What would you wear for... (Update: WIW) - YouLookFab Forum

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What would you wear for... (Update: WIW)

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I'm selling at a craft show this weekend. I do these 6-10 times a year and they always throw me for a loop.

These aren't your grandma's church-basement type craft shows (not that there's anything wrong with that.) This weekend's show is in a funky, urban neighborhood with 200 vendors, a fleet of food trucks, and a full bar. I have to set up my whole booth the morning the first day and tear it down the second, plus be on my feet most of the day. Manual labor + retail sales. This time, I'll be able to change between setup and selling. That's not always the case.

These shows are some of my few opportunities to interact with my customers in person, so I like to look good... quirky and creative, but not so much that you wouldn't want to hand me your credit card. I think I'd benefit from having some kind of "uniform" or formula for these occasions. What should I wear? What would you wear?

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from

E

Veteran

Oh fun! I'd probably wear a full skirt (so I full range of motion for setting up/tearing down the booth), and sleeveless silk blouse (ditto on range of motion), and a cardigan over top (layering so I could adjust to temperature changes), plus some very comfy lace up ankle boots and some
quirky jewellery. I'd keep the fibers and shoe leather upscale, and make sure everything fit perfectly, to inspire credit card trust.

But that's me! I do enjoy imaginary dress up. Lol For you, I can see you rocking one of your dresses with those fun cowboy boots, plus some interesting accessories. And some kind of topper in a colour that makes an artsy combo with the dress.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

E - Your version for you sounds closer to the direction I'm moving my style in, I think (probably with a different shoe.) The second would be workable out of my current closet. Range of motion is definitely essential. I once ripped a brand new pair of Lucky jeans doing setup. Never again.

Anonymous

Wow. I usually see people wearing tee shirts ... a lot of tee shirts. I see shorts and the occasional skirt. The art fairs in my area are hot weather events. People sweat. People sit on the ground. Anything too nice would like wrong.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Sterling - I do the occasional outdoor show, but most of my events are indoors. This one is in an air-conditioned warehouse turned events center.

Word Lily

Veteran

I'd probably include some handmade items, whether garments or accessories, yours or others.

I was just catching up on a back issue of Ply (for hand spinners), and there was an article of dos and don'ts for vending at a craft fair. I went back and double checked, but it didn't say anything about wardrobe (sigh!).

amiable

Veteran

I was thinking along the lines of Eva too - something arty, maybe avant-garde. And in a luxurious fabric, that fits perfectly, with layering options.

Aida

Veteran

Eva's suggestions sound good to me. Natural fibers in good fits always have a nice "look" to them. I don't personally mind of a vendor isn't wearing handmades; those that are loaded up on them turn me off a bit actually, but usually because they're not always styled well. Since you can change in between, I'd probably go with jeans and then a printed cotton top for setup/strikedown and then something nicer for the actual show.

(For my own style I'd be inclined to go more arty-urban, with interesting drape (and also movement), light colors, and flat shoes -- although if I'm on my feet all day, something with a little heel is actually more comfortable for me.)

carter

Veteran

All the crafts markets are outdoors around here (unfortunately), but I used to look forward to the Nutcracker Market in Houston every November. There was everything from jeans, western belts, cowboy belts and handmade jewelry to broomstick skirts and boots to Lilly Pulitzer skirts and kitten heels. It was always clear what type of items they were selling, which I thought was perfect. So, I would say that you should dress to "fit in" with whatever it is that you make.

Dee

Veteran

For me, it would depend on the location/crowd. Eva's suggestions are good for a general craft show crowd for sure. But you also skew more funky urban - maybe cargoes/crops, patterned too, and some interesting jewelry. Depends on your own style comfort zone.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

What are you selling? That is, who are your customers and what do you want to say to them, other than "pay me".

anne

Veteran

I'm with Aida - would tend towards arty/urban. Skinny jeans with a funky assymetrical top, perhaps?

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

My customers are mostly bookish types--writers, librarians, bookworms, recovering English majors. (I'd feel weird linking directly to my shop, but if anyone's really interested, it's in my bio on my website.)

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

I can suggest what you should wear from your wardrobe. Wear the capris you wore Sunday and a lose tshirt for set up. It looks comfortable and won't rip. Once you're done, change into one of your eShakti dresses. They make you look wonderful! Plus they look comfy too.

