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Original poster

What to wear to the theatre

21 replies

HermiioneSnape02 · 12/07/2016 14:55

I have only ever been to the theatre at Stratford upon Avon.
I have been bought tickets to go to the theatre Royal. Durys Lane. Is this the same type of atmosphere? Some in casual clothes and some in dresses?

It's part of a weekend away in London.
I have no idea what to wear or pack!

I'm going Friday.
I only own 3 dresses 2 from Roman and 1 from Wallis. All lace fit and flare types.
Will these do?
Thanks.

OP posts:

JapanNextYear · 12/07/2016 14:59

You can wear anything you like. I've gone in jeans and a top that I've been sightseeing in all day and also changed and gone in a dress because I'm going out after or going for a nice dinner first.

Me, I'd wear something comfortable as it can get baking hot in the summer in the old theatres!

Original poster

HermiioneSnape02 · 12/07/2016 15:03

Ooh thanks Japan. Hadn't thought of the temperature. I personally get hot a lot lately. Age related probably so some nice jeans and a top would be best for me.
Maybe a lace dress if we are going for a meal.
Thank you.

OP posts:

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 15:09

Definitely no need to dress up. Either for a London theatre or indeed for most London restaurants. Jeans and top fine.

Original poster

HermiioneSnape02 · 12/07/2016 15:29

Thanks poly. I don't mind wearing a dress would like to dress up a bit. But my dresses are cotton lace fit and flare types not posh restaurant types

OP posts:

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 15:56

The lace sounds nice and cool, so good if theatre hit ( some have air conditioning but many don't ).

Not sure what you mean when you say it's not suitable for a posh restaurant, as I don't know what restaurant you have in mind. Have you made a booking somewhere? As mentioned, on the whole Londoners don't dress very formally for most restaurants.

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 15:56

'hit', not 'hit'!

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 15:57

As aargh, damn phone. HOT.

mouldycheesefan · 12/07/2016 15:57

There's are generally hot so wear something cool. No need to dress up.

Original poster

HermiioneSnape02 · 12/07/2016 17:14

Haven't got a clue on restaurants. Its a surprise. Usually go to high end ones like the chop house and andersons in Birmingham.

OP posts:

CrystalMcPistol · 12/07/2016 17:34

Yep no need to dress up (unless you want to!) but being as a pp said being able to take off a layer or two can help!

JackandDiane · 12/07/2016 17:39

No one dresses up in London tbf. You'll stand out

Wolpertinger · 12/07/2016 17:49

No one in London dresses up to go to the theatre really. Also in the summer it can often be baking hot.

Is this for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? I would expect adults in jeans + casual wear, kids a bit dressed up, a few girls in princess dresses but loads in jeans as well.

Frankly you can go to most posh London restaurants in jeans/casual - it's a much less dressed up place than up North. Plus lots of people will have been at work or sightseeing all day which makes the dress code a lot less dressy - you get people wearing all sorts even in the most expensive seats.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 12/07/2016 17:52

Def no dressing up in London. It was a bit of an eye opener moving out of London and going to a theatre- so much perfume,make up and bling

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 18:24

Just to agree with everyone else. Fine if you want to dress up, but you will stand out, as others have said.

Gizlotsmum · 12/07/2016 18:36

See I always dress up a bit for the theatre ( my daughter does too) makes it a bit more special

Wolpertinger · 12/07/2016 18:46

If you want to dress up that's fine, it really is anything goes - but Londoners' idea of dressing up for the theatre tends to be pretty low key even when they have done it compared to other cities.

blibblibs · 12/07/2016 18:51

You've all made my day. We're off to the same place on Saturday and I'm so glad I don't have to put anything extra in the suitcase

polyhymnia · 12/07/2016 19:35

Enjoy your trips, both.

Original poster

HermiioneSnape02 · 12/07/2016 21:19

Blib might see you there

Thanks everyone I definitely won't be dressing up to the nines but might make a bit of an effort as it's special for me to be going to London and the theatre.

OP posts:

EnidButton · 13/07/2016 01:23

Something very comfortable, preferably with a layer you can take on and off. Something you can pull up, or down, in a hurry when you go to the loo during the interval. Have a good time!

Dame Used to going mainly to London theatres, went to one in Liverpool once and I've never seen an audience so dressed up! Full on cocktail dresses, heels and fur jackets. I was quite underdressed. Maybe they were going 'out out' afterwards but still, it was a surprise.

Liiinoo · 13/07/2016 08:37

I agree that in London it would be rare to dress up for the theatre. I do see it occasionally and it looks odd and old fashioned.

I will be off to Funny Girl at the Savoy later followed by a nice dinner and cocktails. I will wear cropped, olive coloured jeans, a coral top (a little bit dressy) and coral sandals. if anyone sees me there we could exchange a MN secret signal. A head tilt maybe, or a cats bum face?

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