Victoria Oruwari

Have you ever found yourself worrying about what to wear for a recital? If yes, then you’re not alone. Choosing an outfit for a recital is just as stressful as choosing a dress for any special occasion. In fact, it’s almost as stressful as choosing a wedding dress because in both situations you are the centre of attention. Before I go in to more detail, I must say at the outset that there is no real answer to this problem; every singer’s recital is a reflection of their interpretation of music and this will vary depending on their individuality. I will therefore explore various ideas, and solutions which could trigger something within your mind. 

Why are singers particular about their dress or outfit?

Unlike other musicians, singers do not possess a tangible instrument. Our instruments are situated in our bodies; the way we present ourselves is therefore very important. A pianist can have the piano tuned, a flautist would have their flute polished till it glistens. A singer can do as many warm ups to make the voice produce a beautiful sound, but the singing voice is not seen, it’s heard. The voice is encased in the body, so what does the singer do about what we see? How do we adorn our instrument?

Singers have a huge advantage over instrumentalists in that our voices are priceless. This advantage though unique, puts us under a lot of pressure in a world where looks often dictate how well we are received. If you had something you regarded as priceless, would you not treat it with the utmost care possible? Would you not feel the need to encase it in something beautiful? 

Things to consider when choosing a recital outfit

When you are given a date for a recital, your first concern, is how you would fill the time with exciting music. Sometimes, singers prefer to choose a theme for their recital, in which case, the songs chosen will be determined by the theme. Other singers might have a more flexible approach and pick songs at random. I often find that singers who have themed recitals usually pick outfits with colours that represent the theme.

For example, if the theme is based on nature, the singer is likely to wear browns and beiges with floral patterns, or swirls to emphasize the unending cycle of life.

A male singer might want to wear a suit with similar colours in the fabric. Other singers would prefer green, representing fertility.

If the singer has chosen a fairy-tale theme, then they would have clothes with floral colours and patterns. They would probably include some sparkles to reflect the magical quality of fairy tales.

Men might want to include sparkles by wearing a black suit with thin silvery stripes running through, a brown suit with thin subtle golden stripes that reflect, or a plain suit with a decorative tie.

Pinks, Purples and reds are vivid vibrant colours which would complement a recital with a love theme.

Men could opt for the more subtle but noticeably warm colours like Deep purples, Maroons, or deep reds with dusky pink shirts to complement the colour of the suit. 

If your recital has a sacred or an ethereal theme, then you might consider colours such as blues and whites and other pale colours like baby pinks pastel yellows or greens as they are the colours of the sky at different times and represent all that is fresh and pure. Men in this situation could wear morning suits in colours of their choice. There is a lot they can do with dark blues and pale blues. 
 

Appropriate dress

Recitals or concerts are held at different times, for various reasons and in varied venues. When choosing a dress for a recital, you should consider the size of the venue, the time of year and the type of audience you are expecting.

For example, if you were to sing in a room that only seats about 20 people, you have to be conscious of the fact that it is a more intimate gathering and you do not want to appear so formal and distant from your audience. A knee length tea dress or cocktail dress would be appropriate. If you are the sort to prefer full length dresses, then something long with details that are not too vivid at close range, will suffice. You can decide how grand the dress should be in accordance with the demands of the occasion. Huge dresses with so much detail do not often look good at close range as they could serve more as a distraction from the singing.

However, if you were to sing in a hall or room that has more than ten rows of seats, being visible and having a huge presence is important. You can choose between the straight long clinging gown, or the ball gown that complements you best. Vivid details do not count as much since the audience will be far enough for the detail not to cause distraction. If you prefer shorter dresses, I would strongly advise that you are sure that the stage is not too high above the audience to prevent any embarrassing revelations. It is also important to ensure that the tailoring of your dress leaves no room for disasters. Unfinished aspects such as a loose shoulder strap could be the biggest nuisance during your recital, causing you to fidget and distract your audience. If you’re in doubt about what to wear, You can never go wrong by sticking to dark colours at night, and pale colours in the day, as long as you choose colours that complement your skin tone. Never underestimate the classic black dress at night or beige during the day. They always do the trick. Though if you have a pale complexion, you want to avoid black because it drains any bit of colour you have left. A good compromise would be dark purple or maroon. Men always look very distinguished in black suits or a navy blue.  

Hair

We are often spoilt for choice when choosing a hair style for occasions. However, singers should remember that the face is a vital tool for expression and communicating with the audience and wherever possible, should be left clear of any hair or adornments. When choosing a hair do, you should ensure that the style leaves no room for mishaps, especially when you bow at the beginning and end of your recital. 

Shoes

Shoes are very important because most singers stand during recitals. Whilst wanting your feet to look pretty, it is vital to choose comfortable shoes to take the strain off your heels or your toes. Very high heels that make you tilt forward affect your posture and the quality of sound that your voice produces. Most of your concentration will be focussed on keeping your balance, rather than fully expressing yourself.  
 

Secrets that make a difference

Make up

As Women, we all have various insecurities and our figures and faces are the usual culprits. Since the dress has taken care of the figure, attention should be given to the face. I often find that applying foundation to cover any blemishes, and other make up to highlight facial features; help to give a singer’s face the lift it needs to be confident when facing an audience.

Perfume

I don’t know about you, but some women have perfumes for various occasions. An everyday one which is light, but noticeable in an unobtrusive way. A Formal ceremony perfume. (This is what they would wear to church, or a Christening, or Graduation etc) is usually something floral and fresh. Last but by far not the least, is The party time perfume. One which amplifies their personality with its magnetic and alluring smell. I would recommend this one for recitals because it adds to a singer’s sense of self-confidence.

Length of dress

I often find that wearing a  long dress when reciting at an exam, prevents examiners or the audience from noticing nervous reactions on the part of the singer.

Under Garments

Now that we’re more aware of how much detail goes in to preparing for a recital, it is inevitable for singers not to think of their undergarments. Singers are inclined to ensure that they are happy with their choice of undergarments. If truth be told, the audience will not be privy to them, but the knowledge that they have carefully chosen the best ones, adds to the feel good factor.

Hair

Do you often feel a cold breeze brush the back of your neck when you sing to people? I do, and I find it most disconcerting because I begin to feel tense in my neck area and my vocal output becomes restricted. My solution to this problem, is to ensure that my hair is loose and long enough to cover my neck. I often find some comfort in feeling the soft caress of my hair on the back of my neck.  

To conclude

What is really important is that you feel comfortable in what you wear, because singing to people is one of the most intimate forms of interaction. You are not just opening your voices, but you expose a whole chunk of your soul to a bunch of strangers. You do not want to go there looking like you have got somebody else’s clothes on. You wouldn’t feel right, and your performance will inevitably become artificial. So if you have a theme for your recital, try to marry the requirements of the theme, with what suits your personality. This way, you are more likely to come out with the right dress for you. If you fall in the category of singers who choose songs at random, then you must stay true to who you are and let your dress reflect your personality. That way, you can be yourself when you sing to your audience.