefer the Imperial Officer uniform.

Just to clarify, are you looking to join a group when you get your suit, or is this just to have for going out once in a while in costume ?

...

The Imperial officer uniform is made by a few firms, one on ebay called costume base. now this uniform will not get you inot hte 501st as I dont hink its up to par, but it is not prohibitive expensive.
:thumbsup

That's the real question here. My ultimate goal would be a complete Stormtrooper set to go with my (as I think) pretty accurate E-11 but as far as finances go, that's still out of reach, as I don't want to settle for some cheap half-@ssed stuff. Joining the 501st would be a logical consequence.

But back to the Imperial Officer: I would really like to know just how accurate the Uniform would have to be to join the 501st with that costume. Maybe I'll check out their own sub-boards and see what these people there tell me.
As for the hat, I will start looking for some good fabric (also to be used for the uniform later) so i can get started...

 

[spidermale]

Hi Reelo! What you want for the Imperial officer, is a pattern from a sewing store or one you can order online.Mccalls M4745 is a civil war costume, and is used as a base for the Imperial officer. You will want to modify the pattern slightly, for one thing, you need two small chest pockets for the code cylinders. Most people do their uniform in black, because the right shade and weight of gray is hard to find. For the rebel fleet trooper, check out DH2's costuming guide. For more info on the Imperial officer, go to the main 501st legion website for info and links to help you.

 

[RBJ]

If you like the Imperial officer and the Stormtrooper, have you considered a Tie Pilot? I sometimes wear just the jumpsuit with a officers cap and rank badge..sort of an off duty pilot look. Its kind of like having two costumes for the price of one!

 

[defstartrooper]

If you're really hesitant on ordering a helmet from the states i wouldn't worry if i were you, the prices tend to be more competitive to begin with and as you say the dollar is in a bad way at the moment and shippings not that expensive i'll bet you won't see any difference in total cost to be honest.
I order stuff from the US all the time to the UK i tend to avoid really costly pieces though because of the import taxes.

 

[PMTrooper]

hi reelo

you can talk to kathy
http://www.geocities.com/tkvanb/
she´s very helpful with informations
purly i lost all saved mails about the officer costume she gave me

and since your mother is a good seamstress as you mentioned at our boards you would find a way to realize an officer costume

for the trouser you could try to get a pattern for militar breeches
most possible way is to ask at a theater
looks like this
http://cgi.ebay.de/Orig-Military-BR...ryZ70988QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[darkesword2020]

Yeah, I reccomend the Imperial Officer, IMHO I think they are more impressive than the Rebel Fleet Trooper..

 

[Redboykliq69]

I would recommend the 501st Blue Clone!!! The ladies love the armor!!:love


And if they don't comply then you order 66 them!!!!:love