Fashion Do’s and Don’t’s for Musicians

There’s a lot more in how to sell music than just making good music. Whether it’s “right” or not, a musician is usually going to be judged by their looks as much as on their music. Exceptions to this rule are generally few, far between, and involve master-level musicianship.

So, if you’re going to get ahead in the music biz, you need to be thinking about your image. That means fashion!

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Make It Work! How To Sell Music With Fashion

DON’T: Just Do The Jeans-and-T-Shirt Thing

First and foremost, whatever fashion you pick, it’s has be unique. Even if you’re a low-key cargo pants type of person offstage, you can’t show up to gigs in boring street wear and get taken seriously.

DO: Bring Out Your Artistic Personality

Think of a few adjectives that would describe your onstage persona. Now, pair these with colors, patterns, or other visual elements that match them. An “angry” artist would have a lot of reds and blacks, with sharp angles and pointy elements. An environmentally-minded artist would work well in earth tones and rounded shapes.

DON’T: Be Schizophrenic

Again, there are exceptions, but your stage wear should largely follow one theme or overall idea. Unless you truly want to aim for being a fashionista, it’s best to show some restraint. You’d need to be as quirky as Björk or Lady Gaga to “get away” with a totally random fashion sense.

DO: Research Symbolism

For ideas, consult sources on mythology, dream interpretation, or even traditional “magick” practices. Fashion and symbolism go hand-in-hand. If you’ve got an idea of what you want to say, but can’t find the imagery to convey it, these sorts of metaphysical references can serve as a dictionary of visuals.

Don’t go overboard. If someone has to learn Kabbalism to understand your outfit, it’s probably too esoteric.

Looks Matter In Music

There are a lot of ideas on how to sell music, but your image must be part of them! Create a look that’s as compelling as your music, and you’ll sell a lot more tracks!

 

 

 

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