I think you should look nice when you go to the theater. But that encompasses a wide range of fashion choices and it's ridiculous to assume that shorts can't look nice or fashionable.
And on the converse, just because you're wearing pants doesn't mean you look nicely dressed. (See below)
Updated On: 7/6/09 at 12:48 PM
There is an article on Playbill.com about tips for out-of-town visitors ... and here is an excerpt regarding shoes and dress code:
SHOE BUSINESS
For the visiting theatregoer who is also spending the day shopping or sightseeing, our No. 1 recommendation is this: comfortable walking shoes. Leave the high heels at home, ladies. The surest way to blisters and bandages is high heels and tight dress shoes. What about sneakers? Michael McDonald, the Tony and Desk Award-nominated costume designer of Broadway's current revival of Hair told us, "Many theatregoers are tourists who spend a lot of time on their feet, so I understand the need for comfortable shoes. But whenever you wear sneakers to the theatre you are crossing the line to me. Its not a soccer game."
PUT AWAY YOUR SUNDAY CLOTHES
While there is no real dress code for attending a Broadway show, business casual is status quo, but jeans and shorts aren't uncommon. Some dress up, others dress way down. It's not necessary pick out a new ball gown for the trip, and the tie-phobic husbands can rest at ease. Even at starry opening nights, there's a mix of tuxes, suits and (usually in the balcony) tourists. Hair costume designer McDonald, says, "You don't have to dress to the nines, but make it an 'event' by adding a blazer to your best jeans and dress shoes. You can take your daytime sightseeing outfit right to the theatre just by adding a jacket. On both men and women, the jacket takes it to the appropriate level. Darker colors for evening also add sophistication." And matinees? "I always cringe when I see mobs of teenage girls all dressed up like they are going to the junior prom to see a Wednesday matinee. Short cocktail dresses and spiky mules just look silly at 1:30 in the afternoon."
"Many theatregoers are tourists who spend a lot of time on their feet, so I understand the need for comfortable shoes. But whenever you wear sneakers to the theatre you are crossing the line to me. Its not a soccer game."
And in today's world there are so many choices between the uncomfortable dress shoe and the really comfortable sneaker - especially for women. I'd like to add that you should leave the flip flops at home as well - especially if you know you're going to be walking a lot. I know they're comfortable but they don't provide the support you need. Better to invest in a comfortable yet attractive pair of walking sandals. Your knees, hips, and back will thank you later in life.
Anyone who takes ATC seriously is the loser. what a bunch of old, miserable queens with sticks up their asses. And I'm old and I'm still saying that.
I really don't see the need to dress up to go to the theater, it makes broadway seem like a place for stuck up rich people.
Miss Debbie Reynolds said she "died a little inside" when she was going out for an evening with Carrie and Carrie was going to wear her "nice flip-flops". Debbie interjected that she weeps for those who consider "flip-flops good or nice, as there is no such thing. Wear a nice heel or a tasteful flat my dear"
I kinda agree and actually wearing flip-flops in Manhattan you are taking some serious risks. Even wearing them in a theatre, chances are your toes are gonna get stepped on if you have people that need to get past you in an aisle.
Well, I guess it's relevant if you care what ATC members think about what you wear to the theatre and if they would even recognize you if they saw you. I'll wear shorts to the theatre this summer if it is hot and I don't have time to go back to the hotel and change. If someone doesn't like it, they can look in another direction. Chances are, there will be someone in a dress or long pants that is going to look tackier than me. I won't be in flip-flops, I won't be texting, talking on the phone, eating or chatting throughout the show, so I doubt my shorts will in any way be much contention for dispute.
I saw Hair the other day. I wore a nice, green fitted shirt, jeans and flip flops. It was an unbelievably hot day. I guess I am a loser.
I don't know why people get overly concerned with what others are wearing. Yes, I do think people should maintain some level of decency when attending theater and not wear anything excessively sloppy/ripped/short; however, I don't see anything wrong with jeans or flip-flops if you can present yourself in a respective way.
We need to start worrying more about the talkers and the ringing cell phones during the show.
I think people should dress however they feel like.For some people, it is a special occasion, so dress to the nines. I love seeing people all decked out. They look great. For others, paying the hundred bucks to get in is their splurge, so they aren't buying nice clothes.
Just keep your eyes on the stage and it will be just fine, that is why everyone is there to begin with. Now if the leading lady is in isotoners, that is another story...
Rudy - SPUR of the moment ffs! SPUR!
I'm a big believer in keeping theatre snobbery to a minimum. If people insist on treating theatre like it's some ridiculously exclusive thing that you have to be excessively cultured, sophisticated, and educated to appreciate, then things aren't going to go well. Theatre is the oldest art form in the world. It should be available to everyone, and everyone should feel happy and comfortable going to the theatre. I'd rather see tons of theatres full to the brim with enthusiastic theatre-goers in shorts and flip-flops seeing anything and everything, than watch the form dwindle to half-empty theatres occupied by glacial snobs who wouldn't DREAM of seeing anything less than the driest, most boring production of a Chekhov play you could possibly imagine.
Also, I spend all my money on theatre tickets and can't afford to buy as many nice clothes as would be necessary for the amount I go to the theatre. I'll wear what I want and if that bothers you, then you're the one with the problem, not me.
^ LOL, it was 4 a.m. when I typed that, give me some slack. Thank you for reading though. :)
I agree that, while things are looser than they once were, many people - even particularly smart ones - see theatre as something pretentious on the surface and above their reach. This really frustrates me. People grumbling about exactitudes of attire will only help to exascerbate this problem, not remedy it.
