Hello,

Our daughter has a slight problem in regards to her clothing because of her size. She is very petite and waif-like but has long legs (LOL..she definitely didn't get the legs from me!). She used to wear a pair of black jeans and a dance top for her performances. However, her mentor suggested that she upgrade her outfit to something a little more professional looking like black slacks instead of jeans, which I understand his reasoning and appreciate his feedback.

We did go out and purchase her a new outfit. She looks great in it. Her outfit consists of black slacks, a red satin blouse, and a pin-striped vest. He also suggested a dress, but she isn't comfortable in performing in dresses. The problem is she has absolutely NO pockets! Everywhere we looked we could not find a pair of dress slacks small enough for her that had pockets so we had to end up buying a pair without. Now, she has nowhere to ditch anything. Does anyone have any suggestions where she could ditch a coin that she needs to recall later? I thought of sewing a small magnet into the waistband of the pants in the back, but that would require that she always use a shimmed coin. There has to be an easier way that I am just not thinking of. Leave it to me to over-analyze.

Thanks for any help or suggestions!

I know how you both feel. I'm short as well and about the same age as your daughter and I go through the same problem. Dress slacks that fit right are hard to find anyway but I have found that if you go to teen stores, like DEB, they will have a few pair with pockets(you also might want to try JCPenny or Fasion Bug). Another suggestion would be actully buying men's pants. I know it seems weird but sometimes they fit well. The only thing is when buying men's pants for girls, messure at the hip as well as the waist for fitting reasons because if you fit them at just the waist it will make them either look the wrong size or like guy's pants. The only other thing I can think of is to make your own pocket. it isn't that difficut or exspensive and the up side is YOU get to deside where the pocket is and how deep it is.
Ashley

Does she have the vest buttoned or unbuttoned?

If unbuttoned a topit could be sewn in.

I've always hated the fact that women's clothing is, of course, made to look nice and not be very functional(how often do we buy shoes because they match an outfit and not because of the comfort?). If I need a plain, white, cotton shirt, I'll often look in the men's section...not only are they cheaper, but they will last longer, too! Fancy stuff, I do stick to women's clothing. Regarding pants, along with the problem of pockets, I run into the problem of how form fitting the pants are. I can't put anything in the pockets without it being obvious. For function, I will purchase men's pants and alter them myself if they are a bit too roomy in areas and the hemming of the length (I'm short...I hem a lot of pants!).

Another option would be to make the pants yourself. There are lots of different types of material and different types of patterns. You just need to be handy with a sewing machine.

Margarette

Magic Book of The Year: Sewing For Dummies by Jan Saunders

I've had a hard time finding nice dress slacks with pockets for women as well. I used to wear black Dockers but to me they don't look as nice as I would like. I finally found some really nice slacks at Macy's and here's the funny part! They are golf pants. They're black, really nice material, pleated front, nice front pockets and one back pocket. Here's a link.
lizclaiborne.com

I had mine tailored so they don't look all golfy and high watery like in the link.

Thank you all for your responses! I see my daughter isn't the only one to have clothing problems!

I can do basic sewing, and have used my machine on several occasions to make magic tricks like the "bag to flag" for different holidays, etc., but I would definitely be visiting a seamstress for pants! Way above me! LOL

Her vest is fitted and she wears it buttoned up, so she'll have to decide if she wants a topit, but thanks for the great idea plasticdestiny!

Margarette, I completely understand on the form-fitting pants issue. I own several pairs of dress pants, but my favorite pair wouldn't hide anything in the front pockets except a coin. I will definitely check out men's pants for both of us.

Again, thanks everyone. Your input is appreciated! Next time my daughter puts on her outfit I'll snap a picture of it.

There are articles on "vesting" in the old magic books, where stuff was tucked away inside or under a vest. That would be the place for your magnet, by the way, just on the underside of the front of the vest.

If you haven't checked out Eleazar Goodenough's "T-Shirt Magic," in The Wizards' Journal #7 (on my site) you will find that his solutions don't just work for T-shirts, but have many other applications as well. Who needs visible pockets when you have invisible ones?

Thanks Spellbinder! I'll be sure to check out your journal. The vest does seem like the best place to stash something as both you and Plasticdestiny have indicated. I'll have to start thinking about how to best modify it.

Magic4ewe,

For something as small, smooth and simple as a coin what about some unobtrusive decoration on the vest - not something that really draws the eye - but something simple that a 13 year old girl would naturally wear, and could provide for a ditch.

I am lucky that with my 'over the top' look, just about anything is acceptable (which explains all the magicians of yesteryear who dressed 'over the top').

But when you want to look like a well dressed member of your audience - and you have a need - look at what they wear. Anything that jumps out at you as being unusual - forget. Look for what appears perfectly 'normal' and adapt.

One thing that springs to mind is those bags young girls carry in shopping centres - strap slung over the shoulder with small bag resting against opposite hip - bag obviously closed - m****t or p****t attached to bag on side resting against body.

For just one coin though a broach, flower or something similar would do the trick.

PS: You should have a look at the Sewing For Dummies book - will save you a fortune.

You should really have the pants altered by a professional.
Or design something have it made for her.

When it comes to specifics needed to pull off anything,
its sometimes best to have it custom made.

