I need... wardrobe advice

[salmon256]

+1.

The Airism shirts may not be the cheapest around, but dang are they comfy and have a decent cut. Especially the white Tees are great because the fabric is so thick, look high class and not somewhat see-through like most others.

Back when I was in 9th grade they were 10 dollars and same quality... insane! However they really are great and have nice colors and I really swear by them, they fit just right for all body types and really help with the simple cardigan and t-shirt or blazer/sports jacket look.

I am not sponsored by Uniqlo but I sure do wish I was!

 

[Bullitt5135]

For my classic rock band, I usually wear a button-down shirt...patterned, plaid, colorful, Western, etc. I avoid solid black shirts because most stages are poorly lit and you just disappear. I usually don't wear run of the mill Levis blue jeans...if I do wear blue jeans, they'll be faded, distressed. I have some white jeans from Amazon basics that look good on stage, and they have a lot of other colors available. Shoes are usually Doc Martens or white Adidas. A simple vest can dress up a t-shirt, or accessorize with a hat, bandana, necklace, etc.

If you want to look like Aerosmith...Wornstar Clothing | Authentic Rock Clothing

 

[friskinator]

Here's the thing about clothing, and this includes gig clothing: at some point, you are going to have to buy clothing from someplace that isn't Goodwill or TJ Maxx. That may be fine for bumming around in your personal life, but if you want to look good onstage, you're going to have to do some research and spend a little money. Think of it as a gig expense, which is peanuts compared to what we spend on gear.

I understand that we as men (I'm assuming it's all men in these threads) aren't always good at choosing clothing, and we generally prioritize comfort over everything. However, there are ways to look good onstage and off that are super comfortable as well as stylish and contemporary without trying too hard to look like a "rocker." I'm almost 50, and people often tell me I look much younger. Why? I don't dress like a suburban dad. I also don't dress like I'm in my 20s, either.

 

[Pocket Dave]

As the #1 support guy/bottom of the totem pole in my band, I usually go with a black button down shirt, bollo tie and all-black Brooks runners.

Though after reading this thread, I may take the Luka Dončić route on shoes.

 

[DaveParker39]

For my classic rock band, I usually wear a button-down shirt...patterned, plaid, colorful, Western, etc. I avoid solid black shirts because most stages are poorly lit and you just disappear. I usually don't wear run of the mill Levis blue jeans...if I do wear blue jeans, they'll be faded, distressed. I have some white jeans from Amazon basics that look good on stage, and they have a lot of other colors available. Shoes are usually Doc Martens or white Adidas. A simple vest can dress up a t-shirt, or accessorize with a hat, bandana, necklace, etc.

If you want to look like Aerosmith...Wornstar Clothing | Authentic Rock Clothing

I have a couple of their less wild looking items and I do like them. But yeah some of it's a little overkill.

 

[friskinator]

For my classic rock band, I usually wear a button-down shirt...patterned, plaid, colorful, Western, etc. I avoid solid black shirts because most stages are poorly lit and you just disappear. I usually don't wear run of the mill Levis blue jeans...if I do wear blue jeans, they'll be faded, distressed. I have some white jeans from Amazon basics that look good on stage, and they have a lot of other colors available. Shoes are usually Doc Martens or white Adidas. A simple vest can dress up a t-shirt, or accessorize with a hat, bandana, necklace, etc.

If you want to look like Aerosmith...Wornstar Clothing | Authentic Rock Clothing

Based on a quick look at this site, I would avoid it. Anything with "rock and roll" written on it is cringe-worthy.

 

[el murdoque]

You're doing stage work.
Dress for the occasion, and according to your personality - or grossly against it. You can totally play punk in a Tuxedo, but should probably not wear a spray paint mohawk and studded leather to a Jazz festival.

If you're hanging back, tapping your foot and staring at your fretboard the whole gig, you should absolutely not call Elton John and ask for his old stage outfits, but maybe prefer something black.

Sleeveless shirts are cool to show off the guns and/or tattoos, and not so cool if you have loose meat flapping in the breeze when you lift your arms.

Also, one should keep an eye on what the band does. No need to bring out the flashy sequins when the rest show up in their Saturday afternoon casuals.

