So You Want To Buy A Costume And Join The 501st... [Read This]

[Robbie 276]

I have been seeing a lot of people coming around asking "where do I get armor??" - and while we do not exist as merely a purchase point for costumes, it's important to help prospective members not get ripped off by unscrupulous websites. So, here's a little guide. Feel free to add to it, and if a mod could sticky it that would be awesome!

So, you want to buy a costume (armor or cloth)? Fantastic! It's an (expensive) but fun hobby that makes a lot of people smile!

Stay away from places like:

eBay

stormtrooper-costume.com

jedi-robe.com

Star Fortress Productions

other websites that claim to sell "501st quality" costumes

Instead, check the following:

Stormtrooper (TK):

http://whitearmor.net

Sandtrooper (TD):

http://mepd.net

Clonetrooper (CT/TC/CC):

http://501stclonetroopers.com/forum/

Biker Scout (TB):

http://bikerscout.net

Sith Lord (Any of the Darths) (SL):

http://501stsithlords.com

Snowtrooper (TS):

http://blizzardforce.com

Bounty Hunters (Fetts, etc) (BH):

http://thebhg.net

Imperial Officers:

http://imperialofficer.com

There is a more comprehensive list at:

http://www.501st.com...php#detachments

The people on these forums can be a big help to get you on the right path - use these resources! Also, keep the following in mind:

Cheap - High Quality - Fast

You can only have two of these!

Cheap and fast = low quality

Cheap and High Quality = takes longer

High Quality and Fast = not cheap

Good luck!

[thatclone 4]

nice! good clean and easy to read. nice to have it all in one place for new folk.

[Puncharen 0]

Good and informative post.

[CC5707 49]

Good stuff.

[Hook 10]

This is very cool

[GhettoStew 0]

VERY WELL PUT.

[Darth Xarl 0]

Where would someone look for tie fighter info

[DarthDyer76 14]

Check out the Jolly Roger Squadron: http://www.jrs501st.com/

[Jenn Andersson 0]

We should pin this information on the boards permanently. Good info!

[jw3032 0]

I definitely think this should be pinned.

[SithLord66 1]

Good idea, thread "pinned".

[InvictusCosplay 0]

Hi from Henderson Kentucky! Thank you for all this info! its nice to have all of this in one place and i look forward to finishing up my Kylo Ren for level one approval!

[GotWookiee 18]

Good topic. I'll add my two cents:

A "budget costume" is simply the lower cost version of that costume, not the version that fits your budget.

Another term for "low budget costume" is "high labor costume," I.e. the cheaper version usually needs the most work.

The best first costume is one you really want to wear, not the quickest and cheapest one that the Legion will accept.

At the same time, don't pick something that will take you a year or more to complete.

There are no comfortable costumes. Costumes are either too hot or too cold.

[Edwacoo 42]

Clone Troopers link is a dead link.

 

Should be: http://501stclonetroopers.com/forum/

[repentance3232 119]

I have been seeing a lot of people coming around asking "where do I get armor??" - and while we do not exist as merely a purchase point for costumes, it's important to help prospective members not get ripped off by unscrupulous websites. So, here's a little guide. Feel free to add to it, and if a mod could sticky it that would be awesome!

So, you want to buy a costume (armor or cloth)? Fantastic! It's an (expensive) but fun hobby that makes a lot of people smile!

Stay away from places like:

eBay

stormtrooper-costume.com

jedi-robe.com

Star Fortress Productions

other websites that claim to sell "501st quality" costumes

Instead, check the following:

Stormtrooper (TK):

http://whitearmor.net Sandtrooper (TD):

http://mepd.net Clonetrooper (CT/TC/CC):

http://501stclonetroopers.com/forum/ Biker Scout (TB):

http://bikerscout.net Sith Lord (Any of the Darths) (SL):

http://501stsithlords.com Snowtrooper (TS):

http://blizzardforce.com Bounty Hunters (Fetts, etc) (BH):

http://thebhg.net Imperial Officers:

http://imperialofficer.com There is a more comprehensive list at:

http://www.501st.com...php#detachments The people on these forums can be a big help to get you on the right path - use these resources! Also, keep the following in mind:

Cheap - High Quality - Fast

You can only have two of these!

Cheap and fast = low quality

Cheap and High Quality = takes longer

High Quality and Fast = not cheap

Good luck!

Have you heard of TM Armour??? Troopermaster on FISD

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[Robbie 276]

Yep, good stuff


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[Briscob 1]

Hi from Knoxville!

 

I have been wanting to become involved with Star Wars cosplay for a while, but hadn't settled on the costume I would prefer. With the new movie and hearing female Storm trooper voices,  I am leaning towards Storm trooper or Captain Phasma. Do you have anyone who would meet a prospective for coffee to discuss costuming?  I have done historical reenacting (colonial and civil war) for 18 years and think the two genres will have similarities, but I have some costume questions beyond basic web searches. Thanks.

[RynoHawk 30]

Not in Knoxville but welcome!

 

I too heard many more female stormtroopers in the latest movie than even in the previous two in the series which also had the occasional female stormtrooper. Either way, even before Episode 7 came out, the 501st has been open to females donning stormtrooper armor.

