Han Solo Shirt & Vest Tips
Katarra Costumes sells Han Solo shirts and vests. You may need to customize the shirt a bit, though, specifically around the sleeves to get the worn Solo look. When you send in your measurements, remember to subtract a little from the sleeve to account for the "highwater" look.
You can also purchase a pattern that is similar to the Han shirt from Folkware, pattern number 116. Here's their address:
The Tauton Press
63 S. Main ST.,P.O. Box 5506
Newton, CT 06470-5506
Instead you could use an Army Rangers vest ($25, black with "Bespin" style pockets) and a British Army vintage holster (canvas with a button flap).
Han Solo Pants Tips
Grab a pair of blue Dickies work pants, sew up the pockets in the front, then iron creases in the front. You can sew the edges of the creases so that they stay creased. If the work pants aren't dark enough you may need to dye them Navy Blue. (also remember to take the Dickies logo off the back pocket).
For the Coreillian Blood Stripes, take two lengths of Navy Blue hem facing (find it at any fabric store) and measure the length of the outside seam of the pants. Cut the facing to this length. Take crimson red bias tape (also found at your local fabric store) and cut it into 1 3/4" strips. Cut enough so that there is 3/4" spacing between strips when it is placed on the hem facing for the entire length of the facing. Now use fabric glue to glue them on the hem facing.
When they dry, glue the hem facing to the pants (make sure to place the facing over the seams on the pants). When it's dry sew the facing to the pants so that they won't come off.
Han Solo Boot Tips
The boots used in the films were the same German riding boots that everyone else wore. If you're having trouble finding the real boots, go to Chippewa Boots and pick up some Motorcycle boots (reference number 27909). You'll need to remove the two buckles. The boots are made by Chippewa but they're distributed through several different dealers. The Chippewa site can find a dealer that is close to you.
A less expensive alternative would be to visit Grand Prix Equestrian. They sell all leather Devon-Aire riding boots (pictured to the right) a little cheaper than the comparable Chippewa boot listed above. Grand Prix also sells a synthetic boot called the Foxwood, starting at $24. Black rubber rain boots are also ideal and can be bought for $15.
Han Solo Belt Tips
This belt is a standard 1.5 inch black belt. You can either find one at a store, buy a blank from Tandy Leather and make it yourself.
There are two rows of holes, spaced an inch and a half apart, that go around the entire belt. The buckle is plain stainless steel. Or, you can find a belt/holster combo (U.S. Army or foreign) with leg strap - these are usually found in bins at surplus stores and cost about $10.
Han Solo Holster Tips
The holster can be purchased through the EDC Studios, or if you know how to work with leather, you can make it yourself. I hope to update this section in the future with ways you can make it yourself.
Han Solo Blaster Tips
The easiest way (and the cheapest) is to purchase the Kenner Han Solo blaster toy. Since the toys now comes in a lovely shade of red, you'll need to paint the gun black. I recommend using Krylon Ultra-Flat black. This paint leaves a very, very matte finish. After spray painting, dry brush the weathering.
