There are numerous "deluxe" costumes available. Don't be fooled - the only thing "deluxe" about them is the price (upwards of $60). They're pretty simple actually. Upon close inspection of costumes such as C3P0, Darth Vader, and Chewbacca, I found them all to be of poor quality and low realism. You're better off finding a different costume or improvising your own. There are some exceptions (these are available in kids' sizes as well):

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan - Tan Jedi tunic and pants (no robe) accessory belt, and boot tops (so you don't have to buy a full pair of boots). The boot tops seem cheesy so it's probably worth buying or borrowing a good pair of boots. The best ones of course are Marlborough English-made leather riding boots, which sell for $250 new but I have seen for $30 - $50 on eBay.

Anakin Podracer - great looking helmet, scarf, and goggles but you'd probably look a little silly as a 6' nine year old. Great for kids though. Add boots, greasepaint (for authentic Sebulba vent exhaust), and brown legwarmers. Total $80.

An extremely cheesy "tall" Yoda, with some funky 70s-style "Earth Wind and Fire" glitter Jedi robes...who knows what they were thinking....

Jar Jar Binks. If you're planning on going as Everyone's "Favorite" Gungan, be warned; I am not responsible for any assaults with wet toilet paper or silly string, much less the old standby of rotten eggs. It will be a miracle if they sell any of those Adult JJ deluxe costumes at all...also remember that you're not CG so don't try the Walk.

On the other hand, there is a great Amidala Coruscant deluxe kit, about $60, as well as a Don Post headdress sold separately ($50), which appears to be much more detailed than the one that comes with the deluxe outfit.... only for the pale and ethereal, though. See below for additional Make-Up and Wig Options.

There is an incredible new mask from Don Post that is due out in this month- it's a full size, sculpted mask of Nute Gunray with headdress (about $60). Looks just like the real Neimoidian. However, the robes would be a bit more involved, but you might get by with two different shades of blue/gray fabric robes layered together.

Trilogy

Cantina Band Member, Greedo, Nien Numb, and Emperor Palpatine are easy to pull off as the masks are very realistic and the clothes are easy to find at a thrift store.

Cantina Band member is the easiest - gray pants, black shoes, black turtleneck, latex mask & hands. Greedo is a fun mask, and you'll need 70s ski pants, a green turtleneck, orange vest (army surplus or a hunting vest), and to be truly authentic you'll need platform boots. Nien Numb is a great mask; all you need is a bright red shirt & pants, with the Han Solo vest (see below).

For both of these, add a custom blaster (see Weapons).

Don Post just came out with an outstanding Rebel Pilot helmet, but I have not seen a ready-made costume yet. However, the Rebel Pilot X-Wing outfit is based on a U.S. Navy Airman's jumpsuit, so that might be found at an army/navy store.

Hoth Luke, Han, Leia, and Hoth rebel soldiers can be achieved using army surplus equipment and old 70s ski equipment:

Luke/Rebel Soldier: Khaki pants, surplus boots, surplus cap, ski goggles, surplus scarf, ski jacket or vest (or surplus coveralls)

Han: the Army once issued an Arctic jacket that's very similar - and warm! Might be too hot though.

Leia: The trick is finding the jumpsuit. We found British-made coveralls from 1987 (in mint unopened condition) at an Army Surplus. These are Nomex with fire-resistant coating - like the type racecar drivers use. They normally sell new for at least $100; I found them for $12.99. They have the PERFECT collar, waist cinches, and center Velcro opening. Need washing though - that fireproof stuff marinates over time. We added a vest made from quilting fabric, and a pair of boots from a thrift store.

The binocular slide viewer (Episode I or Fan Club mail-away would both work) is great for Han and Luke's Hoth binocs.

There's also the Expanded Universe character line - no masks yet except for the Imperial Sentinel but you could conceivably improvise a Dash Rendar or Admiral Thrawn (see also Make-Up Options). Check out www.starwarschicks.com/galleria.htm for step-by-step tips for a Mara Jade costume, as well as Slave Leia (although it's probably too cold in most places for that one).

Boba Fett...well I'm not going there. You know who you are...

You'll find complete directions for a Tusken Raider at www.studiocreations.com/tusken.html as well.

This requires a bit more effort. Wigs can be expensive, and there are hundreds of styles. A better option might be extensions, which cost 1/3 to ½ as much. For makeup, don't trust the kits that come with costumes or the cheap "everything you need kits". Invest in just the elements you need. And don't forget to buy a tub of "cold cream". Otherwise you'll never get the makeup off, even if it says "water soluble" on the bottle. Make sure all makeup is hypoallergenic or you'll either break out or itch all night - this is especially important for children.. Make-up is an art form so don't bite off more than you can chew. It's easier if someone else helps you finish the job also - without experience it's easy to apply it unevenly or use too much (or too little).

For Amidala you'll need the full gamut: white base, bright red lipstick and lipliner, rouge, eyelashes, eyeliner, mascara, and 1 small tube each of black and red (for the facial decorations). Very makeup intensive...of course an experienced friend can help perfect the Naboo Look.

