CHECK THE WEATHER

Before you decide what to wear for a work day, check the weather! Look for how hot it is going to get during the day and how much it will cool down at night so you can be prepared. Also look to see if there is a chance of rain or thunderstorms.

TOPS

Tank tops and t-shirts are a good base to start with. Keep in mind that you may have to layer color cover over your own clothes, so choose lighter materials that are breathable.

BOTTOMS

Shorts, bermuda shorts, and capris are all good options. Again, for these you’ll want to choose fabrics that are light and breathable. Pants can work too, but it’s better if they are made of a thinner material as denim jeans can get very hot. I would suggest avoiding skirts because you may find yourself having to sit on sidewalks or stumps if you are in the woods.

FOOTWEAR

Sneakers and light socks are your best bet. Closed-toed shoes are a requirement on most sets in accordance with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration workplace safety standards, so avoid wearing sandals and flip-flops. If you have to wear high heels to stand in, try to wear wedges or shoes with a thicker heel. Thinner heels are more susceptible to damage while walking on pavement, and they will sink right into the ground if you have to walk on grass.

To protect your thinner heels, you could use heel caps. Heel caps are 1″ rubber protectors that fit over the heels of most standard high heels. Heel caps can be purchased online at The SoleMates or at any Ricky’s store in New York City.

LAYERS FOR NIGHTTIME / AIR CONDITIONING

You may be working on set into the night when the temperatures drop, or you might move to an indoor location with air conditioning. To be prepared for cooler temperatures, you should bring clothing layers with you.

For tops, bring a cardigan or a long-sleeve t-shirt that you can layer over your clothing. For bottoms, 3/4-length or full-length leggings are good to layer underneath. These options are good because they are light and not bulky, so they won’t take up a lot of space in your bag.

OTHER NECESSITIES

Here is a list of other items that are very helpful to have on set while working outside:

1. Sunscreen and bug spray
2. Sunglasses and a hat (for coverage when you are not standing in)
3. Umbrella (in case of rain or for more sun coverage)
4. Hair clips (pinning up long hair can keep you much cooler)
5. Water (it’s very important to keep hydrated!)

Good luck, and have a great summer!

What do you wear to keep cooler while standing in outside during the summer months? Any other necessities or tips you can suggest? Comment below!

Types of Clothing to Bring

In general, crew members dress casually on set. For tops and bottoms, tank tops and t-shirts are acceptable, as are jeans, leggings, and other kinds of pants. Skirts are acceptable, too, but keep in mind that you may encounter blocking situations that require you to sit cross-legged, sit on the floor, or lie in bed.

Studios are usually on the colder side, and when you are on location, it’s hard to predict what temperatures will be like.  For these reasons, it’s a good idea to have layers with you. Light zip-up sweatshirts and cardigans are usually good because they are versatile and easily added or removed with changes in weather or location.  You can also wear a thin pair of socks with heels on set in colder months.

If you are not sure if you will be given color cover, you should generally wear neutral-colored tops to set.  Blacks and grays are your best bet, and avoid bright white because of its impact on lighting.

Color Cover and Your Own Clothes

Color cover is designed to “cover” your own clothes with colors and/or fabrics that closely match the clothing that the actress will be wearing in the scene. For females, color cover could be anything from a draped scarf, to a tight or loose fitting top, to a full dress. You should take this into consideration when deciding what to wear to set each day.

A tank top or a short-sleeved t-shirt is a good base to start with. If you are given color cover that is sleeveless, the actress is probably wearing something similar, and you will see her arms. Sometimes you may be given sheer fabrics for color cover.  A neutral tank top or t-shirt is both ideal and appropriate to wear underneath sleeveless and sheer color cover. Lighting for skin is just as important as lighting for different colors and fabrics.

For dresses, it is acceptable to wear your jeans or leggings underneath, even if it is a shorter dress. You may feel that you look silly, but the crew understands that you are wearing color cover and they are used to seeing it around set.

Also be aware that you may be given color cover that is too small for you to wear. This is also something normal around sets and is nothing to be embarrassed about. For a top that is too small, you can drape it around your shoulders so it is still covering you as much as possible. For a small dress, just zip it up as much as you can.

Tips for Wearing High Heels

Most stand-ins are booked to match the height of the actress when she is barefoot. However, the actress could be wearing heels in certain scenes. You should bring heels and flat shoes to set when booked to stand in. Flats, sneakers, or boots are fine for flat shoes. For heels, it is best to wear closed-toed heels for safety reasons. Avoid flip-flops and other sandals because of safety rules on set.

It can be difficult and painful to wear heels all day, so keep in mind what kind of heels to bring. A standard 3″ heel is usually a good height. Platform heels may be a good option because they can offer your foot more support than a regular heel. Your heels don’t have to be anything fancy. You can buy an inexpensive pair that is comfortable and that you won’t mind wearing out.

Sara’s Tip!
Heel caps are a great accessory to have for your heels. They are 1″ rubber protectors that fit over the heel of most standard high heels. They protect your heels from damage and help to silence the sound your high heel makes when walking on a hard surface. Heel caps are ideal for sets because you need to be quiet when walking around.

Heels caps can be purchased online from http://www.thesolemates.com, or at any Ricky’s store in New York City.

Do you have additional tips for selecting stand-in attire?  If so, share your tips below!