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
It's ridiculous generalizations like 'no shorts' that makes theater sound so snobby and exclusive. As long as you are not visually offending anyone with your dress, I don't see the problem. Since when are shorts so scandalous. This feels like Catholic School.
Frankly, the dress code for Broadway theaters has gone way down in the passed 15 years (and I'm not sure that such a terrible thing).
I say out with ELISTIST theater and in with theater for EVERYONE!
To those of you who see nothing wrong with wearing shorts, flip flops, and other such articles of clothing to the theater, can you tell me what, if any, occasions you believe should call for more formal wear than that? I'm curious.
Erm Dinner, a wedding, a party etc
Theatre has become has normal as going to the movies, do you get dressed up to go there?
What is the point of dressing up to sit the dark for 2.5 hours? To show off that you can afford nice clothes?
Here are some articles that back up what I was saying about flip flops not being good for you. If you're going to be walking around the city do the smart thing and wear sensible shoes. Flip flops are not sensible.
http://www.livescience.com/health/080624-bad-flip-flops.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-398703/Flip-flops-damage-health.html
Now, I know this is a bit different but...
I went to 9 to 5 (planned, which is incredibly rare for me) on a rainy day. I knew, going to work that I had to dress for work (casual), rain, and the show (which I do like to look nice at), plus I have a stress fracture in my foot and I have to wear sneakers over my brace. I wore a nice top, dark jeans, and my sneaks, and the friend of a family friend I was with started to comment about my outfit. When I explained to her about my brace, she immediately shut up. Don't judge an outfit by it's cover...?
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
If I pay for the ticket, I can wear whatever I darn well please.
I used to be someone who wanted to look a lot more presentable .. but in light of recent years, you can officially wear pretty much whatever (I still don't dress down -- I'm all for a nice pair of shorts and a collared shirt).
I saw the Les Mis revival during it's last week and I was lucky enough to get a ticket .. in the last full=-paying row of the mezz, and I happened to see atleast 4 people in the front row mezz in sweatpants and Mountain-Dew T-shirts. That's when I realized...clearly it doesn't matter anymore. Oh well...
If I pay for the ticket, I can wear whatever I darn well please.
I love that slippery slope. My dad pretty much said "I can do what I want! I paid for my ticket!" when I told him not to unwrap candy during Les Miz. He scowled at me and then my mom set him straight. Ha.
"If I pay for the ticket, I can wear whatever I darn well please."
This is the dawning of the age of ENTITLEMENT.
And you can pick your nose and scratch your butt too, and belch out loud, and talk on the phone, because "you paid for your ticket"
You also pay for your meal at a restaurant ... if you were eating at The River Cafe, would you dress however you please? (Well, actually you couldn't, because they have a dress code). Would you wear gym clothes to the theatre?
As for the flip flop issue, I personally think they are the ugliest footwear imaginable, but besides that (and the fact that they are not walking shoes and are terribly bad for your feet and back), if you're going to wear them, please please please make sure your feet (the bottom of your feet especially) are clean. I have sat next to too many flip floppers who cross their legs and their filthy feet are right next to my nice clean pants. Face it, if you're going to walk around the city in flipflops, your feet are going to get incredibly dirty. And if you are going to expose your feet and toes, have a pedicure first. Unclean feet and unclipped toenails are disgusting.
^ I agree very much with you. This entitlement thing is going too far, particularly with my generation. It is atrocious and self-serving. There has to be a way to find a happy medium somehow.
Feb. 28 - Looped, Feb. 28 - Next to Normal, March 4 - Hair, March 11 - A Little Night Music, March 24 - Time Stands Still, April 6 - La Cage Aux Folles, April 10 - Anyone Can Whistle (City Center), April 10 - Looped, May 9 - Enron, May 15 - A Little Night Music, May 15 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Behanding In Spokane, May 30 - A Little Night Music, June 20 - A Little Night Music, June 23 - Red, June 23 - Sondheim on Sondheim, July 13 - A Little Night Music, July 18 - The Grand Manner (Lincoln Center)
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/5/04
"Anyone who takes ATC seriously is the loser. what a bunch of old, miserable queens with sticks up their asses. And I'm old and I'm still saying that".
What a nasty, uncalled-for, crude sweeping generalization, Jane. At least ATC has some standards. Here on BWW, people are allowed to make unsupported claims about various actors' habits and lifestyles, and personally attack their fellow board members. Cliques are formed, especially on the off-topic board, in order to make fun of others, something that you, personally, seem to enjoy.
Some BWW posters seem to be here solely for the purpose of stirring up trouble, and to offend others. The childishness on this board never ceases to amaze me. The post on ATC that prompted the 'all shorts-wearers at Broadway shows are losers' post here was from an out of towner asking a serious question as regards to proper attire in a theater. All of the responses were serious, some of them were ridiculous, but had that question been asked here, there would have been several obnoxious, snarky responses from posters who think they are being clever before they got an honest and helpful one.
I won't tar this whole board with the same brush, like you did, but if I'm looking for serious theatrical discussion, or for information? Hands down ATC is where I go. This is more the place for bitching, snarking, and hanging out. Nothing wrong with that, if that's what you like, but it isn't what I'm looking for in a theater message board. I'd say keep your ageist homophobia to yourself, but that sort of thing is almost encouraged here, so have at it. I don't know how you think your attitude is any better than theirs.
Oh, topic? Nice, clean shorts are fine. I dress up for opening nights, parties, funerals, and many other occasions - and sometimes just because I feel like it.
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