I think custom suits are cool, though like the fact that canon costumes are approved only. For offical events I feel it seperates us from the average fan that shows up at a star wars event and adds more of an authentic feel. I would like to do a custom suit down the road but I have too many screen troopers I want to make first .
In my garrison we have a clone shock trooper that made a kama and pauldron so he can be a commander. Then at a canon event he can change back. I know our garrison invites our rebel legion and fan force group to non-official troops, and we usually get most recognition because people know us more then a generic jedi or pilot for example. You see pauldrons on clean troopers a lot and if that person likes it then its good they are having fun, for those that like to look like they came off the screen, its the same thing.
I wont wear a pauldron on my scout but I wont nay say a fellow member who wears one with our patch to represent our garrison, but it depends on your fellow troopers. I would like to say everyone is accepting in the legion but alas it is not true for everyone. As sandtroopers we are lucky that there are very few tense arguments and they get put out fast if there is one.