Saber Forum

Hey folks,

I'm working on starting a costume but unfortunately I have no sense of fashion... A lot of guys say they have no sense of fashion, but you can trust that when I say it... it's true lol.

Anyway to describe the character, he is kind of regal. He's good with a saber but better at manipulation and treachery, more like a politician or commanding officer than a warrior. He has often been seen on the front lines coordinating groups of Sith Warriors and directing Sith Assassins. He leaves much of the combat to his apprentice and others, but again can throw down against a Jedi or two and come out on top if he has to. Since he relies so heavily on his sneakiness he wears a mask to hide his identity, but he really only wears his mask when doing Sithly things or around other Sith.

Here are a few of the pieces I'm thinking of.

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/T2eC16hEE9s2uiH0BRefoHF1rw60_57_zpsd0d85110.jpg)


(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/KGrHqViUEQn0NpCQBP5MpbldHw60_57_zps199b92c8.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/KGrHqViUEQn0NpCQBP5MpbldHw60_57_zps199b92c8.jpg.html)

And I'm considering maybe some bracers or shoulder pauldrons or something. Probably a regular Sith belt. Some kind of somewhat baggy pants, black boots, gloves, and a cloak or robe.

Do you like it? Do you think it would be a good start to a costume? Are there any items you think might go well with these? Anything I should do different? I would love some suggestions.

I think this is a great idea, there is a lot of potential in your ideas :)

You could potentially base him off of Deathstroke from the Green Arrow universe.

(http://media.dcentertainment.com/sites/default/files/character_bio_576_deathstroke2.jpg)

(http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/original/14/146991/2857131-2838745-2755617-1580269-deathstroke_01cwip_04.jpg)

Really cool idea!  I like how you cut off your head in the picture and posted the mask right above it.  Well played sir.  

As for the costume, I think you're on to something.  Though if he's not a pure warrior archetype, I'd avoid the armor looking stuff.  Shoulder pauldrons or armored gloves wouldn't really fit the character, imo.  You could use a good set of leather gloves though that would work great.

Also, personally, I'm partial to robes instead of cloaks, but in this case I think the cloak is more appropriate.

Can't wait to see it!  The shirt/tabard thingy you have already looks excellent!  

EDIT: the mask kinda reminds me of Darth Baras from the Sith Warrior story in SWTOR.  Ironic, I know. 

I think a set of very ornate tabards would look cool with your outfit. Something to designate you as a commanding officer on the battlefield..  I like the mask. Did you paint it yourself?

Thanks for the advice! I was thinking the armor might look out of place but I wasn't sure!

Never played SWTOR, SWG was the only MMO for me :( But I'll look Baras up!

Sadly that is not me. I used stock photo's but thank you for the complement the mask/body orientation was done on purpose. I have a bit more pudge than that model I will post a picture of myself with the suit on as soon as I have more of it.

I did not paint the mask, I found it and it just screamed "Sith" to me. I do plan on painting part of the mask though. I don't really like the brass color on half the mask, I was thinking a steel grey. And I was thinking of making the fancy trim on the plain half of the mask red to match the lines on the more intricate side... hope it will kind of blend the two halves of the mask together. Not really sure what I want to do with the mask yet.

Darth Baras' mask:
(http://www.rarityguide.com/articles/content_images/1/swtor/swtordarthbaras.png)

They're not exactly the same, but there's definitely some similarity



Honestly, I wouldn't change the mask at all, except maybe changing the bronze part to steel grey or black.  It's got a kind of Yin and Yang feel to it as it is.  But, it's also not my character, so more power to you no matter what you do!

I agree that you should leave the mask with the two different sides look. Going along with your battlefield commander idea, I can see a soldier looking through binoculars at a figure in the distance who is half turned away and wondering, "Is that him? Could that be the man that I have only heard about?" Then the mysterious man turns to reveal the other side of his face and the soldier shutters with shock. I have a vivid imagination but that is what I see when I see that mask.

