An editorial on Star Wars boots (pic heavy)

[chicago.jedi]

The subject has come up many times in costuming about rubber boots in Star Wars costumes. The practice has been viewed as everything from acceptable to sacrilege. I recently bought a pair of rubber boots, to use for actual use around my house and yard, and got to looking at them. These are the boots....



I must say, they are not as bad looking as I thought they might be.
Now, let’s first talk about the 800 lb. gorilla in the room…they are not approved by the major costume organizations. But, who cares? If you are not a member or prospective member, do not worry about what they want in a costume.

The other major hang up with these is that they are not seen in the movies. But let’s think about what is seen in the movies.



The boots are leather but everything else is plastic. And this is common throughout the series. Plastic armor everywhere and a lot of it is white. So with that in mind, how about these boots…



They are not really that obnoxious in perspective. I think these boots could easily be used in a Clone Wars Jedi outfit (think Obi Wan early in the cartoon series). Or a Black version of the boot could easily be used to improvise a Darth Vader costume boot. His boots are mostly plastic armor anyway. If some fan had the helmet, cape, chest box, saber, etc, I would cut him some slack if he used these boots in black.

Now, not all rubber boots are created equal. Some might not be acceptable, in anyone’s eyes.

I have worn boots like this at work, a few more times than I would have liked to….



Although they are very stylish  , and have the right height, I would hesitate to put them in a Star Wars costume. Same goes for these…



Right height, no laces, cool buckles, still not quite right. My dad used to have boots like this for shoveling the snow. He called them his Herman Munster boots.

Considering that most of the boots you see costumers wear are like this…



…which are faux leather and essentially the same material as the others boots shown, maybe rubber boots are not too far out of order. In a universe full of plastic armor and fake leather, I think a nice pair of rubber boots can fit in well.

Thoughts?

[BenPass]

I think that the key thing is what you said:

"If you are not a member or prospective member, do not worry about what they want in a costume."

Personally, I don't like the look of rubber boots in a Jedi/Sith/Clone costume. Now, that said, it could very well be that I have always used and seen rubber boots as something that you use only when you have to, and for work. They have always been, to me, something that is ugly and you don't wear unless it is for a specific purpose. Also, I've seen what it looks like when someone pairs rubber boots with a high quality costume and you really do notice the difference.

That said, it all goes back to that key point I mention earlier. If you don't want to be approved with a costuming club, wear whatever you want and be happy with it. You could dress up as a clown, Gungan Sith if you want; it's your costume.

[chicago.jedi]

I agree that they do look out of place in an otherwise high end costume. I was thinking more in terms of an all around cheaper costume. Perhaps a smuggler or another non Jedi Star Wars costume. Or even an armored Jedi whose armor matched the boots.

Good points, thought, Ben.