My father sewed all of my costume changing costumes.
(was that a double negative?)

Designed and sewed all, but then he did everything himself.

But I think the most cost effective route is to have slacks
alterned for pockets. It doesn't take much to add fabric.

Just buy boy's pants. If she is petite and waif like with long legs, there's no reason why they shouldn't fit.

Personally I think anyone who makes magic outfits for girls/women would make quite a bit of money.
Ashley

Hello all. My dad was over-the-shoulder reading and noticed my post and went and found this brochure for Betty R. Kelly, of Betty's Action Wear, out in Vegas who makes costumes. http://www.bettysactionwear.com
Ashley

Dad here!
and yes if you can afford betty she knows what she is doing. for the average person though here are a few tips Ive picked up. Get creative with the pockets. I perform at Renassance fairs in Tights and a doblet(vest over apoofy shirt.) I use shoulder and belted bags for my ditches and steals This looks ok since it fits The Costume. Think along the lines mentioned. A great example of how different things can be accomplished is the Change cap from Creative Magic. Simple baseball cap- Incredible Magic. Plastic-destiny's suggestion of a broach sounds fun and how about a sash around the waist?
could be worth checking into.
Mike Taggert (Scooters dad)

Some ideas that might help:

You can use the sleeves of an shirt or a blouse to operate an holdout! Sew the cuffs ( I also imitate cufflinks by fancy knobs ) and wear an undershirt ( skin has too much friction). To this undershirt/ corsage there are fixed all you have to fix (rings for the cord/ end of the cord).

For flat items, especially for coins, I use a special pocket. My trousers have a satin ribbon at the side seam like most tuxedo trousers. The satin ribbon hides a pocket open to the back. Simply take a pair of standard trousers, add the pockets and then sew on that satin ribbon. You will want the pockets exatly where the hand rests when the arm is when relaxed at your side. Nobody suspects a pocket to be there. Try to add a pocket in the back ( can be useful for a silk flag or similar items).

If researching possibilities for costumes I would try to look for Dover Publications. There are also a lot of books with paper dolls and stunning designs from all periods. My favorites are the costumes made by Erte.

Well I will weigh in with my two cents worth, I can understand being uncomfortable performing in a dress (I for one would have a difficult time with it) but if I were female and had that option I might consider it do to the fact that dresses/skirts have quite a lot of potential for holding, secreting and producing object's that men don't have access to. consider the famous asian acts over the years, they put to good use the fabulous flowing robes and costumes afforded them by the nature of the act. I would suggest tights under the dress if it helped with the comfort level. I also think a costume change would fit both her act and personality to a tee (I know that could take a while to put together just food for thought) I would just say consider the option carefully. secondly as a male magician I can say I hardly ever use my pant pockets. instead I use my jacket so perhaps a blue blazer (like the school uniforms) might do the trick.
that's all I got (hope to see you guys soon it's been to long)
all my best to the family
Rich

I don’t know about uniform jackets but I wear business attire and most women’s suit jackets don’t have usable pockets if they have any at all. Sometimes women’s suit jackets have fake pockets; that is to say, they have the flap with no actual pocket. Also, women’s business jacket pockets tend to be more around to the front rather than on the sides as with a male suit jacket. Also, if they exist at all, they tend to be shallow, slanted, and generally useless as a pocket.

Maybe the school uniform jackets are different but I have to sew little pockets into everything. I’m relatively terrible at sewing - adequate at best. But the pockets are all hidden. I just make it a habit of sewing little pockets in the same basic places in every jacket I buy.


Holly

Hi everyone...

Back again, same topic. I would like to say thank you to everyone that has written in the past.

Rich, thanks for your ideas as well-- as you said, it has been too long! I hope we can run across one another's path soon! I know D. would love to do some kind of a quick-change in her act someday; that she would totally get into.

Our daughter is now 14 and has been doing pretty well on keeping busy. She just performed this past Friday with our SAM for a neighboring city's recreation district. A few weeks ago she performed a 2-day event for our own City and received rave reviews. She has another private event coming up at a retirment community this Saturday (just trying to give you an idea of the venues she is working).

Anyways, tonight we were told that there were a "few" phone calls on her attire. I am not sure who called, but there was mention that her attire was not magician-like enough.

Our daughter wore a black suit with a blue sparkling shirt underneath. There was definitely nothing inappropriate in her suit, so I am not sure where to go from here. Everyone else has always been very happy (we always send out evaluations forms after a show, and we often get comments on her professionalism on/off stage) in her attire.

She does not want to dress in character and does not want to wear a dress. She needs a suit jacket for body loads.

Here is a picture. Perhaps you wouldn't mind critiquing, giving suggestions, etc. or just saying don't worry about it. We were planning on buying her a second suit in the near future, but I don't want to spend a couple of hundred dollars if it isn't considered professional. We are a bit limited due to her size. She is very petite, and hard to fit.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/h......tfit.jpg

Once again, thank you for your input. It is greatly appreciated!

Enjoy the magic in your life...

~ Kristen

I wouldn't worry about it. It is professional looking, not garish, but still sets her apart from the average person on the street.
What do they want? A top hat, tails and a cape?
It looks good!
Gwyd