Broadway Dress Code

When I saw my first Broadway show, Cabaret, a couple years back, I was so excited and went out and bought a brand-new, beautiful outfit for the occasion. But when my friends and I hit NYC and got into Studio 54, I was shocked to see some people in less than nice clothing. There was even one woman in jeans and an oversized Tweety Bird t-shirt. Where do you all stand on what is and is not appropriate dress for the theatre, especially Broadway?

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I used to make a point to get very dressed up - especially when I was younger. I mean, it's fun. But now that I live in the city and often go on a whim, or after a whole day out and about, in class, at work, whatever - I usually just go in whatever. If it's a planned outing, like with my family or something, I still do get sort of dressed up, I guess out of respect. I think I've been less inclined to get dressed up because I go to the theatre MORE often, rather - and I find that the tourists are the ones who go all-out.

While I think there's a line (I yell at my brother when he tries to go to theatre in ripped sweats and a hoodie), within reason, I do believe it's okay to wear whatever.

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Updated On: 8/19/05 at 10:34 AM

I'm all about always looking good at the theatre, but during the summer with the heat it's very hard to for a man. I mean, unlike women we can't wear a nice loose cool skirt, we either have shorts or pants. When I usually see shows I do a lot of walking and I really don't feel like wlaking 50 blocks or more in black pants and a jacket or button down shirt. But, if I do go on a cooler day, I will wear a nice pair of pants, a button down shirt, or a collared golf shirt. Alos, when I do wear shorts, it's not with a tweety t-shirt.

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Normally I am for dressing up. However, there was one time when we decided to rush RENT last minute on a whim. We ended up getting the tickets and did not have the time to get back to our place change and get back to the theater in time for the show. So, in that instance, we went in whatever we were wearing at the time which was just jeans and t-shirts. I did hear some snobby whispers as we were entering for the show.

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In my own city, I get dressed up...but for me to get to New York requires many hours on a cramped bus. I've come in to see DRS and Piazza, each time spending 8 hours of the day on a bus and only 3 in the theatre. In those cases, I try and look as presentable as possible...but I'm often in jeans.

Hollaback for hygiene!

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"print it on the ticket "Please Dress Appropriately""

but isn't that the point? People don't know what appropriate is. There is a general epidemic of lost manners in this country. If something were to be printed, it would have to be specific: i.e. "coat and tie required" or something. I get where you're going with it...I just don't think subtlety would work.

I always try to look nice when I go see a show. I usually wear nice jeans(no cuts or rips), a nice shirt(preferably one from the show I'm seeing), and a hat(preferably the hat from the show). I also make sure that I've showered and shaved before I go.

The one thing that I never do, is wear shorts. Even in the summer, I never wear shorts, never. I'm just comfortable in my jeans. I also never wear ripped clothes or sweatpants to a show, that's where I draw the line is at ripped or sleeveless shirts and sweatpants at a show. Also, I hate the people how decide to take their shoes off during the show.
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"Somebody blows their nose and you wanna keep it."
-Ghostbusters

I'm totally w/ emcee on this one. I also go to school in the city, and after a day of classes, running around, the last thing I want to do is get all decked out. I usually wear whatever I had on, and call it a day. Then, there are some shows where the "dress code" would vary. Colleen, I find it extremely surprising that anyone at RENT would care what you wore. If ever there was a T-shirt and jeans show, it'd be RENT, but I'm sure you could run into that anywhere. I hadn't seen a show one night, but I swung up to Fiddler to get Nancy Opal to sign my Urinetown window card and some woman looked to her husband and said "Can you believe the nerve of people not getting dressed for the theatre." 1st of all lady, I didn't see the show (or any tonight) and 2. It's really none of your damn business! It wasn't like I looked like some vagrant or something. I'd imagine I had on what I usually have on: jeans, some decent shoes, and a decent jacket.

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Well, katygrace84, aren't you just the voice of reason today...

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For me, a lot depends on the show. For Rent, I wore jeans and a nice top. For The Light in the Piazza, I wore black corduroy, dressier pants and a blouse. But I would never go to a show in jaens and a t-shirt. Never.

Lately I've just been wearing summer dresses and skirts. So, I haven't been overly formal or overly casual.

Seems fine to me.

Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer to wear something nice. Dresses/skirts, and dress pants are my common theatre attire.

It also depends on the show. I love costuming and I love doing themes. I always wore sexy black lace numbers for Cabaret, and for shows like Piazza and ASU, I wore full circular skirts and neck scarves. I'm thinking about wearing a black skirt and a blood red shirt to Sweeney.

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