I like the look. Shoulder pauldrons would look pretty good with it. Something like these maybe?
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Leather-Fancy-Cloven-Hoof-Pauldrons-Armor-Ren-SCA-LARP-functional-reenactor-/00/s/MTYwMFgxMzM2/$T2eC16NHJF0E9nmFQinLBQeBsCy-U!~~60_35.JPG)

Got a link to those?  They look great.  I might have to borrow them for my costume.  lol. 

And I agree they would probably look great with the OP's costume, though I stick by my original statement that if the character is not a "warrior" archetype, the armor may be out of place.

Type in leather pauldron on ebay and they show up pretty quick

Those are leather?!?  Wow.  I thought sure they had to be steel or PVC or something. 

Nope. It's amazing what you can do with leather. I'm not that good, but I can make some armor parts.

I like the ideas! I like things that are a little different, your own personal touch.

I personally like the idea of changing the mask to steel grey instead of bronzey, then doing the pattern bits red- itll still be ying/yang in a way, as its just the inversion of the other side which is mainly red with the greyish stripes.


I like this idea however, def agree with that

If you want a lil bit of the armor look without going the warrior look, you could go a good set of gauntlets or bracers. itll make you look like your ready to battle when needed, but that you focus more on using the force. and I agree, def need a nice ornate tabard

I can't seem to find any good tabards. The only ones I ever see are the Jedi/Dark Jedi ones like Anakin and Ben Kenobi wear in the prequels. You know, the ones that come down over the shoulders. I feel like those are used way too much and I'm not much of a fan of them. Anyone have any suggestions for a tabard that might work well with the outfit so far?

Also, I do like the idea of maybe bracers or gauntlets. I was thinking maybe a ceremonial mantle but without the rest of the armor - something regal looking. Or perhaps a Gorget. Maybe over a tabard or in lieu of a tabard?

Like this -

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/il_570xN312255198_zps1b54e9ea.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/il_570xN312255198_zps1b54e9ea.jpg.html)

It would be black with trim matching the red stripe of the shirt so they would blend together at the point on the chest. The logo's would of course be replaced by the Sith banner on the chest and the Sith Empire emblem on the shoulders.

Or this -

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/il_570xN319905789_zpsfbb0d909.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/il_570xN319905789_zpsfbb0d909.jpg.html)

Probably black with red trim on the outside and the Sith banner centered. Maybe some other fancy stuff. I think it would at the least help blend from my outfit to my mask because it would help cover the seam where the shirt ends and the balaclava begins.

Do either of these seem like a good idea? I don't really want much armor as again, not a warrior. But some would be okay if it looks more ceremonial. I may not be a warrior but I still need to command the respect of warriors on the battle field. My guess is that a gorget would be more lordly, less warriorish - and that it would fit under a cloak better as well.

Photo's from SharpMountainLeather's store on Etsy

EDIT: After looking it up, a Gorget was used very much throughout history as a ceremonial piece to display a high rank. It was used throughout certain periods as actual armor to protect ones throat or to be a base upon which heavier armor could be placed. But for much of history it has been worn over the clothes as a status symbol. Symbolically speaking, when leading a group of Sith, it sounds like it would be a good piece. Not only is it a regal show of authority, but also something that will protect my throat from any power hungry Sith.

I like this one, but feel like it's too "big".  If that makes sense.  I agree that the idea of a gorget to show Lordship and power is a cool idea.  Might even throw some small bits of purple in there as well.  Like leave the outlines red and the base black, but use a royal purple for the symbols or something.  

Good find!

EDIT: now that I look at it with the mask in mind, maybe it's not as "big" looking as I thought.  Still maybe needs a trim just a smidge, but overall I think you're on to something here.

Yeah, the nice big one is like $350, the more plain gorget is $50. So for now at least I think I may go with the gorget. I'm actually thinking if I could get it in silver/steel with red trim and a black sith banner centered it would look really cool with my mask once I paint the bronze stuff steel grey

As far as tabards are concerned...if you are going to use armored shoulder pads like the picture, I would suggest a one piece, around the neck style tabard made of light weight silk. I think  it would go well with the Oriental style of  your other pieces, and would add the look you want without any extra bulk under your armor. You might be able to find a long, wide scarf that will work. Just a thought, I like what you have in mind so far. Keep up the good work.

