Wearing Ball Gowns To The Theater.- Page 2

[OtherDaryl]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 4:19pm

Hell, I've been to the theatre in tails, full leather, jeans and "dress casual." The point is that people show respect for these great temples of art - if that means they dress like Dame Edna, so be it. So long as they're not upstaging the leading lady or wearing leg warmers, I really don't care what other folks are wearing.

Unless they happen to be really cute.

[mirramar]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 5:57pm

I haven't been to a show out of the city since I was a kid. . . I never dress up when I see stuff here, but I'm going to a show in Baltimore this week and I'd like to know if people tend to be more dressy out of town, or if the same rules apply as they do here.

I know this is kind of a dumb question, but I figured as long as we're discussing this, I might as well ask!
What if I show up wearing jeans and I find out that in Baltimore they all wear gowns? :)

[magruder]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 5:58pm

You know...considering that Corine is the first to complain about the mistreatment she receives on this board, it strikes me as hypocritical for her to make fun of this mother and her daughter for their choice of outfits. I'm glad this family brought their daughter to the theatre and decided to have fun dressing for the night. Broadway shows need the support during the difficult winter months. Ridiculing the audience just strikes me as mean-spirited and counterproductive.

[Merrydothe]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:13pm

I don't know about all of you, but I'm not a big fan of getting all dressed up, and sitting still in a seat for 2+ hours. Maybe I'm just anti-girly girl, but being comfortable really effects my enjoyment of seeing a show I guess. I'll usually wear a sweater or whatever with chinos-seems fine to me.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:16pm

I also like dressing fairly casually for Broadway shows, unless it's an opening night (Thoroughly Modern Millie). When I saw Rent, I wore jeans and a nice top and when I saw Little Women, I wore nice black pants with a nice sweater.

[pinktheatre07]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:43pm

I tend to get more dressed up for the Opera and Ballet but always throw on a nice skirt and shirt of dress for the theatre. I guess it is because I love excuses to get dressed up.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 6:49pm

I usually wear a nice sweater and jeans. When I saw thoroughly modern millie, there was this pre teen girl with diamonds, a tiara, heels, and a sparkling ball gown.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:14pm

It's interesting, like in my dorm here, of course I'm known as the Broadway fanatic, so one day someone told me they're going to a Broadway show and whether they should wear a huge gown or just a skirt. I kind of laughed, I said if she likes to wear the skirt, that she can go for it, but I agree with the comfortable dressing, though I found the best approach. I currently have Wicked, Rent, Avenue Q, and Miss Saigon shirts that I almost always wear interchangably whenever I go to a show(of course when I go back to see them more than once it's fun to wear the shirt) but it prevents me at all from feeling guilty about wearing a T-shirt and jeans.

But one thing I noticed about my personal judgments about other's attire is that it varies from show to show. I can't really explain it, but it seems more appropriate to dress up for Wicked than it would for Rent, I guess between the show itself as well as the theatre.

Oh, and I saw a show in DC and California, and both times, it did seem like people were more dressed up than I noticed for on broadway. But I don't think anyone should feel embarassed by their attire. In my opinion, as long as you put on clean clothes, do your hair, and look suitable for walking out of your house in public, you're fine for a show. It's all up to you if you choose to dress up.

Updated On: 2/9/05 at 07:14 PM

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:22pm

it depends on the show really- usually i'll wear a dark polo or button down shirt, black slacks,black shoes, form millies final matinee i added a jacket to the mix. with the exception of rent which i wore a sweater and khakis

Updated On: 2/9/05 at 07:22 PM

[bdwaygirl]

Posted: 2/9/05 at 7:41pm

I'm pretty sure last night was the first night of "Kids Night On Broadway" or whatever they're calling it. There may have been some events going on prior to curtain kicking that off.

ETA: Nope, Kids Night started Jan. 25. for 4 consecutive Tuesday nights. Last night was one of them, so maybe there were still events prior to the shows starting.

Updated On: 2/9/05 at 07:41 PM

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 8:18am

I've never been a proponent of controlling what people choose to wear...pretty much anywhere...as long as it's clean and not offensive. I tend to fall into the "jeans" category, myself...but really, why shouldn't people dress up or even DRESS UP, if that's what makes them feel good. I don't have a problem with the kid in the ballerina dress, either. I'll bet it was her very favorite outfit...the one in which she feels like a princess. I'll bet that being able to wear that dress was the gild on the lily of her special day.

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 8:36am

I was amused. Still am. I don't think it was intended to be mean.
It was an observation.

[magruder]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:01am

Yeah? Well, treat others the way you want to be treated. If another poster commented in a similar vein about how you were dressed, you would be screaming "FOUL!" to everyone who would listen. I don't think that family deserved to be scoffed at.

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:13am

Were they hot?

[Corine2]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 10:18am

OY. Macgruder i did not name names. Chill.
Macgruder to be honest I was having TIARA envy.
Updated On: 2/10/05 at 10:18 AM

[crazyforpenny]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 10:43am

What's wrong with wearing a gown or Tux to a Broadway Show. Is there no place you can go nowadays and be dressed up. If you ask me we should go back to the good old days of Broadway where everyone dressed up. It makes me crazy to see sweat pants,Tee shirts and jeans worn to a Broadway Show.

CFP

[magruder]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 10:47am

No, you were being smug and holier-than-thou.

[Craig]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:00am

Corine. Was it a ball gown or a ballerina costume on the little girl?

I have to agree that it's unfortunate that people don't get more dressed up for the theater. I always enjoy seeing people all decked out and would never mock anyone, least of all a child who wanted to dress up.

As Magruder said, I am most surprised that Corine, of all people, would make such comments. And rereading the thread a few times, there's nothing cute nor envious in Corine's comments. If she were truly having tiara envy, I am sure she would have praised the family for taking theater "seriously" or something of the like.

[baddadnpa]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 11:06am

I love wearing a ball gown to the theatre, but always need to shave my chest first.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 1:16pm

Ball Gowns are a little bit to much. I think if you look nice when you go to Broadway show, then thats fine. Like wearing dress pants or maybe a skirt but you don't need to wear a gown.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 1:29pm

I personally do not wear jeans to the theatre and do not allow my kids to wear jeans. I want them to appreciate the respect the theatre. Also, since many seats are $50-100 - I certainly want them to realize the attending a Broadway show is different than going to the movies.

I find "good" behavior more important that dress. Candy wrappers, snoring and children playing Gameboys are not acceptable! (Things that I have experienced in the last few weeks.)

[Tom1071]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 1:40pm

Clearly they were tourists, but I guess that's all that really sees Phantom any more, with a few exceptions of course.

I personally don't really care what someone wears to the theatre as long as they don't look and smell like something the cat threw up.

Seriously though, at least wash your stank @$$ before parading it out in public and seating on a velvet covered theatre seat. Someone has to sit there after you. Updated On: 2/10/05 at 01:40 PM

[bwaybaby891]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:33pm

when i saw wicked in december there were two women in floor length gowns and it was ridiculous when there were people in jeans and t-shirts.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 3:54pm

I once saw a girl in a full-length ballgown for Patrick Wilson's last day in Oklahoma...considering it was a rainy, cold Sunday afternoon...strange.

[cturtle]

Posted: 2/10/05 at 9:41pm

i think it's CHARMING when people dress up for the theatre, museums, concerts, etc. but i don't usually enjoy dressing up myself, so i mostly go casual.