For almost forty years, audiences have been entranced with Jedis, Wookies, and other lands in galaxies far far away. Defending truth and justice throughout the galaxy became every nerd’s dream. For some though, the Dark side has been calling out to them.
Who doesn’t want their own army of Storm Troopers at their beck and call? If you have ever secretly tried to use the Force to levitate your enemies or have reached for the crimson lightsaber rather than the pale blue your Anakin-fan friends prefer, now is your chance to become the ultimate Sith Lord!
In this article, we will show you every component you will need for Darth Vader in order to have a chance at “best costume” at the next cosplay event. Everything from the helmet, chest plate, even the different accessories to complete the look are here. Better start practicing your speech to inform Skywalker that you are his father.
What You Should Look for in Darth Vader Cosplay
You do have the option of going to any local costume store and buying a set outright, but that’s not the reason you came here today. Sometimes it’s best to build up your costume with different components to produce a more authentic-looking result.
To get the best Darth Vader Cosplay materials, you should look for the following:
- Details– If the chest plate you have for your cosplay is missing one of the temperature control buttons, someone is bound to notice. The entire armor was carefully constructed in order to keep the character alive, so if you want to be true to the outfit, you have to make sure all of the important details are present. It’s especially important if you want to get into the contest crowd.
- Shop Credibility– It’s always best to scope out what other cosplayers out there are saying about the products they buy from crafters.
- Durability– If you’re going to be putting in a decent amount of money to your cosplay, you’re probably going to want it lasting a fair number of convention seasons. Check the materials used in the different pieces and make sure that they won’t get damaged easily, especially during shipping.
- Colors– As people familiar with the series should know, Darth Vader wears mostly black from head to toe. The few colors that do appear (mainly on his chest plate) should stand out. In this case, you’re going to want to make sure that the blackness invokes an air of menace and control.
Purchasing the Best Boots For Your Darth Vader Cosplay Look
Before we get into all the different pieces you will need, if you just want to buy the entire costume without piecing it together, you can go here for a cheaper option or here for a premium cosplay option here. If you want to piece the cosplay together or add more accessories, read on!
Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up. From the soles of your feet, all the way to the top of your helmet, each component of your outfit is integral to the overall design.
Darth Vader has mechanical appendages in order to make up for his lost limbs, so when you’re looking for the best kind of footwear to use with your costume, you should take note of this fact. It’s also worthy to find some that you won’t trip in so easily since the original characters were designed that way.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader Boots
The Good Parts of these Boots:
- Rated five stars
- Custom-made to fit your shoe/leg size
- Zippers for easy removal
- High-quality material
Selecting Shin Guards For Your Darth Vader Cosplay Outfit
The boots mentioned above come with built-in external material to mimic the look of shin guards. However, if you’re looking for something more armor-looking that actually clunk around with your other armor pieces, here is an introduction to a new hope for your shins.
These shin guards will protect you from kicks by errant children, attacks from small guards, and friction while you’re parading around to the Imperial March. As mentioned earlier, make sure that the shade of black matches the rest of the armor, especially the pauldron plate and the helmet.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader shin guards
The Good Parts of these Shin Guards:
- 3D printed, reinforced with fiberglass material
- Five-star reviews from satisfied customers
- Customizable finish
- Optional elastic attachment
Buying The Best Darth Vader Cosplay Jumpsuit
Underneath the armor is going to be the black jumpsuit. It’s best to find one that is lightweight and made out of a breathable material because let’s face it, this cosplay is comprised of lots of different things that you’ll not only need to wear but also carry.
Luckily, you won’t be facing the same issues as the actual character and be able to walk around moving your arms and legs with less effort.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader jumpsuit
The Good Parts of this Jumpsuit:
- Soft satin material
- 97% positive feedback from customers
- Male and female options
- Customizable size
Awesome Pauldron Armor (chest and shoulders)
Next up is the armor, able to protect you from blaster pistols and other energized particle weaponry. If you’re into Renaissance festivals as well as sci-fi conventions, this can double as jousting attire!
This part is probably going to be the heaviest part of the entire outfit, so it’s a good idea to scout around for something in the middle of light enough to be knocked over from a chest bump, and so heavy that you’ll start making breathing noises like Darth Vader himself.
The armor will also help your cape, which will be explained later, flow out better across your shoulders, surrounding your entire frame.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader pauldron armor
The Good Parts of this pauldron armor:
- eSun PLA Pro to ensure durability
- Backed up by dozens of five-star reviews
- Customizable size and finish
- Available in a raw kit for DIY
The Ideal Cosplay Chest Plate for Your Darth Vader Look
One of the most important aspects of this outfit is going to be the chest plate that regulates Darth Vader’s temperature and helps him to breathe. It’s also referred to as a “chest computer”, and while it can’t send out tweets to invite others to join the Dark Side, it does have a big red button, among others.
If you look really closely underneath the three red buttons on top, you can make out some Hebrew lettering that loosely translates to “His deeds will not be forgiven, until he merits”. If you want to be extra detailed when you’re scoping out chest plates or even creating your own, consider adding this subtle touch that will transform the overall air around the costume.
