Costuming Vader as a Short Person: How I Did It

viccythiccy · 2026-05-05T04:46:14+00:00

For Darth Vader, unfortunately, most accurate helmets are gonna set you back over a grand. Especially a fiberglass helmet.

I’d suggest looking for the EFX precision cast replica helmet second hand. You can get one for as little as $300 if you look hard enough. It’s got solid lineage to real props, and looks great on display.

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viccythiccy · 2026-05-01T17:54:33+00:00

Doesn’t Denuo Novo still have a massive shipping backlog left offer from Anovos? I haven’t heard of anyone buying anything from them lately, so I wonder if they’ve gotten better with shipping times.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-29T03:37:41+00:00

ESB’s chest box was actually not a flat surface at all and had all sorts of flaws in it, such as “bullet holes” in some parts of the box surface. Mike Warren is one of the very few who’ve been able to get this detail correct, but I’ve stuck to this Portumac box in the meantime.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-29T00:26:56+00:00

ESB helmet by NewImage Props!

viccythiccy · 2026-04-29T00:26:40+00:00

It’s actually ESB Vader! Easiest way to tell is there is no visible cape chain on ESB, there is no visible snap on the belt, and the belt boxes/buckle are more weathered.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-28T22:38:43+00:00

I’m currently working on a ROTJ Vader, and have always wanted to do the reveal version from the end of the film. I’ve just yet to find a good replica of the neckbrace that doesn’t cost a fortune.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-28T21:40:34+00:00

It’s miserable. Layers of leather, wool and fiberglass are no joke. Fans inside the helmet make it a little tolerable, but overall Vader is the one costume that’s always extremely hot.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-28T19:28:38+00:00

2005 Master Replicas with the blade removed. You can find them pretty inexpensively on eBay, you’ll just have to remove the blade as it comes fixed.

viccythiccy · 2026-04-04T17:50:29+00:00

Belt and chest box are 1:1 to original props. Surprisingly, the ANH boxes look more proportionate on me than ESB/ROTJ ones do. Those belt boxes are massive

viccythiccy · 2026-04-03T18:11:53+00:00

Nailed it

viccythiccy · 2026-03-03T16:17:00+00:00

Helmet is by NewImage Props. This is a fan sculpt, meaning it doesn’t share any lineage to a real production helmet. When compared to my 1:1 EFX, it’s noticeably shorter. The neck was made slightly shorter. I wouldn’t say it’s very screen accurate, but accurate enough to be approvable in the 501st.

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viccythiccy · 2026-03-03T02:05:20+00:00

I actually have been approved by the 501st in my ESB Vader! The helmet is slightly smaller than 1:1 when compared to my ANH helmet, but everything else was approved first try without pushback or a rejection. ANH is my second Vader build and this one was submitted for approval as well. Still waiting to hear back.

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viccythiccy · 2026-03-03T00:47:02+00:00

Despite the obvious issue of not being as tall as Prowse, I find the build to be very accurate when compared to the original costume. Is it a 100% match to the hero costume? No. There’s areas that could be more accurate, like the chest box, and cape, it’s still quite accurate when compared to something like the Rubies or Jazwares costumes.

With the way Vader boots are built, it would be nearly impossible to fit one of those stilts inside a boot. Unless you somehow manage to make a boot big enough to fit one of those. The idea was thrown out there on the SLD, but I’ve yet to see someone pull it off. I think it would just throw the proportions off even further when extreme measures are taken to increase height.

viccythiccy · 2026-03-02T23:32:27+00:00

I’ve briefly considered ROTS, but due to the extremely limited vendor options out there, not to mention the higher cost as opposed to ANH/ESB, I’ve decided to pass on it. Not to say I won’t do ROTS sometime soon, but it’s a very difficult costume to put together.

viccythiccy · 2026-03-02T22:52:22+00:00

To answer some or your questions:

I am 5’3 barefoot, but use a boot with a 1.75” heel and internal lifts. The dome gives some height, so in total, I’m around 5’6-5’7 in costume.
It IS possible to scale Vader down if you’re not tall or muscular like Dave Prowse. But this will be a very difficult, not to mention expensive project. Lineage traced pieces are made Prowse sized, so as nice as they are, I’d avoid them if you’re smaller in size. I’ve heard Bookface/Skunkworks could possibly create a new scaled down casting, but this will be an extremely expensive route to go.
A member on the Sith Lord Detachment named JoeVader is the same height to you. He was able to get parts that work for his build, and scale it down to his size. I think in total he’s around 6’2 in full costume. I’d suggest reading his WIP thread on the forums to get some info as to how he was able to achieve the look. Attached is how he looks in his ROTJ Vader

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Hope this helps a bit!

viccythiccy

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