A show is made up of a lot of factors that a performer should note. There are lights, music, sets, and costumes, to name a few essential items.
Costumes are an essential part of the performance since the performer has to wear them and move in them. That is especially true if the show features a lot of dancing.
Plus, some performers can have an easier time getting into the headspace of their character with their attire. However, finding the right suit for the show can be tricky, especially with no foresight. Careful planning, time management, and budget awareness ease the stress that ensemble shopping usually brings on, especially for an important show.
The Costume Must Allow Movement Especially If a Performance Is Required
The best costume to buy would be one that you can move in. It can be loose and flowing or tight and revealing, as long as your body is not restricted.
Movement, whether it is dancing or simply walking, is a major part of any show. Many things could go wrong on stage that you can easily prevent, such as nip slips or ripped pants. Of course, you can work it all out and salvage the situation, but it’s best to avoid mistakes. You can do this by making sure everything is neatly (and well) tucked in. Plus, safety pins are your friends, and you can use them in such a way that the audience will think it is part of the costume design.
A good costume is one that suits your body and lets it move with added comfortability so that you feel at home on stage. Feeling comfortable is a great way to bring your character to life and make it more enjoyable for yourself and your audience.
Make sure the costume fits well, that you can move better, and that you feel good. Another aspect you should also be aware of is costume accessories since they can influence your movements. Therefore, rehearsals with all the attire on is a must to create a fantastic show.
The Need for Technical Rehearsals With The Costume On
Kids’ costumes, adult costumes, and trick-or-treating costumes are completely different from performance costumes. Yes, you can use them in your show wear, but the main difference is the motivation behind wearing them. You are not going to a party but putting on a performance where rehearsals are needed.
Technical rehearsals are a great way to work out the kinks of your getup and allow all the mistakes to happen before performing in front of an audience.
Rehearsals let you see how the outfits look under the lights, how the set corresponds to your wardrobe, and how the gear moves with your body. At least one technical rehearsal for a one-night show can be all you need (or all you get) to make sure that you and your wear flow as one.
You can have other people in your crew to help. They can point out how it looks while you are on stage since you will be focusing on your role. You wear your costume, not the other way around.
Budget
One of the most significant downsides when thinking up costume ideas is your budget. If you are not part of a big show, this will be a personal concern. If you are only performing for the love of it, you will have to dig into your pocket to get what you need and want.
The budget will certainly be an issue if your act is inspired by a TV show or a pop-culture phenomenon. That would require you to make sure that your viewer can see who you are playing at first glance. These types of shows are not cheap and are usually one-time things. That is why having a budget is necessary.
Plus, shopping around for the best price can be a bank balance saver. So start shopping earlier before the rush of Halloween and watch out for fashion trendsetters to see which ones are trending.
Time-Consuming
Time is even more important than your budget. Not only can you save money by catching the right sales, but you would need to prepare your wear. Plus, you may have to make your outfit by yourself if you cannot find the exact one that suits your hit show. There are ways to make minute costumes that last a long while.
You can also reuse what you have and make it new. A pair of black shoes and a plain t-shirt can get you far with enough time. You would be able to add your touches to a beloved character without accidentally degrading them. Hop on to minute Halloween costume ideas before the season starts to get your creative, stitching hands flowing and come up with a new classic.
Accuracy of Characters
Clothes mark the era, and costumes do the same. If you are preparing a period piece, do some research. You must make sure that your outfit is accurate so that the audience can get immersed. You cannot be a traditional 17th-century queen in super tight pants (unless your play is some kind of parody). Preparing for a costume is as important as preparing for a performance.
You should also keep in mind the theme of your show and stick to it. If your act is a gothic punk take set in the 16th century, a mixture of the two worlds is needed. However, one style should not outdo the other.
If that does happen, your message will get lost. If you are working in a group with other performers, try to make sure the lead (if there is one) stands out when compared to the rest. But they should not be too overpowering or different. It will end up looking out of place.
Conclusion
Lovely performance costumes help bring the world you imagined to life, and creativity, as well as time and budget management, is how you get there. Take your time, make sure you take care of all the possible issues, and above all, have fun.
