To dress up or not to dress up

[Qual Totem]

being a devoted star wars fan that i am i've been debating whether or not to dress to see episode 3 when it comes out in theatres i dont want to look stupid being the only one dressed up but i want to show my appreciation for the movie is anyone else gonna dress up. give me feed back please!

[Xana]

I'm not. I need a costume break. Plus, I just want to go and enjoy the movie as a fan. ;D

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

I'd only go see ROTJ in costume if I were with other people in costume. It can be a fun lark, but the response of the general public to people in costume can be frankly tacky and a depressing distraction from the movie. It's fine with a group, or if you're an advertised extra with a movie premier. But by yourself and when it's unexpected, it's not fun.

[Qual Totem]

so if i get a group of friends to dress up with me then it would be ok right?

[lazlototh]

I'm looking at it this way. I haven't spent like $500 on this thing to not wear it on opening night of a film whose story has taken 28 years for me to see come to realization. That said, I can certainly understand your sentiment.

I spent 5 hours at the fair tonight in costume as the only (*decent*) Cingular Jedi, talking to customers, saying hi to kids and fighting my boss' 6-year-old daughter with my lightsaber. I was clearly the only costumed person in sight and certainly the only Jedi.

Afterwards I went to Barnes & Noble and picked up the latest issue of Dungeon Magazine (for D&D) and went to Applebees and had dinner while reading it.

I was given several compliments throughout the night. I also heard several snickers but no one pointed and laughed. At dinner, the waitress didn't even seem to notice. Sometimes it may be just a matter of how you hold yourself. If you act like a normal person, you may be treated like one.

Funny I've been one to be abnormally self-conscious about things, but being in costume as a Jedi is so natural to me, I sometimes forget I'm wearing it, till my lightsaber swings on my belt or something.

Now, that said, I am not your typical person, so read this with caution...

[Ani-Chay Pinn]

Lazlo, you wore your Jedi for work? Wow, now I know what you mean when you say they're "eeeeeeevvviiiillll". I'd be wearing darker colors if I were a Jedi for Cingular. That said, if I were in your position I would have likely done the same thing, though I might have bought a book or something instead. If I'm at some event in costume and then go on to do other things I won't bother to change, even if I'm by myself. Just walk in like you own the place; that generally works.

It is perfectly "OK" to go to the theater with a group of friends in costume. There is almost no chance that the theater will mind, though NO lightsaber dueling in the lobby; they would object to that. It is also "OK" to wear a costume to the theater by yourself as well. I'm just saying that it's more fun to go in a group.

That said, I am tempted to go in costume next Saturday whether or not I have a group. But the novelty of a Jedi on a bicycle would be completely obscured by my road-hazard orange vest. When riding I insist on wearing a color that drivers instinctively want to avoid. And I don't know if the tourists on the beach at the theater would really get it.

[lazlototh]

Just as a point, I volunteered to dress up for work. Dan thought it would be cool, so I went for it - not to mention an excuse to live fire test my costume in public. But like I said before, any excuse to wear it is a good one too.

We high desert folk have an event on the 21st at a church to appear at a SW event they're having. Most excellent!

[Tobbok Nassias]

I'm dressing up. I'm going with 4 people, 3 of us are going to be in costume....it is going to be great! Also, I dressed up as an unadvertised promotion at my job as well. I work at WalMart, and for the EpIII toy release my mangers had me dress up, fence with kids, and take pictures...I had alot of fun.

[Leda EmBorr]

No way... I'm going in my "Earth disguise"... I don't want to draw attention... I just want to enjoy the movie as a fan.

I may be tempted to bring my lightsaber in my purse though....

[Qual Totem]

thanks for your imput. I found out 1 of my freinds is going to dress up and we going to meet there so i've decided i shall dress up too.

[Tobbok Nassias]

Hey Guys and Gals, my group of three costumers were 3 out of the 5 that showed up in cotume (we were also the best). One local radio station showed up an took pictures. We are on their website, www.k98radio.com we are on the main page at the bottom, we are the three jedi together.

[Qual Totem]

i went dressed with 3 friends who were also dressed as were many others there were at least 70 people and lots of cheering ithink they should have a midnight showing of all the movies have episode one then the next week episode 2 then so on midnight shows are so fun!

[kivaanzion]

I went dressed up and I'm glad I did!

Going to the theater for the midnight showing I was worried I would be the only one in costume. As I drove passed the box office there was a group of a dozen or so fans dressed in various costumes, so my fears were quickly laid to rest.

It was a lot of fun being in costume! It was a great conversation starter. I didn't receive one negative comment, laugh, or jeer.

A cool thing happened as I left the theater: there were two police officers on crowd control- as I walked past them, one said to the other, "Look, there's Master Kenobi". It was soooo cool to hear the title "Master" (as opposed to "look it's Obi-Wan". It was such a compliment! ;D

[lazlototh]

Well, I'm glad too... I'm gonna write up a little thing about my day... Going in costume did not affect my fan experience one bit - it may have enhanced it...

[Tobbok Nassias]

Yes, being dressed correctly for the part makes you feel at one with the Force in some way!