Dress code?

Skel · #1 08-14-2008, 04:56 AM

My band has a "Strongly Suggested" dress code.

We're supposed to wear nice jeans, a belt, an ironed short or long sleeved button down shirt, and no sneakers.

I guess I never realized what a slob I am and how much I hate not being able to wear a t-shirt and sneakers. It's almost humorous - we're supposed to look nice. Playing "Red House" looking nice is weird.

I'm sure I can handle this and still end up comfortable, although I really suck at ironing, my wife sure isn't gonna do it for me, and the only kind of button down shirts that are comfortable are the kind made in India that weigh as much as a feather and get totally wrinkled up after washing them.

I'd be interested to know other band's dress codes if you have one.

**Pacman** · #2 08-14-2008, 05:14 AM

send your shirts out to be done...

Yeah, my band has a dress code.....

Let's take a look at some of the crazy clothes I have to wear...

There are others, but they get worse from here....I'm not a proud man

Skel · #3 08-14-2008, 05:26 AM

Hey Pacman - most of those look pretty cool. I esp like the one where you're playing a red (looks like a) Stingray - those tan type military clothes -sorry for my ignorance about military clothes, but that looks totally cool.

Now I have to be honest - the one where it's you and the guitard wearing matching white shirts and blue pants....ummm...well....uhh. It's not my favorite - but the rest of them look great for what you're doing - the classical stuff looks classy -it's all good except that one, but I'm certainly not the expert at what looks good.

Dr. Feelgood · #4 08-14-2008, 07:25 AM

That's a really beautiful Jazz FMT, Pacman!

Anyway, back on topic...

Dress codes are a really important part of a band's image... So I think you should just roll with it!

Imagine what Metallica would look like dressed in a similar fashion to Pacman's second picture... Looking a certain way opens up an opportunity for instant class / respect / fans etc.

**Pacman** · #5 08-14-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Feelgood

That's a really beautiful Jazz FMT, Pacman!

Thanks man! She's a great one, I'll never part with her!

Quote:

Dress codes are a really important part of a band's image... So I think you should just roll with it!

Imagine what Metallica would look like dressed in a similar fashion to Pacman's second picture... Looking a certain way opens up an opportunity for instant class / respect / fans etc.

I smell a photoshop opportunity...

Dr. Feelgood · #6 08-14-2008, 07:55 AM

+1 Any talented takers?

Thunderthumbs73 · #7 08-14-2008, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skel

My band has a "Strongly Suggested" dress code.

We're supposed to wear nice jeans, a belt, an ironed short or long sleeved button down shirt, and no sneakers.

I guess I never realized what a slob I am and how much I hate not being able to wear a t-shirt and sneakers. It's almost humorous - we're supposed to look nice. Playing "Red House" looking nice is weird.

I'm sure I can handle this and still end up comfortable, although I really suck at ironing, my wife sure isn't gonna do it for me, and the only kind of button down shirts that are comfortable are the kind made in India that weigh as much as a feather and get totally wrinkled up after washing them.

I'd be interested to know other band's dress codes if you have one.

I have a dress code of sorts in the two bands I play in:

Band #1 Business casual for our private, corporate gigs, and whatever for those few that are public. Outside public gigs- whatever is comfortable within reason.

Band #2 Something "understatedly rock-like"- jeans fine. Just not business casual, and also not t-shirt and shorts. Outside gigs- whatever is comfortable within reason.

scootron · #8 08-14-2008, 08:22 AM

We don't have a dress code per se, but we all talk about what we will try to do for a particular gig. I'm dealing with teens, so I don't expect them to dress up. We may say, 'everyone try to wear black', or if it is a nicer gig, 'everyone wear a shirt with a collar'.

As for me, I'm the local judge, so I typically dress a little nicer than they do, plus I have the old guy bass player thing going, so it is typically the Duck Dunn deal...big camp shirt, hat, beard, shades...you get the picture. Black felt hat for indoor gigs, nice straw job for outdoor gigs. Don't really go for the pork pie.

Favorite camp shirt has vintage guitars all over it...never fails to draw a few comments.

ryan(MAIDEN) · #9 08-14-2008, 08:32 AM

one band i use to be in got mad at me for hanging out with them after work and said that i should where band type clothes at all times.... they were a bunch of dill weeds

chicago_mike · #10 08-14-2008, 08:41 AM

You play the role. So you dress accordingly.

One blues band I play with, err, sub for, I do dress nicer than normal, although, dressing nicer than normal has now become my normal.

I do wear a suit without a tie sometimes as its a suit that works well onstage.

Keyboard player once told me a story, the cats are all dressed nice and stuff, one drunkish chick goes up and says why are you guys dress like that? Like in those things?
He goes " We prefer to call them suits."

black_labb · #11 08-14-2008, 08:44 AM

currenttly starting a band thats more or less based on the dress code. dress as a woman. should make for fun gigs. music will be somewhat abrasive punk/noise rock or something. first practice hasnt happened yet, so i'll see how this works out.

Audiophage · #12 08-14-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

No offense or anything, but your flailing fingers look like you're just posing for the camera and not actually playing the upright.

Nakedfish · #13 08-14-2008, 08:57 AM

Blokes - All black.
Ladies - All black with silver decorative items.

Smart attire for weddings, functions etc. Casual (jeans, t-shirts, vests etc) in pubs, clubs.

Croox · #14 08-14-2008, 09:08 AM

as long as my band members are wearing clothes, I dont care what they wear. i guess jeans/band shirt work.

(BTW we are a thrash metal band)

CapnSev · #15 08-14-2008, 09:19 AM

My Soul/Funk cover band is suit and tie

My Blues/Rock trio is a lot more casual, but you won't catch us in sneakers or shorts etc.

Separating yourselves from your crowd and looking the part are essential IMO, if you want to be taken seriously.

von buck · #16 08-14-2008, 09:32 AM

Most of the bands I play with don't have a dress code per say, except for weddings and corporate stuff, dark suits or tux, but thet all been playing out long enough to know they need to "look good". You don't want to look like just some guy from the audience who jumped up on stage.
Andy

krazyduck · #17 08-14-2008, 10:08 AM

jomahu · #18 08-14-2008, 10:08 AM

we just decide on colours...like blue top and jeans, orange top and white bottom, etc.
me, i always show up looking like i just got back from the beach, so the rest of the band has given up on me.

funny, i used to scoff and pout about it...now, i don't like seeing mismatched bands. that's why the dap-tones are so...well....dapper!

BassScum · #19 08-14-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiophage

No offense or anything, but your flailing fingers look like you're just posing for the camera and not actually playing the upright.

C'mon man was that comment really necessary?

Dr. Feelgood · #20 08-14-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krazyduck

Hahaha! Good job! But who's the random in the middle?