BroadSword

"It will be a day long remembered."
Today I received my Anovos Line Officer (Olive) uniform Standard Line. We all know it takes a while to get stuff from Anovos, so I'm not going to get into that. I have it now and I want to share my thoughts. I want to premise this review with the fact that I took these photos with my Iphone 6 in my living room. My house has HORRIBLE lighting, but to my eye, the color of the uniform looks great!
 
To begin this review, I got excited to see that Anovos was reproducing these uniforms. I had my black cosplaysky uniform already so I could re-establish my membership with the Legion fairly quickly. While at Comic Con 2014, I was able to try on a display tunic at the Anovos booth.

 
I was impressed with the weight and construction of the prototype. Knowing that there is persons who have been in the historical reenacting community for years and years at Anovos was a plus. They know how these should fit since the original were all based on WWI and WW2 German uniforms.
 
Fast forward to after Celebration Anaheim and I ordered the standard line uniform.
 
Today was BBB Day from UPS.

 
The box does not bear the Anovos logo as seen with other products but has the logo across the tape (why this matters to anyone, I don't know...people like to know about packaging)

 
When I opened the box I was immediately disappointed that they sent me a brown uniform (lighten up folks!!)

 
Once I got the paper out, I was impressed to find that each component was individually boxed in nice boxes with graphics and description

 
So let's go top to bottom. The cap box looked as such...


 
Inside the box there was list of contents (I lied, belt and hat greeblies were in the hat box, sue me!)

 
Let's kick off Christmas early, shall we???



 
So here is the cap on a foam head that is way smaller than my head, so please remember it's not on my head (I'm not ready for my close-up Mr. Demille)






 
Also in the box were the belt, buckle and magnetic and pin on hat greeblies





 
On the the tunic. Again, individually boxed and wrapped. When I opened it I was immediately impressed with the weave of the material. I have several WWI and WW2 reproduction uniforms and this, even at the standard line, seems to be a nice quality poly blend likeness of that German Gabardine or Cavalry Twill. The jacket has a nice weight to it, but not overly heavy. I think the prototype I tried on was the heavier cavalry twill that the premiere line is using, but being that I'm in SoCal, I'll take it!
 









Left shoulder under flap connection point



 
Lining is standard throughout the tunic.


The breeches....











 
Ok...here's some initial fitting pics. Again...the lighting in my house is horrible for pictures. The breeches have nice flare to them, but they look all bunched in the photo. I do not have stirrups installed, but once I do, these will not need stiffeners or anything like that. They were made correctly and naturally flare, but right now they're just stuffed in my boots. I'm fairly certain I will not need to have the uniform tailored. Having worn uniforms in real life with the USMC and WWI/WW2 reenacting world, the uniform fits like it should. That does mean that it snug in the arms, so you won't be throwing touchdowns at the next pick up game with the guys. This was normal for the era in which the movie costumes are based on. These are the best I could do since the family is out Christmas shopping...I"m on my own.
 


 
Some different lighting

 
Up close of the weave (under bright light...don't take this at the color)


 
Well there you. Overall, I'm very happy with it. Looks good, feels good.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

^^^^^^ Exactly
 
I got a text from my wife just now that a package from Anovos requiring signature is coming today!!!!!!! My uniform is the only thing I've ordered from them so it has to be it. Question is will be complete, will it fit (more or less) and will be up to standard.
 
Scratch that! She misread it. Shipping label created. Oh well, at least it's finally on the way soon.
 
 

^^^^^^ Exactly
 
I got a text from my wife just now that a package from Anovos requiring signature is coming today!!!!!!! My uniform is the only thing I've ordered from them so it has to be it. Question is will be complete, will it fit (more or less) and will be up to standard.
 
Scratch that! She misread it. Shipping label created. Oh well, at least it's finally on the way soon.
 
 

My kit came in a couple days a go. Fiernock should be putting out a tutorial on assembly soon. Here is how the kit comes. It's sanded and ready for paint out of the box:
 

Most definitely green. Just can't see it in the photo. I got a down and dirty assembly tutorial via FB.... not a big deal... I'm just waiting to see what he posts. Nice sturdy connstruction. It's beefier than a TK helmet. Not exaclty sure what it's made of, but it's not ABS.

My kit came in a couple days a go. Fiernock should be putting out a tutorial on assembly soon. Here is how the kit comes. It's sanded and ready for paint out of the box:
 

I was never into the Star Trek TV shows, but I've always liked the movies (original cast movies). Maybe that's why I don't have any issues with what JJ did with new movies. They were entertaining and paid homage to the original enough while having their own plots and feel. I like JJs style in the sense of he uses CG to do what needs to be done, but uses practical effects and REAL sets, to include real locations that doubled as the Enterprise (pretty cool that the Enterprise has it's own Brewery onboard ).  
 
