Quick question...The dressing problem

[Lord Magic]

Okay, now I don't think there are many people here who do the 'Suit-pant magician hat' magic ( if there are, sorry to offend you, lol) but here's the problem. I am going to perform very soon and here people are not in the magic culture, they rarely see good magic after one or two card tricks by their fathers. Or they see huge stage magic with someone being mutilated (read lady-cut-in-half). So when the ones organising the whole event asked whether I have a suit or something or maybe a hat in which I will perform, I explained to them that I will perform in cargo pants or jeans and shirt, they did accept for the time being. But am afraid the MAIN organisers who will oversee the rehearsal will not easily accept it. I don't have and don't wanna perform in a suit or something with a hat. The clothes I have chosen are pretty decent.
Can anybody tell me what can I tell the MAIN organisers to make them understand that performing in a too formal attire will give the wrong message about my tricks to the audience and also wrongly display my magician character without offending them? The tricks I will perform need normal shirt and pants because they are sort of close-up magic upgraded to stage level, wearing a suit will make it seem as if I will take flowers out of my nose or something.


Help?

 

[Justinquill]

In the experience that I have it's going to be largely up to the organizer. All you can do is try to appeal to whomever is heading the event, and explain as kindly as you can that your stage persona wears the outfit that you outlined. Now I have a really laid back style as well, I do close up walk around magic, I have only been forced into a suit jacket a small number of times, but when I have been I was able to do somethings that made it easier.

1. If made to dress up. Don't go for the cumberbun. Wear a nice button down shirt and tie.
2. Go for colors that are not black and white, Pick your favorite colors *purple,blue, and pink for me* and put a ensemble together with that.
3. Don't go for the suit jacket, most of the time, if you rock the button down and tie that will be enough for almost all organizers, but just in case, make sure you have a suit jacket in your car.
4. Make the outfit your own. Okay you have to dress up but make sure your character shines through. For me I roll up both of my sleeves half way up my forearm and my tie clip is a steven universe clip that my friend made for me. Also I spike my hair. I might be dressed nice but I still feel like me.
5. Even if you don't have to dress up for this event, take a couple hours and build a outfit for the events you will have to dress for. So when it comes to gigs, sometimes dressing up can not be avoided. you want the experience and pay that goes with the gigs, sometimes you have to bend to a organizers whim. Having an outfit for such an occasion ready to rock will help keep stress off of you and make you ready for any gig!

I hope this helps, if you have any other question just let me know.

 

[Maaz Hasan]

If they say formal, you may want to present formal, simply because that is the tone of the occasion. However, if they simply want you to be professional, you don't need a suit and tie necessarilly.

A nice button down/ up shirt is fine, along with any nice pair of pants.

You could also go semi formal/casual, with something like a casual/street jacket and a shirt underneath it with some pants, even a pair of jeans maybe.

At the end of the day, just make it seem professional if it needs to be.

 

[obrienmagic]

I am the wrong person to give advice on this since i where a suit to walmart, but i can agree that you can still dress nice and not look stereotypical.

 

[DisasterTheory]

Oddly, this has been crossing my mind a lot lately. It really depends on your style.

Since the invent of becoming famous for street magic, magicians rarely ever where suits, and top hats anymore. In that, seems to lay a draw for that very look in my opinion.

The recent popularity of magic has seen performers looking more "average" on one end of the spectrum and completely "goth" on the other end. For me, I'm the more "average" looking. However, I found myself thinking "it would be cool to see a magician don the tux/tails and bow tie in a very traditional classy performance, while not performing classic magic. Give the entire thing an almost macabre, creepy sideshow feel. That's just me though. I find attraction to tradition with a spin.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

You could definitely do that and I think it would have a solid audience, too.

I am of the belief that a performer should stand out a bit. I used to wear all black, but lately I've been dressing with more variety. The other day I wore brown Doc Marten shoes, blue jeans, belt with a decently large buckle (tree of life design, silver), grey button up (sleeves rolled up), brown vest. Watch with a brown band, bronze pendant necklace. I also have ear rings in, a black wedding band, a colorful bracelet, and a beard and mustache, and if I'm not performing usually wear a cadet's cap style grey hat which has a pin in it. I also have some visible tattoos.

So I stand out, but I don't look like a character.

The performance starts as soon as people figure out who you are. So your image matters. It's important to think about what your wardrobe choices are saying to an audience, just as much as what your words are saying. Some wardrobe choices don't work for some venues. In those cases, you have to decide if you are willing to change the wardrobe or turn down the gig. I have said no to a gig or two that would not have suited me in that regard.

You can definitely come across as professional in cargos and a button up or even a t-shirt. But don't stick to that just because that's what you've worn before - make it a conscious choice to project a certain image.

 

[Al e Cat Dabra]

LM, is this an event you mentioned sometime ago, or am I confusing that with someone else? If you don't mind, a couple questions that may help me give an opinion on this: Who exactly are the main organizers? What city/town is this event going to be held at? What is the venue (school, auditorium etc.)? Is it on a stage? Are you being paid? How many other performers will there be and what kind of acts do they have?

AECD

 

[HectorE1]

Usually the recommended norm for this is to dress the par or a bit "up" than every body else at the gig... Especially if it's a fancy walk around or corporate gig... remember first impressions count...

 

[RealityOne]

See my profile pic. Black pants, French blue button down shirt, black blazer. Sunglasses optional.

The typical magician look was developed by Jean Robert-Houdin because he wanted to dress like the people he was performing for and bring magic off the streets and into the parlor.

I dress the way I do because it fits my style. Or, to quote Men in Black - "I make this look goooood." There are just enough hints that I'm a magician without the corny overtones. The look blends into my character. Additionally, it also works for my audiences who are typically older (i.e. over 25) and allows them to see me as a professional. I also use the outfit to my advantage - the suit pockets help me with switches, ditches, loads and the coverage of the suit behind me allow me to conceal gimmicks (loads) that are attached to my belt.

What you wear reflects both your character and the audience you perform for.

 

[Timewise64]

In the end, how you dress will be less important than how you perform! Excepting some 'rule' that requires a particular from of dress....

For me I think magicians should wear something that draws attention! That can be a formal look, bright colors, or in some cases even a costume. If your audience is mainly kids, wearing something that draws their attention would be a smart idea. If you are performing for mostly adults, your dress will have less impact on them, as in today's world, people wear whatever they want, anywhere they go!

 

[RickEverhart]

I am similar to David. I DO wear suits to perform in. Many times at corporate events, wedding receptions and other venues I work in you will want to look a step above everyone else. I enjoy wearing my suit coat as it allows me to have my sets of 3 effects in various pockets ready to go. If someone is shelling out hundreds of dollars for me to come work their company Christmas party I am not going to arrive in cargo pants and just a regular button down. And jeans are a definite no no for me unless I am just twisting balloons and the company wants me in their logo Tshirt or something similar. If I were booking a young magician, I would not want them to show up in ripped jeans and their Theory 11 T-shirt. Just my honest opinion. I think you "can" still look professional though in just khaki or black pants and a button down. At least something with a collar on it.

Now, on the contrary, if you play a "character" like Silly Billy or Piff the Dragon, by then all means wear your costume attire. Ha.