I have seen some very poorly dressed jugglers lately, and I want to know what do you think a performing juggler wears?

Al,
I assume you're referencing unkempt clothing, poorly designed outfits or "overly casual" attire. The chosen attire should match the venue, audience, atmosphere and/or character, but there is no excuse for showing up in street clothes and calling it an outfit. And yes, I have noticed poorly outfitted variety entertainers of all sorts.

Even bands playing bars and festival stages seem to show up in "whatever". I suppose we have the major label record musician/singers to thank for all of this "casualness".

Wes
What I am talking about are professional performers that wear thrift store getups. I fully understand the performer who performs in character, but when your character is a mis-matched slob it makes customers laugh at them. The juggling community is very small so I will not be too spacific.

I don't know who you are talking about. So I can't comment on whoever it was.

But if you are being paid for a show, I think dressing well is a good idea. Although, I admit, I am not naturally a well dressed person so I find it difficult, it requires an effort.

I thought we all agreed that the juggling uniform was a button down shirt, black slacks, red tie and a black vest?

Thrift store costumes work great with entertainers that create a character and it fits. It is hard to do right.

I've seen jugglere wear costumes that I wouldn't wear to wash my car. I was just wundering if this happens everywhere or do all the fashion tragedy's live around here.

It happens everywhere.

My usual getup is light grey trousers with a darker pinstripe, white shirt, dark grey (same colour as the pinstripe in the trouser) waistcoat, black shoes.

Its not anything over the top, but it's suitable (I think) for most venues. Outdoor, stage, school... It works for most places where the public are wearing casual or smart casual clothes, which is usually where I work.

If I were to do a corporate or black tie event then I would wear something more appropriate for that venue. I try to live by the rule of being slightly smarter than my audience without going over the top.

In fact you can see my costume in most pictures of me performing and if you have any comments on improvements please drop me a pm. I'm always happy to hear constructive critique.

Ros
Do you really wear black dress shoes to juggle in?

I wear black sweat socks, with blace atheletic shoes (sneakers).

A tipical birthday party getup for me is my black shoes, and socks, black dress pants, a matching set of shirt, tie, and suspenders, and my top hat.

I can also wear top hat and tails if the occasion calls for it.

Yep. I wear black dress shoes when ever I perform.

I don't find it to be a problem from a comfort point of view.

Don't think it looks wrong, but I'm willing to be told otherwise.

I also wear black dress shoes in my performances. Apart from when working as a jester.

Nigel

I have worn ecco's for years. They are great.

http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/mens/dress/......ail.aspx

Slip on and support. I love them. I do wear toes out from my aweful piroete technique. Not so much on a stage but bad on a street.