[Dixielandjazz] FW: Shtick

[Jim Kashishian]

>What is the origin of the whole garter belt/straw hat/red suspenders/red
vest menality in OKOM?

I always supposed it came from the vaudeville acts, but am not much of an
historian.  Nor, does it bother me to don the apparel for the proper gig.
Meaning, in our case, company gigs, weddings, etc.  Beats wearing a tux, as
a vest is much cooler & less restrictive.

However, having said all that, we don't work in the U.S., and don't have any
of that "category" thing to worry about.  There is less "pidgeonholing" in
Europe than in the States, and the vests don't particularly conjure up more
than maybe a memory from some distant movie in the minds of a spectator.

We wear just normal clothes, no costume, for clubs dates.  (I dress for the
gig, not just wear the clothes I had on all day.)  And, for concerts, either
all in black, or varied choices of suits.

Jim