What should I wear for a concert?

[blastzit]

I’ll be performing at Cadogan Hall soon with an orchestra, and I need some advice on what to wear - it sounds a bit stupid but this is my first time performing a concerto at an actual concert hall so I have no idea how formal I should be!

I know the dress code of the orchestra will be black trousers, white shirt, black blazer and a bowtie. I was thinking of just wearing a pair of black trousers with a dark coloured shirt, since a blazer is often too restrictive for me, but would it be too informal for the setting?

[liszt-and-the-galops]

Out of curiosity, what works are you performing?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

I’ll be performing at Cadogan Hall soon with an orchestra, and I need some advice on what to wear - it sounds a bit stupid but this is my first time performing a concerto at an actual concert hall so I have no idea how formal I should be!

I know the dress code of the orchestra will be black trousers, white shirt, black blazer and a bowtie. I was thinking of just wearing a pair of black trousers with a dark coloured shirt, since a blazer is often too restrictive for me, but would it be too informal for the setting?

You’re the soloist wear WHATEVER makes you feel comfortable.  You’re the hero of the show look stylish.  Dress codes for soloists are a myth.

If you get creative with it and wear something fly/artsy the audience will love you so much more for it.  The audience hears you as soon as you walk on stage. 

For reference the last time I played with an orchestra I wore a black t with a chain and some bracelets/rings.  And I consider that pretty conservative now

[dizzyfingers]

I’ll be performing at Cadogan Hall soon with an orchestra, and I need some advice on what to wear - it sounds a bit stupid but this is my first time performing a concerto at an actual concert hall so I have no idea how formal I should be!

I know the dress code of the orchestra will be black trousers, white shirt, black blazer and a bowtie. I was thinking of just wearing a pair of black trousers with a dark coloured shirt, since a blazer is often too restrictive for me, but would it be too informal for the setting?

I deduced you're male, though you didn't mention gender.
Knowing your age would be a factor too.
Young performers, say 20 and under, might dress differently than older - 25 and above.
When you're older, expressing your personality becomes a factor in how your dress: sic Yuja Wang
When you're young, modesty and simplicity is standard.
I'm guessing you're younger - wearing black pants an elegant nice shirt would be fine.

[satoru]

Out of curiosity, what works are you performing?

I think I found him on the Cadogan Hall website lol.
https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/imperial-college-symphony-orchestra-rachmaninov-and-prokofiev/

[essence]

Very talented

i=lsEnLVNBpaGwJfSJ

Maybe not a black shirt? Some colour?

[rachmaninoff_forever]

Very talented

i=lsEnLVNBpaGwJfSJ

Maybe not a black shirt? Some colour?

If that’s him idk why he’s pretending like he doesn’t know what to wear it’s not his first rodeo lol

[dizzyfingers]

If that’s him idk why he’s pretending like he doesn’t know what to wear it’s not his first rodeo lol

He said he wants to drop the jacket - said it's too restraining.

The performance with Imperial College Symphony Orchestra is March 1, Rachmaninoff p.c. 3.

[rachmaninoff_forever]

He said he wants to drop the jacket - said it's too restraining.

The performance with Imperial College Symphony Orchestra is March 1, Rachmaninoff p.c. 3.

Then drop the jacket

[dizzyfingers]

Then drop the jacket

Ten posts later we have the ANSWER!

[essence]

The main thing is he has increased the size of the audience. Maybe. Should I go to listen, if only to report back on the colour of his shirt?

To be serious, a plain black or white is maybe a bit too plain? I would wear a purple shirt with yellow and pink dots.

Or this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shirt-Dress-Jersey-Clothing-Casual/dp/B0952T1T7Y?th=1

Plenty of stores in London. Carnaby Street anybody?

Seriously, clothing must make a statement and be comfortable. You don;t want to merge into the orchestra.

Says he who has never played in a concert or with an orchestra.

[blastzit]

I think I found him on the Cadogan Hall website lol.
https://cadoganhall.com/whats-on/imperial-college-symphony-orchestra-rachmaninov-and-prokofiev/

Yes, this is indeed me (no idea how everyone found out lol and this is definitely not creepy to me ).

If that’s him idk why he’s pretending like he doesn’t know what to wear it’s not his first rodeo lol

I have played with an orchestra before but in the video you sent it’s more like a conference venue on campus and not a proper music hall. Since this will be my first time performing in a more formal setting I just wanted more advice. Hopefully that’s okay! I’m not trying to pretend that I’ve never performed before…

I think I’ll just go with a coloured shirt without the jacket in this case, maybe something modest like a dark blue shirt. I don’t really think I should go full Yuja Wang cause that’s just not who I am (though she is an absolute icon).

[dizzyfingers]

...
I don’t really think I should go full Yuja Wang cause that’s just not who I am (though she is an absolute icon).

IDK, I think you'd look great in a dress.

[essence]

You become what you wear.

[amc252]

Look at what Lang Lang wears and do the opposite.

[lelle]

Look at what Lang Lang wears and do the opposite.

Lol no. Lang Lang wears pretty typical concert clothing. That being said, you can dress how you want.