sharkbait

I don't know that I'd trust an eBay store that uses some anime foot fetish image to explain measurements....

Those are tall jack boots, not riding boots, despite the description.  Again, some GMLs will pass them, if they're tall enough on you, even though they're not the right kind of boot, really.
 
I've looked at these listings before.  https://www.ebay.com/itm/Fashion-Military-WWII-German-EM-Leather-Combat-Officer-Boot-Riding-Boots-In-Size/382297285966  "EM" leather is often something to be suspicious of, especially for a company cranking out "fashion" boots in China (also notorious for "borrowing" photos from other products).  I strongly suspect it's a manufactured leather product that basically glues together shredded leather scraps, sort of like particle board is glued together sawdust.  It looks a lot better, but don't kid yourself that it's a true leather, in terms of durability, etc.  And some of them are BAD.  Paying $30 for shipping, you're not going to have much recourse if it's not 100% as promised.
 
Do your calves fit the sizes quoted on those boots?
 
I'm sorry this is tough.  Tall officer's boots are always the trickiest to find and fit, unless you have the budget to buy serious boots.  We'll get you there, though!

To me PU Leather is a red flag- it's a cheap fake leather product, and I've never seen it hold up well.  Boots are tough when you have fit issues, I feel you there.  
 
I couldn't quite figure out your GML,  but your Squad Leader is Jacob Bennett - tk11989@yahoo.com, he'll know who you should talk to/who's your GML.
 
Edit: I also asked a friend in Texas/Star Garrison (she's in Houston) if she knew  who your GML would be, I'll let you know what I hear.  

To me PU Leather is a red flag- it's a cheap fake leather product, and I've never seen it hold up well.  Boots are tough when you have fit issues, I feel you there.  
 
I couldn't quite figure out your GML,  but your Squad Leader is Jacob Bennett - tk11989@yahoo.com, he'll know who you should talk to/who's your GML.
 
Edit: I also asked a friend in Texas/Star Garrison (she's in Houston) if she knew  who your GML would be, I'll let you know what I hear.  

The best advice I can give anyone is never go cheap on boots, your feet and legs will thank you for it.

Hey there, JW!  I'm also in SoCal, so I'll be happy to lend a hand.  I'll shoot you a PM.
 
PM Sent.

I agree.  I'm going to edit that post because my wording was confusing- I was actually trying to say (or imply) what you said.  Thanks for pointing that out!

I wouldn't recommend it.  Lots of companies have stolen CosplaySky's photos over the years.  Not necessarily the same company, and not necessarily made to the same spec.  I would ONLY buy directly from CosplaySky.

I'm a big fan of CosplaySky for entry level and for non-primary costumes.  If you want to be an Officer and nothing else, and want to troop all the time, I think you can justify spending the Tier 2 - 3 prices.  That said, CosplaySky is the best bang-for-buck and if it's one of multiple costumes, of even multiple officers, you can't do better on the budget.  And, even for a primary, some people's budgets just can't take Tier 2 - 3, or they're like me and can't justify spending as much or more on a soft costume uniform (not including extras), as they would or did on a full armor kit (my TK kit was $700 shipped, for example).  If you want to do Veers/AT-AT Commander, then I'd recommend getting at least a nice tunic, if not pants, because that armor is known to wear on the shoulders.  I think those Tier 2 - 3 vendors are great- it's nothing against them, I just really wish we had a Tier 1.5 or something.  
 
We have almost all CosplaySky olive locally, so we all blend well and honestly, the general public has no concept and never even notices.  Not that they always know the difference between a TIE Pilot and Vader, but still, you get the idea there.  It's all in how you weigh it and what works for you- and if your local area looks generally like they came out of the same ship, you're good.  
 
The trick with CosplaySky olive is to get either 1 extra yard of fabric (about $30), and send it to a hat maker or make it  yourself (hats are rough- and I sew, so I don't recommend that unless you're really good), or there is a vendor on Etsy that does good hats and has the matching CosplaySky olive as a hat option- 20EyesDesign.  They have other Star Wars stuff too.  

Katie's work is amazing as well, but her prices are in line with other top tier vendors like Clothears and Magnoli.
 
Unfortunately there isn't a lot of options between the stupendously cheap CosplaySky and the higher end options.  They're complicated garments sold in small quantities, so unless you have an entire Chinese sweatshop on hand (like CPS does), the "step up" options are all fairly pricey, sadly.

Wampa's hats are approvable, but personally I think for what you get you can do better.  They're a little floppy.  
 
I agree with @kman, the belts are approvable, but again, you can find better.  I have an SW Express one from Etsy, love it.  My hat was from Sewing Jennie (no longer active to my knowledge), but there's several on Etsy now that look fantastic.  I don't believe I've seen any in person, though, so I can't say personally, just via photos and others telling me they're happy with theirs.

Prices will skyrocket for the properties during conventions. Just my experience. Marriott w/ premier status will let you book 50 months in advance, Hilton w/ diamond 365 days - I can't speak for typical booking methods.

