Dressing up to go to the theatre?- Page 2

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:29pm

I'd take a person in jeans and a sweatshirt over a loud Skittles-eating businessman beside me at the theatre any day.

Agreed.

The way people dress doesn't affect me, unless they're wearing something that's tacky and distracting. Fortunately, that has never happened to me at a show. Most of the time, it's someone's behavior that I find distracting. Like yesterday, for example, when I went to a concert and while the conducter was speaking, a few people behind my mom and I were unwrapping candy thus creating a lot of noise.

[keen on kean]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:42pm

I dress to be comfortable but I put on my very best behavior because I love Broadway, and want to express my appreciation to the theater people who are working so hard to do well.

[Mythus]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:44pm

Personal attacks on a thread about dressing up? Classy.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:45pm

Lately, I've been wearing nice jeans, a spiffy sweater, and dress sneakers/boots. But I usually go to matinees where the overall dress code is usually more lax. I think if I was attening a Saturday night show, I might be inclined to dress up more. I also usually take public transportation into the city and have to do a bit of walking to the theater. Sorry, but a skirt and high heels in 30 degree weather just is not happening! Summer time maybe.

I agree that as long as you are presentable and don't disrupt my viewing, I don't care much.

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:47pm

Baaack on topic.

I try to dress nice when I go. Usually a collared shirt, tan pants, maybe shoes versus sneakers. All depends on my mood or if I'm in the city for one or two shows.

I will say, every tour I've seen, everyone there has been in a jacket and a dress shirt, nice pants, and dress shoes.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:48pm

Why can't people dress well AND behave? That disclaimer shouldn't even have to be made - the old "I don't care what they're wearing as long as they behave well."

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:49pm

Yeah, carnage. There wasn't any need for that. Shows a person enjoys has nothing to do with practicing theatre etiquette and showing respect for theatre as an institution and for the performers.

[Weez]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:53pm

Depends on the dressing up and the show. I feel no guilt whatsoever about (clean and hole-free) jeans and (clean and well-fitting) t-shirt for a matinee or something like 'Avenue Q'. I have a smart/casual wardrobe for my theatre-going; for some shows, I'll bust out the smart trousers and dress shirt, but most of the time it'll be fitted t-shirt with trousers, or dress shirt with nice jeans. I always wear boots rather than trainers even though I live in my trainers the rest of the time. I've got a lovely dress I plan on wearing when I see 'Follies' in concert in a couple of weeks, and I'm planning on veering more towards the smart side of smart/casual when I'm next in New York.

Obviously, it is TOTALLY the people who behave well who respect the theatre more and clothes have nothing to do with it. But personally, I like to dress up a little more for shows that seem to command a little more respect. I did dress shirt/trousers for John Doyle's 'Amadeus' last year because it's my favourite play and it was a limited run. Just because it was in a semi-derelict music hall far away from Theatreland didn't mean I was going to dress like a slob, and I'll most likely wear similar when I see 'Antony And Cleopatra' in a couple of weeks. But like I say, that's a personal thing I like to do and I don't expect everyone else to do it, as long as my enjoyment of the production is unhindered. :3

There's a kind of dressing up that NEEDS to be avoided. Please please please please PLEASE do not paint yourself green when you go to see 'Wicked'. No capes, no pointy hats, no green flesh! It's tacky and embarrassing. Do what you will for 'Rocky Horror' or even 'Evil Dead' or ANY of the Sing-a-long-a shows, but NEVER do fancy-dress for a show that doesn't want your audience participation. Ew ew ew ew ew. XP

Updated On: 1/22/07 at 01:53 PM

[Bwayfan4]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:55pm

My biggest pet peeve is when people show up in jeans. It just looks sloppy. I always attempt to look classy, and other people should too. I think it just shows respect, something that our society as a whole is lacking these days.

When I went to see "Spelling Bee", there was a guy there in a ratty old t-shirt and stone-washed jeans. He looked like a slob. My friend mocked me, saying that I was being a snob and too judgemental.

Yet, when he was chosen as a speller for the show that night, the cast DEFINITELY made a comment about how he was dressed. It went something like, "When so-and-so was getting dressed for the bee, he told his Mom (who insinuated he looked sloppy), 'Mom, it's not like I'm going to a Broadway show!'" So clearly I am not the only one who realized he looked like a slob!

[Mythus]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:55pm

What's the verdict on little kids dressing up to go see Beauty and the Beast? I bumped into a little girl in a Belle dress waddling around Times Square with her family.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:57pm

Similarly, when I went to see FAME BECOMES ME, there wasn't a celeb that day so Short pulled someone from the audience - an attorney in khakis and sneakers. Short said to him quite sarcastically, "I see you dressed for the theater," and rolled his eyes.

[Weez]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 1:58pm

It's Disney and it sounds cute, so it doesn't count.

Anyone older than 9 turning up in a yellow ballgown though - just no.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:10pm

to Ashley: Ah, darling, but you do! You may see more than 5 shows a year, but a quick look at the list of faves on your profile clearly shows that you are exactly the sort of person I'm referring to: Les Mis, RENT, Tick Tick Boom, High Fidelity and Aida. The only thing that's missing is Wicked.

