I have only done a handful of shows but now that more people are requesting my show at their kids birthday party my tuxedo tee shirt and jeans isn't going to cut it. I need to go for a more professional magician look. Does anyone have a any suggestions or care to share what they perform in.
Thanks,

Following are a few pictures to what I wear:


http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......estival/ red
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......val%202/ dark blue
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......pension/ white
http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e150/D......Busking/ light blue

Thanks for the pics Dynamike

I think you are wise to understand that looking like a bum gives you the image. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Dress is 100% of all many people use. Don't let it work against you. It is just as easy to put it in your favor.

As an old marketing professor, I can tell you it is not unusual to pay more for the wrapper than the contents. Otherwise, the product never gets a trial!

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

Amen to that, Bob.

I agree with Bob totally too.

I don't think there is a need to go formal i.e. a tuxedo and bow tie however. A nice coat (with or without a tie) and a nice pair of pants (not jeans) go a long way to making a good first impression. In lieu of a coat a vest is a good accessory as it has pockets and is perfectly acceptable. If you're going the vest route consider a nicer shirt as part of your performing outfit, it makes a difference.

It all depends on your character - what style and persona are you performing as? Is there a costuming theme you have unknowingly woven into your act?

Tux, jackets, ect... in my opinion aren't for kids shows. Kids do not see that as FUN. You want to not only BE fun - you want to LOOK fun.

The tux is hardly the only suitable dress for doing magic. As a rodeo clown it would have been totally inappropriate.

My point is that costumes (including street clothes) make an impression. If you look like the busboy, unemployed fisherman, drug dealer, party crasher here by accident, or the yard boy; people will go with it. The worst part is that they may stop paying attention right there and then.

Without meaningful attention, the entertainment value is lost. The individual (entertainer) needs to establish credentials that get the meaningful attention. Call it getting the respect of the listener, if you must. If they don't care or respect what you have to say and do, your influence as an entertainer is severely limited. They are not paying attention to the entertainer. At best then, it is just an interruption to process.

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

And with the close-up magic what style is the best of your opinion?
With me wear just like regular person

Bob's post implies for all types of magic.

There is an entire section called "the clothes we wear"on the main page which may have some helpful advice to you Conankid144.

:magicrabbit:

Go here:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewf......107&6237

There are over 6000 posts and 17 pages of subtopics on costumes.

Enjoy!

Bob Sanders
Magic By Sander

PS --- One of the often heard comments at magic conventions is "Don't they perform often enough to have a costume?" Audience expectations are very real and they pay the tab! Failure to dress for the job won't buy you points with a paying audience.

This is a very important issue. I saw someone trying to dress how they thought they were cool. But the truth is that they looked messy, unkept.

My kids competed in the Jr Close up contest at the Jubilee and one was a pirate. My daughter had a nice outfit and the winner was my son who was wearing a nice white jacket, shirt etc. He looked good. And the props actually stood out better in front of a white jacket too

Now this is class-A! I really like the red, but it wouldn't fit my image. The blue is awesome, more my style, the white and light blue are sharp too!

It's true. Now folks, this guy looks good in ALL of these, and I'll bet his performance matches his style.

If you've never dressed like this, I suggest consulting a professional, someone who KNOWS what works for YOU! You might be surprised, bright red might be your best bet. Ya never know.

Thanks for the pix, Dynamike!

Doug

Dynamike and Bob are dead on the money, but don't limit yourself to one "magicians costume".

It pays to know what kind of audience you're working for. Just this weekend I did an outdoor show where I dressed in a loud orange "Hawaii shirt", with colorful Leis, HUGE starshaped sunglasses, and a white cowboy hat (matched the pants). It was appropriate for this venue because it shouted "FUN" without looking completely ridiculous. (You'd probably need to see it.) Everyone thought it was a great outfit, and I got many compliments after the show.

Earlier this year I did an evening show more in the line of a storyteller, and the dress was completely black and white, using a tuxedo shirt (no jacket), black bow tie and cummerbund with a black beret. Also wide black suspenders. The effect was "old world charming" and totally worked for that time and place.

Just like everything else, your routines, outfit, even your jokes need to be carefully aimed at the specific venue you're working.

Unfortunately I don't have any photos to share, but I kind of go with the Doug Henning look, I pull it off with the addition of the fun and amazement of magic (Yes, I show wonder and amazement as well....and not only when an effect goes badly)

Not everyone can pull it off, and my clothes are not quite as loud as his were, but it works for me.