Dress code for theater

[bev r.]

I'm hoping to take in a show or two when we visit London later this month. I was wondering what is the dress code for theater shows? Is business casual wear acceptable? Just trying to figure out what types of clothes to pack for our trip.

thanks.

 

[jen_uk]

You get a real mix, Ive seen loads of people in jeans & jumpers and others in formal dresses. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in, smart & casual would be fine.

 

[Haworthfamily]

I would go smart/casual.

When we go to London to see a show (we live in Bristol) we have travelled on train or by car and so have no where to get changed.
I usually where jeans and a smart top that I can dress up with a wrap and some lippy.
DH where's Jeans but with a shirt.

What are you going to see?

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Business casual is always accepted. I will say London theater goers still dress better for theater than Broadway.

Have a great time!

 

[wayneg]

You see every type of clothing, it depends usually what people are doing before or after the theatre.
We go down to see a show usually twice a year. If we go direct from hotel and back again I will put on shirt and Trousers If we are in London already doing shopping or sightseeing then we go in very very casual clothes. People that are going on for a meal or club will be well dressed.
Whatever you wear you will be fine.
Any ideas which shows you want to see?

 

[carolfoy]

I would dress up for the opera but not the theatre (unless it was a date - fat chance! )

 

[bev r.]

My husband and son want to see "We Will Rock You". I'm interested in seeing "The Lion King", or something similar.

 

[wayneg]

My husband and son want to see "We Will Rock You". I'm interested in seeing "The Lion King", or something similar.

We want to see We will Rock so cant comment on that but Lion King is simply the best. Seen it twice now at The Lyceum London. and would see it again anytime.

 

[Lizzybear]

I've seen people wearing all kinds.. I think as long as there is no dress code on the ticket (some shows like operas perhaps might?) you should be fine in whatever you choose to wear.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I've seen people wearing all kinds.. I think as long as there is no dress code on the ticket (some shows like operas perhaps might?) you should be fine in whatever you choose to wear.

We should have sense enough to dress the correct way. Makes me crazy when people wear sweatshirts for the theater. Just one of my pet peeves.
Again I still think London theater goers respect the theater and dress the part.
Two weeks ago I was at a NYC theater and had the luck to be chatting with actors & actresses who were supporting a friend in The Color Purple..all the kids were "dressed", they just looked great and we had a long conversation about this and they all agreed that it was so nice to look at an audience that looked polished.
Just sharing an opinion & experience.

 

[Lizzybear]

We should have sense enough to dress the correct way. Makes me crazy when people wear sweatshirts for the theater. Just one of my pet peeves.
Again I still think London theater goers respect the theater and dress the part.
Two weeks ago I was at a NYC theater and had the luck to be chatting with actors & actresses who were supporting a friend in The Color Purple..all the kids were "dressed", they just looked great and we had a long conversation about this and they all agreed that it was so nice to look at an audience that looked polished.
Just sharing an opinion & experience.

Without wishing to get into a debate about this (unsure why you quoted me when several people said the same thing..) I don't think people lack sense just because they don't choose to dress up for the theatre, there are no rules stating you have to. It's nice to make an effort I guess but if dressing casually will encourage more theatre goers I see this as a good thing personally. Whilst i've never worn a sweatshirt to the theatre I have worn jeans and even sneakers before, if people don't think i'm dressed up enough then that's their problem not mine. As long as people are respectful of where they are (don't talk during the performance etc) they can wear what they like as far as i'm concerned.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Without wishing to get into a debate about this (unsure why you quoted me when several people said the same thing..) I don't think people lack sense just because they don't choose to dress up for the theatre, there are no rules stating you have to. It's nice to make an effort I guess but if dressing casually will encourage more theatre goers I see this as a good thing personally. Whilst i've never worn a sweatshirt to the theatre I have worn jeans and even sneakers before, if people don't think i'm dressed up enough then that's their problem not mine. As long as people are respectful of where they are (don't talk during the performance etc) they can wear what they like as far as i'm concerned.

That is your opinion...terrific! Have a great time, enjoy your sneakers.

 

[wayneg]

We should have sense enough to dress the correct way. Makes me crazy when people wear sweatshirts for the theater. Just one of my pet peeves.
Again I still think London theater goers respect the theater and dress the part.
Two weeks ago I was at a NYC theater and had the luck to be chatting with actors & actresses who were supporting a friend in The Color Purple..all the kids were "dressed", they just looked great and we had a long conversation about this and they all agreed that it was so nice to look at an audience that looked polished.
Just sharing an opinion & experience.

Its funny how we all have different opinions on dress. I come from a working class background in Yorkshire with self made wealth. I see people in OTT dress (in my opinion), smirk and think why? They probably do they same looking at me.
When I go on anywhere, on a cruise for example I refuse to be told what to wear, I go in what I am comfortable in. I expect others to do the same.
My pet peeve is people talking in Theatres, cinema's and shows at Disney.

 

[hildasmuriel]

We went to see The Sound of Music yesterday and the dress was very much 'whatever you want'. There were a few women dressed as nuns!

On previous trips we have seen We Will Rock You, which was great - made even better by a surprise appearance of Brian May at the end - he appeared up through the floor playing Bohemian Rhapsody.

The Lion King is SUPERB! I went back to see it again within 2 months, as I enjoyed it so much.

West End theatres don't see much dressing up for the musicals. It may be different for 'serious' plays and would certainly be different for the ballet or opera.

 

[carolfoy]

That is your opinion...terrific! Have a great time, enjoy your sneakers.

I think that comment was personal and rude! just cos someone doesn't want to 'dress up' doesn't make them any less cultured, less intelligent or less worthy of going to the Theatre, If even the royal family don't dress up unless its a royal premiere why the hell should the rest of us?

 

[jen_uk]

I wear jeans to the theatre and I don't think I look underdressed. As long as you are clean then that is all the matters, wear what you are comfortable in. My pet peeve is when people sing along to the songs really loudly!!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I think that comment was personal and rude! just cos someone doesn't want to 'dress up' doesn't make them any less cultured, less intelligent or less worthy of going to the Theatre, If even the royal family don't dress up unless its a royal premiere why the hell should the rest of us?

don't dress up? I don't even have a comment for that, rude or otherwise.

 

[jen_uk]

don't dress up? I don't even have a comment for that, rude or otherwise.

Are you deliberately trying to get flamed???

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

please

 

[saratogagirl]

Are you deliberately trying to get flamed???

I agree Jen, I normally try not to get involved when things get nasty but this has tipped me over the edge. Ian and I have been to see many musicals , sometimes we have been lucky enought to stay overnight which gives us the opportunity to change into something a little smarter and enjoy a nice dinner afterwards ( a nice dinner to us is the Hard Rock ). There have been times when after a hard day of shopping in London, we just want to chill out so have not made much of an effort to dress up, as others have posted anything goes, as long as we enjoy oursleves, do not disturb others by chatting or singling along I really couldn't care less what others think, I am there to enjoy the show, Lizzy if you want to wear your trainers you go for it girl and enjoy yourself ....