Han Solo Costume

Man, I wish I had found this thread before I created my own about the bloodstripes. I apologize for starting a near duplicate thread. I bought one of the black 3 prong belts from AFMO, but some military-type Television show filming out of Vancouver bought out their stock, so I have to wait for them to get more in. However, now I'm a little worried because I ordered a medium size (I'm a pretty skinny guy so I wear a 32), but if a medium is really a 34-36 as was stated above, then it won't fit me at all. Has anyone else had this problem too?

...Know that I think about it, the new Battlestar Galatica films out of Vancouver, and I have noticed that Ronald More likes to throw in little, hidden Star Wars references now and again. I'm goining to pay more attention to the next episode to see what belt they wear with their costumes. That'd be pretty funny if it was the same style as Han's.

 

I wear a 32 and I bought the medium and it fits fine. the end of the belt goes all the way through two belt loops but it could be cut down, if I cared.

 

That's good. I've always had a problem finding clothes and belts that fit my waist. While I technically wear a 32, I'm a pretty skinny guy because I run a whole lot, so I'm probably in reality closer to a 30.5-31.5, which doesn't really exist. Sometimes I run into a problem where even a 32 waiste or something slightly larger won't fit at all. But if the belt's in that general ballpark and has holes all the way around to fasten it to, then I don't think it'd be a problem. The excess belt won't bother me either, as I can just tuck that back through my belt loops and no one would notice.

 

Hum, I thought Han's vest didn't have a collar? To me the neckline is roundish - but that's just what I see in the photos.

Thanks for posting a link to the site with the reference pics MacGyver9762! I'm working on finalizing the pattern for the shirt right now on the ANH outfit. I'm going with a heavy cotton/poly blend jersey knit. Then to get moving on the vest!

I'm also franticly trying to alter the pants I ordered. They were too small, I'm using every bit of seam allowance to let them out!

In reading the Dressing A Galaxy book I got one of my questions answered about what the ANH pants are really made of! Here's the info:

"Han wore a black flap jacket vest with numerous pockets, and blue brushed-denim britches. George suggested stripes down the side of the trouseres, again like the U.S cavalry. We thought that might be a bit obvious, so we had strips of cloth machine-woven with little red rectangles down the side." - John Mollo

- Kay Dee

 

i think they meant the neckline by "collar." as in, a traditional vest usually "v's" down to the chest but because Han's vest was made from a collared jacket or shirt it rounds around the neck and then goes straight down in front.

that's awesome that you found that in the Dressing the Galaxy book, kay-dee. People keep telling me Han wore jeans in ANH and I keep telling them, "no." Well, turns out both party's are half correct. He didn't wear jeans in the sense that they weren't Levis with rivets and patch pockets and such. But the pants were made of denim not twill like I thought.

I still say Dickies are the best thing to start with in our modern world.

 

Yeah, darthdefyitall is right, I did really mean neckline. I probably should have clarified that better. That's great that it had information about Han's costume in the Dressing a Galaxy book. I always distinctly remember reading that his pants were jeans, or a demin fabric, but I could never remember were exactly I had read that or if it was even correct. I thought at one time it was from the Star Wars Visual Dictionary, but then I could never find it there. Dickies are in my opinion the way to go besides searching for actual 1970's pants if you're not going to make your own. When it comes down to it, the most important issue as far as "complete" visual accuracy is going to be about color and drape of the fabric, because it's hard to make out fabric texture unless you're right on top of it. No problem about the reference pics, I'm always glad to help out in anyway I can. I certainly have recieved enough of my own help here that'd I'd like to contribute if I can.

 

Thanks for the info! I'm trying to make hubby a new Han vest and the last one I made had more of a square collar (neckline)...don't know where I got that from....but this one will be more rounded.

So what is the verdict on the belt? Is it three-holes all the way around, but two holes at the prongs?

Since I don't know how to make pants yet, I'm sticking with Dickie's for now!
-Karma

 

Great. Now here I am at work, sittin' and thinkin' that I need to get some denim fabric and try and make pants....thanks alot, Kay_Dee. (just kidding)

So...what color would Han's ANH pants be? Dark blue? Navy? Dark indigo?

-Karma

 

Karma - I know what you mean about the pants. I had never made pants before either so I ordered some. But I've been ripping just about every seam out now because they were too small, and feel like 'heck, I could have made pants!' I ordered a bunch of denim swatches and if time permits I'll make new pants before Halloween. At the very least, I'll make new more accurate pants for events after Halloween.

To my eye the ANH pants look like navy denim - but that's just based on photos that I have.

The belt is difinitely 3 holes all the way around. I sent Maggie a photo I took of the back of Han's belt at FIDM. I also have a clear photo from a magazine cover where you clearly see all three holes in the front of the belt, and there are two prongs are on the buckle not three (I'm going to use bolt cutters to remove the center prong on the belt I ordered). Just stick the prongs of the buckle through the outer holes of the belt leaving the center hole w/o a prong through it. At a later time after Halloween I'll be able to post photos documenting these aspects of the costume. Right now I'm focused on Sewing and preparing for my trip to LA.

- Kay Dee

 

OK, can we have a big DUUUUUH for Karma?

-Karma

PS- Have fun in LA!

