Appropriate theatre attire - dress code?

I'm seeing Sweeney on Monday. I've been to weekend matinees over the past few months so I felt comfortable wearing really casual clothes (cargo pants, sandals, t-shirt.)

But my Sweeney tix are for the evening show. Is there a dress code?

I'm really, really, really not a skirt and heels kind of gal.

Oh man. Every time I see a show, it's after a long day of tourist attractions (forgive me!). Usually I'm in jeans and a t-shirt, and I usually feel out of place at the theatre. Moral of the story: don't look crappy.

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It's really a personal choice. There's not some set, unspoken dress code. Some people feel like you *have* to dress up out of respect, and some people just go in whatever they've got on, for one reason or another. I dress nicely when I can, but if I've come from a full day of work or classes, I'm much more likely to just go in jeans. No matter what you say, people are going to fight you on this; if you say it's okay to wear jeans, someone's going to insist that you must look nicer than that, because that's what they do. If you want to dress up, someone's going to tell you that's silly and you'll be overdressed. So... wear what you want, and what makes you comfortable, but use common sense; wear what you want but don't go in your gym clothes or your pajamas, basically.

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Updated On: 6/29/06 at 07:07 PM

Your attire sounds more than acceptable.

How one behaves in the theatre is much more important.

But something like a plain t-shirt should be more than fine.


La LuPone would be much more upset if you walked in late, hadn't turned off your cellphone, or was chatting or eating during the performance...

I really don't think it matters. As long as you are a paying theatregoer, what's the difference? I am definitely NOT the skirt type of girl - I own two, and hardly ever wear them. I wear what's comfortable.

Just don't go dressed in pajamas or anything (unless you're seeing Sweeney and want to dress up as Toby).

I think your enjoyment and behavior watching the show should be first and foremost. If you're a loud, obnoxious person wearing a tuxedo, or a quiet, respectful, t-shirt and jeans wearing guy, who's in the right there?

Oh, I know cookie I'm just teasing about Lupone.

The last few times I've gone to theatre I've been dressed more casually than I typically like to so I am terrified that Patti is going to catch wind of it and come kick my ass.

I really don't think it matters. As long as you are a paying theatregoer, what's the difference?

Call me snooty, but I think there is a difference. Just because you paid doesn't mean you should be able to wear whatever rags are on your floor.

This is live theatre, not a movie theatre. There is a certain decorum. Would you go wearing whatever you felt to a nice restaurant because you're paying for food? No. Even if the restaurant has no dress code it doesn't mean you should show up in a t-shirt and baggy shorts.

I see nothing wrong with going to the theatre with a nice top and pair of jeans...but that's as "dressed down" as I'll go.

I've seen people wearing some atrocious outfits to the theatre as if they were seeing a football game.

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Updated On: 6/29/06 at 07:28 PM

This is how I feel- Going to a show is a special thing. Especially a night show. Go in something really nice. Its better to go a little bit more dressy than casual.

Sorry, I don't agree with the flip flops.

This ain't the beach.

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This may have been something that has been programmed in deep by my mother for years, but I wouldn't think of not dressing up a bit for the theater.

The way I look at it is that I am visiting these people at their place of employment and I want to show them some respect by looking my best. If they were to visit me at my job, I would expect the same from them.

That being said, I can name one instance where I wore jeans to the theater and that was where a Saturday afternoon freed up and I was able to see a matinee when I wasn't planning on it. Had my mother known, she would have flown to NYC and made me change at intermission. Again, that's just how I was brought up. To each his own.

I used to be very strict on the "must dress up for the theatre" bandwagon. Then, my perspective changed.

I wholeheartedly agree with those who say that it's far more important how you act at the performance. Shouldn't we want to expose Broadway to as many different groups of people as possible? As long as someone is clean, neat, and wearing something other than workout clothes or pyjamas, it's ok in my book.

As we all know, things happen. You may get a last-minute ticket or not want to haul clothes around the rest of the day so you can be dressed up. For those of us that don't live within a quick subway ride, it's not practical. I'm certainly not taking a train home to change.

I think we should have a little leeway in the summer. It's unbearably hot. People need to stay cool. That doesn't mean wear almost obscene shorts, but if someone is wearing flat sandals that appear to be of the flip-flop persuasion, give them the benefit of the doubt (I agree that not all flip-flops are equal. I tend to wear ones that have beaded fabric on them- a bit dressier. They also don't make the trademark noise.).

I think people judge others way too harshly on this. There are often mitigating circumstances. You don't know someone's story. As long as that person is respectful during the performance, take your fashion critiques back to the runway.

(FWIW, I frequently wear dark jeans and heeled boots during winter, and flip-flop esque sandals during the summer. I've also worn capris to the theatre. Condemn me all you want, but it was nearly 100 and I have medical problems and can't physically take the heat. I needed to be in easily movable clothing, and a skirt isn't good if you know there's a real chance of collapse.)

I think sandals are more dressy than flip flops. But- it depends what they look like

These would be ok



These would not

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Updated On: 6/29/06 at 11:34 PM