Dressing for the stage

[Dr. Love]

I think a musician should stand out from the audience, but how depends on the gig.

 

[jmlee]

My mother said to alway look like you're outstanding in your field. I may have misunderstood.

 

[bassliner50]

Black on black. Always always be dressed better than your audience.

 

[JakobT]

My BL said that we can wear anything....but we have to wear pants.

I never wear pants.

 

[SteveC]

I admit I am a slacker. I usually wear dark clothes. I like to blend into the background as much as possible. We have a pretty attractive female lead singer so much of the focus is/should be on her. She usually looks pretty good.

I should step it up, but as a fat guy it's hard to find clothes. And yes, I know, I should try to lose weight for the clothes and health benefits.

If you are of an average size, something like StitchFit or any other "outfit in a box" services would be a place to start. I think our guitar player is doing that. He's younger than me and has a 28" waist so it's easy.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

Where do you shop?

 

[EatS1stBassist]

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.

Black!

 

[SactoBass]

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.

Excellent subject, LF!

I'm sure there will be folks with a different opinion than mine, but IMO, nothing says "amateur garage band" quite like wearing jeans (or even worse....shorts) and a concert tee shirt while on stage. (Please note that I'm not finding fault with amateur garage bands.....if that's what the band is, then the jeans/shorts & concert tee shirt is a perfectly excellent choice.)

I prefer to be in bands that not only *sound* pro, but also *look* pro. It is an audio/visual experience for the audience, not just audio. So I say, dress the part. If you want your band to look "upscale", then dress upscale. I personally *much* prefer to dress upscale, so I like to wear something like a tailcoat suit in unique colors, such as what Chris Squire is wearing in this pic:

 

[5StringBlues]

Make sure you got a couple guys sporting cameltoe.






Somebody shoulda clued them boys in on the zucchini trick.....................

 

[TerribleTim68]

Black tee on black skinny jeans for me always. But this is what I wear every day of my life.
View attachment 3724391

Wow, that's cool, you're in Zac Brown Band?

 

[5StringBlues]

Excellent subject, LF!

I'm sure there will be folks with a different opinion than mine, but IMO, nothing says "amateur garage band" quite like wearing jeans (or even worse....shorts) and a concert tee shirt while on stage. (Please note that I'm not finding fault with amateur garage bands.....if that's what the band is, then the jeans/shorts & concert tee shirt is a perfectly excellent choice.)

I prefer to be in bands that not only *sound* pro, but also *look* pro. It is an audio/visual experience for the audience, not just audio. So I say, dress the part. If you want your band to look "upscale", then dress upscale. I personally *much* prefer to dress upscale, so I like to wear something like a tailcoat suit in unique colors, such as what Chris Squire is wearing in this pic:

View attachment 3724697

Wings , gotta have wings.

They will silently give you freedom.

 

[SactoBass]

Wings , gotta have wings.



View attachment 3724711


They will silently give you freedom.

LOL! Well played, 5String!

 

[Tottery]

You forgot the beer gut and receding gray hairline!

or the baseball cap that looks like its been sitting in the backseat of a car for 15 years.

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Make sure you got a couple guys sporting cameltoe.






Somebody shoulda clued them boys in on the zucchini trick.....................

Yep Derek Smalls had it figured out. LOL

 

[5StringBlues]

LOL! Well played, 5String!

Unfortunately , I can't find pics of the shorts and boots outfit he wore on the Ladder tour.


Chris veers wildly from being the coolest looking guy onstage to being the dorkiest. I always liked the backgammon suit.

We won't discuss the spandex leggings era.

 

[RoketRdr]

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.

Wait a minute...we’re supposed to be dressed??? Maybe that explains why we have gotten fired from every gig so far before we even strike a note. Wondered why the cops always showed up.

 

[SactoBass]

Unfortunately , I can't find pics of the shorts and boots outfit he wore on the Ladder tour.

I would change the first word in that sentence to "Fortunately." I recall that look, and I'm trying to forget it!

Chris veers wildly from being the coolest looking guy onstage to being the dorkiest.

So true!

I always liked the backgammon suit.

I was always a big fan of his backgammon suit!

We won't discuss the spandex leggings era.

Ugh! That look was awful!

 

[Eddie LeBlanc]

Doing a benefit for Corona virus.

 

[monsterthompson]

if you are fat, please don't remove your shirt.

I’m not telling Matt Pike.

 

[hennessybass]

OK, I'll take a stab at a serious answer.

First off, you need to give us more details. What kind of band? What kind of venues? Roughly where are you?

That being said....

Shoes. They can kick up your outfit as fast as anything can. If you're in a "rock" band of any kind, get some black boots. Either "biker" boots, matte leather cowboy boots, or even Doc Martin type black boots will get you there. Here are mine.
View attachment 3724156

Moving up.... jeans. They don't have to be crazy. But have some style. They don't have to be torn. But not simple super dark blue. Just go into a store where even moderately fashionable people shop. Even an American Eagle will do.

Shirt. Again, have some style. Don't dress like your average audience member. I've actually gotten several of my stage shirts from here.

Mens Tops | Cheap Mens Tops Sale Online Free Shipping

Yes, a lot of their stuff is weird. Some even creepy. But some of it sets you apart. Go up at least one size, maybe two. Their clothes are made for Asian markets where sizes run smaller. I wear a large shirt (44" chest 34" waist) made for the US market. I wear a 2X from these guys.

Hats. Don't. Wear. Any. None. Zero. Nada. Hat-wearing bass player has almost become a cliche'...or worse. Just don't. If you have hair, do something with it. If your head is slick, polish it and keep on rockin. No hats. If you only take one piece of my advice, take this one. Whatever hat you think is cool just isn't.

In this pic I'm wearing the boots above.
View attachment 3724158

For context I'm almost 50 years old. My cover band does everything from modern country to 80s/classic rock to some pop/soul.

Good post.
I wear a hat sometimes.
Also, those boots are bad ass.