Theatre attire - OK or no?

[DznyFan]

We are attending Wicked this Saturday in Chicago. We are going to the matinee show, and will be out sightseeing for the remainder of the day, both before and after the show. Ordinarily we would wear something dressy to a show, but because of the walking/sightseeing the guys (my DH and his adult sone) are wanting to wear Khaki shorts and polos to the show.

My stance is a little uncomfortable with that - I feel like dockers would probably be overdoing it with 78 degree temps and walking around in the city - but shorts?

What's your opinion?

 

[Blondy876]

Normally I would agree with you but after seeing Lion King in Philly I guess anything goes. I was in a black dress and heels and most of the people around me were in denim shorts or jeans. It was an evening show too. I always thought people dressed up a bit for the theater. I saw Big River in Philly several years back and people were dressed very nicely but I guess times have changed. He would probably be fine with the shorts. Maybe someone who has been to the theater in Chicago can tell you what the norm is there. Either way, have a great time. I have tickets to see Wicked next July in Philly and can't wait!!!

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Living in NYC, we would usually go to a show on Broadway once a month (saw Wicked twice ), and would see all manner of dress, from formal attire to shorts and t-shirts. There isn't any real dress code, aside from the obvious shirt/shoes rule. The question is, will you be comfortable sitting in the theater in shorts surrounded by people, many in suits and dresses? I think that's a question you have to answer yourself.

 

[Beth76]

I honestly don't know about the attire. My instinct would be no to shorts though--even for a matinee. What about getting a cheap hotel room in the area. That way you could change and freshen up. Although you can't usually check in until 3:00 or 4:00, so that may not work depending on what time the show starts.

Have a good time. I'm considering going up there to see it. I don't usually like musicals but have heard this is simply fantastic. Plus it would be a good excuse for another girls' weekend, as DH would do anything not to see a musical.

ETA: I was just in Chicago a few weeks ago. One day we went to Navy Pier and the temp was 79. But the humidity was so HIGH that I was sweating just standing there even with the lake breeze. So if you get a humid day you might be kind of yucky for the show.

 

[imsorry]

Well, DH and I go to Broadway alot (Sunday matinees). He wears khaki shorts and polo shirts in the summer. There doesn't seem to be a dress code anymore - I see people in every type of attire - very rarely dressed up for the matinees.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

Coming from the person who wears jeans and concert t-shirts and Chuck Taylor hi-tops to work...I cringe when I see people at the theatre in shorts and jeans. Usually at the matinee, the men are at least in polos and Dockers-type pants.

 

[eclectics]

Call me old fashioned but shorts and the theater don't mix, at least in my book anyway. However, that's exactly what we saw a lot of, last time we hit Broadway. So I would say, no one's going to stare at you if you wear shorts (especially at a matinee), so you might as well be as comfortable as you want to.

 

[momrek06]

We lived in NYC from 2000-2004. From 2000 until Sept 2001 we always were really dressed up going to Broadway (which was just about every weekend) and then 9/11. Broadway and NYC shut down for awhile while the city struggled with all the devastation. Tourists stopped coming to the city and around November when people s l o w l y started coming back to see the sights and go to the shows I noticed a major change in the dress code. People were much more casual and now I do not believe there is any real dress code for Broadway Shows no matter what city you are in. My family still gets dressed up but more in the line of dockers and a dress shirt or a nice polo. After-all there are so many places you can go to that you can wear your jeans and t-shirts and shorts...I just think if you have an opportunity to go to a Broadway show you should get a little dressed up.

 

[azgal81]

I just saw a 2pm showing of wicked this weekend. It was very casual. I had on tan crop pants, flip flops and a regular shirt. My boyfriend was wearing jeans, flip flops and a regular shirt. We saw people dressed in everything from skirts, jeans, khakis and even shorts. There was not one person in a suit there so I do not think people really wear suits to afternoon showings of shows. I don't think it would be wrong for the guys to wear khaki shorts and polos I saw many of those combinations at the show this weekend.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

We are attending Wicked this Saturday in Chicago. We are going to the matinee show, and will be out sightseeing for the remainder of the day, both before and after the show. Ordinarily we would wear something dressy to a show, but because of the walking/sightseeing the guys (my DH and his adult sone) are wanting to wear Khaki shorts and polos to the show.