Darth Maul probably takes at least an hour or two to apply, not including the horns. If you really want to be authentic you can buy colored contact lenses, but I've heard that these hurt after a while and can tear up your eyes.

Accessories are the final ingredients that can make your costume sink or swim.

WEAPONS - Customize

You can customize the lightsaber and blaster toys available at TRU to look more realistic. All you need is a free evening, acrylic model paint or enamel, and a couple of brushes. . I use acrylic rather than spray paint or enamel because it dries much faster and is basically non-toxic. The more experienced modeler might use an airbrush for "battle damage", but a nice fat bristle brush works just as well. First, apply a base coat of silver or gray (this is the "metal" underneath the black in the finished product). You will need 2-3 coats if you have the red blaster. Next, apply 2 coats of flat black paint. Once these coats have dried, use a medium-grit sandpaper and rough-sand the edges of the weapon, exposing the silver "metal" underneath...an Emory board also works for this. Finally, to simulate wear, use a technique called "dry-brushing". Dip your large bristle brush into the gray paint (you can substitute tan if the weapon has seen desert action). Blot the brush thoroughly on a wad of paper towels or an old rag. You don't want the brush "loaded" - just a little bit of paint. Test it out on a scrap of paper. There should barely be any paint on the paper when you brush the paint on. Next, carefully brush the weapon, as if you're dusting it with a feather duster. The edges and details will "pop" out and look much more authentic. When done properly the model or prop will look worn and slightly dirty.

You can also attempt your own Imperial blaster from scratch using the studio-creations.com's instructions. Most other accessories can be found at auto junkyards, thrift stores, sewing centers, and army/navy stores. Innovate, create, and improvise!

HANDS AND FEET

Some of the Don Post masks have a matched set of hands that can be purchased separately. I've seen Greedo, Cantina Band Member, and Admiral Ackbar hands...but these may be backordered by now. Add a simple outfit and a blaster (or instrument) and you're ready.

For pilots, an easy way to cover your lowly humanoid hands: black ski gloves, work gloves, or driving gloves. Try to find a friend who is into (or used to be into) downhill racing - they have the best gloves, with a gauntlet over the wrist and extra padding.

If you're so inclined there are make-up kits for skin that give you instructions and materials for scars, burns, and other body modification. Dr. Evazan is a possibility in this department...

By the way, studiocreations.com has a link "How to Build a GNK Power Droid" - your very own Gonk, life-size, very inexpensive. The perfect final touch to make your Halloween party a success!

Good luck!

Remember...it's not just a great story with amazing special effects, it's a Halloween-goers paradise. So many aliens, heroes, and villains beckon for a night of fun. For many Star Wars fans this year's Halloween promises to be literally the Night of the Living (Dead) Darth Maul. But if your tastes run to the more unusual, sophisticated, or elegant, there are plenty of options...more than just the few I've listed here. Of course, there will be thousands of kids, teenagers, and probably adults dressed as that Dark Lord of the Sith. Rubber masks...just go to TRU for one-stop Darth Maul shopping. But for those of us whose tastes are not so pedestrian, our options have broadened to include more aliens, Jedi knights, and other characters from all four films...and the outfits aren't limited to Luke and Leia for you boys and girls out there.

LINKS - Contributed by editor Toryn Farr

At the risk of leaving somebody out, I'm going to list the sites I found -- in no particular order. Most of these have
special Star Wars sections.

http://www.starcostumes.com/ - good selection, and a pleasure to navigate, but prices are slightly higher than
other sites I found.

http://www.halloweenmart.com/ - reasonable prices, good selection of high-end masks, can't spell.

http://www.anniescostumes.com/ - site search is handy -- really good prices, plus they have all the lightsabers
and some cool black leather gloves.

http://www.clicket.com/swgal/swgal.asp - lots of variety here, with reasonable prices, but only one mask that I saw.

http://www.nightmarefactory.com/ - if you can put up with the hokey music on every page, they have a good selection, reasonable prices, and a huge
section of Don Post masks.

http://www.sandstormproductions.com/ - this is the only site I saw with the Super Deluxe velvet Amidala dress with lights -- a thorough list of costumes
at reasonable prices.

http://www.entertainmentearth.com/ - okay selection, prices are a bit steeper than elsewhere.

http://www.tncmagic.com/ - Only seem to have the adult stuff, but the prices are good.

http://www.knightrobes.com/ - unofficial replicas of Jedi robes. Their seamstress has been injured, though, so don't be in a hurry.

Finally, if you want homemade costumes, at least from the classic trilogy, you might try this site: http://users.erols.com/tepearson/links.htm. I haven't
gone to all the links, but it looks intriguing.

Feel free to email me if you want advice or need Hoth Leia coveralls (good deals to be found at Sgt. Gator's Post Exchange, Damascus, Clackamas County, OR)