I am looking to add a straitjacket escape to my act. I am looking at a number jackets and saw that there are even colors to choose from. I happen to like the black but I am curious as to what others think about non traditional colors. Does the audience think they are less of an escape if you do not do the old Houdini Style? I want to have some style but not at the expense losing the effect of the escape. Also any feedback on where is best or things to look for?

Thanks
Alex
http://www.alexanderiathegreat.com

Um, Alex...might your inquiry be better posted at "All Tied Up"?--unless you are looking for a FEMALE's point-of-view?

I am looking for the female point of view.

I own a few jackets, even one that was made for me as a gift and I find I keep going back to the older style. For myself I tend to feel that people think of one thing when you say "straitjacket" plan white or something like what they've seen in movies or tv. I would be worried that an odd or colored jacket would be a distraction, something to unfamiliar. Also you have to think about stage....with a black jacket everything blends in, your audience won't be able to see the straps well and most places you'll work will have black curtains, bad for a black jacket.
If you do go with a color try red, red looks great on stage.

That said do what you want, what will make you feel good when you work. If you like a jacket with color then you'll enjoy working with it which will only make your escape better.

Ms.M

http://www.monkeydungeon.com can do almost any color for you. I think a friend of mine got a pink one for herself.

I don't think a vanity SJ is a problem no matter what gender you are.

Morgan,

You hit the nail right on the head. My fear is that the crowd may think it is not as legit as a standard sj. Maybe old school is the way to go.

Thanks
Alex

It might be amusing to go with a regular off white straight jacket to lend credibility but put an incongruous bow or ruffle on it.

I don't do escapes so take it with a grain of salt.

-Mary Mowder

I used a lilac-dyed ungimmicked posey for a while which I had on ongoing loan from a friend until they asked for it back - there's a video of me using it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIM5OZfOWgA .

I loved it for the uniqueness of it and the colour it brought to the act. I think the realism or otherwise of the prop has more to do with how you sell the examination and application stages than the appearance of the prop itself. After all, who's ever seen a genuine straightjacket except in the hands of stage performers anyway? The standard issue could be pink polka dots for all most people know - they're proven to calm the disturbed mind, don'tcha know...

Facetiousness aside, go with whatever suits your image. If you get a white canvas one, you can always personalise it later - posey SJs can be easily coloured with standard fabric dye or even spray painted, should you want a more graphic approach.