The Imperial Royal Guard from Cosplaysky

Character: The Imperial Royal Guard

Costume Purchased: Star Wars Red Royal Guard Cosplay Costume

Site Purchased From: Cosplaysky

Sizing: Large

Special Requests: None

Price: $139.00

PLEASE NOTE: THIS COSTUME DID NOT INCLUDE THE HELMET

 

 

 

I had long desired to do a Star Wars costume, but had never considered any of the classic 'armoured' characters to be achievable on the kind of budget I had for costumes. However, I lucked out when a friend of mine sold me his old Don Post Imperial Guard helmet for a very good price, and I realised I could affordably create an Imperial Royal Guard costume.

With the helmet in place, I required the robes, and although deceptively easy to make, since they appear to just be wearing heavy red velvet, for accuracy, I decided to go with a purchased costume. This would allow me to have the correct under robes also, and given the cost of that much red velvet anyway, it seemed reasonably priced for something so accurate.

 

I ordered this from Cosplaysky having had a good experience ordering from them in the past, but skipped my usual decision to custom size everything. Feeling it was only a robe and that accurate sizing didn't matter, I ordered a large to be safe. This was my mistake. The robe was too large and trailed the floor. My wife took it up to the best of her ability but it meant that the hem is not quite as it should be; a result of our tampering, not the costume itself.

 

A quick word on Cosplaysky; they offer some very high quality costumes for what is a reasonable price, and some costumes that, judging by the images, aren't so great. Order the right thing, and you can have an excellent costume. I've had issues with their sizing in the past, but their customer service has always been spot on and helped me out, and their delivery is always very fast.

 

One thing to note about this costume that may be meaningless to most, but is worth stating as it's not clear on the site; this is the Revenge of the Sith version of the Royal Guard robes. The difference is that these robes have four splits in, two at the front, and two at the back. The original Return of the Jedi version only had one split, on the side, and the Attack of the Clones version had two splits, both at the front. This sounds trivial, but if you're attempting to do a specific version of the costume, its something worth being aware of. Additionally, according to the 501st Website, the Revenge of the Sith version included leather gloves worn over the top of the inside gown; something this costume also provides.

 

As for the costume, here it is:

 

 

 

In the package you get the crimson velvet over robe, faux leather gloves that reach up to below your elbow, a lighter coloured under robe, a neck piece to cover your neck and sit beneath the helmet and a sash to sit across your waist.

 

For the most part, this costume delivers exactly as offered. The outside of the robe forms a very striking red velvet (considerably brighter than my old helmet you can see; but accurate to Revenge of the Sith, I believe the original Return of the Jedi robes were darker but brightened in post production). Here you can see the pleather gloves provided, which fit well and are high quality, as well a glimpse of the under robe. Despite the four way split, for the most part the costume hangs together well, hiding the interior lining. Although the costume doesn't feel particularly like clothing (it feels costumey) with this type of thing it is understandable, as it in no way resembles traditional clothing. Colour wise, the under robe seems accurate, and resembles essentially a basic dress. (Hours of fun from your costuming colleagues every time you put it on if you're a male costumer!).

 

The under robe seems to match what is seen on screen perfect in my opinion, the sash adding a little detail if anybody ever manages to see beneath the main robe. The gloves match the outer robe well and therefore manage that feat of making your hands seem invisible while standing holding the Force Pike (here, in fact, a curtain rod with some wrapping and a torch stuck on it).

The only real flaw I have to say with this costume (bar my mishap with sizing; entirely my own fault) is the inside lining of the robe. Here, for a costume for conventions, sci-fi days, and general Star Wars trooping, it is entirely fine. However, if you intend to use this costume to apply for 501st entry, it is unfortunately not acceptable:

 

 

 

As you can see here, the inside of the robe is a light red, almost orange, silky material. Unfortunately, the 501st demands that the inner line of the robe either be the same colour velvet as the outside (for Revenge of the Sith only) or a dark burgundy or wine colour, meaning that sadly this costume does not apply. As I have no intention of using the costume for anything like this anyway, it didn't bother me, but I would have preferred a matching colour on the inside, as this way, when the robe hangs open, whether due to wind or movement, its very noticeable. A matching red on the inside, even if fabric and not velvet, would have eliminated this.

 

 

 

One final 'problem' to be aware of with this costume, it is very very hard to keep uncreased. This is not an issue with Cosplaysky, the velvet look of the costume requires to be made of this material, but by nature, it is impossible to iron, and arrives creased in its packet. Thus far, I've been unable to get the creases out, even a cold iron leaves marks, and ironing it underneath other clothing has proven ineffective. Fortunately when hanging, this isn't too noticeable, but this is something to be aware of if you decide to go for this costume.

 

Overall, provided you aren't looking for 501st Approval, these robes do the job. They look the part, are striking, and are a source of many compliments in costume; even from fellow Star Wars costumers. The Royal Guard really do provide a striking presence, and this is a perfectly affordable way to achieve the look and obtain everything you need to pull the costume off perfectly.

 

On a final note, to round off this costume and provide footwear, I purchased Cosplaysky's Superman Boots. While I doubt the 501st would approve, they're comfortable, match well, look certainly like real leather although they aren't, and provide an affordable way to get red boots for the costume. Worth considering.