Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 03/30/2025:  16:13:39

Bluegrass/Classic Country/Gospel audience. Rural music halls, where you want to make people laugh, like the Cleverly's do.



Not really a fan of uniforms, but it's fun to mess around. Here's what we've done in the past: audacious western snap-shirts, like Porter Wagoner used to wear. Hawaiian flowerdy shirts. Cut-off sleeve denim shirts, like you would see in "Smokey and the Bandit," or "The Dukes of Hazzard."



We are physically too far gone to pull off a Mississippi tank-top (overalls with no shirt) without disgust, but you never know come summertime.



Any new ideas?

Edited by - Flat_the_3rd_n7th on 03/30/2025 16:16:03

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 03/30/2025:  16:14:16

No chicken or gorilla suits, please...way too hot

But I would also love to hear what you wear when you play even if it wouldn't suit my situation!

Edited by - Flat_the_3rd_n7th on 03/30/2025 16:15:20

farmerjones - Posted - 03/30/2025:  17:35:04

I recon the Cleverly's have a rule. There is no such thing as a hat too small.



P.s. Don't forget your string tie.

What I wear? Shorts, T-shirt, sandals. Not enough for many. That's tuff.

Edited by - farmerjones on 03/30/2025 17:37:42

The Violin Beautiful - Posted - 03/30/2025:  19:21:35

I think a lot of it depends on the venue, the genre the player is performing, and the age of the performer.

When I was growing up, my parents were part of a band that played barndances all over, and all the musicians and dancers had a basic uniform that consisted of jeans, a Renaissance-style or plaid shirt, and a vest, hats optional. The women wore a long skirt with tights, a somewhat fancy blouse, and a vest.

If you’re playing old time and want to ham it up, dressing in the style of the people who did it as an act in its heyday is often a good reference.

Bluegrass players often go for the trucker look. Elaborate Western shirts are popular with bluegrass and country musicians. Trucker hats are almost required.

If you’re playing a Renn fest, pirate garb or something that resembles Renaissance attire is common. Festivals have their own flavor of costumes.

Younger players have to a large extent ditched the idea of any standard performance attire, and many just wear whatever they’d wear in public normally.

I think getting a sense of the venue and the crowd is a good reference to choose performance attire.

wrench13 - Posted - 03/31/2025:  05:46:40

Work clothes, for us.

Edited by - wrench13 on 03/31/2025 05:50:14

UsuallyPickin - Posted - 03/31/2025:  06:32:38

Something comfortable. The "show" IMO is the music. Levis with a vest for the extra pockets as I play plectrum instruments. I have been known to wear overalls. As I live in 'grass country this is quite acceptable. R/

Old Scratch - Posted - 03/31/2025:  08:21:47

One of several cool-ish shirts and the same old black pants. And a vest, to have extra pockets and make it easier to hide anything I've spilled on the shirt. So, I try to look somewhat respectable, which suits most of the gigs I do. I'm one of those guys prone to wearing hats, but I'm old school enough that I don't feel right wearing one indoors - dive bars excepted.

Erockin - Posted - 03/31/2025:  09:23:03

First, I start with undies....

ChickenMan - Posted - 03/31/2025:  11:32:14

My uke band has the guys in matching bowling-type shirts, the ladies coordinate themselves accordingly. We also have a fun Hawaiian shirt that we wear. Here's a super short promo video for the band with a selection of what we wear.

Britches and Hose Ukulele Club

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 03/31/2025:  18:15:22

quote:

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

My uke band has the guys in matching bowling-type shirts, the ladies coordinate themselves accordingly. We also have a fun Hawaiian shirt that we wear. Here's a super short promo video for the band with a selection of what we wear.

Britches and Hose Ukulele Club

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Wow--looks like y'all really have a good time!  With all the ukulele's, you should try to work on a Tiny Tim angle--though I'd be surprised if anyone would recognize Tiptoe through the Tulips these days.

Come to think of it, that number would be awesome to 'grass up in cut-time!

