Hints & Tips

Dressing

There is a certain order in which you need to dress

1.  Body suit
2.  Boots
3.  Shin guards
4.  Chest Box
5.  Codpiece
6.  Inner Cape
7.  Belt
8.  Upper Armour
9.  Outer Cape
10. Helmet

Emergency Repairs

It's embarrassing when a part falls off.  Best thing to do is carry a small emergency repair kit containing a small pair of scissors, black electrical tape, quick grip glue and a needle and thread.  Put them all in a small box and attach it to the back of the belt or something.  If you have room in your belt boxes, carry at least some quick grip glue.

Posing

Take a bit of time to see how Vader stands in the films.  Generally when he's standing still he has his thumbs in his belt.  Don't stand how YOU would stand.  It'll look pathetic.

Handling the Critics

There will be some people who will pick out the faults in your costume.   These are the people that really need to get life and aren't worthy of your individuality.  There's heaps of stuff on my Vader costume that aren't right but I take great pride in knowing that I made it myself.  I didn't buy it, I took the time to study the individual parts, figure out a way to make it and got busy and did it.   Be proud of what you've made.

Then there's the people who call you 'Loser', will laugh, etc.  Ignore them.  Don't hold out our fist and try and choke them with the Jedi mind trick, don't even acknowledge that they are there.  They will only poke fun at you to make you bite back.  If you're at something even remotely to do with Star Wars, for every critic, you'll have at least ten people appreciate what you've done and you'll get complimented for it.

Photos

When posing for photos, remember to stand how Vader would stand.  If people take your picture without permission........so what.  Don't go crook at them.   They are just admiring what you've done.

Relieving thy self

This can be very tricky.  I suggest before you get dressed, go to the dunny/toilet.  If you really need to go, there's no other way but to strip off the codpiece, and belt.  Try and find a private toilet.  Vader at the urinal is a pretty funny site.

Watch your step

Watch where you step.  Going up stairs can be a pain and a fall can be embarrassing and you could break parts of the costume.  If possible, avoid stairs and take the elevator.  It actually looks pretty cool when the elevator doors slide open to reveal Vader inside.

General Info - Helmet - Voice Amp - Belt - Chest Box - Upper Armour
Cod Piece - Boots - Shin Guards - Inner Cape - Outer Cape
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Updated: 14 May 2002