What to Wear on Set

A day in the life of a freelancer or film professional can be exhausting. Constantly on your feet, whether freelancing or on a set, really does wear and tear to your body. This is why it's paramount that you're comfortable and ready to take on the day. Your wardrobe decisions may not be as crucial as your cast, but ensure you wear something functional to make the most out of your day.

1. Wear something you’re familiar with.

Now, while testing out a pair of pants that may or may not fit seems like a worthy risk, today is a big day. You're on set all day, and I literally mean all day. You don't have time to make a costume change, nor do you have time to worry about your discomfort in what you're wearing. Opt for something comfortable, light and familiar. Filmmakers have recommended wearing something comfortable, such as cargo pants with built-in knee pads and lots of pockets. You can find selections for both men and women at 5.11 Tactical.

2. Wear breathable material.

This is essential to anyone on set beneath the hot, LED lights, or weather permitting. If you're shooting in a hot and/or sunny location, the last thing you want is third-degree sunburns and farmer's tan for days. On the same token, if you're shooting in an extremely cold location, invest in some breathable gloves and make sure you protect your hands. You're probably going to need those bad boys if you're going to be behind a camera. North Face has a lot of comfortable, breathable apparel to wear on set.

3. Please, please wear comfortable shoes.

If you're someone on your feet all day, foot and back problems will creep up on you by the end of the day. If you're a player that carries a lot of equipment around all day, the last thing you want is to feel the soles of your feet slowly falling apart. You need to be agile and able to traverse distances without pain or discomfort, and again, wearing unsupportive shoes could spell disaster for your body after long days, and sometimes long overnight projects. You can find plenty of comfortable sneakers on the internet, but one specific recommendation in the past has been Salomon running shoes.

4. Always come prepared.

Sure, it may be clear skies and reasonable weather one minute, but next thing you know there's precipitation. Especially while operating equipment and electronics, you need to be prepared for this kind of thing. Any sort of weather changes can spell disaster on set, and again, the last thing you want is discomfort walking around in soggy jeans and socks. Patagonia has some nice apparel for rain and weather conditions.

5. Set the tone.

Even though you're the behind the scenes crew, that doesn't mean you can't put some thought into your wardrobe. While it should be functional and comfortable, you can also set the tone for your production based on what you're wearing. Opt for something professional yet practical, and above all, conducive to whatever conditions you're shooting in.

At the end of the day, we know wardrobe for the crew is not nearly as important as cast as far as visuals, but functionality is paramount in order to combat any obstacles during shoots.