can you costume without the group?

[saiagoh]

I suppose that the ultimate question being: is it ok for you to costume for yourself? I am pretty sure you can, but to those who choose to do things individual usually feel oppressed with group standards of costuming. No, I am not trying to talk out against any costume group, but I just feel the need to do things that are individual.

Regardless, any costume group in Star Wars fandom does have regulations, costume standards, and certain criteria to adhere to yet with some these rules seem stand-offish. Problem is not everyone can afford or make those professional costumes. Yes, at home or novice creations turn the heads of the "movie accurate" crowd but why not show some slack?

True costuming is a hobby but when groups overshadow the rest of the people out there...you kinda feel...outcasted. Another issue of costuming falls under "Imperial, Rebel, or Jedi". Yes, there are many new costume groups to have appeared that can handle whatever costume you make, but again not everybody wants to join up.

So in conclusion: can we survive as lone wolves in costuming or are groups the only way to go?

[Seda Navilli]

Costuming is one of those things where it is pretty much par for the course to feel outcasted, especially when starting. Being part of a costuming group is what makes you forget about other peoples opinions and realise that not only are you doing something you love, but that there are other people that respect you for doing it and help you along the way.

Basically I'm just trying to say that who doesnt like to be part of a group?

I had nowhere near a decent costume when I joined this site, and sure its daunting to be around people with such wonderful creations... but if you are commited to what you are doing then you will draw inspiration from the high standards set around you. Everyone seems to think that the Jedi Assembly has very strict rules in costuming, but if you put it into perspective they are very accepting. We don't ask for movie perfect recreations; we don't ask for the right kind of leather to be used or the perfect shade of white. We simply ask that the costume look like a Jedi! We want people to see costumers from our site and say, "hey thats a Jedi!" instead of "So who are you supposed to be?"

And what is a costuming group really, other than alot of individual costumers? It is a hobby in every sense, very few (if any) costuming groups make money from their costumes, and if they do it is on a rare occasion. No one here, or any other costuming group that I know of, has made their costume because they wanted to join a costuming group: they made their costume because they wanted a costume! Being part of a group is simply an offshoot of that.

[tanzanlinnear]

seda said:

or the perfect shade of white.

I'm going to have to dissagree with you on this minor point, as when I asked about using white in my costume, it was turned down because Jedi don't wear white. This is the reason I'm going for a costume in browns (and that I can't find any cheap brown boots) I'm just going to make sure that it isn't too dark to be accepted, although I think there might be some controversy over my new cloak (which was ordered, and described by the manufacturers as black, but is infact very very very dark brown, and when held against true black fabrics, can be seen as brown.

[Jauhzmynn Enz]

Ehh? Who said they don't wear white? The under tunics are white. And the Alderaanian jedi wear white according to the books. Too bad we never see them on screen.
There's a bunch of Jedi on the TJA who wear white tunics

[Schph Gochi]

It is, after all, a free country....you can do whatever you like...


lone wolf...or join a group....
it is about what you want, what you want to do, and what you feel comfortable doing...

[tanzanlinnear]

jauhzmynn said:

Ehh? Who said they don't wear white? The under tunics are white. And the Alderaanian jedi wear white according to the books. Too bad we never see them on screen.
There's a bunch of Jedi on the TJA who wear white tunics

In a private message, Xana said:
"I spoke to a couple of Council memebrs already, and Jedi don't wear white."
Not that it matters now, because I can't get brown boots for a white/cream costume, and I've bought the dark brown synthleather for my tabards ;D

[lazlototh]

I don't know if I would have started costuming without this group. However, I've been pretty much alone till I met more people who costume up here. But I frequently wear my costume alone - I wore it last Wednesday all day. I wore my tunic to Barnes & Noble this morning.

If a person was a completely independent costumer, whether he was accepted by others would depend a lot on his costume I think. What I like about this group is a beginner can get in - I was a terrible beginner and thankfully was able to improve my costume over the months.

