Darth Vader: R1

Model SL-12175, Photo by Peter Nuthall
Description: Darth Vader: Rogue One
Prefix: SL
Detachment: Sith Lord Detachment
Context: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

See also: ROTS Vader, ANH Vader, ESB Vader, ROTJ Vader

The Sith Lord Detachment defines additional, optional levels of costuming excellence. In the page below, items listed under “For level two certification” are recommended features that will greatly improve the quality of the costume. These items are not required for 501st membership, but are highly recommended. Items listed under “For level three certification” are some of the highest level accuracy features for those who strive to be screen accurate. Please visit the SLD site for more specific details.

Measurements given in this document are intended to be approximate and generalized; not criteria for approval.
Requirements for all 501st costumes are proportional to the wearer in scale, fit and size.
Text descriptions are only one part of the guideline. GMLs and costumers must consider both text and pictures (CRL and Reference) when reviewing the costume.

Please note:
Visit the Frequently asked questions page for information on the Rubies Supreme Vader costume.
All uses of the term silver in this document imply a machined aluminum look.
Weathered or used aspects referred to in text, may not necessarily be depicted in photos.
Click pictures to enlarge and view details; the text only highlights the key aspects of each component.

This is a visual guide used for 501st costume approval, not a how-to for construction. Construction details are found at the costume's Detachment website. Measurements provided here are are generalized, and not criteria for approval. All 501st costumes are proportionate to the wearer in terms of size, fit, and scale. During evaluation, both text and images (CRL and Reference) must be considered. When in doubt about a feature of a submitted costume, GMLs should post questions in the Legion forum's DL/GML peer review section.

Required Costume Components

The following costume components are present and appear as described below. For 501st membership only the requirements in black need to be met. This Detachment defines additional, optional costuming details listed in blue and red. Please visit the Detachment website for more details on these options.

• The dome is semi-gloss black with a polished finish.
• There is a "Y" shaped indentation in the front center of the dome brow above where it comes to a sharp point between the eyes of the mask.
• The brow of the dome sits slightly above the brows of the mask contouring to them and allowing them to be revealed.
• The inside of the dome has a smooth finish.

• The face mask is painted in an alternating pattern of semi-gloss black and semi-gloss gunmetal/dark grey.
• The face mask is asymmetrical.
• The lenses are slightly bubbled and tinted red/amber (eyes are not visible behind lenses).
• The lower mouth vent is triangular with slightly rounded corners, and is roughly half the size of the upper mouth vent.
• There are incised lines on the cheek tubes to indicate the "break points" where the face mask separates from the bottom of the helmet.
• Large, black, diamond-shaped mesh is inset in both vents; additional black screen backing may be used to conceal the wearer’s face further.
• The tusks are metal, silver, and have rounded (hemispherical) tips with no visible weathering.
• There is a noticeable gap between the neck of the face mask and the top of the chest armor.
• No skin is visible from any angle (under or through the mask).
• No neck brace is worn with the face mask.

• A balaclava is a black head sock/hood that is worn under the helmet and is used primarily to hide the following features: the wearer's mouth which could be seen through the mouth and chin vents, the wearer's neck which could be seen under and around the neck of the mask (especially during movement of the head), and the back of the wearer's neck/head which could be seen from the back at a low angle underneath the dome.
• While the balaclava is labeled as "required" merely because it is the simplest way to ensure that none of the features listed above are visible when the wearer is in full costume as well as to keep the wearer's head cool, any other items or methods that achieve the same result may be used instead of an actual balaclava.

• The cape is made of black wool (or wool equivalent), three-quarters circle or larger and lined with black satin.
• The cape is floor length, with a 1-2 inch clearance from bottom of cape to the floor. The cape does not touch the floor.
• The cape collar is black leather (or leather-like material) with a medium gloss finish, and is one inch to one and a quarter inches in width.
• The cape is held closed with a chain, or fastened/positioned to give the same effect as being held closed with a chain.
• The front of the cape collar is pulled slightly under the neck of the mask so that the cape chain is not seen but the collar is still visible. The collar is not visible when viewed from behind.

• The chest armor is painted in an alternating pattern of semi-gloss black and semi-gloss gunmetal/dark grey.
• The centermost raised section is grey, and all other raised sections are black.
• The shoulder bells are entirely black.
• The shoulder bells are hung from the chest armor and rest on the shoulders.
• There is no visible cape hook.

