What To Wear And What To Do In Extreme Heat, As A Busker.
-outdoor costuming, pockets, and strategies.
People have requested that I write about how I combat the weather, so today we will be talking about how I deal with it, but it should be understood, at the end of the day, one should wear what works for them, these are just pointers for those looking for options.
I'm from New Orleans.
It gets well over 100°F with 100% humidity.
So if one is working outside all day, what does one do?
Well let me tell you, you may think people won't stop and watch, and yes the audiences can be cranky and impatient and wanting to seek a/c shelter, but in the south, it's really just another day, and they are more acclimated then our Northern countrymen to the southern heat.
They will stay, and they will watch.
If you're good.
Besides you gotta make that lettuce brother, those bills ain't going away.
So what do we do?
We do what all the masters do, we go towards the suffering.
We suck it up, and get our work ethic on.
But that won't work if we pass out ha.
So to begin with, one must know and respect their limitations. If you are getting up in age or have serious health issues, you must acknowledge this and act accordingly.
You may only be able to go out there for an hour or two, or not at all.
But if you are going out there soldier, you're going to need the right tools for battle.
Your First Tool, is a bottle of water.
Always carry a bottle of water for your own safety.
Your second tool is Shade.
Working in the sun hurts you and your audience, it puts everyone in danger, try and avoid this.
Find shade to work in, preferably shade that covers you and your audience.
When doing this, it is ideal, to find a shady spot that puts the sun in your eyes, and not in the eyes of the audience.
Think of the sun as your spot light in the theater, this goes for any weather conditions, hot or cold.
The perfect shady spot for a busker, is that which creates the natural show area, with a line of demarcation, meaning, that they will be forced to come into the show area, showing commitment, or they will be forced to stand out there in the sun.
This is a great tool for crowd building and crowd control.
Let them know to come out of the sun, and join the show with the other smart people.
Your third tool and defense against the angry sun, is costuming.
Hot weather Costuming-
Lets take it from the top down.
Hats-
You will need a hat, not just to establish character, but to keep the sun off of you, and out of your eyes, and to keep you from passing out. The hat needs to be extremely light weight and breathable. A ball cap with mesh, or a straw hat without lining.
When buying a straw hat make sure it has no lining, make sure you can see daylight through the inside. Get the lightest weight possible and light colors are preferable.
Shirts-
Stay away from T-shirts, they are hot and will insulate, they don't breath, trust me on this.
The strategy, is to create as much air flow as possible, while still achieving modesty.
Good shirts are silk, or super light weight 100% cotton, or micro thin wicking golfer type shirts. The best shirts, are ones that button all the way down to the end.
The gaps between the buttons all the way down your chest and belly allow airflow, this can bring your temp down @ 10°F
These shirts should be collared to protect your neck.
Nice casual shirts for the beach, hiking, golfing, or camping, all work well.
Avoid tucking your shirt in, to prevent insulation.
Try and find shirts that are made to be un-tucked, but look nice.
Light colors are preferable.
Leave your top two buttons open.
Blazers and Vests-
If you choose to wear Blazers or vests to aid in your magic or costuming, choose light weight, loose fitting, single layered unlined material, with plenty of pockets.
In extreme heat, one simply cannot wear a suit jacket, so one can turn to the vest for more ventilation. In worse conditions one must shed even the vest.
As I have gotten older and less tolerant of the heat, I have shed the vest.
Pants and Shorts-
Pants-
Shorts are best in the extreme heat, but look the worst, I wear them when I have to, but I hate it.
So let's talk pants first.
To begin with, one should never wear tight pants as a magician, as a rule.
With tight pants, everyone knows, there's something in your pocket, everything in the pockets can be seen through the material, and it makes it extremely difficult to pull the palmed objects from the pockets anyway, this is doubly true in humidity.
Humidity causes the fabric to stick to the hands as they exit the pocket.
Worse yet, the pockets in tight pants are generally made with horizontal openings, (like jeans) one should always try to find pants with more vertical openings, as found in slacks.
Tight pants also cause insulation.
So, if you've worked the summer, and you got over heated and you couldn't get things out of your pockets, this is probably why ha.
Pleated relaxed fit pants will eliminate objects being seen through the fabric.
Try and find pockets with interior cloth that is stiff and tight woven material, like uniform pants have, to avoid sticking in the humidity.
I have been known to cut out pockets and remake them in stiff canvas.
Going too baggy with pants can be hazardous also, because they add unneeded weight and can cause insulation due to the excess fabric.
One should try and stick with all cotton pleated casuals, khakis, or cargo pants.
Since one is forced to wear less in the heat, cargo pockets can come in very handy.
In fact, along with extra pockets, one could use a light weight small canvas gibeciere or magicians apron or pouch. Make it small, because too big, is too hot. Here’s mine.
Shorts-
The same rules apply with shorts concerning vertical pockets and bagginess. Shorts are the most comfortable and practical choice, but I think they look the least professional and this has to be over come in the performance.
I don’t like shorts, so if I have to wear them I prefer to wear long ones, this of course makes them less effective for the heat, but makes me feel better about myself.
Belts-
The lighter the weight, the better.
Socks-
I have found that ankle socks are the most comfortable and keep me the coolest.
I guess shorter socks that give the appearance one isn’t wearing socks would be better, I just don’t think I would like them.
Shoes-
Ahh shoes, as important as the hat in establishing character and keeping down temperature.
One should avoid boots or high ankle shoes to avoid heat.
Sandals without a doubt are the best for extreme heat, but look bad and are bad for building rapport with the audience, one's strong character will have to pick up the slack.
Canvas shoes that breath, is a nice compromise, but I would avoid big ugly white athletic shoes, unless it is crucial for the character and the main plot of the show.
They look bad, You might as well wear flip flops at that point.
Nice dressy canvas shoes that could be worn with a suit and not look out of place are well advised. Maybe like Deck Shoes, Classic Vans lace up, polo canvas casuals, or Creepers etc.
If you're going to wear leather dress shoes make sure they are comfortable and breath.
Try to get dress shoes with soft rubber soles, for long hours of standing, also the soft rubber tends to wear out less on pavement.
But once again, at the end of the day, it all comes down to what works best for you.
Sure staying cool enough to work is important, but other things are important too, like;
What do you need to wear to do your tricks?
What does your character need to wear to be that character?
And what do you need to wear to be comfortable and confident?
These things have to be calculated in to find your fit.
Here's what I’ve been wearing lately.
The shirt is silk, collared, and has no shirt tail, it stops at the belt line.
I hope all this helps, and if you'd like to leave a tip, You Can Do That HERE.
Your Pal Jimmy.