Any grown-up theatre?

Not that I have any obligation to defend myself, but wow, interesting how you conveniently left out See What I Wanna See, The Last 5 Years, A Class Act, Company, both Wild Parties, etc. Only chose the ones to fit your needs huh? Classy. I'm not allowed to like both mainstream musicals and not? Although I'm still not sure what the shows you like have to do with how you dress.

I don't think I've ever been personally attacked on this message board before. Over 2 years. But whatever, go, behave, and have the time of your life. Dressing up is just my personal preference. I just think the stereotyping was wrong.

Updated On: 1/22/07 at 02:10 PM

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:16pm

I usually wear dress pants but then Im not the biggest fan of jeans anyways.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:23pm

Anyone older than 9 turning up in a yellow ballgown though - just no.

Just ruin my dreams why don't you! **sobs**

No, but in all seriousness, I agree.

[defyingravity11]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:31pm

I don't really care what other people wear although it would be nice if everyone dressed up for the theater. What I wear really depends on the show. FOr example, I would wear nice pants and a button down shirt to Les Miz or Grey Gardens, but a polo shirt and kakies (sp?) to Spelling Bee or Rent. I agree with everone else, though, who said that behavior takes priority over dress.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:32pm

While it's impossible for me to "dress up" to every show I see, often because I see shows after doing other things, I always look well dressed, neat, tidy, and wearing appropriate clothes.

[WalkOn]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:36pm

"Dressing Up" whatever that exactly means...I'm not sure, but I'm sure that keeping theatre as elitist and intimidating as possible only keeps people away.

Frankly, if I'm paying $100 a pop for a ticket.. the only people who should be dressed in a certain way are the actors.

Updated On: 1/22/07 at 02:36 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:44pm

I find going to the theatre something special. So I normally do not wear jeans. I never wear sneakers. Have only worn jeans once to a Broadway show. I dress "business casual" when I go to the theatre.

[NJRae]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:57pm

My sister and I have this discussion every time we see a show together. I feel that casual (nice casual) is ok for matinees, but for evening shows I feel like I should dress up some. Notice I don't say that I want to dress up--I hate dressing up!--but I feel like I should. Now, that said, when I say "dress up" I'm just talking slacks and a nicer shirt. Occasionally I will wear nice jeans but only if they are paired with a really nice top and nice shoes. And that is usually when my sister nudges me enough saying that she wants to wear jeans and won't feel right if she's in jeans and I'm not. I see shows fairly often (sometimes one or more a week, sometimes one a month) and I still put forth an effort to look as nice as possible.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 2:58pm

If dressing nicely for the theater is such a hardship, perhaps you should rent a movie instead.

[avab802]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 3:00pm

I often go to shows right from work, so I'm "dressed up" since my office has a somewhat professional dress code. If I go on a weekend it really depends on what show I'm going to and what else I have planned for the day, but I always try to look well put together, whether I'm wearing dress pants & heels or dark jeans & boots. Obviously it doesn't bother me if people wear jeans to the theater, since I do so myself. But it does bother me when people look like slobs. At least put on jeans without holes in them and comb your hair.

[D2]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 3:16pm

My partner's mother LOVED to get all dressed up whenever she was in town and we took her to the theater. She always looked fabulous, but what added to it was the joy she took from just going to the theater and feeling special because she was all dolled up for the evening.

That's one of the reasons I like to get "dressed up" whenever I go anywhere special, because it is part of the whole experience for me and I'm always more comfortable when I feel I look great.

And Winston, I wore jeans and t-shirts to the theater when I was a teen-ager. Still do, sometimes. Nothing wrong with it. But I did learn, as I got older, and older, and older, that you are taken far more seriously when you look professional. (And as for spelling and grammar... well others have posted to you about that. But THAT does make a difference, too.)

[joshy]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 3:22pm

I go the theatre at least once a week. Often I have to rush home from school to shower and change and then I get public transport - about an hour's journey - into the city, and it's the same hot, uncomfortable journey on the way back.

Therefore I'm going to dress comfortably, no matter what people think about theatre etiquette.

I have friends who feel alienated from the theatre as if it's something that isn't "for them", partly because of the idea that theatre is for rich people who dress up. What would Brecht say about the idea that people who wear jeans to the theatre are slobs?

[worrell4077]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 3:29pm

I don't see any problem with jeans, as long as they are presentable and don't have any holes, tears, or rips in them, same going for t-shirt. I mean, it's not like the actors in the show dress up when they go to work, they come out in jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts, etc.

I dress comfortably, seeing that I'm going to be walking around alot, so to me that's wearing a pair of nice jeans that are clean and don't have holes or rips in them, along with a pair of sneakers, and if it's cold, a long sleeve shirt under another shirt with my scarf, earmuffs, and leather jackets. If it's pleasant, then usually a polo shirt or something like that.

See I think that it shouldn't be jeans that should be attacked, I think it should be more like sweatpants, and people who take their shoes off during the show, and who don't shower before or smell as if they haven't bathed in years. There are worse things than what someone is wearing to the theatre.