talkmagic.co.uk

As a software engineer, I've spent 99% of my career in roles which didn't require formal attire. I only really have a smart suit for interviews and trade shows. It's something I never really thought much about.

However now that I've started learning magic with an eye to perform, I've noticed that womens suits don't really have pockets.
At all. I imagine it would spoil the shape (as a nerd, I've found it's near impossible to spoil the shape of a T-shirt...)

I know there are a few female magicians on the forum, so I wondered if you'd found some solution to this? Some little known source of pocket heavy clothing for women?

On a related note, would it look odd for the average audience for a performer to pull props from a nicely compartmentalised handbag?

-Stacy

it probably depends on what kind of thing your planning to use in your act.

I'm still sort of finding my feet (and style) but I do some things with rope, a few full deck card effects, some packet tricks and I rather enjoy performing a variation on the "two in the hand one in the pocket" style of routine I learned from a Doc Eason DVD which uses nuts and bolts. I'll also need to keep a TT, (which I'm still sort of building confidence with) and some sponge.

It's all small things that should fit in decent sized pockets, but I'll sweat myself inside out if I have to wear a big coat to perform in (which is how I've been carrying things so far, and even that only has 2 pockets...)

-Stacy

Perhaps a large handbag is a bit big, but what about a small clutch bag instead?
It would appropriate to carry at formal do's (weddings, parties etc.) and is a touch larger than a pocket ?
You have to put it down somewhere when performing, so why not put it on the table next to you and dive in there to get any cards, predictions, coins etc.
It would be in-full view all the time (unlike a wallet that is hidden in a pocket) and with suitable modifications you could do card-to-wallet type effects using your bag/purse.

I actually use a bum bag to carry all my effects.
I think you can also also get utility pouches to attach to a belt. Doesn't Jay Sankey do something like that ?

edit:google sankey's assassin's pouch

The4thCircle wrote:I'm still sort of finding my feet (and style) but I do some things with rope, a few full deck card effects, some packet tricks and I rather enjoy performing a variation on the "two in the hand one in the pocket" style of routine I learned from a Doc Eason DVD which uses nuts and bolts. I'll also need to keep a TT, (which I'm still sort of building confidence with) and some sponge.

It's all small things that should fit in decent sized pockets, but I'll sweat myself inside out if I have to wear a big coat to perform in (which is how I've been carrying things so far, and even that only has 2 pockets...)

-Stacy

why not try contacting Fay Presto, and ask her how she deals with this issue?
I am sure she will be able to offer advice.

The odd thing is, I'm a fan of Fay Presto. I have a card signed by her framed on the wall in my living room.

Unfortunately, her website only has one contact address however and that's just to contact her booking agent. I looked on Facebook (because everyone's on Facebook) and although she has a page, when I messaged her I didn't get a response. Possibly my introduction was too long. More likely she gets a lot of requests for help from magicians starting out and she doesn't have time to deal with us all.

I imagine it's quite tough being that famous.

-Stacy

Have words with Becky/Lady Of Mystery, she posted on this topic a while back.

Ladies business jackets will often have sewn up pockets in the side which you can open up with a sharp pair of scissors and sew larger pockets into. I bought a black one from Primark very cheaply which was sold as a cheap three-piece suit and stitched sequinned cloth onto the lapels and various places to turn it into acceptable evening wear. You will find a lot of velvet jackets and velvet skirts have pockets in too, or dummy pockets that you can cut open and stitch the inside of a pocket into.
I find it is best, even if you are wearing an evening frock, to have an evening jacket on over the top for small items and for ditching things secretly. But I wouldn't suggest carrying things around in your pockets, keep most of your items in your handbag.

I stitched a small loop/tube of cloth under the hem of my jacket to hold my TT until its needed.
The problem I find with a lot of jackets is not the lack of pockets but the length - you will find it easier and more natural to steal something from your jacket if it and its pockets are hanging closer to your hands rather than if it only hangs to your waist.

My advice is DON'T do what a lot of boys do and stuff all your act into your pockets as you will start to have a very lumpy figure. I have a square sparkly make-up box 10inches by 8inches that I can put decks of cards and cups into. But it is entirely acceptable and natural to carry a handbag - mine is very large and can carry wine bottles easily.
It is entirely natural and acceptable for you to carry a handbag, although you are best taking off your shoulder to perform. The other advantage a handbag has is you can easily use larger props in your act - just because its close-up doesn't mean every thing has to be done with small props. Its just that a lot of boys can only fit small stuff in their pockets so they end up using rubber bands and coins. You have no need to avoid larger props if you have space for them.

