Help dress me up, please.

[suededoesit]

A charcoal gray with chalkstripe suit is always a safe bet. Dressy but not pretentious. Plus it's an outfit you'll be able to use for anything you'll ever need a suit for (e.g. wedding, funeral, church, christening, bar mitzvah, etc.) so it's not just a specialized buy for stage.

View attachment 1063739

Otherwise dark charcoal (avoid black) pants with a really nice blazer. Silk/wool blends always look good, and they hold their shape throughout the course of the evening, so you don't end up looking like a rumpled mess at the end of the night like half the guests will.

Looks more like a suit for an undertaker than the bass player. I say DO buy a suit that's specialized for the event. You don't wear the same suit for church or a funeral that you would for a gig. That suit is stuffy and WAY too business like. Everybody will think you're someones dad trying to bust up the party as opposed to BEING the party.

 

[guy n. cognito]

You must be rich

Because he shops at Mens Warehouse?!

 

[suededoesit]

So I was trying to decide what strings to put on my bass. Naturally, I went to my automechanic to get advice...

Or, less sarcastically, if you ask bass players for fashion advice, they will agree that you shouldn't wear a hat, that cargo shorts probably aren't a good idea and you should wear socks with your sandals. Find a reputable men's wear shop and take your requirements with you. Be sure to explain exactly what you need - clothes suitable for wearing on stage with a bass on. That will be your best advice.

There's plenty of bass players out there that are fashionable, current and could offer real, usable advice for the OP. You may not be one of them, but they do exist.

 

[Anachronism]

You must be rich

Buying a suit for work at Men's Wearhouse is pretty much the definition of middle class.

 

[40Hz]

Looks more like a suit for an undertaker than the bass player. I say DO buy a suit that's specialized for the event. You don't wear the same suit for church or a funeral that you would for a gig. That suit is stuffy and WAY too business like. Everybody will think you're someones dad trying to bust up the party as opposed to BEING the party.

Hmm…I wonder. Try telling that to the jazz and blues world.

@Joe Nerve - of course you'll also want to take into account regional differences in fashion and taste. What'll fly in LA or Seattle could get you laughed off the stage in NYC. And vice-versa.

 

[StraffordMike]

Buying a suit for work at Men's Wearhouse is pretty much the definition of middle class.

Yeah I'm poor white trash. Get my suits at Goodwill

 

[StraffordMike]

Because he shops at Mens Warehouse?!

Yeah! Seen their prices?! I will NOT pay 75 bucks for a shirt. Sorry got a kid to feed.

 

[Anachronism]

Yeah I'm poor white trash. Get my suits at Goodwill

If you want to discuss your status anxiety, why don't you start a thread for that purpose?

 

[40Hz]

I actually, really want to do this

View attachment 1064360

Ah! The Zoot Suit.

Check out the films of some of the old Cab Calloway performances if you want to see a man who knew how to wear a zoot.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Yeah! Seen their prices?! I will NOT pay 75 bucks for a shirt. Sorry got a kid to feed.

Two things:

$75 is not even remotely high for a quality dress shirt.

Men's Warehouse is currently running a special for an entire suit, poopie and tie for $199. I'm not sure which planet your MW is on, but they sell low end suits for low end prices everywhere else.

 

[electracoyote]

Looks more like a suit for an undertaker than the bass player. I say DO buy a suit that's specialized for the event. You don't wear the same suit for church or a funeral that you would for a gig. That suit is stuffy and WAY too business like. Everybody will think you're someones dad trying to bust up the party as opposed to BEING the party.

lol

I think the white shirt is really steering the whole look toward "office nerd middle management wannabe" territory.

 

[electracoyote]

$75 is not even remotely high for a quality dress shirt.

To each his own, and some of us have deeper pockets than others, but I would never pay $75 for any single item. I can get the whole package (sans shoes) for that amount, fit like it was tailored for me and the very definition of class and style. Smart shoppers and bargain hunters can do this.

They are producing incredible stuff in Asia dirt cheap, more than durable enough for a few 3-4 hour gigs a month, and unless you're worried about comparing labels and coming up short, then the priorities are fit and fashion.

 

[Ross W. Lovell]

Don't kid yourself... I'll just leave it at that .

This is how I usually roll, with clothes:

View attachment 1063533

Joe, always thought you exuded a certain level of class.

