Probably one of the more interesting and seemingly simplistic questions people have about the scene is why do DJs wear black?
While this may seem like an odd coincidence that is more a result of a certain fashion style, the truth is that there are actually quite a few practical reasons most people don’t think of.
From hiding sweat stains to being an easy throw-on option, including black into your DJ uniform offers a ton of benefits that you may not have otherwise known existed.
Below, we’ll go even further in-depth on black clothing’s functionality as well as how many genres are inherently partial to the black outfit look; techno, in particular, being hugely well-known for the darker look.
Practicality
As mentioned, while there is certainly something to be said about wearing black as a fashion sense (more on that later) there are a ton of functionality-based reasons for DJs wearing it as their primary style.
These reasons break down as one into the following:
#1. All-Inclusive
Firstly, where other colors may be considered potentially specific to a certain type of DJ music style, the same is not true for black clothing.
Because of its open nature and “clean canvas” descriptions, people often see black as a way of producing virtually any type or genre of music.
Read this next: How To Start Mixing Techno Music?
#2. Easy To Throw Together
The third main reason DJs often defer to a primarily-black outfit is simply in its simplicity. Black clothing doesn’t need a ton of work on your end to look decently presentable. If, as an example, you don’t press and dry clean your white shirt it will be immediately noticeable.
On the other hand, a black shirt has to be pretty wrinkled and out of sorts before it becomes obvious you need to change.
Simply put, in addition to all the incredibly important reasons that can come from wearing black, it’s also just a super easy article of clothing to throw on at virtually any time.
Read this next: What Do DJs Wear? (DJ Style & How To Dress Like a DJ)
#3. Hides Sweat Stains
One of the most practical aspects of wearing black is because of its ability to hide sweat stains.
Most people don’t realize that, while it’s not on the same level as stripping wood or moving furniture, DJing is a surprisingly intensive job.
This becomes especially true when you consider the larger venues and their excessive light production and different pieces of equipment.
Oftentimes you’re going to be helping with the moving process, even if you do have a team.
This isn’t even talking about some of the different event venue locations or how they’re set up. For example, I’ve been to more than a few rave events where it was a good bit smaller than you’d have thought considering the number of people.
That’s a direct lead-in for a sweaty situation.
The same is true for a location that may be dealing with a faulty AC unit. All of these things are going to make you sweat, and that sweat is going to be instantly recognizable if you’re wearing just about any color of clothing except white.
This is also true for most other stains.
Unless you’re dealing with split milk or something white getting on your clothes, black is ideal for hiding things like food or drink stains, dirt stains, or pretty much any other type of stain that would otherwise be immediately recognized.
Read this next: What DJ Equipment Do I Need? (Without The Need for a BANK Loan!)
#4. Non-Invasive Color
You can hide! Not only does black work well for hiding away stains, but it’s also great for effectively hiding YOU away. Because there are a ton of lights flashing during a DJ set, it can be easy to get lost in the surrounding blackness of the area.
Easy, that is, unless you’re wearing some bright colors.
Wearing black keeps you visually out of the way of people enjoying the music. This means that they can enjoy what you’re doing as opposed to what you’re wearing a lot more if you’re wearing a dark color that fades into the background.
In addition, because black absorbs light, wearing a black outfit instead of a brightly colored one can help keep your clothing from accidentally refracting light and causing an injury or even potentially harming a person’s eyesight.
Read this next: How To DJ With Vinyl (5 Steps to DJing Records)
#5. To Be in With the Cool Cats
Most of the time a lot of clubbers just want to be seen as hip and cool and on-trend! Well, black as a raving color is certainly one of the cool kid colors.
So, if you don’t want to be the odd one out…wear black!
Why Do DJs Wear Black: The Techno Influence
While many DJs were known for wearing black as a general sense of fashion, it only became after the Techno community got into DJing that the all-black look really took off.
In places like New York City, the all-black clothing was primarily used as casual attire, whereas those in Berlin largely regard it as more of a fetish, wearing leather and mesh (among other things).
Before their inclusion into DJing, much of the fashion at the time was wearing whatever was comfortable, be it black clothes or otherwise.
It was only after the development and popularization of Techno music that others began to see the legitimate advantages that came with wearing it while performing.
What Are DJs Normally Wearing?
Generally, while virtually all DJs do primarily wear black, that doesn’t necessarily mean the rest of their outfit is irrelevant or uniform. In fact, outside of the color, virtually every other aspect of a DJ’s attire may differ from one another.
Some of the different clothing styles include clothing that is cooler and more breathable, clothes that are comfortable to wear, as well as even clothing options that are simple and easy to string together.
Simply put, so long as it looks decent, hides away any physical distractions, and allows the crowd to get immersed in the music, you can wear it.
Why Do DJs Wear Black? Takeaway
While one could argue that the transition from casual standard clothes to wearing black was rooted in the popularity of Techno music and the Techno fashion look, it can’t be overstated that black as a base requirement for most DJs has stayed around as long as it has is due to the myriad of functional reasons that come from wearing it.
From hiding away different colors and sweat stains to being easy to wear to just keeping you out of the way, a DJ is most likely to feel their best and do their best when out on the stage performing.
