Natanel,

How one dresses is strictly up to the individual. How you wish to present youself is totally up to you. If you wish to dress to a "standard" then don't let me get in your way. I say, "Go for it!"

However, we do not all march to the beat of the same drum. If Benjamin wishes to dress a certain way, then he most certainly can.

The story I told was about a magician named Doug Henning. The older magicians here will remember him well. He was bigger than Copperfield, Blane and Angel if for no other reason than because he was the "only one" of his time. He carved the path for these guys.

Henning was told by his agent that he "had to dress a certain way." Well, Henning didn't. In fact, Henning didn't dress like any magician anyone had ever seen before. He went on to become world famous and if he did not die at a terribly early age, he may yet be one of the big stars of entertainment.

I suggest that a magician dresses to fit their character. Not every character is the "well dressed" man or woman. Some are fantasy characters. Some are street characters. Some are...well, they're just not all supposed to be in the fancy suit of clothes, although they certainly may be if that is what they wish for themselves.

Fashion for magicians is not a one size fits all. We come in a variety of different costumes performing a variety of different styles of acts. Each of us gets to choose how we wish to present ourselves for whatever reasons we choose.

Pat and I do stage shows mostly and what we wear is chosen from 3 very large closests of costumes. One of the decisions we have to make whenever we have to put a show together (which is quite often) is what we are going to wear for that show. Just to do a corporate banquet show we have at least a dozen outfits to choose from and some are suits and some are not. Beyond that, we have at least 20 different costumes for various situations. (Please check out our web site and promo video to see a small variety of them at http://www.evansandevans.ca )

There is also themed shows to consider. For Hawaiian, or beach party shows for example, we have performed full 90 minute stage shows, including a complete dove act, wearing shorts, Hawaiian shirt over a T Shirt and sandels.

Then there is the type of show you are doing to consider. Dove acts may require certain accomodations. An illusion show may require certain considerations. A children's show may require certain accomodations. And so on...

Again Natanel, I'm not saying that dressing in nice clothes is wrong. If you choose to dress that way and associate with people that dress that way, then by all means please do and have a happy successful life.

However, I would again suggest that not everyone feels the same and I think they too are correct in their choice. So, it is all good.

Here are three more examples of costume or clothes variations.

These two are of the same routine, but done in different venues. One venue is a large soft seater theatre and the other is an outdoor show at a theme park. Same routine, different outfits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7Fz43_kDyg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcqFTaU1-zo

Here is a less formal outfit for a performance in a large theatre show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZFihrOI1u4

I wasn;t trying to call you out specifically, I just get frustrated with how magicians dress. THIS IS SHOW BIZ, TRY TO LOOK PRESENTABLE>

Don't try and act like I don't know who Doug Henning is though, being born after 1985 doesn't automatically preclude one from even the most basic knowledge about the history of our craft....though to be fair I can see where you would get this impression.

Natanel,

I wasn't trying to pick a fight, just present a point of view.

Anyway, all the best to you!

Hey Ben,

Lot of good advice here. But to be honest (have you ever heard that before?) I do not believe that you should dress up to be a magician...by that I mean dress as to what suits you. Whether you are just a jean and T shirt guy, or a sport shirt guy, or a collered shirt guy with slacks (not sure if your school has a dress code) of course all this goes out the window if you are a Goth.

Your patter and mannerisms will be more of a factor than your dress. I have found out in life that while looks play a part of how one is perceived initally it is only for a short time. And while first impressions are important they are not lasting and therefore are not all they are purpoted to be. I have been to seminars (non magical) and have seen individuals that did not have great looks or dress in the latest and greatest and when they started to speak you became mesmorized by their presentation and wanted to be in their company.

While these may not be the answers you want to hear, I believe if you take them at face value you will not be wrong. The only other advise I can offer is to have good hygeine and no matter what you wear make sure it is neat and clean.

For kid's show that I do, I wear a colorful button down shirt and un-ripped jeans. For walk-around, I will either wear a polo shirt or a button-down shirt with black jeans or black pants. I never wear a tux or a suit.
At school or with friends and family, I wear my normal clothes, jeans and a tee shirt.
I used to wear magic tee shirts, but they look cheesy now.

Benjamin
It would be hard for me to do better than my friends Nathanel, and RJE have done, but to sum up the best advise that you have gotten here. Dress like your friends, but just a little bit better, and have fun.

Haha, I come off as a real jerk in this thread. Y'all realize that a lot of that was "in character" right?

Natanel
Go to "So happy together", look at the amazing line up at this years Kutztown magic convention in November, and I'll see you there.

Ben-
As a teen magician myself I often ask myself what to wear. What I usually do is be my self it always seems to work. Good Luck