As far as the hat, not so much. Surprised, as your picture has you with a decent look and cut of hair, unless the ravages of testerone has made you need more sunscreen up top.

I'm the last guy to get fashion advice. I live in black jeans and black pocket tees, with the occasional colored dress shirt without a tie and a suit jacket....that includes funerals though the sneakers traded for dress shoes.

Would think there would need to be some type of input or consensus from the band about the image your band is attempting to project

But, it might be worth checking with some of the softer split-tails and find out is the preferred mode of dress. They have more fashion sense. Try to stay somewhat age appropriate. Jams onstage nada!

Thinking a collared shirt instead of a tee, but that won't match the rest of the band, so, not sure.

Contrasting colors more visually appealing but can sometimes clash with instrument, which is why gray works, but if your a one bass guy you can sometimes key off of that for impact.

 

[SLivinghouse]

No one more inspiring. Sager Strong! RIP.

 

[guy n. cognito]

To each his own, and some of us have deeper pockets than others, but I would never pay $75 for any single item. I can get the whole package (sans shoes) for that amount, fit like it was tailored for me and the very definition of class and style. Smart shoppers and bargain hunters can do this.

They are producing incredible stuff in Asia dirt cheap, more than durable enough for a few 3-4 hour gigs a month, and unless you're worried about comparing labels and coming up short, then the priorities are fit and fashion.

I'm sorry, I just have to address this.....

In addition to being a bassist, I've spent my professional career working in the financial services industry.....I'm one of those "office nerd middle management wannabes" you deride above. For the last twenty years I've been expected to dress professionally, and I've been fortunate enough to find enough success to be able to afford quality clothes. In addition, my professional attire gets quite a workout, given that I wear it 9+ hours a day, five days a week. With that as background....

You seem to be asserting that a $75 suit (including shirt and tie), with proper tailoring, can't be discerned from a quality suit unless one compares the labels within. I can promise you that this isn't even remotely true. From the fabric, to the fused collar, to the fit and ability to be tailored, there is a massive difference. While you may be unable to see a difference, I promise you that anyone with a more sosphificated eye can tell in about 2 seconds when they see a suit that cheap. And while at some point you may be "buying the label", I promise you that breaking point isn't $75.....

Now, can one buy a $75 suit and make it work in a corporate band environment? Sure, within limitations. A super cheap suit will lack durability, so it will take limited laundering and withstand less abuse than properly made clothing. Because of the construction methods of those suits, specific altering can be complicated, and dramatically more expensive....usually prohibitively so. I'm not talking sleeves and pant legs, I'm talking jacket and shirt waist, pant seat, etc. If one can find a suit in this price range that fits decently in the seat and waist, then the rest can be handled by a tailor (and will double the cost of the suit. ). But be assured that it will look cheap to those who know, but that rarely matter to bandmates in these situations.

For a more realistic budget of about $250 (excluding shoes), a "smart shopper" can cruise the sales and find a much better quality suit that will not only look nicer and wear better, but will take seriously altering for a proper fit. Expect alterations to cost an additional $100 or more, depending on your build and alterations needed (jacket alterations tend to get expensive.)

 

[Groove Doctor]

For suits on a tight budget, ask family/friends if they've got any suits they're not using (lost/gained weight, changed jobs, etc). Skip the outdated ones, the quality/timeless suits can be easy to find.

 

[mellowinman]

When I pay $75 for a dress shirt, it's custom made and fitted.

And I like to shop for suits at Burlington Coat Factory, when possible. Look for sales at big stores (JC Penney, Sears, etc.) Avoid Men's Wearhouse. Many of their suits are overpriced, based on what you get.

 

[electracoyote]

I'm one of those "office nerd middle management wannabes" you deride above.

Let me clarify: Nothing wrong with being a corporate middle management wannabe in a starched white shirt and power tie. We all have to aspire to something. It's just not a look some of us would want to take into a live music performance situation. As for your goals and aspirations in life, I respect that and wish you only the best.

You seem to be asserting that a $75 suit (including shirt and tie), with proper tailoring, can't be discerned from a quality suit unless one compares the labels within.

Exactly. And, to the average eye, I will continue to assert that. I have decades of proof on my side. If spending more makes you think you look better, have at it.

