What do you wear to a gig?

Trying for the 'most random question ever' award here What do you wear to a face painting gig? Do you dress for comfort or do you have some kind of colorful clothing/costume, or a mixture of both? Do you have a shirt with your business' name? Most of the time I just dress comfortably, usually with a bandana to keep my hair out of the way. (Since, ya know, I'm a pirate ) I saw somewhere online where a face painter gave customers the option to request she come in costume. I've thought it would be interesting since I have various costumes but I'd be worried I'd mess the costume up or get too hot. Perhaps I could just sport my pirate hat... Hmmmmm

I wear overalls, a striped rainbow color shir, my glasses and my hair in pig tales. Keep in mind I also do balloon twisting. I feel that I look more like a kid in my outfit and the kids are more comfortable around me. Just this last gig the kids tried guessing my age and they were saying 15! Im 22 and when not dressed like that people guess 25-28

FLAT SHOES!! Haha. I almost bought heeled boots for my Christmas gigs, then realised how stupid (read: painful) that would be.

I think it's good to wear something that makes you stand out, or at least something that makes you different from the clients/others - but that's just me! Most of the time (like, 95%), I'm in costume - either ragdoll or princess, and working on a pirate. Just nothing with long sleeves. Those drive me crazy. I wore wings last week - I was a fairy - never again. I knocked stuff off my table once, and there were a couple of close calls.

(I'm also a balloon twister, so people immediately think clown. My ragdoll costumes are adorable, though, so I don't mind!)

When I'm in street clothes - well, it depends on the event. Nice, non-holey jeans and an appropriate top - ie no crazy cleavage! Also, my face is ALWAYS painted. Once I figure out a business name/logo, I'm planning on getting a t-shirt/sweatshirt/tank top made up.

Well, I AM a clown... so....

OC: That sounds adorable! I'm 22 as well I love overalls... that's a good idea

MissKriss: Awesome! Yes, do a pirate... they're the best Your costumes sound great!

Perry: Love it Especially the hat!

Thanks for responding, y'all

Depends on the time of year. I have LOUD aloha shirts or psychadelic '80's blazer, that I wear with black capri pants (one leg is embroidered with a flamingo and palm tree), coordinating striped socks and matching t-shirt in summer, winter is black slacks with white turtle neck shirt and one of my selection of appliqued vests (winter scenes, snow flakes, penguins, etc.) Shoes are comfortable.

Some gigs I dress for comfort and in layers and don't "dress up" specifically.

I am still planning on getting bowling shirts in the corporate colours ... just haven't got to it yet!!

Perry, you look soooo cute!! Me, I wear jeans or khakis, a polo shirt, and my black apron with business name, etc embroidered on the front. And black crocs. I don't do any gig over 2 hours without my crocs!

Great topic. So far I have just been wearing nice street clothes aiming for comfort, but have thinking about costumes and such. The main color of all my stuff is black and so I was thinking wearing mostly black with one loud item like socks or vest.

Want to get some embroidered stuff and absolutely love the bowling shirt idea!

Thanks guys... it's actually just a Simplicity Raggedy Ann halloween costume pattern made in different colours. It's really comfortable and I feel makes me look a lot less like a mommy and more like a big kid. I have another costume that I made for a recent party where they didn't want a clown and I didn't want to strip Perry Noia of her face, so I have a "Dorothy" (from Wizard of Oz) dress pattern that I made in hot pink and black with pink polka dots with a little beret type hat in the dot print as well.

Savvy- Great Topic!!!!

I want to get a few costumes. An accomplished face painting friend of mine charges $25 to $50 more for the gig if she comes in costume or "character" - so it is a nice way to earn a little more and be in the theme if client is wanting that option. So far, I have my Renn Faire costume that I pirated up for a pirate paint gig.

The rest of the time I wear comfy black pants or jean capris and a brightly colored top (i.e. hot pink polo, yellow tee, or a hot pink and black striped square neck). Amen sister on the flat comfortable shoes!!!

Depending on my mood I put a glitter eyeliner and some colorful earrings or bracelet. I find having some distracting jewelry helps younger kids have a focal point while I am painting them. I need to start painting myself! Time to nail down a few 5 minute self application faces!!!!

I have been eye-ing Silly Farm's new cute black bling tees that say Face Painter in script! But the best idea by far is putting some professional looking shirts together with your biz name/logo - it identifies you and looks good.

Wyndy O. in Tampa

I have worn a cowgirl outfit when I did facepainting at a horse event, during the Christmas season I wore an elf outfit, sometimes I wear my clown outfit but I have also just worn jeans and a bright coloured shirt as well. It sort of depends on the event that I am painting at.