L'Abeille

Veteran

In my fantasy life I would be you so here's what I would wear: One of those graphic T's that has a literary quote, in a slouchy fit. Wide legged white linen pants and a long black sleeveless gilet, think elegant like Sveta, but with lots of pockets for practicality (not obvious cargo-y ones though).

I don't know how practical the shapes and fabrics would be, but the black and white and graphics would stand out in a rainbow sea of fibre art and draw the eyes of the book lovers.

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

I looked at your website and the image that comes to me is English traveling clothes or Isak Dineson/Out of Africa, toned down but with a literary vibe. But what you really want to be is memorable, and for that, I might invest in a splendid hat, then you could do more practical for clothes, like some linen cargos and a simple blouse that you could wear over a tee so that you could set up in the tee and throw the blouse over when the show starts.

I did a lot of talks and direct sales of my book in a red/white/blue cowgirl shirt and hat, totally appropriate for the book and not too over the top, but not something I would wear otherwise. I might wear a cowgirl shirt and/or a cowboy hat, but not as bright colors or showy. I still bust that shirt out for 4th of July, all these years later.

Now I'm doing farmers market and I really like this overdyed denim romper I bought on Etsy. Pockets, easy to layer, bright and cheerful, with enough farm girl notes but not a cliche in that bright purple.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the advice and suggestions, everyone. Here's what I ended up wearing. Sorry for the poor photo quality. Both of these were taken at the end of very long days.

Day 1 (pic #1)- I wore my burgundy Eddie Bauer cargo capris with my black, drape neck, ruched blouse, and Chuck Taylors. Also wore my trusty vintage kuchi cuff and a mixed-metal necklace (which I don't think you can see in the photo) made by a jeweler friend.

Day 2 (pic #2) - I took Maneera's advice and wore my purple eShakti dress, belted, with tan leather flats. I wore a new necklace, a simple brass semi-circle with the chain threaded through (pic #3), bought from my booth neighbor. It was a great match for my kuchi cuff, and I think I'll be wearing it a lot in the future!

Also including a photo of my wee table (pic #4), just for fun. Boy, were those booths small!

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Converse Chuck Taylor® All Star® Core Ox

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Women's Merona Emma Genuine Leather Flat - Assorted Colors

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Women's Horizon Capris

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Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Jenn! OMG! You look so so stunning in that purple/burgundy dress. EShakti should start giving you free dresses because you're such a beautiful model for them! You look better than the model....I think the sleeves on your customized dress make a HUGE difference.

I love the way that dress fits and the color....the color is to die for. Really catches the shades in your hair and looks beautiful against your skin. It's beyond gorgeous....I think I'm truly madly deeply in love with your dress!

Maneera

(website)

Veteran

Also, I love that necklace. It's really gorgeous....so very unique. What a great find!

Your booth looks super duper cute. And I think the outfit you wore on day #1 was very practical and quite smart. Great job!

PS: Did you sell more on day 2 because you looked so gorgeous and charming!?!

Anonymous

What a booth!
But what do you sell? I still can't tell (photo v. Small on my phone.)
Your outfit matches your booth really well! Great necklace.
ETA: oh, you probably don't want to say what you sell. Alright.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Maneera - You are always the sweetest. Thank you! I wish I'd sold more on day two with the dress, but traffic was low all weekend. Alas.

Smittie - It's not a secret or anything. I sell various fun things made from old books. I just hate when small business people promote their wares all the time at every opportunity, so I try really hard not to be like that.

Anonymous

Great looks both of them Jenn! The addition of the sleeves on the dress is fab. Do you remember the fab Clarks shoes you wore when you went to Cirque du Soleil? Well, I would love to see a flat shoe with a little more presence (like the Clarks ones, only flat) worn with this dress as it would balance your look beautifully.

E

Veteran

You look lovely! And your booth would draw this bookworm right in. ;D Sorry to hear it was a low traffic event though.

kerlyn

Veteran

Great choices Jenn! Of course, I'm loving the necklace and that great cuff!

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I agree with you 100%, Diane, and have been shopping for just that. I was eyeing these at DSW the other day, but think something in cognac would work better than black for me.

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Anonymous

Oh, yes. Big thumbs up from me! Those are fab and would be comfy too. Cognac would look great with your colouring. Hmm...if you can't get the style in the colour you want...don't forget you can dye shoes. Not that I'm enabling or anything