How to Rock Horrible Concert Attire

I'm sure we've all had to wear something unflattering in a concert setting at one time or another. For example, I had to wear plain black separates (9782AA and 509AA on Formal Fashions) with an awkward slit in the back of the skirt. They were drab and many of my friends said they looked like nuns whilst in them. Not only that, they were tight in the shoulder area. I hated these clothes as did many of the other female ensemble members. However, I had a few tricks up my sleeve for dealing with it.

1. Commiserate with other ensemble members. Chances are it's not only you who hates the overall drabness, tightness in the wrong places, unflattering cut, or whatever you hate about the chosen attire. Venting your frustrations to your peers will most likely prevent you from taking them out on the director.
2. Accessorize--within reason. A pretty headband or an elegant necklace can make all the difference. Just make sure you check with your director on rules regarding accessories and don't go overboard.
3. Consider different sizes. If you can fit different sizes equally comfortably, pick the size that you feel looks best on you. You may like getting the skirt a size larger for the swishy feel it has with the extra fabric or getting the top smaller to define your figure a little more if you can get separates.
4. Remember your role as an ensemble member. You are not the director. Do well with what you have and, if you don't like it, deal with it. You do not have to like it, but you must comply with the director's rules. If you don't like them, leave the ensemble and find another one.
5. If there is a real problem, address it. There are issues that override the director's authority such as the health and safety of the ensemble and yourself. For instance, if multiple musicians are getting heat sick at an outdoor summer concert from performing in long-sleeved dresses and/or full tuxedos, voice your concerns to the director. Work out a compromise and, if your director is unwilling to do so, leave the ensemble and warn others about the director. 
6. Display confidence. Good posture, eye contact, and a smile are your go-to accessories for every outfit. They can elevate every look--and I mean every look. 

How to Wear Jewelry for Concerts

First off, make sure you are allowed to do so in your ensemble(s). If so, here are guidelines for jewelry in a concert setting.

Make sure that it is not an impedance to your playing. I do not recommend wearing rings or bracelets as a flutist, but go ahead if you find that they are not problematic for you personally.

If you are a guest soloist, go for it with a statement piece like a large necklace. However, it is best to keep things elegant. Go for golds and silvers rather than colorful pieces if you are in concert clothes and, if you are wearing something special that is not traditionally concertable, wear something that coordinates with your outfit. Do not wear anything so heavy or restricting that it impedes your playing.

If you are an ensemble soloist, set yourself apart with a little more jewelry than you would normally wear at a concert. Pearl and metallic jewelry tend to go well with concert attire. As a rule, a long necklace should be thin with simple embellishments. Try not to be too ostentatious, but allow yourself to stand out a little if you want the audience to know who the soloist is.

If you are an ensemble member, either wear just earrings, a very plain necklace, or no jewelry at all. As a rule of thumb, do not try to stand out more than any soloists. If you wear a small piece that carries a great deal of personal significance, you can tuck it under your clothes so that only you know about it.