On stage, I would say Robert Palmer used to make this look a classic. He always wore a suit and looked great. For travel and loading and unloading assuming you are not too heavy I would opt for a slim fit pair of chinos in either a brown or stone color. stay away from khaki as this is to trad for you. you can wear a pair of monks such as AE thayer in chili or brown. you can add a dainite sole to most shoes either by the Manf. or by going to a shoemaker and have it put on. Get a pair of chelsea boots with a side buckle as well and add a dainite sole. Wear a light or french blue shirt open collar with a lightweight car coat or outerwear jacket that can double for a blazer.

 

The legendary Van Morrison always manages a little style with enough rebel in it to not be stuffy.

https://img222.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vanmorrisonxj3.jpg

https://img368.imageshack.us/my.php?image=glasto05vanmorrisonkw06qr3.jpg

Cruiser

 

For one, I wouldn't load gear in a nice pair of AE shoes but that's just me. As far as clothes that look good for loading gear and on stage, maybe try a nice pair of jeans and a T-shirt to load in and then throw on a button-down shirt and a tweed jacket for the set. I guess you could probably go w/ khakis or cords too for pants.

If you want to wear suits, check out eBay and local thrift/vintage stores. You can get good suits on eBay for $60 and under $20 at thrift stores. Wouldn't have to worry so much about those getting wrecked on load in.

 

Not rocket science, but . . .

. . . the Overstock.com Rocket Dogs listings have a few tough-looking buckle-over, zip side-entry boot models, that still have a fairly refined top. Here's one version:

https://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Rocket-Dog-Mens-Motor-Boots/3039952/product.html

The Rocket Dog site and other composite outlets are not very satisfying, as they mix in women's and kids stuff, whereas Overstock gives you links to other similar styles.

As for the ones you pictured, the double-buckle model is very good looking, in my opinion, but the low-quarter style is probably not going to hack it in the loading dock phase.

The jeans/sportcoat look is a perfectly acceptable dress-down/dress-up look nowadays, appearing in clubs and just about everywhere else, at least in the L. A. area. I think it looks great on a young man, but a little passe on someone older (like me). After all, jeans are work pants, are they not? Plenty of rockers go onstage with them as well. You can get them in black. The only negative is that they are not very "forgiving" and might get a bit uncomfortable sitting out a long bus ride. There are, however, stretch versions that can be worn tight but still allow movement and not look dowdy. The shirt is where you can get "creative" as well as comfortable.

There are such a lot of very sleek peaked lapel, slim-fitting sport coats out there now, if the ads can be believed. Barney's has them from several makers. It's a not-quite-yet-conventional look and very becoming to a V torso. Just be sure to get a sturdy material that will hold up to being tossed into the bus and still come out looking great.

Lots of luck on your career, and cudos for trying to bring a little class to the act:icon_smile_big:

 

I would have to ask what style music you play. Rock can be a wide category with lots of different interpretations, and there is a bit of "dressing to the style" so to speak that I think is nice. If you sound like more like classic rock (Led Zeppelin etc.) more like modern rock (Tool!!!! a personal love there), more punk (Rise Against) or something else entirely. There is a way to dress that can look nice and fit these styles each individually, and hopefully avoid the stereotyped garb as well. Best of luck

 

Another thing to consider is whether what you wear goes with your band. If everyone else is in ripped jeans and t-shirts, a sartorial outfit is going to look out of place (and I cringe when someone looks like he doesn't belong in his own band). But when everyone turns the sartorial knob up to 11, it can make for a great look. Rammstein has done this on several occasions.

 

When I was working for Richard James I looked after a lot of the British Musicians, so much so I was unoficially dubbed head of light entertainment!

I think while those shoes are nice they look a tad conservative, what about a pair of barker black boots? I saw some great buckled boots by them online somewhere. In fact boots are the way to go I think.

Nick Cave, David Bowie, Brian Ferry and Paul weller are great dressed up more formal. I got interviewed the other day and the guy said to me who dresses well now in formal wear (who is a celebrity)......I really couldn't think of anybody unfortunately, well I am not going to say Justin Timberlake or David Beckham!

Have you got a website or photos? Show us!

Hey, and don't forget David Byrne for wearing that big suit...style icon right there!

 

By the way I love chelsea boots aside from tasseled loafers on a weekend they are the only thing I wear! Very practical, classic go with anything, very Mod.

 

If you want inspiration, just look at the early days of the Beatles or those cheesy '50s boy bands. At the same time, do consider what your bandmates will be wearing. (Maybe you can inspire them to similarly crank it up to 11.)

 

A well-dressed musician (a rocker, no less): that's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?

 

A well-dressed musician (a rocker, no less): that's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?

 

A well-dressed musician (a rocker, no less): that's a bit of an oxymoron, isn't it?

How about Max Weinberg who rose to fame as the drummer in Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band?

https://img525.imageshack.us/my.php?image=maxweinberg3sf4.jpg

Or the late Robert Palmer who could rock with the best of them.

https://img291.imageshack.us/my.php?image=palmer420bb092207mn2.jpg

Even Texas native Lyle Lovett cleans up quite nicely.

https://img379.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mediumlylelovettav3.jpg

Cruiser

 

... Own a dark navy suit (Men's Wearhouse Pierre Cardin, but it fits very nicely)...

