My children's costumes have always been very wacky but for adults always very sophiscated.

However, as my adult style of performing becomes more OTT, risky and interesting, I'd like my costume to match.

For example, I present myself as a con artist and I would like to dress in a more stereotypical 1930's con artist costume. A real 1930's high pants Zoot suit!

How have others faired with more elaborate or unusual costumes for adults?

Not well I assume....

Actually EVERYTHING I do is in unusual costuming. But I do a lot of performance art stuff and ren faires. In a Clive Barkeresque Hellraiser performance, I was dressed in electrical tape, a leather waist cincher and a lip spreader which exposed all of my teeth. The illusion was attaching multiple shark hooks to my victim (Sylver on the Café). A show I did last weekend was the closest I have ever come to dressing like a "Normal" magician. Black slacks, tight black vest, no shirt and a top hat.
It felt wierd.
Ren fests...That one is obvious.
Really, I just dress for what fits the show.
I just prefer odd shows.
Gwyd

Go with the zoot suit!! I love 'em!

I'm in the same boat as gsidhe, I usually end up performing in pvc, electrical tape, etc. Except in our performances the shark hooks aren't an illusion. Once I wore nothing but rope (japanese bondage style made into a dress) and some tiny undergarments, looked great, but very uncomfortable!
I've found e-bay is a great resource if you have a good idea of what you're looking for and know your size (although I usually ask the seller if the sizes are a bit smaller or larger....everything fits differently - and I sew, so I can do my own alterations if need be...)
For a con artist...maybe try the sterotypical tv preacher or the old western style that makes me think of a medicine show.....

Sounds like we work the same kind of shows Keairao...
We do have real suspension work in our shows as well, but the fakes were used so they could be torn out. Not something you want to do with real hooks.
Gwyd

I find the more OTT costumes make you more noticable at events. They make you stand out from the crowd and instantly recognisable as THE entertainment.

I just went to wearing the zoot suite for my family & kid shows and it has worked out very well, it fits my whole wild and wacky concept.

Don

I prefer a more subtle and demure presentation myself - REALITY CHECK - OTT is the way to go - look like an entertainer - no ambiguity - and Zoot Suits look great - zany and classy - there's a good mix.

IMO WACKY means FUN & Colorful, Crazy of a sorts but not so colorful in print that it hurts the eye or looks bad in photos.

I tend to dress in a mixture of black & grey plaid and my BIG top hat then let my effects come across as Wacky (i.e. colored sponge balls & ropes, large production boxes, etc.). However, I can see where the Zoot suit is a good choice.

When performing my Wacky WIld West Show, my outfit is colorful yet Wacky as all get out. I chose that outfit rather than a more traditional Cowboy dress inorder to let the kids know once they hit the door that they are in for one Fun & Crazy time.

Let us know how it turns out.

~SAM

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