Attire

[mr. beaumont]

Well, I think we're talking the tamer attire, not full out rhinestones and bangles regalia.

A good looking vest with a white shirt can look quite spiffy (and it's much easier to find a size that'll fit you).

Here's the back of an old one I own:

Jim Hall certainly proved the power of the vest.

[RJVB]

What, no tips on how to survice in a full dress suit?

I second the suggestion for a (loose-fitting) black silk shirt with black trousers (preferably pleated), in absence of any more formal dress code. I think ultimately we're looking for a kind of uniform that draws the attention away from the invidual person so as not to distract from the music - the exceptions being female soloist singers and performers in very different styles. (Freddy Mercury came up the other day... )

Pure linen may feel a bit coarse if you have sensitive skin like me; I have one of those "medieval" shirts that is a linen/cotton mix and that one is great for when it's hot. Come to think of it, such a shirt could be nice for performing too, in black.

[DawgBone]

What, no tips on how to survice in a full dress suit?

I second the suggestion for a (loose-fitting) black silk shirt with black trousers (preferably pleated), in absence of any more formal dress code. I think ultimately we're looking for a kind of uniform that draws the attention away from the invidual person so as not to distract from the music - the exceptions being female soloist singers and performers in very different styles. (Freddy Mercury came up the other day... )

Sounds more like something a waiter would wear.

[mr. beaumont]

I have one of those "medieval" shirts that is a linen/cotton mix and that one is great for when it's hot. Come to think of it, such a shirt could be nice for performing too, in black.

But I don't want to be a pirate!

[Mick-7]

Why are folks recommending wearing black and dark colored clothes in hot weather! It's common knowledge that dark clothes absorb more heat, Tom Wolfe was no dummy.

Study reveals the best and worst colors to wear in the summer heat — Ranked from 1 to 9 | GolfDigest.com

[AllanAllen]

It’s a forum, people are answering the question they think I should have asked.

That’s why people are telling me to wear a shirt and slacks, or how much they don’t like suits.

I’m strongly considering getting this, which basically takes none of the advice I did get. But it’s cool.

FELLINI 3 Piece Suit Mens Jacket Size 42L Trouser 36L W36 L34 Waistcoat 42L Navy | eBay

or this and pairing it with some slacks

Marc Ecko Mens 42L Gray Blazer Jacket Sport Coat 2 Button Rayon Polyester | eBay

[setemupjoe]

I've spent decades playing in vintage wool suits. I worked with the band Royal Crown Revue for years and our whole style was dressing vintage. It was a point of pride for everyone to dress as classy as we could. Being hot in a suit just came with the territory.

I still work a lot around LA and am probably known for being the guitarist with the best wardrobe. It's actually gotten me quite a few gigs. Most musicians don't have a great dress sense. I didn't when I started in this business, but I picked up tips from musicians I worked with that were way more hip that me. Also, I always loved looking at photos of musicians from the 40's and 50's and how sharp they all looked.

At this point I own around 20 suits, all vintage. I've picked these up over many years of checking vintage stores around the country when I've been touring. It's getting harder these days to find anything. Most of the clothes from the 40's and 50's have disappeared from vintage stores.

The bottom line is dress better than the audience you're playing for and dress in a way that makes you feel good about yourself.

[RJVB]

But I don't want to be a pirate!

Why, you already have the eye patch and wooden leg? Or just the parrot?

The remark about vintage suits reminded me of 2 things
- horse-hair padding - prickly!
- at least you don't run the risk of getting dehydrated unnoticed
- in his original novels, Fleming has Bond wear worsted suits whenever he's sent to a tropical region. According to WP: In tropical-weight worsteds, the use of tightly spun, straightened wool combined with a looser weave permits air to flow through the fabric. It's certainly true that wool isn't just for cold weather (I have a sheepskin on my desk chair that's just as comfy when I can't cool down the place below 25 as when I can't heat it above 17)

Re: dark clothes: I recall a study looking into this, comparing an indicator like under-clothes skin temperature in Bedouin wearing white garments vs. dark (black?) ones. The latter were cooler. I think that traditionally these garments are also made of whool?!
I think it's quite logical really. Black absorbs heat, but that must work in both directions. I find a black shirt gives me a *dry* warm fealing in sunlight, undoubtedly because perspiration evaporates more readily rather than staying trapped in coton fibres. Outside of direct sun there shouldn't be a difference, I think, but I'd love to see some quantitative measurements on this.

[Woody Sound]

The hottest we ever get around NYS is 90-ish, and that's rare. I guess cooler weather can be a blessing.

