 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MSK
Date: 2005-04-01 01:33
What do the women out there like to wear for concert black in orchestra settings? I have learned the hard way what not to wear (narrow skirts, or skirts with front slits). Our female cellists mostly wear pants, but few others do.
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-04-01 01:59
I have a long black split skirt, or cullotte, or palazzo pant, or whatever you want to call it, that is great for this purpose. A bit more elegant than pants, but with all the convenience.
Susan
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Author: ginny
Date: 2005-04-01 04:38
I have a black silk split skirt. I sometimes wear dressy slacks.
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Author: Aussiegirl
Date: 2005-04-01 07:36
I did have a longish skirt with a nice gauze layer float on top....until i wore it playing bari sax and the float got caught on a screw and puckered....not i mostly wear pants.
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Author: CJB
Date: 2005-04-01 11:59
If playing either bass or saxophone trousers, usually cullottes, if smaller sizes I will wear either the cullottes or a skirt depending on what the majority of the female members of the woodwind opt for.
One attempt of playing alto in a floaty skirt and missing notes through having fabric in the keys taught me to ignore any 'all ladies in long skirts' rules when playing bigger instruments!
Post Edited (2005-04-01 12:01)
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Author: Eileen
Date: 2005-04-01 20:20
On occasion a long skirt but the spit does drip on it. I prefer to wear dressy black pants with a stylish silk blouse or sweater. And some dressy/sparkly jewelry to offset the black. I usually commiserate with the oboe player about how sad it is that the reeds do not go well with lipstick.
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Author: Camanda
Date: 2005-04-01 22:47
We always wear tuxedo shirts and black bottoms (with black bow ties, of course), and lately I've been into black pants with a slight flare at the bottom instead of long skirts because of the bass clarinet, which I find hard to play saxophone-style. When I have to wear all black, like for pit orchestra, I wear those pants and a black button-up collared shirt.
Amanda Cournoyer
URI Clarinet Ensemble, Bass Clarinet
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-04-02 05:49
In most professional orchestras and our college orch, women wear a black blouse and black skirts or slacks. Or sometimes they have full black gown/dresses. No bow ties for women. I wear pants because I play bass clarinet.
--CG
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2005-04-02 11:58
Lately for concerts I have found it easier to wear black slacks and a black sweater without too much ornamentation. I also have a few black skirts - 1 long velvet-type fabric and one that's a little shorter but past the knees. Black hose.
Our group was told to skip the sparkles, probably so we don't draw a lot of attention on any individuals. I do miss wearing lipstick too!
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2005-04-02 12:51
For more casual concerts I usually opt for black pants and a black tank top with a long sleeved black cardigan over top. For more formal concerts I wear a floor length black dress, again with my black cardigan over top (it ends up looking like I am wearing a skirt).
Melissa
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Author: emylooa
Date: 2005-04-02 18:37
On hot summer days for outdoor concerts, I wear a black skort. It looks very much like a skirt, but much more comfortable. (not sure if this is the same as a cullotte?) Its a community band, not really formal and serious like an orchestra, but thought I should send this idea along anyway.
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Author: pguy
Date: 2005-04-06 15:14
Over spring break I went to New York City, and while there visited the Juilliard School. Wow, what a cool place!
While there I picked up a copy of “The Juilliard Journal” (March 2005) and the Voice Box column had an article on their new female dress code…… “prohibiting of pants… only skirts or dresses may be worn as concert attire.” This was apparently the result of “… announcements... made at virtually every dress rehearsal reminding musicians to dress modestly... Carnegie Hall was not … an appropriate venue in which to put one’s lingerie on display.”
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-04-06 16:14
Along with several others on the board, I wear a formal-wear split skirt and a long sleeved matching black blouse with opera-length pearls (pearls are optional and you can wear fakes).
I think it's important to look nice on stage. That says to the audience that you care enough about what they have to look at to take a few extra minutes and dress nicely for the concert. After all, they've paid for the tickets and probably taken extra time with their appearance. It is part of the preparation. For a lady it gives an extra boost of confidence.
One outfit is enough if one is careful. If you're travelling with an orchestra you will probably need two.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-06 22:10
Where do you people find these flowing pants/culottes, and are you referring to full length? Do you make them yourselves, have them made or purchase them somewhere?
Sue
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Author: Neil
Date: 2005-04-06 23:25
I went to a concert a while back where the female vocalist wore those culottes. I didn't think they looked attractive at all. I think a gown would have been much more appropriate, seeing how much it cost me to get in.
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-04-07 00:07
The issue is playing a wind instrument, not vocalizing. There is a practical difference there. The women in an orchestra, band, or chorus, for that matter, are obligated to provide you with visual enjoyment.
Sue
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-04-07 03:42
<<I didn't think they looked attractive at all>>
Since when was that a criterion for musical excellence? I'm also not sure why you feel qualified to respond to a question about women's concert dress. The question was directed toward the women of the board.
If you want entertainment where the attractiveness of the women is the key issue, it is readily available in many venues, and probably at less cost than a symphony concert.
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3dogmom, I think you left out a critical word in your post. It reads,
"The women in an orchestra, band, or chorus, for that matter, are obligated to provide you with visual enjoyment."
PLEASE tell me you meant to say the women are *not* obligated to provide you with visual enjoyment!
Susan
Post Edited (2005-04-07 03:49)
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Author: ginny
Date: 2005-04-07 03:43
I bought my silk split skirt in China...
I bought two.
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-04-07 21:45
I agree that a vocalist shouldn't wear the split skirt--but the clarinet needs it because of the position of the instrument while playing.
I bought mine at a mall store like Saks or Dillards. You might have to ask for the after 5 wear dept. Yes, they are full length. I think skirts should be full length as well for any formal performance.
Also, I found my outfits on sale. It's a bit of a "thing" with me. If it's not on sale I don't buy it.
I also believe the women in the orchestra should be "uniform" in the style of garments worn for concert. Someone with black jeans and black t'shirt would be out of sync with the others in their formal skirts or split skirts or even flowing formal slacks. This is up to the director or section leader to enforce.
Post Edited (2005-04-07 23:06)
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Author: MSK
Date: 2005-04-07 23:22
I like the split skirt idea, but haven't seen any for sale in my part of the country. Have any of you purchased from those internet / mail order companies that specialize in concert black attire?
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2005-04-08 01:47
I just happened upon my split skirt at a boutique -- it's a double layered deal, with a crepe underskirt and sheer overskirt.
But a quick Googling got me this very interesting site:
http://www.concertblack.com/navigation.html
Definitely worth a look! They even have maternity concert wear! Great prices, too.
Susan
Post Edited (2005-04-08 01:54)
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