When I’m performing at an event, no matter what type, I make sure I look smart; and am never (knowingly!) underdressed. I also try to make sure that I’m not too over-dressed – I don’t want to turn up to a relaxed garden barbeque wearing full black-tie.
The Basics – Being Clean and Tidy
To start with I make sure I’ve had a shower, brushed my teeth and that my nails are clean – all important as I know that I’ll be standing in close proximity to people, and they’ll be looking at my fingers as I’m performing close-up sleight-of-hand magic to them.
I also realise that often people group around me and will naturally looking down to the props I’m holding whilst performing – so naturally they will be looking at my feet. Therefore I make sure I wear a good quality pair of shoes that I not only clean, but given a good polish to bring to a nice shine.
Why I Wear A Jacket – Whatever the Weather
Whatever the weather I always wear a jacket, which can be pretty warm when it’s the height of summer. I do this for a few reasons.
- Firstly, it looks smarter than just wearing a shirt. As mentioned I want to make sure I’m not underdressed, but also not too over-dressed.
- Secondly, when it is hot it can be a bit sweaty when performing. Those that have seen me perform know that I put some energy into making sure everyone is engaged. Your guests really don’t want to see a light blue shirt turning a darker shade in patches!
- A from a practical point of view, I need to wear a jacket for the pockets – I need somewhere to keep my tricks. (And walking round with a little bag to each table is just not my style…)
Getting the Right Style
Although I wear a jacket, I still have a lot of flexibility to what I wear. And additional like ties and pocket-squares add to the look. I try to make sure that the style of what I’m wearing, and the colours, fit the event.
Business / Lounge Suit
This is my “standard” look, and is the safest. I can turn up to pretty much any event wearing a suit and shirt, and with minimal tweaks fit in. For the most relaxed look I can forgo wearing a tie and the simple fact that I’m wearing a jacket can be enough to elevate me in the eyes of the more casually dressed attendees.
For most weddings and parties I can put on a tie, and also the addition of a pocket-square adds colour. I often have a selection of ties in my “box of tricks” so can adapt on the fly. And if I know in advance that there will be a colour scheme in place at the event I can go through my collection of ties, bowties, cravats and pocket squares to ensure that I’m wearing something at complements decor – without looking like I’m part of the wedding party.
If I think it may be a black-tie event (or that some of the guests may in black-tie, but not all) then I can ‘play safe’ by wearing a black suit with a white shirt, and deciding on whether I wear a black, or more colourful tie, once I have arrived and assessed the situation.
Summer Parties
Wearing a black suit and tie in the height of summer isn’t always a good idea. Admittedly there are instances when one must when attending a wedding, but if I know it is a summer afternoon garden party then I can adapt and still look smart. I do this by having a selection of light-weight blazers.
This helps me keep cool; the light colours don’t heat up the wearer as much as black and blue jackets, and the lighter weight material helps air flow. It also ensures that I look smart and maintain the benefits of wearing a jacket.
I’ve linen jackets in pale blue, green, and salmon pink. These colours work great for summer parties, and are of course still complemented with an appropriately coloured pocket square to add some more style.
Traditional Black Tie
It may be the “classic” attire for a magician, but a black dinner jacket (known as a tuxedo by our American friends) is the perfect attire for more “posher” evening events. This can be for corporate awards, Masonic ladies nights, annual galas, and even dinner parties.
And even though the colour palette is limited to black and white, I can still add a little dash of colour with a pocket square or even changing the bowtie from the traditional black to one with colour. This work really well for “Black & Gold” themed events.
Two things to note:
Firstly, a dinner jacket suit (aka tuxedo) is NOT a standard black suit. I wear a proper dinner jacket.
Secondly, I tie my own bowtie. That means it may look a little wonky, but that’s better than a clip-on. And those that know, know – and they’ll spot it. It’s also looks a lot cooler at the end of a busy night when I pull one end and it undoes.
Adding Colour to Black Tie
Although not suitable for all black-tie events, I also have a burgundy velvet dinner jacket. This is a great additional to my wardrobe as it has the smartness of the traditional black dinner jacket, but also injects a bit of colour and character.
Being a magician I think it’s important to stand out a little more than the rest of the guests. At most weddings and parties it is quite easy to do that by dressing smartly and having those thoughtful additions of ties and pocket squares to add complementing colours. When every is also dressed in their smartest black tie then the burgundy jacket can add that extra kick.
I hope you have enjoyed this little delve into my wardrobe, and the thought that goes into what I wear.
