Broadway Dress Code- Page 3

[MrBundles]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:01pm

i love dressing up. It's part of the whole experience/evening....going out to dinner before, seeing a show, going out for dessert and/or coffee afterwards. Yes, it's lovely.

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:02pm

I just wish that people my age would sometimes get a clue that just because your sweats are Juicy doesn't mean you can wear then everywhere. I blame the "fashionistas" that proclaimed that statement a couple years ago. Which brings me to the question, just because it's expensive, does it make it okay? Sweats to the theater...please no. (But that's my personal opinion and I'm not going to shove it down your throat ZONEACE)

:raises hand: I like dressing up, and yes weddings, funerals, certain restaurants, are a must. But summers in New York are gross, and sometimes "appropriate theater attire" isn't very practical when your trying to win the lottery. (And if make your way towards lazer park to get rid of that horrible feeling of losing or power shopping!)

This question was brought up because someone responded to what someone else was wearing. So, asking why this particular thread exists is futile. As long as there are inquisitive minds that seek input from others, there will be threads like this.

Rathnait62, certain people (myself included) are probably expressing the fact that they are more concerned about the conduct of someone over what they are wearing. Frankly, I don't go to the theater to see what the audience is wearing. Having proper etiquette and conduct makes a more pleasant experience, though you may argue that dress is included.

Whatever to the people who are giving evil eyes to others due to what they are wearing. I have better things to do before the show (that's what playbills are for!) and intermission is is run to the ladies room for me. And typically don't you go to the theater with someone, can't you resist from commenting on someone else's attire for once--have some intelligent conversion with your friend. Unless your wearing a huge head dress that is hindering my view of the stage--it really doesn't bother me. Though in an ideal setting, it would be nice for everyone to dress up.


Updated On: 8/19/05 at 08:02 PM

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:09pm

<--doesn't wear "juicy" sweats, I'm not that gay.

the reason I don't dress up is one, I don't have the patience to deal with sitting around for almost 3 hours in clothes that are uncomfortable, even for a show i love. and secondly, I shouldn't have to dress up just so complete strangers can feel better about themselves.

My sweats are not expensive, they were bought out a catalog. I don't do designers.

Personally (this ins't directed at you marlene), if you are so insecure that you worry what people think about what you are wearing or that you worry about what other people are wearing then you need serious help.

[Radioactiveduck]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:20pm

Oversized things are a big no-no. However, you have to take into account that many people who see Broadway shows are tourists, and would rather see more of NY than take an hour to go back to their hotel, change, and come back. In that sense, the dress code is much more relaxed. When I went to NY, I was in jeans (nice ones, mind you) for 2 shows I saw, but I dont think I looked too dis-tasteful.

Usualy when I see shows, I put on slacks, a button-up shirt, and a tie though, cuz getting dressed up is fun.

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:30pm

Awww...darn Zoneace...you won't fulfill my dreams of a guy matching some teenaged girl in coordinating juicy sweatsuits and man uggs. :sigh: What a total let down.

[ZONEACE]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 8:41pm

I tried the sorority whore look a couple times and it just didn't work for me.

[mabel]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 9:06pm

Rath, you make it sound like 3/4 of the threads on BWW don't shoot off onto totally unrelated tangents!

[popular_elphie]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:25pm

I only dress up for the theatre if I'm comfortable in what I wear. I am not much of a clothes person, and honestly, sitting down for 2 hours in a skirt would make me very uncomfortable.

When I was in NYC this summer, I wore jeans and a show shirt to every show but The Light in the Piazza. I really don't care what people think about what you wear to the theatre - as long as you're a patron, and enjoy it, what's so wrong with wearing jeans?

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:28pm

Yeah Rath. That sort of came out of left field.

[VonTussleGirl]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 10:31pm

O/T, but WHY in the world would ANYONE want to wear Juicy sweats and Uggs, male or female, gay or straight, celebrity or no? It just looks sloppy and not-put-together, which, if you have the money to blow on glorified velour and fake suede, is a total waste of funds which truly could be put to better use.

Like, oh, say, clothing that actually fits correctly and doesn't make you resemble J.Lo on a sick day?

Threadjack complete. =)

[timote316]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:09pm

For guys, I feel a collared shirt is a must. And while nice pants are preferable, I'd be lying if I said I've never worn jeans to see a show. I yelled at my brothers went we all went to see a show last year - one was in a hooded sweatshirt and baggy sweatpants, the other in a NY Yankees tshirt and jeans.