 

Here's a random question about wearing the Driod Caller on the holster. It doesn't seem very secure when it's slipped into the C shaped aluminum clamp. Are there any tricks to getting the Driod Caller to stay in firmly so we don't have to worry about it falling out when Han is walking around? I'd hate to have to ruin the droid caller itself by sticking velcro on it... and wrapping wire around it (or fishing line) would seem a little cheesy.

Help!

- Kay Dee

 

here's what I did:

bent the "tongs" in until they touched for a bit and held them.

slid the droid caller in lengthwise as to not overly bend the tongs back out

leave it in!!

seriously it ruins the whole process so just leave it in. I went through a whole party , while drinking, with mine on the belt this saturday and it was fine. never gave it a second thought.

but, funny story:

I broke the zipper on my pants after going to the bathroom. They are pretty old and pretty tight and I should have thought about that. But I had a few beers and forgot. Went to zip up and the zipper tore of the other side of the zipper, rendering it uselss. Luckily, I have a second costume at home so I went and changed. So Han is done for this season unless I can get the zipper fixed quick with something like a metal jeans-type zipper.

 

Thanks for the metal bending tip I actually tried that... but we are going dancing so I'm still a little worried. I had wanted the props to be usable... I might get some clear elastic used for beading and put 2 clear rubberband type loops on either side of the holder. I'm bothered that it's not screen accurate - but I don't want to stress about it getting knocked loose during the party.

Sorry to hear about your zipper. If you didn't actually rip the fabric of the pants a zipper is pretty easy for an alterationist to replace for you

- Kay Dee

 

Since I started this thread, I figured I'd post photos of the costume I ended up putting together/sewing.

[image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/hancost.jpg]

It still needs some modifying, I ran out of time to do the blood stripes as wide and as smooth as I'd like them, I still need to alter the fit of the pants and sew in that center front crease, the navy blue is a little too dark - etc. etc.

[image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/side.jpg]

I plan to redo the shirt to get a better fit on the upper arms and shoulders and fine tune the collar. (Mind you this is like a size 4 female dress form so the shirt is not that baggy on him!)

[image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/shirt-front.jpg]

And finally the vest - I wish I hadn't rushed the drafting of the gloves pocket. I know, I didn't get the shape quite right. Should have made the loops a little wider too. That's what happens when you run out of time for doing a full scale mock-up in muslin.

[image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/vest-rt.jpg] [image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/vest-lft.jpg][image=http://kay-dee.net/costumes/han/costume/vest-loops.jpg]

- Kay Dee

P.S. We ended up just using black wire to secure his droid caller for the party.

 

WOW kay_dee!--that is really awesome--you are among the many talented people here---that Han suit looks so authentic--great job!

darthlrrp

 

Gorgeous job, Kay_dee!!

 

that's great! I don't know what you are talking about! Changes? Ha! Make me one!

 

HOLY SMOKES! That is one amazing costume. I can't see how you'd want to make any changes or alterations to that, it's perfect! The fabric, everything, looks like the real thing.

Wow, there's no way my costuming skills (which are actually a lack thereof) could compare! This definately sets the mark for Han costumes.

 

Hey! No one's seen mine yet!

J/k. No way mine could compare as I didn't make anything for it except the droid caller.

 

Thanks for the compliments guys & gals I know on the scale of home-made costumes it's really not too bad. But when you've been staring at reference photos trying to replicate something, sometimes you go 'darn, that wasn't was supposed to happen!' The big reason I need to redo the shirt was because as he wore it, the neck kept stretching open and the collar got lost under the vest. I think I know why this happened (didn't stay stitch the neck, didn't use a pattern with set-in sleeves) so I'd like another go at it. The shirt doesn't take a long time to sew either.

By the way darthdefyitall - we had a similar problem with our holster. It's qualitiy wormanship and all, but I had to let out the snaps to the loosest setting available and it still rides slightly high on his hips. And it's not like I can reposition the snaps (there's not enough length to the leather. I'm using the snaps at the very end).

- Kay Dee

 

It turned out great kay_dee!

 

that's wierd. I thought it was because I got my waist measurement wrong.

well, at least your man didn't split his zipper open in the middle of the party like me.

 

Unlocked for recent query.

 

Thanks for unlocking this one, Sister_Sola

Here are my questions:

Has anyone converted a BDU shirt to a vest?

How about a BDU to an ESB jacket? My local surplus shop has some blue BDUs, but no black. I'm thinking of taking this route for the jacket, but making a vest from scratch. (I've already started working on a muslin mock-up for the vest.)

Shirts: What's the easiest way to make an ESB/ROTJ shirt, or one that is close enough--it doesn't have to be perfect.

I'm not too worried about pants, belts and boots just yet.

Thanks for the help!

 

I personally find that using the pattern from Dawn Anderson is the easiest way to make the jacket or vest. But maybe that is because for me it is a pain to try to rip something apart and try to make it be something different, rather than start from scratch. Her pattern is VERY well drafted and easy to use with detailed instructions for every step.

For a ROTJ/ESB shirt, I'd probably modify a western shirt pattern with a bib. Buckaroo Bobbins may have some, and I think I've seen western shirt patterns by some of the 'big 3' pattern makers like Simplicity, butterick, McCalls. As I recall, Han's shirt doesn't have gathers so if you can find a pattern without them that would make your starting point a lot easier. Otherwise, adding a bib to a regular shirt pattern (after referring to a western shirt pattern for construction ideas) wouldn't be too difficult.