My stance is a little uncomfortable with that - I feel like dockers would probably be overdoing it with 78 degree temps and walking around in the city - but shorts?

What's your opinion?

It it were me, I would not wear shorts to the theater. You will find that 78 degrees in downtown Chicago is not hot....if it even happens this Sat, so far its supposed to be cloudy and lower 70's. If you are planning on sightseeing and going to North Michigan Ave and Millenium Park - dockers are perfect! Once it starts to turn to evening you will feel very under dressed and IMO then you will be uncomfortable.

 

[DznyFan]

It it were me, I would not wear shorts to the theater. You will find that 78 degrees in downtown Chicago is not hot....if it even happens this Sat, so far its supposed to be cloudy and lower 70's. If you are planning on sightseeing and going to North Michigan Ave and Millenium Park - dockers are perfect! Once it starts to turn to evening you will feel very under dressed and IMO then you will be uncomfortable.

I appreciate the input from everyone!
I am definitely on the "no shorts" side. I'm going casual but nice - meaning capris or gauchos, a nice top, and a pair of dressy flip flops. My DH KNOWS better for theatre, but when his son said he was wearing a pair of khaki shorts, he jumped on that bandwagon. I'm trying to steer them to at least jeans.

 

[puffkin]

I think it is sad that people dress so casually for the theater. Leave those clothes for the movies, not a theater show IMHO.

I would say khakis and polos for the guys and nice capri outfit or skirt for the ladies in the summer. I don't think you need formal attire to see a theater show, but I do think that there should at least be some attempt to dress up for the event.

 

[elgerber]

I think it is sad that people dress so casually for the theater. Leave those clothes for the movies, not a theater show IMHO.

I would say khakis and polos for the guys and nice capri outfit or skirt for the ladies in the summer. I don't think you need formal attire to see a theater show, but I do think that there should at least be some attempt to dress up for the event.

I have to agree with this. My dd and I saw Wicked in July in Mpls. and I was surprised to see people that were dressed in jeans and sloppy shorts. I saw a teenage girl wearing short shorts a hoodie and beach style flip flops. We are seeing it again in January in Chicago and once again we will wear dressier clothes than that. Not formal clothes by any means, but at least nice slacks, a dressy top and nice shoes for us girls, and at least dockers and nice tops for the guys.

 

[allison443]

We saw Wicked on Broadway (evening show). People had on anything and everything. There does not seem to be any unofficial dress code for the theater any more. I think khaki shorts and polos would be fine for a matinee.
Enjoy the show-it's great!

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I have been to a few broadway plays in the last couple of years. I always dress up a little. But lately I haven't noticed the theaters enforcing any sort of dress code. I went to a play in a very classy, ritzy hotel this past winter. I saw a girl in leopard print pj bottoms, a really dirty & ripped sweatshirt, fuzzy purple slippers, and hair that looked like it hadn't been combed in 10 years. I was shocked. You don't have to look like you are going to the ball, but a dirty clothes and slippers are just plain wrong.

Dress so that you feel comfortable. I usually wear a pair of nice but comfortable shoes, dress slacks and a simple button down shirt. There will be people dressed to the nines attending, but you certaintly won't be the most underdressed person there either.

 

[Deb in IA]

I think it is a matter of personal preference.

I always feel more comfortable if I am a bit dressed up for live theater, even if it is a matinee. I would wear nice pants (not jeans) or a skirt for a matinee, and a dress for an evening show. I would probably not wear shorts, but that's just me.

 

[luvflorida]

We saw Spamalot in NYC on a Friday evening and saw a variety of attire. In general, it does seem that people dress much more casually than years ago. Most people seemed to be wearing khaki-type pants, polos, slacks, blouses, that type of thing. Nothing overly fancy, but a little nicer than jeans and a t-shirt.

 

[disneymama73]

I think it is sad that people dress so casually for the theater. Leave those clothes for the movies, not a theater show IMHO.

I would say khakis and polos for the guys and nice capri outfit or skirt for the ladies in the summer. I don't think you need formal attire to see a theater show, but I do think that there should at least be some attempt to dress up for the event.

ITA!

 

[amy4bruce]

I lived in New York until 1997, and went to the Broadway theatre many, many times. Any kind of dress code died in the 70s or 80s. Management would rather fill the theatre with people wearing anything, than have it half empty because they denied admission to someone wearing khaki shorts. The actors don't care - they just want an audience.