A gorget is a great idea, and I can tell you from experience that making one is far cheaper than buying one. They're actually really easy to make. If it's something you'd be interested in, go ahead and PM me for details.

Nice. Where did you get the main top at or did you make it?

Ebay, seller named zootzu1 If you google zootzu you can probably find em. They have a lot of nice stuff. Though it's all 100% cotton and rayon... I'm not sure how well it'll keep or how durable it will be. I ordered mine a size large incase it shrinks - also to be on the safe side of improper sizing. Unfortunately they didn't have my size anyway. I could probably fit into a medium fine as they are supposed to be a bit baggy but I went extra large. If it's way too big I'll just return it.

I just got the mask in the mail. I was a bit disappointed. The red was way too glossy - and the paint was pretty sloppy. The red was pretty wrinkled in places and it didn't look that good.

A few sheets of 150 and 400 grit sandpaper and a little red, grey, black and silver paint later it looked like this. Much more even, less sloppy and more sithly (I think anyway). What do you guys think? This has been painted and matte finished.

(first picture just to remind you guys what it looked like)

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/T2eC16ZygE9s7HJ-ZiBRefjSQvhg60_57_zps7a29d508.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/T2eC16ZygE9s7HJ-ZiBRefjSQvhg60_57_zps7a29d508.jpg.html)

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/8f66e5aa-399b-41f2-b0c4-61db423100b4_zpsa9fd12ca.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/8f66e5aa-399b-41f2-b0c4-61db423100b4_zpsa9fd12ca.jpg.html)

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/6b393a6b-1747-40f5-a52e-5fa905bb38ba_zps3c36d840.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/6b393a6b-1747-40f5-a52e-5fa905bb38ba_zps3c36d840.jpg.html)

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/ef4c7c22-d982-4ba1-bf03-849868deeaf5_zps1940283b.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/ef4c7c22-d982-4ba1-bf03-849868deeaf5_zps1940283b.jpg.html)


I'm considering sanding it down and repainting it again in the distant future simply to get rid of a few of the less noticeable bumps I didn't bother sanding. Looking at these pics I see a few small spots I need to touch up. The paint is a bit dull but I wanted it to look pretty subdued, not so vibrant.

I like it.  I didn't think it looked all that bad to begin with, but you definitely improved it.  The single red line on the black side makes a big difference, I think.

it all looks pretty good, IMO. As far as armor, what about just a single shoulder pauldron on your weak side, so if you wield a saber in your right hand, put a pauldron on the left, plus your gorget to protect the neck, gives enough armor to cover glancing blows, in case he is attacked by multiple foes since he is on the front lines, and enough to still command respect, but not overly covered in armor

Here is what I have so far.

Mask, cloak, karate gi shirt/pants, boots, cloth tabards, sash.

Still thinking some kind of surcoat to go under it for like a skirt effect, maybe I could just get a skirt xD

Also, detail hard to see as it's all black. Need to find someway to make things stand out a bit. This may not be what I use for my final costume - but I would like to find a way to make all of these parts work. (might end up with 2 costumes)


Full costume

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/972158_10152895975355471_1842576631_n_zps21b1024e.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/972158_10152895975355471_1842576631_n_zps21b1024e.jpg.html)

cloak thrown over shoulders to better show detail.

(http://i1362.photobucket.com/albums/r699/bmcVT88/268237_10101591102090520_741283620_n_zps2956ac8e.jpg) (http://s1362.photobucket.com/user/bmcVT88/media/268237_10101591102090520_741283620_n_zps2956ac8e.jpg.html)

Open to suggestions...

also, it does look a little better in good lighting.

It shows fairly well.  I don't know how good you are at sewing, or if someone you know can sew, but I think adding some red/purple/orange/yellow pinstriping to the tabards and/or sash could help it stand out better.  It's a thought I've been toying with for my own costume that I think could help yours stand out really well without being overly garish.