I need... wardrobe advice

[DaveParker39]

What do y'all wear for "rockstar vibe" gig wear?

I can't do just a t-shirt, it gets too yanked around and the neck ends up getting stretched.

"casual" dress shirts work sometimes.

I haven't found a fest I like, but I gotta have a second layer.

Casual blazer?

 

[buldog5151bass]

The casual blazer can make you look very 80s (think Huey Lewis and other early MTV). They also can be hot on stage. I go dark/black jeans, and look for bright colored or patterned dress shirts (usually roll sleeves up if long sleeved). It's fun to browse on line and in second hand shops.

 

[friskinator]

I’ve said this before, but TB is one place that I would not come for fashion advice. Lots of great advice in general here, but not that.

I’m not sure what kind of gig you need the “vibe” for, but I’d advise Googling pics of bands that you think have good style and taking bits and pieces of what you like.

 

[P. Aaron]

Dress for your musical genre but also wear clothes that you feel good in. Discomfort onstage can be a gig-killer.

Over the years, I have spent almost as much on stage wear as I have on basses and gear. Second-hand clothes stores are ok but, look for an upscale clothier locally or online that offers cool looking fashionable wear that's visually attractive that also IS you.

We buy basses for looks a lot of the time. Why not dress for your gig too? Some T-shirts can be very effective but, make sure they reflect your band's attitude, are graphic and easy to read at a distance. Nice button down shirts and better-cleaner look blue-jeans and leather-topped shoes, something other people don't wear. Don't neglect a cool hat, if that's your thing.

You're a performer, not another observer.

You have a playing style, now find your onstage fashion style. It's all part of your gear/rig.

 

[Killing Floor]

If you’d be comfortable wearing it to an office, gym, school, dinner date it’s probably not right for stage. To me it’s all about being just enough over the top of what you’d wear to the venue of the gig.

 

[DrBnz]

Go to an Army Navy surplus store and get a old flak jacket w shoulder pads. Ya got "the look" goin for ya, plus it disperses the weigh of the bass across your shoulders. I'm only half kidding. I wore a sleeveless hunting vest one evening cause it was cold out. That thing was GREAT. I never felt the bass on my shoulders the entire evening.

 

[MattZilla]

Mostly depends on the band.

I won’t go mid-70s Bill Wyman/JPJ/Entwistle, unless I’m being paid well to do so.

I usually err toward late-90s Robert DeLeo minus the sunglasses. Dark colored button up shirt made of merino or some other super breathable wicking material & fitted mild-stretch jeans. Maybe Dickies or Carhartt pants for the more rural gigs. If the room is chilly enough I may be wearing a lightweight travel jacket for the first couple songs.

It’d be cool if there was a Blazer/Sport/Travel jacket thread. I’ve got a few Men’s Warehouse & Kohl’s jackets that’re okay, but also a pair of Circolo’s that utterly blow them away.

———

If you’ve got collar twisting issues, it’s time to start shopping for a less-poorly balanced bass and a wide leather strap with the slippery side on your shoulder. Switching to a different type of shirt will not solve this. Adding a vest or jacket to the current problem will just look… not photogenic.

 

[sean_on_bass]

follow an example. check out what other people are wearing at their gigs and steal what you like. could be other local groups or even international acts you are a fan of.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

A hat with a feather in it is de rigeur.

 

[sugarsand]

I think I might have said this before some years ago... Saks 5th Ave Store, the fancy mall version, not the the real Saks. Here near Palm Springs in Cabazon, in the 75% area of that store it has crazy cool odd things to wear that look like clown-bondage clothing. That's where I shop if I want something that's off, you'll never be quite cool or but you won't be a cliche' either. No woman will ever ask your name when your setting up and then run a bar tab with your name and says she's with the band, you'll scare the hell out of people like that. You'll remind her of Dennis Hopper with the oxygen mask.

 

[pglaser01]

A tube sock

 

[MattZilla]

I think I might have said this before some years ago... Saks 5th Ave Store, the fancy mall version, not the the real Saks. Here near Palm Springs in Cabazon, in the 75% area of that store it has crazy cool odd things to wear that look like clown-bondage clothing. That's where I shop if I want something that's off, you'll never be quite cool or but you won't be a cliche' either. No woman will ever ask your name when you’re setting up and then run a bar tab with your name and says she's with the band, you'll scare the hell out of people like that. You'll remind her of Dennis Hopper with the oxygen mask.

PICS.

 

[Discount Bassy]

If I a the star, something flashy if not outlandish. If I am not, mostly black with brighter shoes or socks.

 

[MynameisMe]

I'll see you one, and raise you one.

 

[MynameisMe]

If we're talking about ultimate comfort here how about just a wife beater shirt! Make sure you haven't eating any BBQ or anything.

 

[MynameisMe]

I think I might have said this before some years ago... Saks 5th Ave Store, the fancy mall version, not the the real Saks. Here near Palm Springs in Cabazon, in the 75% area of that store it has crazy cool odd things to wear that look like clown-bondage clothing. That's where I shop if I want something that's off, you'll never be quite cool or but you won't be a cliche' either. No woman will ever ask your name when your setting up and then run a bar tab with your name and says she's with the band, you'll scare the hell out of people like that. You'll remind her of Dennis Hopper with the oxygen mask.

Is that part of the murder clown crowd? I hear that's quite a popular band roundabouts here.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Hand made italian style zippered black boots.
Rock star personified.

 

[Ostie]

Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts and sandals with socks!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

What do y'all wear for "rockstar vibe" gig wear?

I can't do just a t-shirt, it gets too yanked around and the neck ends up getting stretched.

"casual" dress shirts work sometimes.

I haven't found a fest I like, but I gotta have a second layer.

Casual blazer?

I need advice as well. I’m tired of dressing like a waiter. The last gig I played somebody asked me to fill her water glass…..