ChickenMan - Posted - 03/31/2025:  20:01:12

We started out playing arena rock and really cover a broad spectrum, but Tiny Tim we are not. We don't play music you might think of as ukulele music, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Dua Lipa, The Band, Violent Femmes, The Cars, Paul Simon, Guns n Roses, Journey... basically, songs drunk girls like. Lol

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 04/01/2025:  16:24:50

quote:

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Originally posted by ChickenMan

We started out playing arena rock and really cover a broad spectrum, but Tiny Tim we are not. We don't play music you might think of as ukulele music, REO Speedwagon, Styx, Dua Lipa, The Band, Violent Femmes, The Cars, Paul Simon, Guns n Roses, Journey... basically, songs drunk girls like. Lol

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Right on.  If memory serves, most of those are groups you would hear blaring out of jacked-up '69 Chevelles sporting 50-series Cragars, while doing donuts in the high school parking lot (don't ask how I know that)

"Songs Drunk Girls Like"   Hmmmm.  Sounds like a good album title or band name. 

ShawnCraver - Posted - 04/02/2025:  06:28:15

tonyelder - Posted - 04/06/2025:  10:23:19

    need to wear a smile

Edited by - tonyelder on 04/06/2025 10:23:40

groundhogpeggy - Posted - 04/06/2025:  13:59:55

I haven't had a ton of performing opportunity, but whenever I did I just wore my usual groundhog outfit, which is what I wear every single day of my life, no matter where I am or what I'm doing...lol...something that always kept my mom at odds with me. I seem to be addicted to old jeans and either T shirts, or some type comfortable other shirts if it's cold. That's it...I can't be comfortable enough to breathe and live in anything else...any other type clothing makes me feel like a fraud, an imposter, just not a real groundhog.

buckhenry - Posted - 04/07/2025:  22:58:26

Straw hat and check shirt for the Americana set...

 

NCnotes - Posted - 04/08/2025:  07:43:43

I have only ever performed in classical chamber groups and pit orchestras… so it’s been the Crow look for me! (all black) At least, it’s easy :-)

Edited by - NCnotes on 04/08/2025 07:44:29

docmarc - Posted - 04/08/2025:  08:11:55

Many years ago at Bean Blossom I had occasion to ask Bill Monroe why he always wore a full suit or a sport coat on stage. His reply was "...always dress better than the audience."

As the years have gone by, I believe that his advice had merit. More than one venue owner/manager has commented on our then Press Kit photos showing that our band had long sleeved white shirts and dark pants.

Note that this memory is decades old. Today, in northern Illinois, I doubt a live music venue / club / bar would host a bluegrass band except at an open mic night - no matter how they were dressed - even if it was free.

DougD - Posted - 04/08/2025:  08:35:15

Sometimes you have to perform naked - just for the exposure.

wrench13 - Posted - 04/08/2025:  09:35:12

Many, many years ago, I was busking with a BG band outside a club in the East Village in NYC, right next door. The band Martin, Bogan and Armstrong were playing there that night. They happen to walk past and listened for a few songs. One of them told us the same advice as Monroe - always dress better then your audience, and said its even more important when doing street busking (he showed me his huge diamond ring by way of illustration). He said it will make the audience give more, wanting to show that they are better off then you are. I could never get that band to dress better than jeans and tshirts so can't attest to the validity of that.

Edited by - wrench13 on 04/08/2025 09:36:02

NCnotes - Posted - 04/08/2025:  11:52:35

LOL Doug!
Well for guys, a strategically placed guitar and bass could work…(er OK, let’s keep this a G-rated forum!)

ChickenMan - Posted - 04/08/2025:  18:58:15

Exposure gigs can be a real eye opener.

Flat_the_3rd_n7th - Posted - 04/08/2025:  19:48:42

quote:

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Originally posted by DougD

 naked 

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Would that actually be pronounced "naked," or "nekkid?"  There's a big difference in what's happening, there.

Earworm - Posted - 04/09/2025:  06:04:17

I decided a while back that collars with lapels don't work for me when I'm fiddling, though I may be revising this as my hold is a little different than it was once. I need sleeves that are not long (especially not flowy!) and not sleeveless (nobody needs to see that!), so I favor t-shirts a lot. I also have to plan my sleeves to not interfere with my banjo, which is even more picky. Also, beware of skirts, and I seem to have not needed one for a long time anyway.

I know this is not precisely your question, but staying functional is my main priority, though I am finally experimenting a little more with what I can dress up with. I love my hats, but save them for busking mostly. I don't really believe in "costuming", at least in the way that too many fiddlers try to make a clown of themselves.