[saphireSue]

Rules to be followed strickly as if set in stone? No,
I agree the biggest part of being a clown is what's inside.
But the "rules" I think of as being more of a guide.
Maggie Mae talked once about how she alway got critized for having a rainbow wig [not typical this a long delux curly I think] but had won several competitons,
Bubba Sikes told us when he first started he was given slack for having a pink wig and color cooridinated clothes. And who hasn't heard of Bubba?
The euro look is coming in but I bet a few years ago it would have been seen as uncool for a clown.

Some people think that all there is to clowning is dressing up and you're a clown, some really want to be clowns and don't realized it's an art form, you need to study, practice and perfect it just as if youwould if you played the violin in a synphony.
I've seen those who slap on halloween make up and go in to center to "cheer" people up, it's amazing the clients don't freak out as the make up is scary if not applied correctly,

Rules help to quide us, but are not set in stone, do what you think is right for you. One things for sure, if people like what you do, they'll want to see you reguardless of any dress code or make up rule etc. If they don't you want get any business.