Regardless, being close to Disneyland, there's a ton of places to stay around the area.

For me, it's never too early to start planning!  I'm a planner and I like order and dislike surprises and change.  
 
I've been saying for three years (since I joined the 501st and found out Celebration existed), that when it came back to Anaheim, I was going, hell or high water.  So I AM GOING.  I've been building my patch and coin trade stash for three years for this.  
 
It's the hotel that's gonna kill me- I'm room sharing for sure, but I've heard the Anaheim Marriott can be anywhere from $400 - $900/A NIGHT.  And even splitting that three or four ways is a big ouch.  There are other slightly cheaper options nearby, but honestly for me I really want to be in the hotel.  Walking to and from another hotel, in costume, or after each long day/night at the Con, not being able to de-costume or change in between by slipping up to a room, the relative safety of not stumbling home after a full day and late into the night partying (especially as a woman), or how much would you drop on  Lyft/etc. if really far away... there's too many conveniences that will make a big difference over five days. One day, maybe two, I'd figure it out, but not for all five.  I'm lucky in that I shouldn't have any issue finding friends to share a room with, we've got a close-knit Squad and many of us are planning to go, so it's more going to be can we get the rooms and who wants to room with who.  
 
I also plan to carpool, but that's easy and a given.  My hope is we'll get enough Squad and Garrison members together to rent a van or a bus or something, that'd be one awesome carpool!  (We're in the Central Valley, Anaheim is about 4 - 4.5 hours away).
 
I signed up for the Celebration newsletter- I expect they'll release when tickets will go on sale and possibly when 501st hotel blocks will be available, so I'll be in the first to know and be able to snag my tickets and room quickly.  Not going to bother trying for the master pass thing- too expensive and sells out so ridiculously quickly.  
 
I'm really looking forward to the patch trading, meeting other 501st members, the 501st after-parties, and the merch more than anything.  I've heard legendary stories from friends who have gone before and I can't wait to be a part of that.  I would also skip Disneyland.  As much as I love it, I'm there for Celebration, not Disneyland, and both require my full and undivided attention, which I can't give to both.  Plus, I'm avoiding Galaxy's Edge like the plague for a good year- far, far too crowded for my tastes.  

If you don't mind that I'm not local (I'm in Central CA), then I'm happy to help.  I'll drop you a PM.  (Please if there are any local advisors available, I'll defer to  you, though!)

4 blues is indeed correct, with either the Power 5 (Lt. Treidum) or the DH-17 (Lt. Tanbris) 

Many ANH officers are seen with Merr-Sonn blasters.  
 
In a quick look at the most common officer CRLs, ANH Staff Officers and Staff Officers can have DH-17s or MerrSonns (both black).  Warrant, Social (black) and Line (green) officers do not have blasters.  (There are a ton of other officers, as well, but I'd check the CRL directly for their specific weapons allowance (if any)).  
 
The rank bars depend on the officer portrayed, primarily what color.  But generally, black Staff Officers can have any of the following single rows: three reds; four blues and two ambers; or four blues*
 
That last one I'm not positive on- I had one, but I seem to have lost mine, so I can't remember exactly how many blues there were on it.  A lot of people like the four blues two ambers because it's the biggest.  I personally have all three and rotate between them depending on what others are wearing that day and what I feel like putting on.  
 
This is for Level 1 basic approval- if you do L2 or L3, you would need to replicate exactly an on-screen officer, with their combo of rank bar and weapon or no weapon.  

CS belts and hats are NOT approvable!! But if you get the Deluxe uniform, and if it fits you nicely, you can get up to L3 with it. Definitely get custom fitting. If you do, give them more measurements than they ask for, like Neck, Shoulder width, sleeve length, inseam and outseam. You may still need to do minor alterations, but it should be very little. 

Good luck!  Have fun at Celebration regardless!  Drop by the 501st area and say hi!  I won't be there (or even in that state), but we 501st members love meeting other 501st members.

Hi Jennifer, I'm in the Florida Garrison and I think something has definitely slipped through the cracks with you.  Normal turnaround time here is usually only a couple of weeks and I know many folks who have been approved in the time frame you're talking about.  I'm going to shoot you a PM and we can sort it out!
 

You can take them in yourself- just follow the existing curve, but take it in.  Sew on the new line with a heavy stitch to prevent fraying, and then cut off excess fabric.  
 
To rein in the flares you re-do the seam to be smaller, because I don't think pulling in the thigh will do much good.  Unless they're just too lose in the thigh in which case you could also tighten the seam there, too.

Could there be a bigger smile?  

Thanks a lot! I actually hit Executor status on my Bridge Crew earlier this year and I'm hopefully only one minor adjustment away from being cleared at the Imperator level, as well. My shoulder cogs are printed on cloth instead of printed on vinyl, bah! lol
 
(By the way, big thanks to DarthFunk for his help)

If you're still in need of someone, I can help out.  

If you're still in need of someone, I can help out.  

My custom jack boots are arriving tomorrow. =)