Going to a cosplay convention without this would be like showing up at college without pants. You don’t want to have that dream again.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader chest plate
The Good Parts of this Chest Plate:
- Attached bands that are adjustable around the chest and over the neck
- Mixed materials including plastic and elastic lenses
- Five-star rated shop
- Professional quality
The Most Realistic Darth Vader Cosplay Belt
Darth Vader’s belt may seem like a small accessory, and it can be overlooked when you’re caught in a menacing stare with him. However, it houses even more control boxes that are integral to keeping him alive.
Not only does it help regulate his breathing, but it supposedly also has basic communications equipment and some spare energy cells. While these elements will surely not be included with the belt itself, you still want to be able to give off the impression that you’re ready for action.
There are plenty of regular belts out there that have a printed pattern of the boxes that you can find at any Hot Topic, but why would you ruin an otherwise masterfully coordinated outfit?
Our recommendation for Darth Vader belt
The Good Parts of this Belt:
- LED lights
- 99% positive feedback from buyers
- Comes with a chest plate in case you haven’t found one yet
- Made of resin and PU material
Choosing Darth Vader Cosplay Gloves
Nothing can help you master the Force Choke better than having comfortable protection around your hands and wrists.
While normally Darth Vader would have robotic hands that he can control by sheer conscious thought, it is understandable that that would be out of a lot of cosplayers’ price ranges. If you do have the budget to make or buy your own metal appendages, by all means, go for it. However, if you want a more simple vibe after getting custom parts for the armor, these gloves should fit the bill.
When you’re finished practicing your levitation skills and polishing your lightsaber, these gloves can also fit in as riding gloves. Any The Princess Bride fans lurking around here?
Our recommendation for Darth Vader gloves
The Good Parts of these Gloves:
- Genuine leather
- 100% customer satisfaction
- Comes in all sizes
- Durable material
An Impressive Cape That’s Sure to Wow
Not only is Darth Vader an enemy that you do not want to spot facing you at the end of the corridor, but he is the Supreme Commander of the Death Star.
As such, he has a regal personality, and this is reflected in his clothing, most notably his cape. It flows outstretched behind him, almost touching the floor. It almost matches Batman’s cape from The Dark Knight trilogy. You can find a detailed guide for dressing up as Batman here.
Over the shoulders, down to the calves, and as black as death, here is the cape to end all capes.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader cape
The Good Parts of this Cape:
- Polyester fabric
- Backed up by raving reviews from customers
- Cheap price, high quality
- Perfect thickness
The Perfect Darth Vader Cosplay Helmet to Complete Your Look
Of course, absolutely no Darth Vader cosplay is complete without the signature helmet.
The shape doesn’t have a lot of variation, besides the size of the mouthpiece. The only difference you will really find is how many parts the helmet is comprised of. There are those where you can just slip on and be done, or those with open eye sockets so that you’ll be able to see a bit better.
If you’re looking to go big though, you might as well consider getting a helmet that actually requires batteries to work. Your followers will thank you for it.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader helmet
The Good Parts of the Helmet:
- Includes display stand and instructions for use
- Adjustable fit
- Comes with a collar piece, mask, and hood
- Raving five-star reviews
Grab an Awesome Red Lightsaber for Your Darth Vader Costume
It’s true that black goes with anything, but it especially works well with black.
You can’t get away with borrowing your Jedi friend’s light blue lightsaber, oh no! Darth Vader’s lightsaber is red for a very good reason. Not only because it is a Sith lightsaber, but because the Kyber crystals were stolen from Jedi and tortured so that they glow as red as the blood of their enemies.
But that’s enough nerding out for now. It’s time to go into the specifics. You’re going to want to check the hilt and the handgrip of the base. If you really want to impress (and intimidate), you should look for a lightsaber that can glow consistently across the length, as well as bright enough so you can see it in a dark room.
Our recommendation for Darth Vader lightsaber
The Good Parts of this Lightsaber:
- Premium sound
- Flashes on impact with other lightsabers
- Includes a charging port plus cable
- Advanced LED
May the Force Be with You When Shopping for Your Darth Vader Cosplay Ensemble
You should now have everything you need in order to lead the Empire and steal the gaze of everyone else around you.
While this is a guide to buying all of the necessary bits and pieces for this cosplay, there are also options in order to further your DIY skills. Some of these pieces have been 3D printed, so if you think you can make an even better design, try it out!
For parts like the helmet, some hardcore fans have been able to construct them with Eva foam, which you can find at any JoAnn’s, Etsy, or even Michael’s. As for the lights on the lightsaber or for adding a little flair to your chest plate, you can use Arduino Vidor 4000 or Mega 2560.
However you choose to do it, one thing is for certain. When you come parading down a hallway with your buddies dressed as Storm Troopers, on-lookers are going to be re-evaluating their stance on whether the Dark Side is really that bad. Keep your chin up and own the hall, for it is the confidence you exude that will truly complete the costume.