Music Fashion

One of the wonderful perks that people experience when they become musicians by profession is the FASHION!!!!

Being unable to even attempt to pursue a career on the stage - whether in opera music, classical, musical theater, jazz bands, or prestigious choirs or symphonies - I only got a very short-lived taste of the glamour that goes into performance fashion.

I was always drawn to the extravagant floor-length gowns, the elegant evening gowns in satin or silk with sparkly embellishments, corset backs, and the professionally styled hair of the operatic singers. With jazz singing it was the iconic slim fitting evening dresses that could be a little more risqué - that silky fabric catching the spotlights in all the right ways. In musical theater one could step into an entirely new persona and wear fashion that was completely different from the actor's true personality.

I only got to wear a few.
I wore this long, slim, cream-coloured gown for my grad recital in University. It fit like a glove and had a halter style neckline. I felt beautiful and confident and loved performing in it.
For a wedding expo fashion show that I had the privilege of singing for, I was able to wear this silky deep blue coloured mermaid gown, with embellishments all over the bodice and a stunning corset back. I was technically modeling the dress, so I couldn't keep it, but I very nearly purchased it.
For the Crohn's and Colitis galas, I had one lovely black mermaid gown that draped nicely. Unfortunately, that dress I purchased when I was dreadfully ill and horribly skinny. The likelihood of ever being able to fit into that dress again is slim. I have a second one that is an ombré blue-to-white gown, with beading on the straps and sweetheart neckline. That one still fits and I still love it as much as when I first discovered it.
In high school I played a part for which I wore a ballgown silhouetted dress that was similar to the more traditional country dresses in the 16th Century, complete with a showgirl-sized feather headpiece.
Of course, there are other dresses I have worn as a bridesmaid that are beautiful enough to perform in, but most are not floor-length show-stopping gowns.

I am grateful that I have been able to don these incredible gowns while singing. Part of the pleasure of performance is the style you can convey while you are performing in the spotlight. All eyes on you. Singing incredible music and arias you've worked tirelessly on, for a smiling and enthusiastic audience.
That luxury of wearing such glamorous gowns is that it can also help one's confidence. Experiencing the immediate exhiliration of walking out on stage and hearing or seeing the 'ooooooh's and 'ahhhhhhh's from the audience is a rush and an effective ego boost - it helps the adrenaline flow to just walk out there and SING!!! No reservations. No turning back. To stand out on that stage and showcase your hard work.

Another reason to love
#MyMusicalLife