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Original poster

Help! How do people dress for the theatre these days?

69 replies

Wandda · 20/01/2022 16:50

I’m going to see a west end show in a few weeks. My dsis tells me that I should dress in full evening wear including heels etc but that’s so not me. I don’t think I have worn heels for at least 10 years but I don’t want to feel like the poor relative!

OP posts:

BIWI · 20/01/2022 20:12

If you go to the Royal Opera house, you may see some people in full evening dress. But you're just as likely to see people dressed casually in jeans.

Wear whatever you like/feel most comfortable in. The days of going to the theatre to be seen are long gone!

Divebar2021 · 20/01/2022 20:15

I think it’s a shame we don’t dress up any more… where the hell can you dress up nowadays? I went to the Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House and dressed a little quirky / bohemian. I did see a couple where the man had an evening suit and the woman had a full length gown on with blingy diamanté jewellery on and I did feel slightly for them as they stood out so much. I suppose I like the opportunity to wear something special… but maybe not that special!!!

EL1984 · 20/01/2022 20:16

The only place that you would want to wear full evening dress is the royal opera house. If it is a musical in the west end then you could go in jeans and a jumper if you liked. Most women would be wearing a dress, skirt or smart trousers... like going to a decent restaurant or out for drinks type outfit.

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 20/01/2022 20:17

@ShirleyPhallus

I'm at a West End show at the weekend and I'll be in jeans, top, flat shoes.

I read this as “jeans, tap shoes”. Thought “wow that’s a little OTT but ok….”

Hahaha and my jazz hands!

SiobhanSharpe · 20/01/2022 20:27

The only exception might (only might) be if you're going to a special showing of, say, the Rocky Horror Show (Hairspray/the Book of Mormon) where some people dress up in 'theme' clothes to match the performance.
Otherwise, dress up - a bit - if you feel like it or not if you don't. Hope you have a good time!
(A friend went to a special showing of the Sound of Music a couple of years ago and was bemused to find herself among nuns, nazis and brown paper packages tied up with string. It's a thing.)

gluenotsoup · 20/01/2022 20:29

Wear whatever you would wear to wherever you are going for drinks before or after.

astorsback · 20/01/2022 21:02

Smart casual us fine.

whiteworldgettingwhiter · 20/01/2022 21:42

No!! People wear anything from jeans up. I like to get a bit dressed up, as it's the theatre, but nice trousers, smart top, and make-up!

Luredbyapomegranate · 20/01/2022 21:48

I think your sister is pulling your leg..

People wear whatever… jeans and ts, or the clothes they came from the office in, or a mildly dressed up top or dress.

Comedycook · 20/01/2022 21:52

I was lucky enough to go to two west end shows at the end of last year. People were mainly casual...some a bit smarter. Jeans wouldn't stand out at all.

thereisonlyoneofme · 20/01/2022 21:55

I feel a bit sad sometimes that people dont dress up for anything now. When I got married in the 70's we went to a party nearly every week and the women wore long dresses!
I have been to the Albert Hall on a few occasions and people dont even dress up for that now.

AnnaMagnani · 20/01/2022 21:59

99% of people will be dressed as if they have been at work all day on a weeknight or on a Saturday, as if they have been out doing touristy things all day.

At this time of year that means dressed for the cold/wet.

Even at the Royal Opera House you would look out of place in full evening dress - last time I saw that was the 90s. Gets smarter in the expensive seats but most of us aren't sitting in those!

LaChanticleer · 20/01/2022 22:04

My dsis tells me that I should dress in full evening wear including heels

Your sister is bonkers. Wear whatever you like.

Aphrodite31 · 20/01/2022 22:11

Um did I just wake up and we are in 1723??

Loveisthere · 20/01/2022 22:33

Have you and your sis had a barney and she is seeking revenge or has she just got a terrific sence of humour
Enjoy the show

Nordicmom · 20/01/2022 22:45

Smart casual these days unless you go to opera maybe . There you might want to dress up a bit more. Only would go all out for special performance / occasion that the dress code is specified for .

TheTeenageYears · 20/01/2022 22:52

We've usually been plodding round London for hours before going to the theatre so full evening dress and heels isn't going to feature. Where whatever you are comfortable in.

WaitingForSunshineAndDaisies · 20/01/2022 22:53

We go to shows in the West End every 2-3 months one way or another and have never worn anything like that. It's often straight after work so it's whatever I've been working in all day. Likewise DH (lives in jeans and T shirts) and anyone else that comes with us.

Having said that, if you want to dress up, knock yourself out - no one will bat an eyelid either way

AnnaSW1 · 20/01/2022 23:09

I'm always in jeans.

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