Star Wars: Han Solo Running Costume Vest

The inaugural Star Wars Half Marathon: Dark Side race weekend at Walt Disney World is less than one week away! Since I've already run the Star Wars Half Marathon: Light Side at Disneyland this past January, I'm eligible to participate in the Kessel Run Challenge (a special Coast-to-Coast Challenge that's specifically for the Star Wars races) and receive the Millenium Falcon medal.

I decided to take this opportunity to add an upcycled costume to my growing wardrobe of running costumes.

I first started with a black 100% polyester shirt (same material and feel as other running shirts) that I found for just $4 at a thrift store.

Step 1:  I took off the sleeves at the seam.

Step 2:  I chopped off the bottom of the shirt at the waist to make the final vest shorter.

Step 3:  I cut a vertical line down the front middle of the shirt to transform it into a vest.

Step 4:  I hemmed the arm holes and the bottom hem of the vest.

Step 5:  I used the leftover fabric from the sleeves and the shirt bottom to make pockets based on Internet pictures that I found of Han Solo's vest from "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope."  [If you're not already aware, Han Solo has different vests for ANH and RTJ.]  No, I did not use a template; I just eyeballed it and cut.

Step 6:  Now just add a white running shirt (I can use either a long sleeved or short sleeved one) and blue bottoms (either running tights or a running shirt), and I have quick & easy costume that is comfortable enough to run a race and adaptable enough to run in any type of weather.