[JediKai]

I made my first Jedi costume even before there were any groups, at least other than the 501st, of which I'd never at the time .

[Leda EmBorr]

Xana is right... the lightest color that the Jedi wear onscreen is a cream color for the undertunics... or off white, if you wanna call it that. But they don't wear pure white.

[Seda Navilli]

What I meant was that we are not anal enough to ask for specific colours for specific characters. There is generally alot of freedom regarding costume design.

[Plo Strax-Avix]

seda said:

No one here, or any other costuming group that I know of, has made their costume because they wanted to join a costuming group: they made their costume because they wanted a costume! Being part of a group is simply an offshoot of that.

There's one now. I made my costume because the local Sci-Fi & Fantasy community I belong to wanted to put together a contingent of costume wearer to make appearances during the EP3 premier week. We got organised, solicited the help of known costume makers, costume rental shops, and got everyone we can convince to help to get involved in doing research on what to make, how to make it and where to get materials. We decided from the start that we're only going to allow members who come up with a costume of decent enough quality to join the contingent, because the contingent will be a reflection of our community, a group of 'ambassadors', if you will. Some of our members who are students get their aunts, mother, sister to help and came up with simpler, but accurate Jedi costumes. Those who couldn't afford boots made their own by adding leggings to dress shoes.

Schph Gochi was kind enough to post a detailed Jedi costume tutorial over at our forum, for which we're eternally grateful!

Corja offered his assistance to make my costume, but the deal didn't materialise because of our distance and because I just started too late and just ran out of time...

And here’s the end result…this is a montage of several pics of us during various outings.


From left to right: Rebel Fleet Trooper, Agen Kolar, Darth Maul, EP2 Anakin, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatin, Jedi Padawan, EP3 Anakin, Pregnant Padmé, Red Royal Guard, Jedi Youngling, Obi-Wan(with techtical visor), Yupa-Anex(Lost Jedi), Plo Strax-Avix(me!), and a 3-ft-long Star Destroyer worn as a helmet...

[If this photo is deemed inappropriate due to the presence of characters other then Jedis, please let me know and I'll remove it and edit the post accordingly]

Believe it or not we never thought to take a group photo, and now everybody has returned to their respective towns, and it’ll be quite difficult to get everyone together again unless there’s some huge Star Wars event in the future…

I would never wear my costume on my own because I'd probably get laughed at by everyone I walk pass, and probably even get beat up by some young punks, not to mention little children would run around me and tease me to death...yes I live in a country where anyone wearing a costume outside a theme party or event is considered a nut case and a freak...sad but true...

Believe it or not even while making appearances with the group (which was 18 strong) during EP3 premier week, we needed escorts to ward off curious kids who would try to pull at our cloaks, or would purposely try to trip us as we walk from one venue to another, and teenagers who would try to challenge us into a fight...

Not to mention idiots who would shout 'Here comes the Ring Wraiths!' when we walk with out hoods up...

Sorry about the long post, I will shut up now...

[Nova Darklighter]

That's a pretty good looking group of costumes all together, hope you all had a great time.
Jedi don't wear pure white, but do wear several natural undyed, unbleached fabrics that may look white in photos or bright lights.
I made mine before there were any groups, and am really happy that they are there now, as there is so much more fun to be had.
By all means, do make a Jedi that you want to wear, for gaming or Cons etc. it may never be a costume that you can wear at group sponsered events, but you'll enjoy it when you do wear it for other things, when I get time I plan on doing a very unusual Jedi costume, bbut I won't wear it a TJA/RL/501st sponsered events, but while it will be different, you'll still know it's a Jedi, and that's what will count for me.

[Schph Gochi]

You guys look great!

and the whole point of a costume is having fun with it...I have said this a million times...

If you have fun doing your own thing...on your own terms...and have places and people to costume with...then...that is what what you should do...

If you prefer a group...and want to go on outings with the group...then check out the group's costuming standards...and make your costume accordingly..

either way...the important thing is to WEAR the costume....and have fun with it!