A few weeks back I had the pleasure of sitting down with Tara Aquilina (at a coffee shop with massively overpriced yet delicious matcha almond milk lattes, yes that’s a thing). I know Tara via our boyfriend’s, and also begging her to style my photo shoot a
few years ago.
The concept of picking out your clothes to wear to a shoot or an audition sounds simple enough.
A little variety, a little color, some cute tops, the end. HA.
Let me give you some background on our new resident 1 Broke Actress stylist: She has been working in the fashion industry for over 25 years, from NYC to LA and back again. She studied merchandising, buying, styling, and photography (ideal) at FIT. Now she’s a fashion stylist who specializes in image consulting varying from closet cleaning (dear god yes), personal shopping, red carpet styling, and photo shoots/editorial styling.
And before all of this she was an actor.
Yup.
So she knows all sides of this business. Probably why she is so good at what she does. This is the first of many posts we will have with Tara, but we thought we would start with some solid basics. Here I will share our conversation, but please keep in mind the following:
-Body types/shapes/sizes will mean different things for different people. When we get into more specifics here, we focus on me specifically to give you a baseline.
-There are NO hard and fast rules, merely suggestions.
-We keep today’s questions geared toward the average LA commercial actor. Feature/TV auditions can be totally different, but still, some of the same principles apply. I think you’ll be able to see what’s what, but post your questions below and we will bring them to our next Matcha Latte chat.
-The colored sections are all me, the rest is Tara herself.
Enjoy:
What are the biggest mistakes you see actors making in auditions?
Not knowing their audience and demographic! Do your research (or error on the side of caution) and figure out which audience will most likely be targeted. Google the client, what is their vibe? The more you know, the better. Will this air in the midwest or LA? Totally different markets. For example: “attractive woman” for a McDonald’s audition targeting Middle America is not going to be “sexy”-sexy with tons of cleavage or booty shorts. However, Carls Jr. commercials are another story! Find something flattering for your body type, fitted, but not skin
tight. Pick a color best suited for you (besides red, browns, neutrals or white). No ridiculous stilettos, wear something you can actually walk in. Don’t make your outfit the focal point. You can wear your hair down and off your face, slightly elevated makeup, like a pop of pink lippy, but not loud or caked on. Simple. Subtle. Natural. Generally, commercials are family friendly, so always keep that in mind!
Actually, I’ll tell you about a terrible audition outfit I rocked years ago and do the opposite!! {She can’t stop laughing at this point} I wore a camo mini skirt, a white wife beater, a colored bra, and big platforms. It was so trendy at the time. Needless to say I did not get the job!
That is the perfect example of “making it about your outfit” No No No {This sounds like an outfit from Hollister I used to wear actually...and I loved it. Shh...}
Ok, I have to ask a hard question off this that I get all the time! And I never know if I’m doing it right, “hip trendy” girl. That’s the only wardrobe notes. It drives me nuts!
This is tricky, so vague right?! I really think this one is all about light layering. As my friend and client Annie Tedesco says (who has been in this business many years), “Layer always. Hip and trendy means hip and trendy in the midwest...not LA hip and trendy” And she has booked countless commercials! They don’t usually [for commercials] mean like Silver Lake hipster, {Tara glances around to make sure our coffee neighbors aren’t hipster AF} no crazy crazy hair, Canadian tuxedos, pilgrim hats, etc...Sometimes a commercial will call for that specific look, so again know your audience and what you’re going out for. I think the better idea to keep in mind is youthful, or better yet, playful and “cool”. Well, their version of cool. Cute dress with a jean jacket and ankle boot or sneaker. Your best jeans with a simple tee and jacket
and you are good to go. Again, their version of “cool” is way more watered down than LA’s version.
So let’s talk about some of the “rules” that I was told when I first got to LA years and years ago. Maybe we can bust some myths.
-You can’t wear patterns: I would avoid wearing patterns for commercial auditions. I prefer solid colors that pop and do not wash you out, perhaps compliment your eyes and do not run the risk of clashing with the background. Consider yourself a well thought out blank canvas, let the wardrobe stylist on set decide whether or not you should be in patterns AFTER you book it!!
-White: I say no to white, you can run the risk of being a talking head against a white backdrop.
-You can’t wear baggy clothes: Well... Again, depends on if the casting calls for it. If it doesn’t and it’s just that you are more comfortable in a baggy jean rather than a skinny, get a girlfriend jean, slightly more fitted and flattering than a boyfriend jean. Honestly, If it’s a more conservative
casting, I know of people who have purposely made themselves have less of a figure and waist line by layering shirts, (not like you would in cold weather with thermals)! And wearing baggier pants or pants with a less attractive cut, you know the kind, khakis?! I guess you would say they
made themselves more relatable for an audition that was less about their figure and more about being the “women next door.” Commercials call for all body types and for “real” people. So it’s ok to be just that. As long as you are true to your casting then you will be ok .
-Skin, aka tank tops vs. sleeves: I don’t love tank tops in auditions. I like a sleeveless dress though, so that’s a little different, but personally when I used to audition (after the trendy phase) I always felt most comfortable with light layering. {Tara knows I used to LOVE camis from Express, haha} NO CAMIS. None of that. Write that down. It looks cheap and the built in bras are just ugh. Just no on that. I like t-shirts much better. Or tank top and layers, ie a cardigan or jacket. (that is so commercial). I’m going to call that the commercial uniform.
-You shouldn’t wear any accessories: Just wear your basics, if that. Again, KNOW YOUR CASTING AND CLIENT! Honestly please don’t go crazy over accessorizing, it is so distracting! And can read as tacky. A small pair of earrings and a nice drop necklace on a little sweet chain. Do not go in with your chokers and face painted, save that for after when you celebrate booking the commercial. When in doubt, do without!!!! {Your jewelry shouldn’t be louder than you, I heard that a while ago and I like it.}
Any other advice you want to drop on us?
Remember the “KISS” method: Keep It Simple Stupid! Said with love! This isn’t a runway. It is commercial. You are selling a product, know that product, it is best to come across as approachable. They are looking for 100% real people now. Figure out who you are (discuss with your agents and/or management) and let that be your biggest influence in your outfits, and...keep in simple!
Also, never show up wrinkled, stained or with armpit marks.
Find out more about Tara (and her services):
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And we're not quite done yet because she has a special treat for us!
Tara is offering a New Actor Package, meaning she will give you a 1 hour wardrobe assessment for either headshots or auditions! for, wait for it...$99!*Just tell her you heard through 1 Broke Actress
Additional services are also available on her ware also available and she is happy to answer questions about them, feel free to contact her at: taraaquilinastyle@gmail.com