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Shorts...

This thread reminds me of a friend who went to see Helmet back in the mid 90s and came back saying he thought it was funny that Paige Hamilton was rocking out with a shiny pinkish ESP shred axe and wearing a polo shirt. He didn’t attach any significance to Hamilton’s shorts; he just liked the sort of hair metal guitar and yachting/golfing shirt being used while sounding like Helmet does.

I suppose an argument could be made that this is an example of a significant visual presentation element being a success, even in the grunge era at a venue that did not stress a dress code, though.
 
Me playing at the Bitter End. What the fudge was I thinking!?!

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Me playing at the Bitter End. What the fudge was I thinking!?!

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Maybe that sound in a band is more important than looks.
Bit if some fashionistas here, that play music, get twisted knickers about it, maybe the musical illiterates in the audience can't hear the music because they obsess about fashion.
 
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We concentrate on being professional, not appearing so.

100%. This really says it all. The way to appear professional while playing and wearing shorts, is to be professional, play, and wear shorts.

Famous bands wearing shorts is OK.

So that's the big reward? "Oh, you've hit level 13 of rock stardom, achievement unlocked... you can wear shorts now"? That's so ridiculous. I know you allowed for some exceptions, but basically it's like saying "only rich people should wear shorts". What kind of class warfare nonsense is that?

Clothing should at least be compatible with the setting

Yeah, so if the setting is above 70 degrees or so, wearing shorts shows that you know how to dress yourself as an adult.

Anyway, like the kiwi above said, a good rule of thumb is if you would wear shorts somewhere socially, absolutely no problem wearing them at a gig there. But maybe his part o the world is colder than mine, because pretty much march through october here, I'm probably wearing shorts more often than not, and just about exclusively from mid april through september. Because there are going to be more 75-90+ days in that range than not, by far, with most at least topping 80. If you hate yourself and want to be miserable and wear pants when it's 92 out (like it will be tomorrow here in DC) just because your gig is indoors and not outdoors, that's on you. Meanwhile, I'll be the guy who's still probably sweating profusely, but is at least doing all I can to minimize that, because I am an adult that understands weather's effects on human physiology.

Honestly, when people wear clothing that's completely inappropriate for the current weather, they look like idiots in all but rare cases. Or like the young girls who go out clubbing in the winter and dress in handkerchiefs and high heels, braless, no tights or anything even. I mean, I love a scantily clad woman as much as the next guy, but they look like freakin idiots. It doesn't help that they're waiting 20 minutes in a line to get into an overpriced crowded club with overpriced drinks that take half an hour to get, etc... Guys wearing slacks and a button down shirt or whatever in a hot bar or club look the same way. It just looks like your parents never taught you how to dress. Why should I care if someone has a problem with me being as comfortable as reasonably possible. I'm guessing none of the self appointed fashion experts here would say someone with a fan on stage looked "unprofessional", except that and wearing shorts serve THE EXACT SAME PURPOSE. How pretentious do you have to be to think that wearing shorts vs pants has literally any bearing on anything? Frankly it's bizarre that it's such a strongly held belief here. I think a lot of people are maybe just not self actualized enough to break the mold. Sure, there are situations that call for a little more adherence to tradition and protocol, but basically anything involving rock and pop covers, just about any original music, etc... are not them. Weddings, some corporate gigs, the symphony, playing the Blue Note in NYC with Chick, etc... sure (but Chick wears beach shirts and things like that all the time).
 
Someone brought up a point about putting on a show.

That is a legit point. But it also depends on what the band defines as a show. For some, yeah, the look is part of the thing. But for others, the music is the show. I mean, if you're playing a house party and people are dancing and having a good time, I don't think they'll care what the band is wearing... Which is right about at the point when the drummer takes off all his clothes and finishes the show nekked.
 
Don't do it. Also on the do-not-wear list:
  • sneakers
  • tucked in shirt without a belt
Sneakers??????
That's what us old farts call running shoes.
Does that depend on where you live? For example, here in New Zealand, "sneakers" are like the Converse canvas things, although you can get leather ones. More of a "street shoe" thing. I'd wear those on stage (in fact I sometimes do) but I find Chuck Taylors are too narrow for my feet so I wear Jack Purcells. "Running shoes" are different. Designed for a sport-specific purpose. I wouldn't wear them on stage. But that's just me and I don't expect anybody else to conform to my arbitrary style choices.
 
i wouldn’t tell anyone what to do, but for ME, I don’t like the way it looks on ME. i wore shorts at hot outdoor event hosted at our city’s town center, and after seeing photos from the show, i wish i had worn a completely different outfit. i dressed for the weather, but those photos exist online forever. lesson learned. i don’t care what anyone else thought, but i care about my thoughts.

you do you.
 
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I'll let the folks at the local symphony know that when they play an outdoors concert. I'm sure they'll be happy to conform to your opinion. :thumbsup:

Sure, there are situations that call for a little more adherence to tradition and protocol, but basically anything involving rock and pop covers, just about any original music, etc... are not them. Weddings, some corporate gigs, the symphony, playing the Blue Note in NYC with Chick, etc... sure (but Chick wears beach shirts and things like that all the time).

And I bet the players would much rather play in shorts on a hot summer day than tuxes or whatever.
 
...not only cargo shorts, but ANY shorts. Of course we're all in agreement that cargo shorts on stage playing music is abhorrent behavior, but are there any shorts at all that dudes over 50 can wear and not embarrass themselves? Not only gigging, but in general?

Just wondering what the bass playing intelligentia have to say on this. I know, random and weird. Thus, miscellaneous. Go:

From what I’ve seen shorts seem to go with the obligatory beer gut
 
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L
i wouldn’t tell anyone what to do, but for ME, I don’t like the way it looks on ME. i wore shorts at hot outdoor event hosted at our city’s town center, and after seeing photos from the show, i wish i had worn a completely different outfit. i dressed for the weather, but those photos exist online forever. lesson learned. i don’t care what anyone else thought, but i care about my thoughts.

you do you.
This.

Living in South Texas is hot and muggy. Soul-sucking hot. But for me it doesn’t matter. I’m opting for long pants and a nice compact blower fan. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lasko-X-...MIlrLKzPq34gIVXLXACh0BQAO8EAQYASABEgJJ7fD_BwE

I’ve seen pics of myself playing in shorts and I’m not impressed.