Good question I think, though clearly scholars differ.

So my take is: Audiences like, appreciate and expect an entertainer (and we hope we are entertaining) to dress in an entertaining way. Taste is individual and body shapes and available funds are what they are, but I believe if you want to be viewed as an entertainer you must 'costume' like an entertainer. Set yourself apart from your audience, they want to cross over to you, they want the distance, it frames your performance.

So a few suggestions. Black works, especially if you need to look thinner and you're past your prime, unfortunately it is ubiquitous recently. Hawaiian shirts for men unless everybody's got one on. Hats if they look good on you, but they'll think you're bald. Vests work. Put your best foot forward ladies (frumpy folkies gather no fans), I like a soft white blouse and blue jeans on a woman who can wear them with long dangly ear rings, but watch the makeup, this ain't Vegas.

catspaw, nekkid is as nekkid does. IMHOP Fortunato