So I was reading this awesome blog by Jeffrey Tucker.
And it got me thinking of how we dress as magicians and why? Especially now during these times of great economic turmoil. Read Jeffrey Tucker's blog (link above) and then continue with my following thoughts.
The gamma of magician attire ranges from the elegant and sublime to the ridiculous, the slob, and extravagant. Fashion and style are in the eye of the beholder, but what does this really communicate to the outside world, to the world of the layman. Attempting to categorize magicians by dress style is almost like categorizing fictional comic book characters that wear costumes in their super hero/villain roles and "normal attire" for their regular 9 to 5s.
The whole thing is pretty sickening to me as it reflects duality witch in term can be misinterpreted into very perverse ways.
The Slob.
The Social Inadequate.
The Penguin.
The Pirate
The 90's Music Video Star.
The Spaghetti Western.
The Liberace.
The Aflictioned.
The WTF.
And there are so so many others... but we will address just some at this time.
"bums sleeping in the park benches looked better than the average workers and even CEOs today"
- Jeffrey Tucker
The Slob.
Typical of most magic clubs out there. The guy or gal that wears sweats pants, gym shorts and t-shirts, which are unclean or stained. They appear to not bathe, are unshaven and over all un-kept all the time
Ages vary but most commonly "The Slob" are male in their mid 40s.
The Social Inadequate.
This particular type of character is also quite common. Characteristics include things like slacks with sandals, a tucked in t-shit with print, and a fedora or some other form of head ware that has nothing to do with the rest of their attire.
Ages vary but most commonly "The Social Inadequate" range from early teens to mid 40's or 50's.
The Penguin.
The tuxedo clad "Penguin" wears this formal attire to any and all things having to do with magic, 99 degree weather at a children's party or pick nick. Feeding the stereotypical image of the magician and finding acceptance in this bracket of perception. A bracket of perception of what magicians look like, or what they should look like, inclusive of a toy top hat and cape. Often they seem uncomfortable and stiff in what they wear.
The Pirate.
The understanding of this attire escapes me. "The Pirate" is usually characterized by piratesque clothing, jewelry and hairstyles. More of a costume than real clothing. Magical pirates....? Com’ on you have to be kidding...
The 90's pop Music Video Star.
O yes! The almost neon bright red or blue blazer jackets combined with some long sleeve solid color t-shirt and slacks.
Ages vary but most commonly "The 90's pop Music Video Star" range from mid 40’s to 50's.
The Liberace.
Flashy Flashy Flashy! Rhinestones and glitter everywhere. Attire worthy of a 1970's Las Vegas lounge. More costume than clothing. Rarely seen any more the "The Liberace" are usually in their 60's
The Spaghetti Western.
Magicians that look like Howdy Doody. Stylized western wear that is out of place in any context or any social situation.
The Aflictioned.
The perpetual cool teenagers, desperately trying to hold on to their youth and their boyish good looks, tons of print on every article of clothing with a fuck you attitude. Walking billboards that advertise nothing.
The WTF.
This is by far a mix of comic con attendee mentality combined with the attributes of The Slob, The Social Inadequate, The Penguin, The Pirate, The 90's Music Video Star, The Spaghetti Western, and The Liberace. An example of this would be tennis shoes with dress socks while wearing shorts and a heavily printed t-shirt with a loud obnoxious coat. All of it topped with a rabbit's cottontail pined to the back of the shorts, and rabbit ears head ware. Commonly not very well kept. Unshaved, and grungy.
"in the boom times, the message of fashion is "It's all about me!"
-Jeffrey Tucker
Now place your self on the outside. The outside of all of this nonsense and look in...
I you where a layman? What would you think of any person with the above descriptions approaching you to regarding any thing to do with magic?
Would you run? Would you laugh?
Now from a professional perspective…
How would you’re character be scrutinized by a possible client?
A possible client that is to hire you for your services as a magician if part of their perception is on how you look, and how that relates in these tough economic times?
"The boom times led to great shabbiness. Workers have lived in wrinkles and jeans. The guy with the shirt with buttons is derided by others — "You going to a wedding or something?" We were all encouraged to look up to the slobwear of hotshot traders and stock jobbers and the others, who revel in the fact that they look like heck all of the time. Even the billionaires have looked like hobos (who themselves looked pretty great in the 1930s)"
"The idea behind shabby vogue was to give the impression that you don't really care what others think. You are the cutting edge, the smasher of idols and conventions, a person who doesn't give a flip about how society judges such artificial external superficiality as pant creases and ties and things. Your value is in your very person, the fact of your existence on this planet."
-Jeffrey Tucker
So mentally diagest all this stuff.
And while you do so go get yourself some real clothes, learn about the well dressed gentleman and lady.
Buy yourself an iron and an ironing board, get shoe polish. Purchase a razor and some shaving foam.
Get a hair cut and tell your wife or mother to go take care of something else.
"Start dressing like you are worth a dam."
-Rolando Medina
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Rolando Medina is a Sleight of hand entertainer, side show performer, author, consultant. fabricator/maker/designer of gaffed coins, cups, fine props etc.Rolando performs for the layman world mostly, however he does perform, lecture and teach to other magicians, sideshow performers, as well as artisans, maker, and artists.
