10 fashion tips for female musicians: what to wear on stage
One thing that all successful female musicians have in common is a keen eye for fashion. They make their mark whether it’s being super on-trend or being down-to-earth basics. The following 10 tips will help you develop your own fashion as well as focus on some of the “missteps” to avoid.
Do you have the “Star Factor”? Most celebrities hire consultants to help create their unique look, but chances are you don’t have the same budget as them. That doesn’t mean you can’t create your own je ne sais quoi. Study some of your favorite artists and find out what makes them stand out from the crowd. The goal is not to copy someone else, but to collect ideas that you can later on stage to radiate your own style.
Right clothes, wrong acting. Wearing jeans to a bar is one thing, but wearing them to an exclusive venue is generally not appropriate. If you’re not sure what kind of clothes you should wear to a concert, call the venue ahead of time and ask about the dress code. Smart casual (no jeans but some flair) is common in most trendy places. Avoid clothes made of cotton that wrinkle easily and look too ordinary. Stick to polyester or blends that look sharp and wear well. For a fancy dinner, try a pretty dress or dressy pants and a fancy blouse.
Have a nice trip…see you next fall. Beware of potentially dangerous clothing, such as tassels hanging from skirts or pants. This type of clothing can not only cause you to trip while on stage, but can also be very distracting if you’re playing an instrument. Consider not wearing rings or bracelets if they interfere with your performance. Many musicians do not wear watches because they tend to hinder their playing. It’s much better to focus and have a great concert than to cause embarrassment by tripping over your fancy bling.
Shoes that kill Remember those gorgeous stilettos that screamed your name from the store window? Then when you finally used them, did you feel like you were going to die at the end of the night?
Performing in uncomfortable shoes makes for a very long and painful concert. It is worth spending time looking for comfortable shoes. If you can’t bear to see your feet without those killer shoes, wear something more comfortable to the concert and change them right before you play. Bring another pair of shoes for your later games. This will change your arch, move the pressure to another part of your foot, and create less fatigue.
Out of style, out of mind. Keep up with fashion, especially if you’re performing for a younger audience. You don’t have to buy new clothes every week, but you do need to keep up to date. For seniors, buy clothing that is more conservative, but still in style.
Get great hair: find your perfect haircut. No matter what your age, having good hair is a must. Nothing looks worse than a female artist whose hair is outdated or has roots that are in desperate need of a touch up. It doesn’t matter how good your clothes are: having perfect dresses not only increases your professionalism, but also makes you feel like a star..
Look fabulous with the right colors. Knowing which colors accentuate your hair and skin is a must. Certain colors can make you look tired or pale, especially under stage lights. If you’ve never had your colors done, visit a professional color consultant. They will quickly assess your best colors and make suggestions to accentuate your features.
Do your clothes intimidate your audience? Women musicians are often under the microscope, particularly by their worst critics: other women. Depending on the type of venue you’re in, make sure your clothing isn’t a threat to women in the audience. Jealous women can make negative comments to the owners of the premises, which could cost you the job.
Dress your age. Whether you are young or old, always dress appropriately for your age. If you’re younger and presenting to a more mature audience, the key is to dress more conservatively. If you’re a bit older, you don’t want to dress like a teenager unless you know you can actually pull it off.
Dress for your body type. It’s important to attract your audience by being fashionable, but make sure your clothes don’t draw the wrong amount of attention. Aim for fashion that fits your body and be careful with clothes that are too small or too big. For an objective point of view, ask friends for opinions on your stage clothes. You can also take photos of yourself to get a different perspective.
These 10 tips are not the essence of fashion for female musicians, but they are a great starting point. Being a fashionista can dramatically increase the dynamism of your stage and give you that star quality that sets you above the rest!