General Music Chat

I 'm wondering how important it is, since musicians are creative in nature, as to what you like to wear when you play out somewhere. Do you go for comfort or a look. This is not a FASHION question. Some people want an image and some people don't give a damn, they just want to be comfortable, and some may think it's unrelated. Some may even wonder what one has to do with the other. So, does it matter to you and if so, what's your favorite?

Well, I think image is a very important thing in the industry!! Better if ya have one, than if ya don't......

But, as a rule, I think personal style has alot to do with it also!!

For example..... one of my favorite colors is Black.... I like lace, leather, short skirts.....etc...

I have a wardrobe just for gigs!! Sometimes I will wear this cute dress, very short....(I'd have to wear short, shorts underneath for jumping around & bending over )
I would also wear like a lacy black bra underneath a black lace shirt, and a pair of black Levi jeans.... with black heels!!

Sometimes I would wear just a black sport bra with my black levi jeans... It also depends on where you're playing and what's appropriate!
I've done Holiday Inn gigs before, and I would wear black dress slacks with my black sport bra and a short/fancy kind of blk/wht checkered vest over top....with my heels.....
I think you get the picture!! That's my personal style, I like the "sexy" looking stuff!!

The other reason I would like to wear as little as possible....ESPECIALLY in the summer is because it gets SO HOT underneath all the lights--- then when yur dancing, singing and jumpin around.... WHEW!! HOT!!

Lady Rocker , I think a lot of artists love to wear black and you can count me in ,too. I also think personal style is a Great Big part of it, and sexy is always going to work! Some people think it shouldn't matter, because it's your performance and that's what people care about. Is it the whole package, or what?

I don't think it mattered to:
eddievetter, elviscostello, the guy from blues travelor, bobdylan, tomwaits, johnhiatt, govt mule, zappa

It obviously mattered to:
prince, kiss, elvis, all hair metal bands, M&M, vanhalen, led zep, ziggistardust

I think it's more important that you wear your instrument (WEAR IT DOWN BY USING IT!)

IF YOUR GOOD, THEY WILL LIKE YOU NO MATTER WHAT... BUT IMAGE WILL HELP THE GOOD, BAD OR UGLY.

It depends on your personal style. I've seen performers in both flambouyant and very dressed down clothing and it can both work or not, for them, depending on what they are attempting to pull off. I'm on the more eccentric side (kilts, embroidered stuff etc) because the stuff I do generally is kinda showy, but if I were a singer songwriter I think I'd go instead for the humble flannel shirt.

I'll tell you though, nothing is more embarrassing than a performer who does nineteen costume changes, and doesn't have enough talent to fill a thimble. THAT'S bad!

Amen Irminsul!

I can only add that in Business they tell you to dress for success.
On a personal note I can add that when I dress up I feel better about myself, which then is passed on in my work performance, etc. So I think what you wear can matter, even if it originates within you, it will affect your audience.

Wow, I am getting some great comments and I really appreciate it because I sincerely am curious about it. Mr. Mike V, very well communicated and I love the good, bad, or ugly! I happen to like some of both groups of artists you mentioned and I'm impressed that you mentioned Tom Waits! I love him. You are right about them liking you no matter what, if you're good. Irminsul, nineteen costume changes is a fashion show, LOL, not a musical performance! I'm starting to think it's kind of fun to do the flannel shirt thing, though, cos for years I always made sure I dressed so to speak for the stage, nothing special, but now I kinda like the idea of comfort and blending in with the crowd. And J-Rae, you made a great point, the way you feel about yourself will affect your performance. This is more and more interesting to me!

I'm on the flashy side myself... usually a tunic and some leggings... often I'll put on my best tube top and my full length zebra spandex bottom....JK
did anyone picture me in a tube top???????? cause that' what I was going for!

Wearing something on stage that I wouldnt normally wear every day is one of the things I love about playing music. I like the way Robert Palmer dressed, Private clubs, etc. Then, I like the old bandana with a ball cap on backwards, Trench coat, Leather, etc. Thats whats fun about it, You can really be original. Blue tented sunglasses, Rose tented, Yellow, etc. Back in the 70s, we would get a pair of the boots with big heals & spray paint them Gold, silver, whatever color was needed for a show. There are just so many different things you can do with a little Enjoy yourself & have fun with it.

I knew you were one of those kids that like to play dress up v&b... did you have a doll collection too?
hahahahahehehehehohohoho

I knew you were one of those kids that like to play dress up v&b... did you have a doll collection too?
hahahahahehehehehohohoho

I think I did have a couple of G.I.Joes back about a century ago when I was a 'child of mine'. [No Barbies] One of my G.I.Joes may had held a Ken doll captive, And tortured him to death. Death by hanging. You know, Normal things any kid would do.... .....Lol...

you are ok by me v&b. don't ever change. I had gijoes too!
admittedly there was a time when I'd dress up for a metal show. usually combat boots leather jacket and jeans. oh, yeah and hair down past my hinder. But I am never breaking out those pics... ever, or the video.

GI Joe is HOT!!! LMFAO!

aah yes. gijoe... takes me back.
whatever happend to scratch n sniff?
what does it say aboutme that I liked the skunk one most?
yes tom waits... only guy on earth that could write a song called 'hooker with a penis' and get away with it.