[Bobby Timmons]

Why are folks recommending wearing black and dark colored clothes in hot weather! It's common knowledge that dark clothes absorb more heat, Tom Wolfe was no dummy.

Once I was talking to this ditz at work. Indoors. She said she wondered why she felt hot - 'probably because I'm wearing black.' I was all .

[Mick-7]

It’s a forum, people are answering the question they think I should have asked.

That’s why people are telling me to wear a shirt and slacks, or how much they don’t like suits.

I’m strongly considering getting this, which basically takes none of the advice I did get. But it’s cool.

FELLINI 3 Piece Suit Mens Jacket Size 42L Trouser 36L W36 L34 Waistcoat 42L Navy | eBay

or this and pairing it with some slacks

Marc Ecko Mens 42L Gray Blazer Jacket Sport Coat 2 Button Rayon Polyester | eBay

Neither of those will keep you keep you cool (in fact the Marc Ecko says it's fall/winter wear). As has been suggested, you want natural fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, light wool (probably harder to find), in light colors. Synthetic fabrics are not "breathable" and therefore retain heat and prevent evaporation of sweat from the skin, so a polyester lining in a natural fiber jacket will be counter-productive.

Re: dark clothes: I recall a study looking into this, comparing an indicator like under-clothes skin temperature in Bedouin wearing white garments vs. dark (black?) ones. The latter were cooler. I think that traditionally these garments are also made of wool?!

Camel hair or cotton, I would think, Bedouins are not known to raise sheep.

I think it's quite logical really. Black absorbs heat, but that must work in both directions. I find a black shirt gives me a *dry* warm fealing in sunlight, undoubtedly because perspiration evaporates more readily rather than staying trapped in cotton fibers. Outside of direct sun there shouldn't be a difference, I think, but I'd love to see some quantitative measurements on this.

There have been many studies, white and pastel colors reflect sunlight, dark colors absorb it.

[AllanAllen]

Neither of those will keep you keep you cool (in fact the Marc Ecko says it's fall/winter wear). As has been suggested, you want natural fabrics such as silk, cotton, linen, light wool (probably harder to find), in light colors. Synthetic fabrics are not "breathable" and therefore retain heat and prevent evaporation of sweat from the skin, so a polyester lining in a natural fiber jacket will be counter-productive.

It’s hard being the way I am.

[Woody Sound]

Got a big band gig this week at the county fair. Leader says black shirts, black pants. Easy.

[Mick-7]

Got a big band gig this week at the county fair. Leader says black shirts, black pants. Easy.

Sorry to hear that your band leader is a sadist. Proper dress for a funeral though.

[pauln]

I think the all black dress instruction typically comes from bands with someone that fronts the others (singer or instrument). "The band" dresses black as background, the "talent" in front (like in a spotlight) dresses and acts different.

[wolflen]

I think the all black dress instruction typically comes from bands with someone that fronts the others (singer or instrument). "The band" dresses black as background, the "talent" in front (like in a spotlight) dresses and acts different.

ahh..reminds of the Robert Palmer Vid...

[Doug B]

Sorry to hear that your band leader is a sadist. Proper dress for a funeral though.

Also proper dress for Tony Soprano's annual barbecue/house party.

Doug

[Woody Sound]

I think the all black dress instruction typically comes from bands with someone that fronts the others (singer or instrument). "The band" dresses black as background, the "talent" in front (like in a spotlight) dresses and acts different.

[djg]

[DawgBone]

THE BAND GETS SHIRTS! THE BAND GETS SHIRTS! DON'T MAKE AN EFFING MANIAC OUTTA ME!

LOL I love Paul's rants and Buddy's too.

[Alter]

For me the best cloths to wear on gigs have been trekking and athletic gear, which because of the fabric can handle heat and sweating much better than traditional materials. It's difficult to find ones that look classy but they are out there. You can finish a funk gig or rehearsal and go out no problem..

[Doug B]

Sounds more like something a waiter would wear.

Where do you stand on a tuxedo t-shirt? I hear that they are all the rage when playing Chik-fil-a .

[Christian Miller]

Accessorise with a flame finish Kramer Beretta and you’ll be ready for that dinner jazz set


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[AllanAllen]

I'm ready to unsubscribe from my own thread...

[jazzereh]

This is likely not much help for you [and a bit late] but check the 'used' clothing shops. When I was taking gigs I needed a tux for weddings and got a full tux including shirt at a local Value Village for about $100. Lasted for many gigs so useful and economical. Now that I think about it, it's probably still in my closet. Should check and send it back to Value Village!!