[Marlene]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:13pm

^Just reiterating what I remember seeing at Gershwin in cold winter months. And I just remember being happy I didn't get that particular velour get up...because everyone had it. o_0

Yeah...this thread is now contemplating bad trends rather than discussing theater dress code…all because of me. (Or so I’d like to think.)

Props to anyone who owns man uggs. I have to say that I have never seen anyone in man uggs in my life…I feel soooo deprived. Uggs I must argue are terribly comfy...though I never did get a pair because everyone under the sun owned them. I can't stand conformity. Wonder what the new ugg will be, cowboy boots might not survive the slushy sidewalks of NYC...and uggs...please tell me that they are dead by now!

[TheHumanTorch]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:16pm

I do like to dress nicely to the theatre, but according to my definition. I was recently at Doubt, and I wore stiletto boots, a really nice shirt but *gasp* a pair of jeans. The two women in knock-off Chanel suits were (loudly) horrified that I could wear jeans to the theatre, but these were my bank breaking seven jeans, so i was a little upset. I think that as long as you put, a pair of jeans, or a t-shirt, with something nice, and it works, its fine. (But my definition of a t-shirt is a form-fitting one, so that kind of contradicts itself) Hopefully this made sense, i'm a little tired

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:21pm

I tell you what, you've got some eye that just by looking at the women you knew they were wearing knock offs.

[TheHumanTorch]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:25pm

(they had a sleeve tag stating a company I can't remember which was NOT Chanel)

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

I still don't get it. Isn't a knock off of a channel suit or a real channel suit really dressy anyway?

[TheHumanTorch]

Posted: 8/19/05 at 11:46pm

yeah it is really dressy, but they're judging me for my tastes in fashion, when they are wearing poorly made (one of those hems was just awful) chanel knock-offs... i know it sounds like i'm saying that if you paid the money for it then it's fine, but what I really mean is, they don't have a right to judge me in attire that I think is fine, when their choice of clothing is flawed as well
Updated On: 8/19/05 at 11:46 PM

[mabel]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 8:42am

I also kind of feel like it depends on where you're sitting for a show. When I saw Doubt, I was in the balcony, and I highly doubt that the 20 other people that were up in the rafters with me would care if I wore jeans or not. I rarely have orchestra seats, unless they happen to be rush or lotto seats (and I think we've covered that the casual look is fine in that situation)...Maybe if I found myself sitting in prime orchestra seats, I'd feel a little more obliged to get all gussied up.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 9:04am

VonTussle, I go to the theater often and stopped dressing up. I used to when I was younger but lately, I just don't see the point.

Actually, I think it depends more on the show. If I were going to an evening performance of DOUBT, I'd dress up. If I was going to a matinee of LENNON, I'd dress casual.

I think it all depends on what you're seeing.

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 9:27am

I am also one who thinks that there isn't a code anymore. You should wear what you feel comfortable in as long as it doesn't create problems for the people around you enjoying the show. (ie, head dresses, shiny clothes etc. - if the people are bothered because they don't feel you dressed up to their standards, that is their own issue).

iluvtheatretrash pretty much hit it on the head for me. I think it depends on the situation. If I am doing standing room or won the lottery for Rent, I am going to dress differently than when I go see The Light in the Piazza.

That being said, my personal preference is to dress up when I go to the theatre in New York. It makes the experience that much more enjoyable.

Here in LA "dressed up" tends to be different, but I still tend to be more dressed up than the majority. (Aside from the inevitable person in a Tux and his escort in a sequin evening gown at a matinee. It never fails.)

[kate2]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 10:59am

i would never wear sweats to see a show!! The most casual a show should be is DARK DENIM (none of those light/worn out jeans) and a cute blouse for men a nice pair of pants and a polo I hate seeing people dressed like they just came from a dump going into a classy or expensive show!!!

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 11:05am

Yeah, I would never consider wearing sweats to a show. Hell, I wouldn't consider wearing sweats to the supermarket.

[QueenAnne82]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:48pm

Normally, I like to at least try to dress up. Like buisness casual nice. I am not really one of those people who get ready for the prom every time they go to a show. However.... couple weeks ago my brother was in town. We were both wearing jeans and decent shirts and happened to win the lottery. Totally didn't expect to win, and didn't have time to change- so I did feel kinda bad. However, Sean Hayes was there and he was wearing Jeans and a gray polo. So....

Posted: 8/20/05 at 1:56pm

so ...it's ok if Sean Hayes is wearing jeans and a polo.

[QueenAnne82]

Posted: 8/20/05 at 2:02pm

LOL. No. Just an observation. That each person does their own thang.