Discussion : DRESS FOR PERFORMANCES

[rubinsteinmad]

Well, 'ey, you guys,
    Let zis topic be about dresses/suits for performances, i.e. concerts, recitals, competitions, auditions, etc.
    We'll give eachother good suggestions on beautiful dresses, and see 'oo 'as good taste.
        D'accord?
              Adelaide Belanger (zis is my new name )

[outin]

Just wear trousers...

[lostinidlewonder]

[quantum]

Has the ugly Christmas sweater phenomenon been applied to performance dress?

[rubinsteinmad]

lol That is funny (but beautiful, as well) rofl

[rubinsteinmad]

Has the ugly Christmas sweater phenomenon been applied to performance dress?

I haven't seen it, but I'm sure there might be some YTers wearing those

[rubinsteinmad]

Anyways, I'm going to do a recital soon, and I'm divided on what to wear.

Should I wear a strapless sarong? It should look GORGEOUS haha  
Or maybe a long, flowing, strapless red dress would be fantastic! (I'll curl my hair, but keep it long, as well? What do you think?)

I could perhaps wear a translucent pink/purple silk simple hanfu one-piece dress (with undergarments, of course ).

Or the long, flowing blue dress that Yeoul Eum Son wears:

Or this:

So, what do you think?

[rubinsteinmad]

But the poor thing is, I might look hideous going strapless. Tiffany Poon  isn't too good going strapless, as well. 

[siveron]

a suit or a dress.

[visitor]

simple black has its place (usually the defacto default for men ie std tux but for ladies it can work exceptionally well), especially since it is far more common to go bright (ie red) or other, but with the right lighting (best for brightly lit and well placed spot lights for stage) and w/ a really nice cut on the right person, it can be and understated sort of stunning ie

these pieces are super cool

- love this work

https://sarahleejs.com/about/

[iansinclair]

Sort of a useful rule: in most cases the audience came to listen to the music, and it is perhaps useful to consider that you want to be attractive/elegant/beautiful something like that -- but not distract the audience from the music.  Within that framework, pretty much anything goes -- although there are conventions which it is well to be at least familiar with.

[kawai_cs]

A little distraction doesn't hurt:-) In my case it worked to make up for quite a few missed notes
I wore something similar to this at my recital last month:

https://landadesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=17&sort=20a&page=2 (dress CO15)

Next time I am wearing this:

https://landadesigns.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&sort=20a&page=2   (dress J413)

Can't wait!!

[quantum]

You could also make dress work with your program.  If you are doing some sort of themed recital the choice of dress could also reflect upon the music.  I've seen some excellent recitals where there was a unifying coherence between the music and many other elements such as invitations, posters, program notes and dress. 

There is also the consideration of the venue and audience.  Some people are ultra conservative when it comes to art music recitals, and anything but a tux or black dress would be seen as treason.  Are you playing for the urtext mafia or a community organization? 

One of the symphony orchestras in my town changes up the dress depending on the "seriousness" of the program.  It could range from black tie to business casual with no ties. 

***

I'd like to see someone do the ugly sweater thing.  Doesn't have to be a Christmas sweater.  It could be a graphic of a viola with appropriate tag line 

[rubinsteinmad]

You could also make dress work with your program.  If you are doing some sort of themed recital the choice of dress could also reflect upon the music.  I've seen some excellent recitals where there was a unifying coherence between the music and many other elements such as invitations, posters, program notes and dress. 

Great idea! I wish I'd thought of that.

You see, we as women have greater freedom in our dress. No tuxes for us!

[siveron]

Put on a suit, and let the good times roll!

[Bob]

Yep, I was just thinking I'm glad I'm a guy.

Black, conservative.  Something like that.  Once you find it, you're set.  Done.  It's never wrong or distracting.

I guess beyond the performance and listener's potential distraction, there's potential distraction for the performer.  Unless you're a guy.... Haha.

[siveron]

Yep, I was just thinking I'm glad I'm a guy.

Black, conservative.  Something like that.  Once you find it, you're set.  Done.  It's never wrong or distracting.

I guess beyond the performance and listener's potential distraction, there's potential distraction for the performer.  Unless you're a guy.... Haha.

On point!

[briansaddleback]

When I have to do a performance or recital (in winter, night, cold season) I like to wear a fitted dark sweater with a tie/dress shirt underneath. Looks clean and sharp. Nothing big. I try to let my enthusiasm for my music to speak for me. I believe the topic of dress is a bigger subject for the ladies though. It is an entity all to itself!

[kawai_cs]

I think rubinsteinmad is definitely not going to wear a dress.

[nexer]

I might get banned for this.  <grain of salt please>

[rubinsteinmad]

I might get banned for this.  <grain of salt please>

That is a pretty dress! 

[mwakin21]

I'm surprised it's taken this long for someone to mention Yuja Wang, though her name wasn't brought up. I know she makes some people really upset with her risqué dress choices. Personally, I love her look, and I love that she feels the freedom to wear what she wants in the often-curmudgeony world of classical music.