What to Wear at Shows
Sunday November 4, 2007
A good thread in the forum is all about what to wear at shows. I usually try to "dress up" for any event where I will be in
front of the public. This includes a tie and nice slacks. However at outdoor events, I dress down to keep comfortable. What
do you wear at shows? And does that attire work for every event?
Comments
I have found that if you expect customers to lay out more than $20 for your work, you should always look well dressed. If I don’t look serious and professional about the quality of my work, why should anyone think it’s worth what I’m asking for it? Outside shows in summer I always where a skirt or nice pants. Winter shows outside, in Florida, just don’t look like your homeless. You wouldn’t expect to see your laywer in shorts & a tee when you go to see him in the summer. Comfort is one thing, not respecting your work is something else.
I always dress pretty sharp whether indoors or out. My prices range from 19.00 to 300.00 or so and if i want to get top dollar then i feel i must look the part.
Since I paint wearable art, I always wear something I’ve painted, both top and bottom to attract attention to my work … this also works when you are out of your booth space …. people notice. But I do think it’s important to look professional …. as others have said if you want to be taken seriously you have to look the part!!!!
I always dress sharply when selling at a show. My prices range from $5 to $500. I wouldn’t purchase high dollar crafts from someone dressed in a tank top, shorts, and flip flops - would you?
It’s worth it to invest in a nice outfit or two solely for shows. Keep it clean and pressed. You don’t want to wear wrinkled and stained clothes no matter how nice they once were.
I agree that you should look professional. I do alot of civil war re-enactments, rendezvous, and pow-wow shows. For whatever event I’m doing, I dress the part. At most pow-wow shows, I’m the only vendor that is dressed in Native clothing, and I do more sells than the ones not dressed in Native American clothes.
But there again, it is according to what kind of show you are doing.