You are a DJ, booking events from weddings to themed parties. You have earned these jobs through hard work, stand-out performances, and savvy business skills.
You understand that how you present yourself is incredibly important, and you certainly dress the part for each and every event. Or, maybe not.
Maybe it’s your first gig, and you are wondering what should a mobile DJ wear?
A mobile DJ should wear professional attire that is appropriate for the event. Dress as a guest would for a wedding, bar mitzvah, or charity event.
Choose a professional but appropriate outfit for a luau or school dance.
Keep in mind that you run a professional business and need to look the part. If you need to, ask your client what the attire is for the event.
Whether you are just starting your career as a DJ or have been in the business for years, it is crucial to focus on or revisit your attire. We have put together a comprehensive guide on what DJs wear and why – check it out!
What Should A Mobile DJ Wear to a Wedding
Professional Doesn’t Mean Uncomfortable.
Look, weddings and formal events mean fancy attire, which means uncomfortable, right? Wrong! How can you look professional yet still do the job to the best of your ability?
Pants – Unless it’s a beach party, make sure you wear a nice pair of pants. Because you will want to be comfortable while performing, wearing a pair of semi-formal straight pants does the job nicely.
Besides, you look clean and professional when wearing a pair of nice pants. 
People don’t attend outdoor parties wearing t-shirts, and you will not want to dress up inappropriately. Wearing a plain or striped Polo shirt makes you look clean & professional, and you feel comfortable as well.
Dress Shirt – When going to a formal event, dress up as if you’re a guest. Now think about what people will be wearing and dress accordingly.
For events like weddings, wearing a dress shirt and pants makes an ideal choice. You’ll present a clean and professional outlook.
Tie – If you think a tie is somewhat too much for a DJ, then you need to try it. There’s no better option than a tie to make you look highly professional. If you’re performing at a formal event, wear a tie on a dress shirt paired with a pair of nice pants. 
Whether being a DJ is a business or hobby to you, always approach it professionally. One way to do so is to maintain a clean and professional outlook by wearing a proper dress.
Shoes Speaking of shoes, let’s talk a bit about how a good pair of shoes can make all of the difference when you are working.
You are on your feet for hours, from setting up to spinning for hours to breaking it all down. So while the most comfortable, stylish sneakers might come to mind first, remember – we are keeping it professional.
DJ Tips – For setting up and breaking down your equipment, steel toe, non-slip, oil-resistant shoes are your best bet.
Hauling heavy gear into venues through kitchens, from outside where the weather can be anything from rainy to sunny to snowy, wearing proper shoes can help keep you productive and prevent accidents.
Long days on your feet – You might want to consider an anti-fatigue floor mat. they make a great gift for a DJ
Don’t Be The Least Dresses Up – Alex Costa
Consider a Company Logo and Dress Code
You built your business from the ground up and certainly, aren’t a boring corporate giant with a thick handbook full of rules and guidelines.
The point is, some DJs might hear the “dress code” and want to run the other way. However, it’s more about appearing in a professional manner to keep and add to your client list rather than becoming some mindless corporation.
If you don’t have a logo for your DJ business, consider hiring a professional to create one for you.
It will make you look more professional, and you will be able to use it on your website, business cards, and clothing. Imagine your crew setting up in sleek collared shirts with your company logo displayed on them. Pretty awesome, right?
Not only that, but guests at the event will see your logo and likely remember it, especially if you gave the performance of a lifetime. That quickly turns into word-of-mouth advertising for you and your DJ business.
Why Dress the Part?
That may be true in some cases, though it’s not a great idea for a professional business looking to book repeat and new clients for years to come. And while it may seem like clients don’t care what you wear, that’s far from the truth.
Frequently they will ask their event planner or DJ business owner what the DJ hired for the event will wear. Jeans and a T-shirt aren’t going to go over well for a formal event such as a wedding or a bar mitzvah.
