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Original poster

Do people still dress up

37 replies

User67556 · 08/02/2025 11:40

To go to the ballet? Taking my daughter to see the cinderella ballet in Southampton tonight, I say we need to look smart, My daughter wants to wear a nice dress (she's 8) but my husband says no one does that anymore unless it's a big event in London for example.

YABU no one dresses up smart for ballet anymore
YANBU of course you dress up

OP posts:
orangesandlemonssaythebellsofstclements · 08/02/2025 12:11

The best thing to do is take a look at the website of the place you are going and check if they have a dress code.

If they do not have a dress code you best believe there will be people there in leggings or jeans and that at least 50% of the audience will have made no effort at all.

This is because no-one has a sense of occasion any more and our current culture is very much "you do you, it's no-one else's business, noone can tell anyone what to do or exclude anyone for any reason ever".

In the spirit of that you can absolutely go in a tiara and full-length gloves if you wish, but just be prepared to look out of place.

AlertCat · 08/02/2025 12:09

Last time I went to the ballet (not in London) there was a complete mix of clothes. I think anything goes! Wear what you want. If dd has a nice dress let her wear it, she’ll have grown out of it soon enough! And same for you, life is too short not to wear the nice clothes.

DappledThings · 08/02/2025 12:08

Some do, some don't. Not sure there's anywhere where it's "expected" these days outside of a Buckingham Palace garden party or a wedding.

FuckMeUpFlorida · 08/02/2025 12:06

I'd rather be over dressed (for everything!) than under-dressed. I don't mind the stares if I am over dressed.

PeachBlossom1234 · 08/02/2025 12:05

I took my DD9 to the ballet at Christmas and we both dressed up and most people there did too. Go for it, put on your best frocks - life’s too short for them to be in the wardrobe!

EggshellAttic · 08/02/2025 11:54

Lentilweaver · 08/02/2025 11:48

I go to the ballet often in London. Some people dress up, some come in jeans and leggings.
I realise that's unhelpful but that's how it is.
A nice dress for your DD would be fine though.

This. I was always on my way home from work stopping in at the ROH for opera or ballet, so wore whatever I’d normally have been wearing. Which, if I was a library day, was probably jeans, biker boots and a corduroy trench coat.

But absolutely wear what you like. No one’s going to impose a dress-down dress code at the door.

Lentilweaver · 08/02/2025 11:48

I go to the ballet often in London. Some people dress up, some come in jeans and leggings.
I realise that's unhelpful but that's how it is.
A nice dress for your DD would be fine though.

Original poster
User67556 · 08/02/2025 11:47

Thanks I've never done it for the theatre even in the west end and Broadway but I thought it was expected for ballet.

OP posts:
NOTANUM · 08/02/2025 11:46

I’m in the dress up camp - it makes a big event even more special.

username299 · 08/02/2025 11:45

It's optional.

TMGM · 08/02/2025 11:43

I’ve always loved to dress up for the theatre and still do, it makes it feel more special. Let her wear her dress and I hope you both have a lovely time.

Nitgel · 08/02/2025 11:43

Some people dress up. It's kind of nice to imo.