talkmagic.co.uk

I usually work restaurants.....and it is very obvious to people that you are the magician working that night because of the signage, and the clothing you are wearing.

When they hire me to do magic in our local mall.....I stand out because of my suit jacket, etc, as well as the advertising.

However, when working a trade show, all business people wear suit jackets, so I blend right in with the others......it is not like a clown that works the floor, he is obviously a clown simply by looking at him, a roaming musician is obviously a musician because he is carrying his guitar.

Do any of you out there work trade shows, and what do you do to stand out? I mean I obviously approach my specs and try to generate some commotion so others stop, and it is not a problem from there, but is there a way to be more obvious than that?

I have had someone suggest embroidery on the back of my suit jackets, but I find that it doesn't suit my style.....I find it (hoping not to offend anyone) a bit tacky stylewise!

When walking around I do work on my card fans, some shufffling, and other things that make me stand out, but like I said earlier......anyone else have any things that they do/wear that they find effective?

Years ago I was watching a lecture by Randy Wakeman at the Magic Circle and I whispered to my neighbour "he is dressed like a typical American trade show magician"

My neighbour delighted me by saying with the usual British cynicism "What? You mean smart suit and loud tie?"

This description amused me so much that when I started to do trade shows myself I have always worn a smart suit and loud tie. The tie is usually something with a magic theme such as playing cards or something equally ostentatious and in bad fashion taste. It does make you stand out from the salesmen but at the same time keeps you in the corporate mode.

I don't know about the UK but in North America where I live the tendency nowadays is often for the magician to be wearing the company "uniform" which consists of a light jacket type thing with the company logo all over it. The company itself will tell you if they want you to wear it.

It is generally conceded among trade show magicians that a tuxedo or dinner suit is not appropriate. There are always exceptions but you should probably look as corporate as you can. As I say I do wear the silly tie so people know I am a magician. It does create interest and is a good talking point.

I usually wear a mock-turtle neck under my jackets instead of a tie....maybe I should look into a loud tie!

I would suggest a "magic tie". You can find a tie with pics of playing cards, dice, top hats or rabbits, or even a mixture of all. That should be a dead good giveaway that you are a magician
You can also use a magic tie.
Or this - or this - or this.
I also like the idea about Colour Change Waistcoat by Lee Alex, reviewed nicely by Yorkshire Pudding a few weeks ago.
I saw it for $271,40 at magicproshop.com

Loud Tie - click below:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Playing-Cards-Poker-Silk-Tie-I-Ties-New-SX9_W0QQitemZ160041250058QQihZ006QQcategoryZ52993QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I bought one of these recently and it's good quality silk and the delivery was extremely quick!