So why dress the part? Well, if we haven’t been clear enough, let’s discuss some more reasons why professional attire matters for DJs.
Photographs
If you were hired to DJ for a wedding or event, you could bet there will be a professional photographer there, too, snapping away.
That photographer will capture everything from the bride cutting the cake to guests dancing to the father-daughter dance.
And you better believe that you will be at least one, if not multiple, pictures. If you are in ripped jeans and a tie-dyed T-shirt, how will that look in the family photo album?
You all will only be remembered for how unprofessional you were rather than your DJ skills. By dressing as if you were one of the guests(suit and tie), you blend in and do not stand out in the photographs.
Remember, this is one of the most precious moments of someone’s life. It’s not about your wardrobe. The overall goal of dressing for an event is to enhance rather than distract, and this is so important when it comes to photos.
You do not want to be the wedding DJ the couple wished they didn’t hire because you stand out like a sore thumb in every photo. And you better believe they will tell all of their friends not to hire you.
Competition
If you show up to jobs looking like a bum and your competition shows up in a sleek black suit and performs just as well, who will stand out more?
Who will be recommended to their friends and family? You guessed it – the competitor that puts on a great show and looks the part will win every single time.
Even if you have an outstanding performance, if you show up to the job looking unprofessional, it will likely be remembered more than anything else.
On the other hand, if you show up to gigs looking professional while spinning like no other, you will most definitely be noticed, and in a good way. One that rewards you with more business.
A Successful Wedding DJ Will Always Dress the Part
Dress for the Event
Should you wear a three-piece suit to every event so that you look professional? The short answer is no! Some DJ Tips 
You need to dress specifically for the event you are working. That means if you are DJing at a wedding, you dress like you are one of the guests.
If it is a formal evening wedding, a tux is likely the way to go. However, it’s OK to shed the jacket, loosen the tie as spinning can cause one to become hot quickly.
If you are working a luau, dress the part, but keep it professional – No coconut bikini tops, in other words.
A button-up collared Hawaiian shirt with khakis or a colorful polo shirt with your company logo would look the part and be professional. In almost every case, jeans, T-shirts, and hats are not acceptable.
At the same time, you might be able to get away with it because you are the “cool” DJ, those that hire you to expect more. And they should – they are paying good money for your services.
Setup vs. During the Event
When you and your team are setting up the DJ equipment – you can dress for work.
You can still look professional – Matching T-shirts branded with your company logo or the production company standard – Show Blacks or Business Casual.
After you are done setting up. Clean up and Change into your event clothes. I go to events with a Garment Bag for Travel and an extra Dopp kit (Shaving Kit). I put deodorant, cologne, mouth wash, and a small first aid kit in it.
The People You Hire
The people you hire should also dress the part during setup or show.
They represent your company. How do you want them to look?
Tell them what they need to wear before the event.
Please provide them with the clothes for a more uniform look.
When in Doubt, Ask
Don’t be shy. If you are unsure about the event’s attire, ask your client. They will likely appreciate that you are being proactive and catering to their needs.
It’s much better to find out exactly what your client is expecting instead of just assuming or choosing to wear whatever you feel like.
You know what they say about assuming…
Conclusion – What Should a Mobile DJ Wear?
A Mobile Wedding DJ should wear professional attire that matches the event they are playing at. Formal weddings and fancy galas require a different look than a backyard party or school dance.
An evening wedding in a gorgeous venue may require a completely different outfit than a wedding on a beach. If you are unsure about the attire for the event you are playing, ask your client.
After a while, you will likely know exactly what to wear without having to ask, but it’s the easiest way to be sure you meet your client’s expectations.
And while a DJ dress code may be a hard pill to swallow, it’s important to remember that the real reason you were hired is because of your DJ skills.
Your professionalism combined with your DJ abilities will land you many jobs for years to come.
From discovering new songs to getting more gigs, I’m excited to share the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained through many years of DJing. Ryan@mobiledjbasics.com
