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When an actor gets a call for a commercial audition, the suggested wardrobe is part of the key information given to them by their agent or manager. It is an important element because the actor's ability to look the role is greatly enhanced by the clothes they wear. Clothes can also physically affect the actor, which often influences how they move and speak helping their audition.
Wardrobe visually creates distinct types and roles. Men and women look totally different in a tailored suit than when wearing jeans and a tee shirt. Uniforms, dressy evening attire and bathing suits create distinct looks. The right clothing influences how actors are perceived. It is a subliminal factor when directors, agency execs and clients make callback and casting decisions.
First, let's examine the wardrobe terminology used by the agents and casting directors. It helps to know what is usually meant when the following terms are used to suggest what should be worn to auditions:
Nice Casual usually means clothes worn when relaxing at home or going out casually with friends. Upscale Casual describes country club style attire. Business indicates a corporate suit and tie for men and a tailored dress and/or pantsuit for women. Business Casual or "Spokes" indicates a professional dress or blazer and fitted slacks for woman and a sports jacket (maybe without a tie) and slacks for men. Contemporary/Hip usually indicates jeans and the latest trends in tops and accessories for teens and twenty year olds.
These are the primary wardrobe descriptions. Based on your type you should have some or all of these wardrobe pieces. There are other types of popular audition wardrobe that are specific: sports uniforms; apparel needed for distinct activities (i.e. hiking, horseback riding, gardening, parties); professional uniforms (i.e. policemen, clergy, doctors, nurses). It makes sense to own the appropriate outfit(s) for the sports in which you excel and/or for the professions that strongly fit your type and for which you get auditions.
DO's AND DON'Ts
Since commercial auditions are usually videotaped, know the color, styles and patterns to wear and to avoid. Most of the time, the camera will shoot you from the waist up so I will focus on that part of your wardrobe:
- Avoid black, dark blue, white and light pastels. They will either reflect or soak up the light. Thus the camera captures a dimmer looking face. (This is especially
problematic for those with dark skin.) Red never looks true and can look very different.
- Turtlenecks might have the ad people or clients wondering what you might be hiding on your neck. Crew and cowl neck tops can make your neck look distorted. Choose shirts with collars and tops with a "V" neck. They are the most flattering on camera.
- Avoid: busy patterns, bright colors, shiny jewelry and shirts with distinguishable logos. They draw attention away from your face. I am a fan of of rich autumn colors (except orange, gold and brown). Burgundy, emerald and moss green, deep purple, grayish blue are warm are colors that enhances skin tones, frame you face, and gives it focus.
BE PREPARED
In your car or backpack keep the tops, glasses and hair accessories for your type of roles. The following situations, which occur regularly, necessitate actors to keep a variety of appropriate wardrobe choices and accessories with them:
- Last minute auditions when you're away from home and don't have time to get the necessary wardrobe.
- When given the wrong wardrobe information or the casting directors decides to read you for another role.
- When you are auditioning at a casting facility and you're invited (or asked to be invited) into another audition.
You and your representation work hard to get you auditions so always be prepared. That means having the appropriate wardrobe to visually create the roles.
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