Every chorus's concert apparel is different: some choruses wear robes, some wear polos and khakis, and some, formalwear. Maybe we like our outfits and maybe we don't, but we sing anyway. But where exactly do our choruses get our outfits and what considerations do they factor in when choosing apparel for the chorus?

We sat down with Jim Paxton, vice president of Southeastern Performance Apparel—a choir apparel manufacturer—to give you a behind-the-scenes look at the chorus outfitting biz. Here are five things you may not have known about choir apparel until now:

1. Choir apparel usually has a three- to five-year lifespan.

Of course, director preference and funding can significantly affect the process, but in general choruses usually update their wardrobe every three-to-five years, says Paxton. Because choir apparel is an investment and needs to be long-lasting, choruses often look for garments that are washable, wrinkle-resistant, durable, and not subject to the whims of year-to-year trends. 

"Groups seem to choose apparel that is simple and elegant because they don't want something that's going to look dated," says Paxton. "For example, years ago people were demanding apparel with huge bows, but now that would look extremely dated."

2. The winter concert drives the selection process.

"We find our phones ringing after Labor Day when choirs have found out who is going to be in the group," says Paxton. There's a rush to measure everyone, collect money, and get orders filled in time for the winter concert.

"We have to anticipate ahead of time what styles are going to be popular," says Paxton. "A choir that sings Bach cantatas will probably choose a different kind of apparel than a group that sings pop music." 

3. Actually, cotton is not a friend.

We've been told our whole lives to choose natural fibers like cotton because they're "breathable," but they don't work as well in a musical performance setting. Cotton tends to get hot under stage lights and can require lots of maintenance and upkeep.

"Man-made fibers are better," says Paxton. "They are easier to care for and they can be made to look like other fibers—satin, crepe, shantung, etc."

4. Bold is best.

Pastel colors might look pretty up close, but on stage they get washed out under the lights. "Rich primary colors work best because they hold their color at a distance," says Paxton.

So there might be a method behind the apparent madness of your director's decision to choose bright red dresses!

5. Okay, maybe you did know this.

Black is still the most popular color choice. Also, choruses continue to choose uniform garments as opposed to a combination of individual selections. "Uniformity is beneficial for a chorus because it makes the group feel more cohesive," says Paxton.

But what else is popular right now? For women: cap sleeves, long dress lengths, and easy-care fabrics. For men: tuxes and vests with long ties.

And what's so out right now? Men's accessories matching women's dresses, and, of course, those powder blue tuxes. 

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