Ooh yes. I can't wait for summer, so I can wear my Holey Soles - at least with the ragdoll! I'm actually meeting someone tomorrow about making a corset for my pirate costume - I love buying things I can write off. Ditto for the lace wrist "warmers" with skulls on them that I bought today - also for the pirate costume!

Wyndy - Even quickie eye designs! Skip the makeup and paint yourself instead, haha.

Do you charge more if you're in costume? I think I actually find it easier, as I don't have to think about what I'd wear instead, and for me, there's no difference in price for being in costume or not.

This being said, anyone have a lead on a shirt place that will embroider only a few items and not kill you on the costs? Most places have a huge set up charge for the first one, which is why I haven't bothered to look just yet.

I'm saving up for a bodice as well, Kris... I'm hoping to attend my first Ren. Fair this year (not as a face painter, just to be going ) and my plan is to go as Captain Savvy. I keep putting off buying the darn thing though... this is my dream corset http://i20.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/3c/79/bb74_1.JPG but I'll most likely be going with the $55 one from the same seller.. I love her work.

I probably wouldn't charge extra to appear in costume just because I love being in costume anyway... and that added bonus might appeal to the customers. If I started purchasing a bunch of stuff to wear though I'd start charging for sure.

Metina: This site says they have no setup fee http://www.brokenarrowwear.com/ I didn't look around much so I can't tell you more, I'm afraid.. maybe its worth checking out?

Savvy, that is BEAUTIFUL! I may be getting mine made out of rainwear (haha, I know) - I want something durable and kid friendly by the way of easy to keep clean in case of paint smears/sticky fingers. Or else I'll go to the Taboo Show.

I go with the "added bonus" way of thinking, too. Although - do you mean you'd charge for buying more costume pieces from that point on, or if they specifically ask you to match a theme or something?

I was thinking more along the lines of, if I started getting more requests for different costumes, I would want to start adding a small fee to help cover the costs of buying them. I think.

And yes, if I bought that particular bodice I wouldn't be wearing it for face painting... I have a purple and black one that's machine washable though, so I'm thinking I could use it.

Also on my list of desired costumes is Mrs. Lovett's dress from the Sweeney Todd film... but somehow I don't think any kids would want Mrs. Lovett at their party I just love the dress. I'm getting off topic on my own topic! lol

I have a few different aprons, some tye dye shirts and some funky designed shoe laces...just depends if I'm doing a boy or girl party, thats how I decide what to wear. I don't go all out in costume but I do like to add alittle color to myself and be comfy.
I also have a birthday cake hat, alice in wonderland top hat with the bunny ears, checkered vans...oh and I love those long arm warmers/gloves, where your fingers are still exposed. You can find those in all kinds of colorful designs and fun colors. I think I've even seen pirate ones that you would like!

Last year, I wore khakis and a plain shirt and no face paint. This year, I'm trying to get more business oriented and I decided on a "uniform" for our company. We now wear black pants, capris or shorts (depending on the weather), white collared shirt and face paint to every event. I usually wear an apron also.

I'm in the process of trying to come up with a staff shirt with our name and logo. I'm not sure how to go with this yet. I'm thinking either white or pale blue shirt with a logo and name on the front and on the sleeve and possibly name and number or website on the back? I haven't decided what will look good yet. My husband thinks it should be a t-shirt, because he thought the collared shirt looked too stuffy.

it's not exactly embroidered, but you can get some nice custom printed shirts at www.cafepress.com ... tshirts, golf shirts, that kind of thing. Their prices and shipping are very reasonable and you can save the design online in case you need more of them later.

I love arm warmers, Debbie... I wear them frequently, just day to day

Sherry, I'd personally go with a t-shirt because I think they're more comfortable

Yeah, I'm thinking I might if they'll look good with the black pants.

I love all these great costume ideas! I do have a clown costume, but don't wear it when face painting because the sleeves are huge! I'm thinking just a striped shirt, silly suspenders and nice black slacks. Maybe a few other colorful accessories to give me a "festive" look.

I'm pretty new to face painting so don't have a costume but the woman who inspired me to look into face painting was fabulous. It was a mardi gras themed fund raiser and the face painter wore a gorgeous gold sequined dress. Very flashy. Of course this wouldn't be good for most events but it was very impressive at that one. It could be worn for any adult/evening gig.

I do allow for dressing in costume (it is noted on my site) and charge extra. But no one bothers to book me dressed up!! LOL

I'll do - Clown, Fairy, Princess, Witch, Gypsy, Star Trek aliens (various) and will entertain special requests.

neat, which Star Trek characters do you do? I was an Orion slave girl one halloween years ago and everyone thought I was the jolly green giant lol