But in all honesty - This goes to everyone coming to Talkbass.com to get dress advice:

Please ask your Wife / Girlfriend / Significant Other.
If that kind of spouse does not exist, go find a woman with a sense for this centuries' fashion in your vicinity and politely ask them.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Please ask your Wife / Girlfriend / Significant Other.
If that kind of spouse does not exist, go find a woman with a sense for this centuries' fashion in your vicinity and politely ask them.

Best advice on this thread.

 

[Groove Doctor]

Look up stylish men your age & features (hair colour, body shape, etc).

Keith Richard’s & Johnny Depp seem to ooze this look all the time. Try searching their outfits.

 

[BassDad1964]

This works.

 

[Beej]

This works.View attachment 5366808

Yes it does. But, if you weighed 255lbs, this would probably be awful.

 

[pcake]

depends on the type of music.

one of my favorite stage outfits was a very long black tuxlike jacket (made for stage, so very light weight) with huge silvertone fabric frog closures over leggings, boots with silver frogs (not amphibians), hair up high, sometimes big, round wire glasses with a gradient sunglass tint of silver to fuschia and large chunky jewelry. it worked for folk, metal and pop pretty well, and the closures had to be fabric so as not to scratch or dent my instrument.

when i played metal, i wore black cargo shorts, black shirt with subtle print, lots of black stuff with studs, work boots. it suited me, as i like wearing black. when i played hippie-folk stuff, i wore flowing, colorful stuff that suited the music style. a scarf strung through my hair, billowing sleeves, scarves around pant legs or through belt loops. and sometimes a wide hat and riding jacket, both with fringe.

if i were a guy, i think i'd dress like a riverboat gambler with the hat and vest and the works or old time bartender, just because i could...

 

[Slacking Zac]

This works.View attachment 5366808

Looks great on you, and I'm not 255 lbs, but clocking in at 5'6'' so if I do anything like this it looks like my mom dressed me for a middle school dance.

I'd wear a Bret the Hitman Hart Halloween costume because he was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

 

[hrodbert696]

This works.View attachment 5366808

Yes it does. But, if you weighed 255lbs, this would probably be awful.

Looks great on you, and I'm not 255 lbs, but clocking in at 5'6'' so if I do anything like this it looks like my mom dressed me for a middle school dance.

I'd wear a Bret the Hitman Hart Halloween costume because he was the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.

Hey! That's me!

I think you guys commenting on that pic make a very important point - you've got to think about what works for YOUR body type and persona. What looks good on a big guy may not on a smaller one, and so on. Similarly, I've seen guys who will dress up in some flamboyant getup like they're Elton John, then just stand there on stage hunched over and not doing anything. They would have been better off wearing stage blacks and not drawing attention to themselves if there wasn't going to be any activity to pay attention to.

The thing about wearing jackets and comfort and all really depends on your tolerances (and the actual temperature). I've had times I've worn one and been perfectly comfortable, times I've stuck it out and just let myself sweat (sweat can also be a rock and roll stage look...), times I've taken a jacket off after the first set, and times I've done without altogether. It just depends.

Two things I would suggest paying attention to - SHOES and ACCESSORIES. For a long gig on stage, you want your feet to be comfortable. But again, know your tolerances, but even subliminally people (especially women) will pick up on a sense of stage presence rooted in whether the shoes are just your comfy day to day sneaks or if you've got something a little zingy on your feet. I most often gig in a pair of Beatle boots, but I've also done clompy Doc Martens or wrestling shoes, etc. As for accessories, small touches of flair can help avoid the "waiter" look if you're otherwise in black and white and wearing a vest or something. A necklace or choker, wristband, things like that.

The outfit in that picture was for the Blues Brothers tribute band I'm in. Some others, for more regular cover band gigs:

 

[BassDad1964]

Hey! That's me!

I think you guys commenting on that pic make a very important point - you've got to think about what works for YOUR body type and persona. What looks good on a big guy may not on a smaller one, and so on. Similarly, I've seen guys who will dress up in some flamboyant getup like they're Elton John, then just stand there on stage hunched over and not doing anything. They would have been better off wearing stage blacks and not drawing attention to themselves if there wasn't going to be any activity to pay attention to.

The thing about wearing jackets and comfort and all really depends on your tolerances (and the actual temperature). I've had times I've worn one and been perfectly comfortable, times I've stuck it out and just let myself sweat (sweat can also be a rock and roll stage look...), times I've taken a jacket off after the first set, and times I've done without altogether. It just depends.

