Broadway Dress Code

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:26am

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?

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:33am

For women, a tasteful dress or skirt, or even a pair of nice dress pants with heels and a jacket should do it.

Guys *should* wear at least a button-down shirt or a jacket.

However, you'll usually find that the ones in the t-shirts and jeans with ratty old sandals are the ones who don't go to the theatre too often, so you have to deal with that kind less. (Of coruse, these're also the people who bring Happy Meals for their kids into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and talk loudly during the eleven-o-clock number...)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:34am

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.

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

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:36am

The recent trend is the one that says, "If I paid $100 to see the show, I'll wear what I want". I certainly do not subscribe to this school of thought. At least make an attempt to look nice! For God's sake, men, would it hurt you to put on a Polo shirt and a nice pair of pants? No.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:36am

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.

[bwayfan215]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:39am

I see nothing wrong with wearing jeans or shorts (in summer) and a nice shirt for men for a matinee. Dockers and a nice shirt - polo or otherwise for evening.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:44am

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.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:50am

I can definitely understand the rush seats and not having time to go change. I'm an out-of-towner, so I don't generally have the theatre-on-a-whim temptation so much. I just really feel like the theatre deserves respect. (I also feel I may be a snob. )

[musicnmath]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:50am

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.

[bwayfan215]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:57am

I put more stock in how a person behaves in the theatre than what they wear. They could wear a burlap bag for all I care - it doesn't interfere with my theatre experience. As long as they are quiet during the show, wear what you want.

Oh, but bathing is a must. Seats are too close together for someone to come to the theatre smelling like they just were picking up trash.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:07am

Hollaback for hygiene!

[itstheM]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:10am

I think it would be a better viewing experience if people were to get dressed up. It would make it more of a formal event and people's attitudes were be different. I'm not saying they should dress, because I never do. The best way to get people to look nice is to be print it on the ticket "Please Dress Appropriately"

[musicnmath]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:15am

"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.

[Garland Grrrl]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:22am

i remember when people got dressed up to go on airplanes.

the best dressed theater audience i've seen recently was BOMBAY DREAMS without a doubt. they came out in glittering saris, kurtas, lenghas --it looked like a south asian festival.

[worrell4077]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:23am

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.
________________________________________________________________
"Somebody blows their nose and you wanna keep it."
-Ghostbusters

[Dre2387]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:33am

usually, if it is planned, nice pair of jeans and a nice top. but when I have done lottery, I wore shorts (not really short ones I hate them) and a tank top. But I've seen worse.

[mabel]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:34am

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.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:40am

SorryGrateful, you are a theater snob. It's part of your charm. But, for the most part, I have to agree with you. It's the theater! Show some respect! Unfortunately there are always a few exceptions to the rule. Rush seats, hot weather, travel requirements, spur of the moment decisions.... They all make it nearly impossible to turn up at the show all dressed up. For some of us, getting a new outfit and getting dressed up is part of the fun of the theater experience. For others, what you wear doesn't really matter. And so I have to say to each his own on this one. I wish that everyone felt the way I do about getting dressed up for the theater, but it's never gonna happen. No sense getting upset about it.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:47am

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

[Jon]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:49am

I think it depends a lot on what type of show you are seeing. I would feel pretty stupid going to see RENT in a jacket and tie. Similarly, I would feel out of place going to see LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA in ripped jeans and a tee shirt.

I think the time of year and performance choice is relevant too. If it's a Saturday matinee in the middle of July and it's 95 degrees outside, a nice pair of cargo shorts and a polo shirt are perfectly fine. For the evening performance, I'd wear long pants!

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:15pm

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.

[SorryGrateful]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:18pm

Fair Lady-- I would probably never wear jeans either. But that has everything to do with my being my mother's daughter, not a theatre couture snob.

[greatdct]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:19pm

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

Seems fine to me.

[Magdalene]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:23pm

I wore a nice broomstick skirt and a shirt to see Spamalot---this is after traveling for 9 hours on Greyhound, and changing in the rest room of a restaurant. I would not be opposed to wearing nice (unripped) jeans to a show, however (but it depends on the show!).

Updated On: 8/19/05 at 12:23 PM

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 12:39pm

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.