• The inner robe is made of the same material as the outside of the cape.
• It is ankle length, and worn over the chest armor and codpiece, but under the belt, and the front sides are almost touching or no more than an inch away from the chestbox.
• The side seams are open from the belt down.
• There are three pleats/darts on the sides of the inner robe, starting at the shoulders until the waist line.
• Optional: The side seams may be sewn from the belt down.

• The chestbox is square, polished satin black, and worn right below the chest armor and above the belt.
• The black leather (or leather-like material) one inch wide straps are worn over the bodysuit, but under the chest armor and inner robe, and attach to the top and sides of the chestbox as shown.
• The face of the chestbox consists of:
• Two metal silver rods on each side that are machined as shown. They are not bracketed by anything on the top and bottom.
• Three vertically stacked metal silver coin slots on the wearer's right.
• A faded/translucent green colored panel (upper) and a red colored panel (lower) are on the wearer’s left.
• Along the bottom are four rocker switches which are mounted individually and are, from wearer's right to left, white and three grey.
• There are no small metal silver switches or any text anywhere on the chestbox.
• There are no lighting effects.
• There are no silver rivets on the top straps attached to the chest box.

• The body suit is made of black leather (or leather-like material), fitted to the wearer, and quilted in lines spaced about one inch apart down the torso, arms, and legs.
• A one-, two-, or three-piece suit is acceptable.
• An open mesh back is also acceptable for comfort and heat dispersal.
• Additional Note: The body suit in the film was constructed in three pieces: A top with only the sleeves quilted, a vest, and pants.

• The gloves are black leather (or leather-like material) with a medium gloss finish and mid-forearm length.
• The upper surface has 11-13 quilted ribs spaced approximately 3/4 to 1 inch apart which run perpendicular to the arm and start just behind the knuckles.
• The palm side has no quilted lines.

• The belt is made of black leather (or leather-like material) and is approximately two and a quarter inches wide.
• The lightsaber hook is silver, metal, and held to the backside of the belt by two silver rivets (which are located towards the bottom of the belt). The lightsaber hook is mounted slightly forward of the wearer's left hip.
• The buckle is metal, and is slightly larger than the belt boxes in terms of height (buckle size is the same as ESB and ROTJ).
• The base layer of the buckle is black and rectangular.
• The second layer is silver and in the shape of a "D."
• There are five thin progressively smaller squared edge cutouts (the smallest is a square) in a triangular formation on the wearer's right.
• The top layer of the buckle consists of a silver circle located on the center of the arc of the "D."
• Optional: The cutouts on the second layer of the buckle may have rounded edges. The smallest cutout may also be a circle.

• The belt boxes are black and centered vertically on the belt one-half to one inch from the buckle, and mirror image one another.
• Wearer's left box is shown.
• From the center outwards each box has:
• two green square light panels above a rectangular inset containing silver rectangular-shaped metal screen,
• a domed red pilot light set in a chrome ring,
• and six silver posts with smooth sides (in two vertical columns of three) set atop of red washers.
• All lights are constantly lit.

• The codpiece is a padded-construction and faced in black leather (or leather-like material).
• It is worn over the bodysuit, directly below the belt, and under the inner robe.
• It covers the front of the groin area and extends to the hips.
• In its center, there is a slight rectangular inset with rounded corners that is edged with rolled piping.

• The shin guards are satin black (not shown in photo).
• Each shin guard covers the leg from the ankle to the knee, and at least one half the leg when viewed from the side.
• The knee is shaped like a cut diamond.
• Below the knee are six small square protrusions in a horizontal line (three on each side).
• On both sides of the raised area along the center, a long "U" shaped cutout starts at mid-armor height, and gradually increases in depth.
• The shin guards are attached by two straps that go around the boot.
• Allowed (but not recommended): The shin guards may be gloss black.

• The boots are made of black leather (or leather-like material) with a medium gloss shine and are lace-less.
• They come to just below knee height, have a rounded toe, and a smooth textured appearance.
• There is no noticeable zipper in full costume.
• The sole of the front does not exceed one inch in thickness and the heel does not exceed two inches in thickness.
• Note: The strap/buckle at the top is not required; this area is covered in full costume and may or may not be there based on the style of boot.

• The lightsaber should be a Master Replicas or custom built based on the MPP Microflash or the Heiland Synchronar 3-
• The metal has a chrome appearance.
• The grips extend all the way to the middle section.
• A lever is not present on the box on the middle section.
• The side bars of the box on the middle section are black.
• There are connecting wires towards the top of the lightsaber.
• The lightsaber is only included as long as it's in compliance with the applicant’s local laws.