Two things I would suggest paying attention to - SHOES and ACCESSORIES. For a long gig on stage, you want your feet to be comfortable. But again, know your tolerances, but even subliminally people (especially women) will pick up on a sense of stage presence rooted in whether the shoes are just your comfy day to day sneaks or if you've got something a little zingy on your feet. I most often gig in a pair of Beatle boots, but I've also done clompy Doc Martens or wrestling shoes, etc. As for accessories, small touches of flair can help avoid the "waiter" look if you're otherwise in black and white and wearing a vest or something. A necklace or choker, wristband, things like that.

The outfit in that picture was for the Blues Brothers tribute band I'm in. Some others, for more regular cover band gigs:
View attachment 5379487

View attachment 5379490

View attachment 5379495

View attachment 5379499

View attachment 5379516

still......looks cool as F- - - -

 

[Slacking Zac]

Hey! That's me!

I think you guys commenting on that pic make a very important point - you've got to think about what works for YOUR body type and persona. What looks good on a big guy may not on a smaller one, and so on. Similarly, I've seen guys who will dress up in some flamboyant getup like they're Elton John, then just stand there on stage hunched over and not doing anything. They would have been better off wearing stage blacks and not drawing attention to themselves if there wasn't going to be any activity to pay attention to.

The thing about wearing jackets and comfort and all really depends on your tolerances (and the actual temperature). I've had times I've worn one and been perfectly comfortable, times I've stuck it out and just let myself sweat (sweat can also be a rock and roll stage look...), times I've taken a jacket off after the first set, and times I've done without altogether. It just depends.

Two things I would suggest paying attention to - SHOES and ACCESSORIES. For a long gig on stage, you want your feet to be comfortable. But again, know your tolerances, but even subliminally people (especially women) will pick up on a sense of stage presence rooted in whether the shoes are just your comfy day to day sneaks or if you've got something a little zingy on your feet. I most often gig in a pair of Beatle boots, but I've also done clompy Doc Martens or wrestling shoes, etc. As for accessories, small touches of flair can help avoid the "waiter" look if you're otherwise in black and white and wearing a vest or something. A necklace or choker, wristband, things like that.

The outfit in that picture was for the Blues Brothers tribute band I'm in. Some others, for more regular cover band gigs:
View attachment 5379487

View attachment 5379490

View attachment 5379495

View attachment 5379499

View attachment 5379516

Surprised I haven't seen more of this, but you have to try things on too. And then wash and at least hang them up before wrinkles set.

While ordering the cheapest black button-down off Amazon is an option, it's also...a choice. One thing that women hit on that men never do is it is incredibly obvious if you just unfolded the clothes and put them on, the wrinkles are unmistakable.

Case in point: Vulfpeck at Bonnaroo in their iconic Schvitz robes. Another great example is people that show up to events, concerts, memorial services, etc. with a flag that they just took out of the package. It really tells you who just bought a flag five minutes before. I would put money on which members of the band have significant others from that alone.

If your dress shirt still has the wrinkles on it from where it was folded when you bought it, I promise you it isn't going to look good on you. There's also something it that once you know it, you see it everywhere, and then you recognize and can't stop noticing just how bad it looks.

 

[definenredefine]

one of my favorite stage outfits was a very long black tuxlike jacket (made for stage, so very light weight) with huge silvertone fabric frog closures over leggings, boots with silver frogs (not amphibians), hair up high, sometimes big, round wire glasses with a gradient sunglass tint of silver to fuschia and large chunky jewelry. it worked for folk, metal and pop pretty well, and the closures had to be fabric so as not to scratch or dent my instrument.

This seems like a very Dresden Dolls kind of outfit and I'm here for it.

 

[pcake]

This seems like a very Dresden Dolls kind of outfit and I'm here for it.

i'm only vaguely familiar with the dresden dolls. i think of them wearing 1920s style stuff. guess i was mistaken!

 

[definenredefine]

i'm only vaguely familiar with the dresden dolls. i think of them wearing 1920s style stuff. guess i was mistaken!

Actually I think I got a different picture in my head from your description than what the outfit actually looks like. The Dresden Dolls have like a cabaret kind of thing going on, which I think fits with your impression of them.

Incidentally, if you have a chance to see them, you should absolutely take it. They are fantastic live!

 

[buzzbass]

I take my fashion queues from Slash, Joe Perry, Jaymz and Paul Stanley(everyday clothes). Think funky jeans, animal print button down , and a bunch of tacky biker jewelry