The other option is to get one of these market trader money pouches (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Market-Stall-Trader-Money-Belt-Bag-Pouch-Wallet-Apron-/360384499187?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item53e8970df3).
If you stitch fabric onto it that matches that of your frock or skirt then you have a front pocket around your waist, or if you prefer, to the side of your waist. A lot of strolling American magicians and street buskers wear and use these to great effect.

Hope this helps. Yes this may all look like a lot of sewing but its for the best and it'll make it easier for yourself when performing. You will find that Fay Presto's outfits are all bespoke and designed for maximum advantage, but then she is very successful and can afford to work in bespoke frocks. There are plenty of options if you look at a ladies business jacket as something that can be converted into a ladies evening jacket with some stitching and decorating.

The4thCircle wrote:The odd thing is, I'm a fan of Fay Presto. I have a card signed by her framed on the wall in my living room.

Unfortunately, her website only has one contact address however and that's just to contact her booking agent. I looked on Facebook (because everyone's on Facebook) and although she has a page, when I messaged her I didn't get a response. Possibly my introduction was too long. More likely she gets a lot of requests for help from magicians starting out and she doesn't have time to deal with us all.

I imagine it's quite tough being that famous.

-Stacy

Far from it. Fay will always give help and advice if asked, providing she's not too busy.

There are a few other lady magicians you could ask, as well as our own ladies. you might try contacting Julie Carpenter over in Watford. she's done costumed acts before, and will know all the pitfalls the lady magician can fall into. She also knows Fay well, and might be able to assist in that way too.

If you do contact Julie, tell her i sugested you contact her.
Thanks..
D

Mandy Davis is another you could contact. She usually wears a jacket when she performs.

Barry

the Lovely Katherine Rhodes is another person worth contacting. She is sometimes on here. Her user ID is the wickedwitch of the web.

I got in touch with Julie Carpenter and her reply was short but very efficient, told me everything I wanted to know.

Thanks for pointing me in her direction.

-Stacy

daleshrimpton wrote:it probably depends on what kind of thing your planning to use in your act.

Whether you are male or female this is a question that you need to answer if you are going to perform. You don't need to be formal you can be casual. As Dale says it depends on what type of act you are planning and what situation you will be performing.

Nic

Yeah, might look a bit odd wearing a full suit and performing street magic

Hi. There are several levels of answer to your question! The absolute easiest is to get one of those market trader belt things but please don't unless you only want to perform on the street as no matter how hard you try you will look like a market trader. The next best thing is to hit a large shopping precinct and trawl around the shops looking at every jacket you see. You will find some with decent pockets. My first performing jacket was off the shelf with two outer pockets, breast pocket and two inside pockets. Admittedly this is not the norm but they are out there. Try Gap, River Island, Debenhams, M&S, etc. A handbag is perfectly acceptable but try to avoid going for one that's too large for two main reasons - no matter how hard you try you will end up filling it up and carrying way too much and also, if working tables, when it swings off your shoulder, which it will, it's more likely to take out some glasses, ornaments, cuttlery, etc. A smaller bag will look more appropriate and not like you're going shopping! Back to pockets - whilst more pockets are, naturally, better they can lead you into the same trap as a bigger bag - you'll end up carrying around more than you need. Put together what you actually need for a decent set and you'll be amazed at how little it actually is compared to the volume of 'comfort blanket' gear you'll probably also have.

Of course, the best route is the one that both Fay and I use (Fay is one of my closest friends) and that is to have your jackets custom made. The massive benefit of this is that you can have as many pockets as you want and have them exactly where you want them with all sorts of extra bits and bobs put in for coins, TTs, ITRs, chutes linking pockets together and so on. The downside is that it isn't cheap and if you're serious, expect to have a jacket made more than once as you start to work it and fine tune where you want things go. It's worth the expense if you're serious as a decent outfitter will tell you if something isn't advisable, help with various bits and put the pockets in in such a way that you won't look like a bag of marbles. For example, my close up jacket can take a hank of rope in one of it's inside pockets and you wouldn't know there was anything in there.

I hope that's of some use, let us know how you get on.

Kate