Dressing for the stage

[Mike Sorr]

I think the most important thing to remember when dressing for the stage, and I'm confident most TBers will agree with me, is that shorts and baseball caps are a MUST!!

 

[dalkowski]

My 0.02 is that, the harder you try, the more you look like you tried too hard. You want to look good - but there’s no need to stand out as the clear rocker dude musician. That worked in the 80’s. Don’t be a slob, but don’t go overboard.

Yeah. Put another way, dress like you belong there.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

This question is impossible to answer without knowing what kind of a band you're in, and possibly what sort of venue you're playing at.

 

[Marc valero]

If it is a formal gig and you don't want people to know you are Superman, then a coat and tie and glasses. Of course the girl in the band can show a little skin.

 

[nick4bass]

Hats. Don't. Wear. Any. None. Zero. Nada. SAID THE GUY WITH GREAT HAIR!

I've got one rule: Glasses. Don't. Wear. Any. None. Zero. Nada. What are you, a musician or a librarian? Cool shades are okay, though. Just kidding!

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Depends on the band.

Jack White always looks like he just rolled out of bed.

 

[crabbybassman]

That's easy. Dress for the gig. Sometimes Purple Corderoy Bell-bottoms and a chrome shirt with spiderwebs works well. Only article of clothing pic here that didn't work out was the PBass. I've since went back to the SG bass. Being Silverburst it matches anything now.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Black tee on black skinny jeans for me always. But this is what I wear every day of my life.

 

[Slevage]

This is what I wear in one of my projects...

View attachment 3724025

We play period correct music from the 1850's at Columbia State Historic Park in the Mother Load outside of Sonora CA. It's actually very comfortable clothing.

I like your dress.

 

[Paulabass]

Just to make it fair- Female here.
Blues tonite, so I'm wearing a snakeskin tuxedo jacket over a low cut camisole, studded mariachi pants, and black pumps. I admit since our keyboard player joined I have had to up my game because she's a vision in black leather and rhinestone studs from her boots to her bowler hat.

 

[Charlzm]

I'd like to up my game with my stage look. How do you guys dress for the stage? Any pictures? Where do you shop? Obviously it will be very different for different types of bands. Pictures would be great.

• Three-color burst P Bass
• Tort pickguard
• Fender strap
• Rumble 500
• cargo shorts
• sandals with socks
• random t-shirt
• sunglasses

You have now achieved the TalkBass look.

 

[Pings Bass]

jazz/latin rhythm section/horn section: all black or black/white. Of course some salsa bands have uniforms/costumes, but I've never had the pleasure. You can't go wrong with a black suit, white shirt and black tie. I've also gone with a solid t-shirt or crew-neck sweater under a black or blue blazer for a more casual look (see profile pic).

 

[Hover-Rich]

Of course, the default TB answer is .... carrots.

 

[Gustopher]

I go safe, same thing pretty much every show. Dark jeans, solid black tshirt, black shoes and black hat, wrist band for added coolness.

 

[bajaandy]

It doesn't matter what the band is wearing with a your singer dressed like that!

This. We have two female singers who make it so it just does not matter what I wear. I could be in a tux or a pair of board shorts... nobody will even be looking at me.

 

[rtslinger]

Hi @LiquidFudge,

To be serious though, you've been around here since 2014. Haven't you seen enough "how should I dress" threads? Or at last seen enough gig pictures to see how others dress? What makes you look good? What makes you feel good?


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

Cliff it is okay if you show yourself out ha ha ha

 

[Liam Wald]

This thread definitely confirms that age old saying, "There's just no accounting for taste!"

 

[Hambone70]

Same thing I wear in everyday life. To me, it’s all about the music.

 

[electracoyote]

When I want to be entertained with live music, I gravitate toward bands that go fancy dress on stage and have energy. A loosely unified approach, and actual colors (aside from black).

Therefore, when I go to participate in a live entertainment music project, I gravitate toward the same kind of band.

Chops/aesthetics/entertainment value. That's how I get the best return on my performance investment.

I don't think there is a wrong answer to the question. Are the results of your efforts rewarding? Are you getting gigs you enjoy and that satisfy your needs as a musician/entertainer? If so, you're probably already doing something right. I know a lot of musicians who show up in whatever they want, like what they might wear to a Super Bowl party or to do some lawn work. They get gigs, get paid, and have fun. They would never seriously consider joining the kind of bands I do. More power to them.

As a unit, it's worthy of a serious discussion. Sometimes you're not getting the kind of gigs you're hoping for, and that could come down to your aesthetic. Many people/talent buyers do listen in part with their eyes. Like it or not, we are a visual-driven species, and the music entertainment industry has historically featured fashion as an important and relevant facet since the advent of movies and television. A large and varied demographic has come to expect musicians to make the effort as the music and the look have a nearly symbiotic relationship in their minds.

 

[Plectrum72]

Rock Roll n Soul makes some excellent shirts for stage, assuming you're leaning more toward rock/pop/country/r&b and less toward jazz/show/classical.