Now, can one buy a $75 suit and make it work in a corporate band environment? Sure, within limitations. A super cheap suit will lack durability, so it will take limited laundering and withstand less abuse than properly made clothing.

Again, from wearing budget clothing in performance situations around three times a month for 15 years and taking care to have them properly washed and professionally cleaned, my personal experience informs me otherwise. Come into the venue with your stage clothes in a garment bag, set up in your scrubs, change for the show, immediately get out of your dress clothes and back into your scrubs when the show's over, clean your clothing properly, you can make even budget clothing last a long time if you take care of them.

Also, let's not forget that I specifically mentioned thrift store and used clothing, which is often of the same high quality to which you are alluding, with the only difference being you paid about eight times more than me.

For a more realistic budget of about $250 (excluding shoes), a "smart shopper" can cruise the sales and find a much better quality suit that will not only look nicer and wear better, but will take seriously altering for a proper fit. Expect alterations to cost an additional $100 or more, depending on your build and alterations needed (jacket alterations tend to get expensive.)

As I made perfectly clear in my post above, if you have deeper pockets and it gives you peace of mind, go for it. For those on a tighter budget, I was merely trying to provide other options.

Food for thought, to each his own.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Let me clarify: Nothing wrong with being a corporate middle management wannabe in a starched white shirt and power tie. We all have to aspire to something. It's just not a look some of us would want to take into a live music performance situation. As for your goals and aspirations in life, I respect that and wish you only the best.



Exactly. And I will continue to assert that. I have decades of proof on my side. If spending more makes you think you look better, have at it.



Again, from wearing budget clothing in performance situations around three times a month for 15 years and taking care to have them properly washed and professionally cleaned, once again my personal experience informs me otherwise. Come into the venue with your stage clothes in a garment bag, set up in your scrubs, change for the show, immediately get out of your dress clothes and back into your scrubs when the show's over, clean your clothing properly, you can make even budget clothing last a long time if you take care of them.

Also, let's not forget that I specifically mentioned thrift store and used clothing, which is often of the same high quality to which you are alluding, with the only difference being you paid about eight times more than me.



As I made perfectly clear in my post above, if you have deeper pockets and it gives you peace of mind, go for it. For those on a tighter budget, I was merely trying to provide other options.

Food for thought, to each his own.

For $75 bucks, one can buy a great suit at Goodwill. At that price, it probably won't even smell like embalming fluid....

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'm sorry, I just have to address this.....

In addition to being a bassist, I've spent my professional career working in the financial services industry.....I'm one of those "office nerd middle management wannabes" you deride above. For the last twenty years I've been expected to dress professionally, and I've been fortunate enough to find enough success to be able to afford quality clothes. In addition, my professional attire gets quite a workout, given that I wear it 9+ hours a day, five days a week. With that as background....

You seem to be asserting that a $75 suit (including shirt and tie), with proper tailoring, can't be discerned from a quality suit unless one compares the labels within. I can promise you that this isn't even remotely true. From the fabric, to the fused collar, to the fit and ability to be tailored, there is a massive difference. While you may be unable to see a difference, I promise you that anyone with a more sosphificated eye can tell in about 2 seconds when they see a suit that cheap. And while at some point you may be "buying the label", I promise you that breaking point isn't $75.....

Now, can one buy a $75 suit and make it work in a corporate band environment? Sure, within limitations. A super cheap suit will lack durability, so it will take limited laundering and withstand less abuse than properly made clothing. Because of the construction methods of those suits, specific altering can be complicated, and dramatically more expensive....usually prohibitively so. I'm not talking sleeves and pant legs, I'm talking jacket and shirt waist, pant seat, etc. If one can find a suit in this price range that fits decently in the seat and waist, then the rest can be handled by a tailor (and will double the cost of the suit. ). But be assured that it will look cheap to those who know, but that rarely matter to bandmates in these situations.

For a more realistic budget of about $250 (excluding shoes), a "smart shopper" can cruise the sales and find a much better quality suit that will not only look nicer and wear better, but will take seriously altering for a proper fit. Expect alterations to cost an additional $100 or more, depending on your build and alterations needed (jacket alterations tend to get expensive.)

Right on the nose. You get what you pay for. OP is looking far above where most of us here are talking. A good suit will last longer, look much better and take tailoring much better. An Affinity will do for some, for others you need better.