Just a top hat and tail coat, no makeup talking, this is one of the outfits I wear when strolling and doing balloons at company picnics outside. Talking or not talking made no difference since most were freebies for the folks at company paid events and they never had any money in their hands. Clown makeup and costume both talking and non talking. didn’t make much difference in tips or how many balloons I tied etc. Balloon Care has a lot of good information about carrying balloon and costumes… especially in the Aprons Section.

A few years ago I became a permanent plain-clothes clown. I was just learning clowning and did mostly balloons with some magic. I found that once I started doing balloons no one cared about the magic (I must need some work there) or what I was wearing. So now… No more extra time applying and removing make up. It is easier to leave a gig without being noticed (just remove fancy vest, tie and hat and I look almost normal). More comfy during gig. I now sell myself as an entertainer using Balloon Artistry. It has actually opened up some venues that wouldn’t have been in the market for a clown. It’s easier to sell my skills for a variety of corporate functions and adult (older, not naughty) gatherings now. I have a casual outfit and an almost formal outfit so I can switch depending on the job. I have nothing against clowns and actually still study clowning to sharpen my entertainment skills. I just see the two as quite separate talents that a lot of folks choose to do at the same time. I prefer to concentrate on the balloons to minimize my overhead. Tip-wise (and this is by no means my major income source), I do better when in full costume (more later) than when I dress up brightly and colourfully… but in obviously normal clothes. I have 4 clown costumes for my main character, a Klondike, Western, Medieval and other theme costumes. I make up simply (or some of my characters have make up). There was about a 50% increase in tips when I started doing balloon busking in costume and character two years ago. And I get my picture in the paper more often. I have added a pouch to my apron for ‘balloon droppings’ so that I can always clean up after myself. The client at a commercial function appreciates and sees the value of a COSTUMED CHARACTER performer. I get many bookings in our small market because I can costume and provide a character to suit a client’s needs.Balloons draw people to the balloon person. Always have on a balloon hat so that people know where you are… I quit putting Magician under my name on nametags because too many people would “skim” it, reading just the “MA….” and assume that since I was dressed well, wore a tie and had the nametag, that I was the MAnager.

Lay the other regular piece face up on the bottom and sew along the * * * *s to the third piece. Then sew each of the two ‘regular”‘ pieces into the side seam of your pants. Good advice from T. Myers: I don’t bother with a clown costume. Clean and comfortable helps when you are putting in long hours and the balloons will start and keep the line going. It is important to be clean and friendly. I want to look like a (slightly dressed up but comfortable) dad wearing a silly balloon hat. As a dad-looking-person I still have a position of authority, even in a silly hat. As long as you look just a little better than most of the fathers out there in the crowd, the balloons will sell themselves.When I work the restaurants I feel wearing a suit works best, people tend to be intimidated by someone in a tux, especially since I’m only 19. And let me add one piece of advice for people in this costume that was handed to me by the Amazing Jody Baran: shine your shoes! People unconsciously take away performance points if your shoes are scuffed. In regards to what to wear, no matter what you wear, above all you’ve got to look and be professional. If you look like a street bum the parents will not want you near their kids let alone giving them stuff. Costumes are important but they don’t make the clown. I believe that a costume MUST be professional i.e. neat, clean and fit the personality. But as someone who spent 2 years studying clown & comedia in European schools, I take great offense to entertainers that dress like clowns and act like someone’s uncle. To be professional, your character must “carry the mask”. If your costume is bizarre, your character had better be bizrare. If you can make people laugh by dressing like an english butler and acting like an english butler, you’re more of a clown than someone who looks like Bozo and acts like a regular guy.

Be comfortable. You don’t need to be in costume to draw attention. The balloons will draw attention for you. I wear a hat and attach lots of balloons to it. A hat made entirely out of balloons is a bad idea. It will begin to feel really awful against your skin in hot weather if you’re out for a few hours.Whether my skirt is short or I am in baggy turquoise pants, my costume is family oriented. I never dress in a seductive way… it is not my role as a family entertainer, nor is it part of my balloon lady character. I’ve had shirts with lots of pictures and shirts with only a few large animals. I like the few large pictures best. They seem less busy and generate the same amount of curiosity and conversation.