Pics or it didn't happen :icon_smile_big:

As a rocker I suggest you just do what you feel is right and ignore what anyone tells you to wear. It's all about attitude. If you have to operate on the advice of others you're going to end up looking like a tool or at best not be very convincing.

Oh, and make sure your hair looks good.

 

I second the Charlie Watts and Van Morrison suggestions. Also do a search for images of Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music.

 

I second the Charlie Watts.

+1...

 

Whatever suits you end up with, I would suggest surgeon's cuffs. Those are cuffs which actually unbutton and would actually allow you to roll up your sleeves. This may help you play your instrument more easily, but will also let you go a little more rebellious since suit sleeves aren't usually something that are seen rolled up.

About the Dickies idea; it could work except that Dickies tend to be cut rather largely through the leg due to be more accomidating for workmen. If you had them tapered at the hem, that might look a little bit better, though by that point you may as well buy a pair of chinos. I doubt most people would consciously discern between work pants and chinos except for the way they are cut.

Pics or it didn't happen :icon_smile_big:

So do you have stairs in your house, are you anonymous, or both?

 

:aportnoy:

​

 

Flaming Lips

I'd recommend taking a look at Wayne Coyne from the Flaming Lips. He seems to prefer a three-piece suit in warm earth-tones sometimes with an odd vest and almost always an untied bow-tie around his neck.

 

Leather pants.
No shirt.
Biker boots.

Okay, okay. Search for pictures of rock bands playing live to see what you like. No studio or magazine shots though! They don't give you any idea what works functionally when playing live.

Skinny looks cooler - jeans, trousers, ties, jackets - this cannot be denied.
I've always liked boots from Chelseas to Harleys, too-small dress shirts, vests, skinny ties with top shirt button undone, suits or odd jackets (remember skinny!), western shirts.
Dark pants are usually best to hide sweat, so look for black or raw denim, charcoal, black and brown trousers.
Black is boring but always *always* good.
No better place to start than a black suit, and since you are going for rock style rather than correct style, you could really pair any color shirt underneath - white, black, grey, etc.
Go for three-piece suit if possible.

Of course, you could just hire The Feeling's stylist

 

Thanks!

Wow! A lot of responses--thank you all so much!

Where to begin? Well, my band is The Killdares, a celtic rock band out of Dallas, TX. I'm the piper. I've been in the band 5 years and recorded two CDs with them. Yep, I get to be in a rock band and play the bagpipe. I no longer regularly wear a kilt, as that has become kind of a gimmick... So just being on stage with a bagpipe and a pair of pants (of any sort) is pushing the envelope!

We are all evolving our look from more simple jeans and t-shirts to nicer button-up shirts and nicer jeans or trousers. However, I'm less concerned with the stage look as the pre-stage/loading/travel/rest-of-the time look.

Definitely no loading gear in AE shoes...

The Rocket Dog's look pretty interesting, good price.

The dress shoes I had listed are for more regular wear, not for loading/gigging, but they may well be a tad conservative. I do really like that double buckle monk strap wingtip, though...

As for the Men's Wearhouse suit... How about it fits very nice--for a Men's Wearhouse suit. I'll see if I can find any pics. As for hair, I've got too little to worry about, so I shave (there are pics of me both with and sans hair on the website). And seeking advice and following it are two different things. I converse with musicians all the time; I thought I'd get some opinions from another source.

Enjoying all the pics folks have posted!

 

Always remember, when you're on stage, you're an entertainer in a costume. If you decide you want that costume to be a three-piece business suit and a pair of oxfords or a tux or an Oswald Boateng orange suit, fine; but what you wear on stage is completely unrelated to what you or anyone else might wear on the street, except by the coincidence of wanting a particular "look".

 

my band is The Killdares, a celtic rock band out of Dallas, TX.

Wow, a Celtic band. A Celtic rock band no less. That's cool.

With that in mind you really need to go back and look at the pic I posted of Van Morrison. Maybe he was before your time but he was one of, if not the first, big Irish rock star of the 60's. Later he pioneered Celtic Soul music that is being carried on by many others today. He's known as Van the Man.

Heck, you're in a Celtic band. Let's visit him again. Here he is as a young rocker in the 60's.

https://img377.imageshack.us/my.php?image=862584vanmorrisonatthewtp8.jpg

And some more from more recently.

https://img262.imageshack.us/my.php?image=van23czn3.jpg

https://img129.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vanmorrisonrt0.jpg

Even if you don't care to dress like him, I just thought you might enjoy hearing about him in the event you didn't know who he is. :icon_smile:

Cruiser

 

OK, I don't think I did that right... sorry I'm new.

 

 

Go to google and click the image search tag in the upper left corner of their page and it will present you with their image search site. from there check out "the killers" they put it together nicely.

here they are directly:

I see more and more of this as the sort of ultra-lounge look(s) meet new music. I don't know what kind of music you are into and how it should meld with your look but obviously, being in a creative environment, YOU get to define your look - obviously some things wont work like if you are in a 1980's style tribute band to hair metal suits wont work.

Here is Gavin Degraw showing what not to do:

https://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=gavin+degraw&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2

Good luck in any case. Personally I would go for the 1990's looks of Mick Jagger but I am mid 40's so your mileage may vary.