 

I'm sure someone from the Knoxville area will pipe in and let you know where you can meet them, whether for coffee as you suggested or maybe a troop where you can see the armor up close.

[Briscob 1]

Thanks for the encouragement!

[Lord_Kosh 467]

I have also head a rumor that Clone Trooper armor fits women better than men...  Something about the way it is cut... and that it was never actually worn by actors on screen... only in the CGI.  That might be  an option for you as well.

 

We actually have (or had?) a female stormtrooper, Samantha, in our garrison if you are interested in Original Trilogy/EU "female stormtrooper" armor. Oh, and this isn't the skimpy "adult" version, but actually can get approved and looks great.  Until she takes off the helmet, most people have no idea what gender the trooper is.     If Samantha happens to see this post, perhaps she can tell you where she got her armor.

 

Also, I am not aware of any rule that says a woman can't be a stormtrooper (of any era) as long as the costume meets the CRL.  Any GML ought to be able to help you with that as part of the approval process.  I'm sure the Knoxville Squad/crowd would be happy to meet you at a local event, where you can talk costume specs and get some feedback.  You could come out as a handler/helper to some events and get to know the local troopers.  You'd have plenty of time to ask questions, see how each put their suite together, and learn from them and any mistakes they made along the way.  And you are already familiar with many aspects of costuming anyway, so that should help.

 

Welcome.

[Briscob 1]

On 12/27/2019 at 12:05 PM, Lord_Kosh said:

I have also head a rumor that Clone Trooper armor fits women better than men...  Something about the way it is cut... and that it was never actually worn by actors on screen... only in the CGI.  That might be  an option for you as well.

 

We actually have (or had?) a female stormtrooper, Samantha, in our garrison if you are interested in Original Trilogy/EU "female stormtrooper" armor. Oh, and this isn't the skimpy "adult" version, but actually can get approved and looks great.  Until she takes off the helmet, most people have no idea what gender the trooper is.     If Samantha happens to see this post, perhaps she can tell you where she got her armor.

 

Also, I am not aware of any rule that says a woman can't be a stormtrooper (of any era) as long as the costume meets the CRL.  Any GML ought to be able to help you with that as part of the approval process.  I'm sure the Knoxville Squad/crowd would be happy to meet you at a local event, where you can talk costume specs and get some feedback.  You could come out as a handler/helper to some events and get to know the local troopers.  You'd have plenty of time to ask questions, see how each put their suite together, and learn from them and any mistakes they made along the way.  And you are already familiar with many aspects of costuming anyway, so that should help.

 

Welcome.

Thank you Lord_Kosh

[Lord_Kosh 467]

You're welcome. 

 

BTW:  Marcus (JODOKAST), the current Squad Leader for the Nashville area (Music City Squad), has built a First Order stormtrooper... so other than the color (and perhaps Phasma's cape), he'd be a good source on exactly what/where to order the pieces and the more technical specs for making your costume build. I would imagine that Phasma should be quite similar to the rest of the standard FO troopers. 

 

I'm only aware of ANOVOS for these, but good luck with them on actually shipping the kit out to you these days...  Not sure if the kit is truly everything, or if there are lots of other odds and ends to acquire as well... such as shoes, balaclava, neck seal, etc.

 

I do not recall if there is anyone active in Knoxville area more local to you with a First Order trooper, but they have plenty of stormtrooper variants and assorted armor experts over there. 

 

Good luck  

[Briscob 1]

On 12/27/2019 at 12:05 PM, Lord_Kosh said:

I have also head a rumor that Clone Trooper armor fits women better than men...  Something about the way it is cut... and that it was never actually worn by actors on screen... only in the CGI.  That might be  an option for you as well.

 

We actually have (or had?) a female stormtrooper, Samantha, in our garrison if you are interested in Original Trilogy/EU "female stormtrooper" armor. Oh, and this isn't the skimpy "adult" version, but actually can get approved and looks great.  Until she takes off the helmet, most people have no idea what gender the trooper is.     If Samantha happens to see this post, perhaps she can tell you where she got her armor.

 

Also, I am not aware of any rule that says a woman can't be a stormtrooper (of any era) as long as the costume meets the CRL.  Any GML ought to be able to help you with that as part of the approval process.  I'm sure the Knoxville Squad/crowd would be happy to meet you at a local event, where you can talk costume specs and get some feedback.  You could come out as a handler/helper to some events and get to know the local troopers.  You'd have plenty of time to ask questions, see how each put their suite together, and learn from them and any mistakes they made along the way.  And you are already familiar with many aspects of costuming anyway, so that should help.

 

Welcome.

Thank you both. I haven't been able to connect with anyone in Knoxville yet. I took a trip to 850 Armorworks and they helped answer a lot of my questions. I decided on a Shoretrooper Grunt build. I'm excited for the kit to arrive!

[Lord_Kosh 467]

You can always do a Phasma later if you want to... and have both.  Sometimes, having the option for either could be good.  Rogue One had some great Imperial add-ons to the costume list.