Stage clothes

A street actor dressed in the typical clothes of Charlie Chaplin

Light-up stage clothes for performers. Created by the artist Beo Beyond

Liberace was well known for his extravagant stage clothes.

Stage clothes is a term for any clothes used by performers (singers, actors, or dancers) on stage.

More specifically, the term is sometimes used only for those clothes which are specially made for the stage performance by a costume designer. However, many performers also pick up regular clothes and make them their "trademark clothing" on stage.

In combination with other aspects, theatrical costumes can help actors portray characters' age, gender role, profession, social class, personality, and even information about the historical period/era, geographic location and time of day, as well as the season or weather of the theatrical performance. Often, stylized theatrical costumes can exaggerate some aspect of a character; for example Harlequin and Pantaloon in the traditional Commedia dell'Arte. A movie or stage production which emphazise the use of correct clothes and settings for a specific time period is called a costume drama.

Stage clothes often follow the evolving fashion but in a more extravagant way. Clothes worn by popular performers can often spark new fashions by themselves, as fans of performers want to look like their idols.

Theatrical Costume Photo Gallery

Shakespearean and Elizabethan Costuming

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  Shakespearean actor in fencing stance

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  Actor in Elizabethan costume with tunic, medallion, and cape