Imperial staff officer

[Depeche25]

Looking to build a uniform for my wife. Have no idea where to start. And info on where I can buy this?

[Alay]

Best place to start for reference is always the Detachment Forums.????

For the uniform itself, you have a couple of options depending on your skill, your willingness to spend, and the quality level you want to go for:

First option is to sew it yourself.?? There's some great sources for patterns and materials on the detachment forums, and if you're patient and have experience tailoring you can create a really nice one.

For the lower price end of costume, you can get with a Cosplay Sky??jacket and pants.?? The hat 100% is not approvable so don't purchase one, but do ask for extra material to get it made elsewhere.?? You can give them measurements and they might just make it to the right size, with minimal adjustments needed.?? We have a fair few officers in the garrison that went that route, with varying levels of success.

Middle of the range, Anovos Pants and Tunic are fairly good quality, but you have to deal with the stock sizing and Anovos shipping times which can be... very bad in a lot of ways.?? I've not seen one of these in person, but the IOC XO has vouched for it being quality, and I respect his word on it.

Top of the price line is custom commissioning work from a tailor.?? I ordered a setup from Clothears in the UK.?? It was expensive and the wait was about 9-12 months, but obviously it's made to my exact size specifications with all of the movie accurate detailing.?? Those folks did a ton of effort in researching the costume and it's beautiful; I cannot recommend them highly enough if you want a setup that's top notch.

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For the hat, I've heard SewingJenny makes really good ones, and I think she's available on the detachment boards.?? I know some folks also sewed their own with the extra material from CosplaySky.?? Molli on the detachment forums is also making hats and they look pretty good.

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Boots will almost surely be the hardest part.?? Again you have a couple options dependent on money and time and patience.?? The cheapest way is to get a pair of second hand Equestrian Riding Boots from either a local equestrian store, or secondhand on ebay.?? If your wife is a size 9 womens I have a spare pair that might fit her.?? If you have friends or family in the UK it's pretty popular over there in the style used, and you can get lucky.

If you're lucky enough to fall into a standard sizing but don't want to try and get lucky with Ebay, you can nab a standard sizing from Magnoli Clothiers.?? I went with these myself, and they're pretty good boots; though my legs are a tad too small for the stock sizing so it's not ideal for me.

If you're unfortunate to have weird sizing and won't fit standard boots, you're probably looking at getting custom sized riding boots made... Which is very hefty in price.

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For the accessories, you'll need at least one Code Cylinder.?? Depending on which character you're portraying you'll want to research their configuration and Code Cylinder Type.?? They come in three standard types

Blue Topped "type a":

These were used EXCLUSIVELY in Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and were used mostly for A New Hope.?? If you're portraying an Empire or Jedi officer, you'll want to go with these.?? They were originally Stephan brand dosimeters.?? You can find pretty accurate replicas from a fine member of the Italian garrison on the Detachment Forums.?? If you're looking for a more weighted version, there's a fella that does low detail??aluminum ones that will sit nicely in uniform--I've used both before I sourced original Stephan dosimeters, and they both work fine.

Untopped "type b":

These were only used in A New Hope by a couple of officers; most notably General Tagge.?? I'm not certain of a good replica source currently, but original Stephans brand ones pop up for sale occasionally on the RPF and IOC.

X-Wing Style:

These were only used by imperials in A New Hope, again notably by General Tagge.?? There's a few replica creators, such as this fella.?? Original source part is unknown ?? If you have access to a lathe they're super easy to make.

Whatever you do, please don't make chalk holder dosimeters.?? They look really poor, and their approval status is in question and potentially will be removed from allowable.

For a belt, you'll need a leather belt about 2.25" with an accurate buckle and greeblie.?? Tigg Wolf creates them for sale.?? I'm currently also working on setting up a run of the, and if you have access to a lathe the greeblie is a breeze to make.?? All officers use the same style belt, though a couple of Staff Officers have a holster and blaster.?? Make sure it has the single snap that's worn to the left of the wearer!

For gloves, if you're replicating an officer that wears them, you'll need either gauntlet-style (ANH) or wrist-length gloves (ESB or ROTJ).?? I found my wrist-sized ones on Amazon for a couple of bucks.?? The Detachment Forum has links for more info on that.

For belt boxes (if you're doing an ANH officer) you can probably make them yourself fairly easily.?? There's also these really cool ones for sale over on the detachment forums that look sharp and are a common go-to for folks.

Last but not least is the rank badge.?? Accurate ones use 1" aluminum bars of varying lengths with pushbuttons attached to them.?? Acrylic and Plexiglass ones are not accurate (and look fairly tacky), you want push button badges.?? Once you've picked out the officer configuration you want to go with and the rank bar appropriate, PM me and I can make you one for free.?? Alternatively, you can purchase from several other folks.?? Or you can try your hand at making them yourself if you have metal cutting tools and some patience--it's not too difficult!?? PM me if you need source part info.

Hope that gives you some good starting information and direction!

[Depeche25]

Wow great info alay thanks a bunch this was?? huge . All my questions answered. Not sure of her sizes yet. But I think we are going with ANH officer.

[Astraline]

I went with Cosplaysky.?? If you choose to go that way in your communication with them be sure to tell them you are doing this for the 501st.?? They will make the flares on the jodhpurs 2 inches smaller.?? Which you need them to do!?? Also send all your wifes measurements in centimeters.????

I went with Sewing Jenny for my hat.?? Can't say enough about the superb quality.?? Spotty on communication but solid construction.

Wampa Wear for my belt.????

Got gloves on Amazon.

I made my code cylinders in the chalk holder style.?? They pass but I was never happy with them and got a new pair from a friend!!??

I made my rank bar.?? Quite proud of it but I may retire it as Sarah makes rocking ones!

Boots where a pain in the butt.?? I do not have equestrian sized calves so it was a challenge.?? But they are out there.?? And there are various things you can do to make them fit.????

But definitely check out the detachment forums.????

Good Luck!

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[Depeche25]

Thank you for the information. I was looking at the cosplaysky stuff.

[Depeche25]

Sarah I'm thinking of going with the 4 blue and 2 red badge all in a single line for the officer suit. I can pay for it no problem do you still make them?

[Alay]

I can do ya one 4 blue 2 red no prob.?? Don't worry about paying you're in the garrison and I got plenty of the stuff!

Do you want a magnet backing or a pin backing? ?? I normally do magnets, but some people prefer pins (or have pacemakers and can't be near magnets)

[Depeche25]

Do the magnets move around I wouldn't want it to fall off. Whichever is easier for you??

[Alay]

Never had a problem... I use super strong magnets! haha

[Depeche25]

Okay magnets it is thank you I'll see you Saturday. I'll be there around 1.