I always tell people I AM in shape...after all...round is a shape

You certainly do not need to look like a fashion model to be successful. I think, though, that it is important to look YOUR very best, whatever that may be.

It`s good to wear something they will remember and it`s also good, if it`s unique, so when you become famous you are going to see people dressing like you more and more, that should be fun

God Bless You, I Love You

The clothes can make or break the woman, man or character.

I once saw a short, balding, very heavy magician, wearing a nice tuxedo and doing a Linking Rings routine. He was sweating profusely. For some reason the whole thing just didn't seem right.

Basically, be neat, clean, know your role and dress accordingly.

Thats for *** sure.

I do a dual magic show and we wear a suit jacket black pants, top hats, and a white dress shirt no tie with top button undone. Is this acceptable?

The proof is in the pudding!

However, to me wearing a top hat with a suit coat is much like a lady wearing wool socks with slinky high heels. They just don't go together. It seems as out of place as a pilot's helmet.

I would ditch the top hat for something that would go with a suit coat. Even a cowboy hat would be a better match. But I'm sure you can beat that. If your hats are noticeably different from each other, the audience can identify you better too. Perhaps one straw and one felt? Pick hats people wear with suit coats.

My vote is to ditch the top hat, but experiment with other hats until you can identify yourselves. It could be fun.

Good luck! I’m sure you will find something good.

Bob
Magic By Sander

The best advice in magic and everything else in life is Be Yourself , in other words find what works for you .

I find it important to dress formally when I am doing a paid show or any charity shows. I am getting paid, it won't hurt to look my best and for charity....well just looking nice for charity gives an aura of respect about you.

For every-day stuff, I usually wear casual clothing (jeans or shorts, white t-shirt, and than a riffled tux shirt [I just like wearing tux shirt]).

When I walk into A room there is no doubt as to which person is the magician I always wear a tux. If you are going to be there be the best dress man in the house.

Wear what suits you character.

Guy Hollingworth would look ridiculous in what Tamariz wears and vice versa.

S

Although I don't have much extra weight on me, I generate a lot of body heat. I wear worsted wool jackets, with T-shirts or banded collar shirts (I hate the strangled feeling of wearing a tie), with lightweight dress slacks. I wear light clothes even in the dead of winter, because I have to be comfortable to have fun. I think it's more important to look comfortable in what you wear, otherwise the audience starts to get uneasy when watching you perform.

As for Copperfield's look, wouldn't that be considered "grundge chic"? lol Can't knock it, it works for him.

All great Advice!

Will Heed!

Thanks!

I find looks rather important to my magic. I basically look good in black and feel comfortable in it in general so normally it’s black. A bit of a cleshay I know.
I’m careful to try and stay average weight though i’m currently trying tslim down a bit (I’m an average 8:10 but I feel I would feel better as an 8:05). My magic ‘style’ is quite graceful and smooth and so I find that it works best not to be to bulky in appearance for my character.

Normally I try to look individual as I am aware a lot of magicians now a days wear black suits so I resort to a more casual slightly gothic appearance. I am lucky I have a rather slender and pale skinned (anemic) and so I never wear gloves so my hands and face are large focus points.
I design costumes sometimes and the other day I found a watch in an antique place and turned it into a pendant which seems to have become a signature (subtle gold on silver chain, grey back with old roman numerals, quite nice really!). And I have a fair collection of jewellery which suits my clothes – none of which is gothic but rather mysterious and charitable.
I cut my hair short a while ago as I found the pony tail far to common amongst girls so I cut shortish it and died it black with red highlights. Being a female magician in a male dominated profession it really helps show a separation from the few female magicians I have seen with long hair.
It’s hard to explain but everything I wear I just make sure it is individual yet not intimidating. Black long sleeved t-shirt, black bondage jeans and a few accessories such a a beret, ring, pendant etc works wonders for me. I just think its important to look individual yet not over the top.

Looking back at this thread, I remembered the "rules of etiquette" as my rodeo-producer uncle taught them to me.

My favorite event was bareback broncs. (Short guys have an advantage in that event. I'm 5' 9".) He always suggested, in spite of the fact that whether or not I made the 8 seconds odds of getting my shirt dirty were high, that I wear a white shirt. It was "taking care of business". The prize money came from people who bought tickets. They were due the respect.

Now at age sixty, I wonder how many other things it did for me too. Did it influence my confidence, the judges' opinions, and the spectators' support? In plainspoken "cowboy", I think the answer is "Yep!"

It applies to magic too.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

I weigh the same as I did when I was in high school 180 lbs. As a rule magicians are mainly interested in a taupe that looks like a dead squirl, and as much flashy gold jewelry as possible, which is why I call myself a juggler who does magic.

Pride in your apearance starts at the waist line.
Al

This a big thread and also great one, as many have said it already in here , I just want to add my two cents. Well, you have to be clean certainly but that is not only in magic you have to be clean anyway whatever you do. I once went to a magic lecture and there was about 40 people 35 of them were those too busy practising and doing magic and have no time to take shower, shave, dress properly or clean their yellow fingers from burned nicotine, it was summer quite hot in there and the whole place smelled like "bookies". THe bottom line is be yourself , but if being yourself makes you take shower once a month or a week, the you certainly have to not be yourself and start taking shower everyday,or at least before you do a show or perform for people.

Looking fit, healthy and good adds points to your overall appearance obviously, but some people cant help it, in that case try and look neat and presentable and consistent.


Zac

Advice I was given and agree with highly. Just be yourself! Having your own style, presentation etc will help you stand out. If you’re good that's a good thing if not you get the idea. But you won't have to worry about what fits since it's natural for you.
John

You not only want to be in good physical shape, but I feel you must be the best dressed man in the room. I also like to be the loudest dressed man in the room, so they see me coming, but that's just my style.
BOY WHAT AN OLD THREAD
Al Angello

A great thread. I agree with what is being said. I would only add that I toss my cotsume shirts the minute they start to show any wear. And yes, use an both a steamer and a lint brush.