Given some of the leaks that he has put out, we already know he's going that way with the new movies.  I'm looking foward to seeing the approach of using real sets that he has done, but in the SW universe. 
 
I try to avoid internet speculation and spoilers, but as for Han dying or anyone else...........come on guys....these characters cannot live forever. You know full well, they signed on to do this movie to pass the torch. If the franchise is every going to stand on it's own with the sequels, something like that is bound to happen. I feel as big a connection with our familiar heroes as anyone else. I was born in '78 so I only saw Jedi in the theater as a kid, but I grew up with SW so it's not like I just got into this series a few years ago. I don't want to see any of them go, but did you want Ben to go either??? It was needed to further the plot and the movie was better for it. 
 
I am also optimistic for this, but at the same time I get huge butterflies in my stomach when I think about how I will feel after I leave the theater. I don't want to be disappointed either, but we'll see. 
 
 
Just my two credits. 

I was never into the Star Trek TV shows, but I've always liked the movies (original cast movies). Maybe that's why I don't have any issues with what JJ did with new movies. They were entertaining and paid homage to the original enough while having their own plots and feel. I like JJs style in the sense of he uses CG to do what needs to be done, but uses practical effects and REAL sets, to include real locations that doubled as the Enterprise (pretty cool that the Enterprise has it's own Brewery onboard ).  
 
Given some of the leaks that he has put out, we already know he's going that way with the new movies.  I'm looking foward to seeing the approach of using real sets that he has done, but in the SW universe. 
 
I try to avoid internet speculation and spoilers, but as for Han dying or anyone else...........come on guys....these characters cannot live forever. You know full well, they signed on to do this movie to pass the torch. If the franchise is every going to stand on it's own with the sequels, something like that is bound to happen. I feel as big a connection with our familiar heroes as anyone else. I was born in '78 so I only saw Jedi in the theater as a kid, but I grew up with SW so it's not like I just got into this series a few years ago. I don't want to see any of them go, but did you want Ben to go either??? It was needed to further the plot and the movie was better for it. 
 
I am also optimistic for this, but at the same time I get huge butterflies in my stomach when I think about how I will feel after I leave the theater. I don't want to be disappointed either, but we'll see. 
 
 
Just my two credits. 

Representing the IOC at the innagural Disney Star Wars Half Marathon. I need to figure something out that I can work my phone with these gloves. I only snapped this photo of my buddies that ran the race and myself. Made the video as well. Check it out at the 45 sec mark.
 
 

 
http://youtu.be/ww16EhlJm7g
 
 

I swung by the Anovos booth several times this weekend and spoke with the Project Manager for the IO uniform.  According to what he told me it was based on Tarkin's actual uniform from ANH. They were able see the original artifact and studied many photos as well since it has been almost 40 years since it was made. We spoke on the subject and the uniform is based on the artifact itself and not 501st Standards. That being said, I looked over the garment and from what I could see, the major points have been hit. No top-stitching, princess back, chest dart, snaps for closures, etc. They already know of a few details that need fixing, especially the collar which will be taller and close all the way. A nice detail is that it will have a detachable collar liner as was standard on German tunics (they'll save your neck...literally).
 
The breeches are NOT simply cut like regular trousers with disproportionate flares as is the case with the Cosplaysky. The flares are subtle (like WWI breeches), but that was one of a few things to be improved. They will have more of flare to be more SA. The legs taper and have lace up calves as is standard on true riding breeches (jodphurs). 
 
The thing to remember is this....the uniform that was at the booth is the very first and only existing prototype Anovos has right now. It was just finished last week in time for SDCC. As mentioned above, it is made of a very nice cavalry type twill or wool gab and is fully lined with an acetate type lining, but the production uniforms will be made with rayon linings which was very common amongst original German uniforms (IO uniforms are basically taken from WWI Chevaulager Cavarly uniforms). The uniform is a legitimate garment. The material is sturdy and thick and will be on the warm side that is for sure. As with any real suit you buy that is not tailored made for you, you'll have to get it tailored. 
 
Yes, there will be a standard and premium version. I didn't the details on what the differences would be. 
 
Ok....the biggest question of all is this........... cost. I was quoted at the $500-$600 range. Now again, once these are finalized and go into production, there may or may not be an increase.
 
My phone was dead at the time I was not able to get any photos. As any of you who were there know, the Anovos booth was ALWAYS crammed with people and was on one of the most crowded isles of the con. My buddy was able to snap this shot of me in the Anovos prototype tunic. I was told it was a about  size 42L which felt right since I'm about a 40R. Forgive the face....day 3 of SDCC for me and I was smoked: