What to wear to the theatre?

[PeacheyPeach]

Dh and I are having a weekend in London next month, we are going to the theatre on our first evening. It's been years since I've been the theatre what do I wear!??
Should I dress up or is it very casual these days??

It varies, which is not a very helpful answer!
Some people dress up and others go in jeans or very casual stuff.
I try to dress up a little, dress and makeup, but not a ballgown!

Based on my exp over the last 25 years, the majority of people are very casual (jeans and trainers) but there's usually more than one person dressed up even at matinees, so feel free to do so if you want!

Anything you want really! We go a lot and many people come straight from work, at least in London, and many are in jeans etc. that said being smart wouldn't stand out either, if you want to make an occasion of it.

I agree with anything you like. I think it's nice to make a bit of an effort for something you don't do every day but many others clearly don't agree.

Layers are good. It can get very hot in the London theatres. As others have said, anything goes.

I'm wearing trousers, boots and a jumper and big coat it's too cold you go in a dress and tights ect.

It’s smart casual, ime.

Some people will have been sight seeing all day and be in casual comfy clothes.Others will be out for a special occasion and dressed up.

Genuinely you can wear whatever you like but I do like to make an effort myself.

Londoner here. We just wear jeans and whatever!

Anything you fancy. I went last month and commented to my DH that everyone was wearing casuals and trainers.

Most people are casual, but I spotted Helena Bonham Carter a few rows in front a while back and she was dressed up to the nines!

I tend to just go in jeans or whatever nowadays, but it's always nice to see that people have dressed up, and you won't look out of place at all if you do.

Lots of people are very casual but I like to dress up a little as I don’t get the chance to dress up often! Last time I went I wore a faux leather pleated skirt, a scoop neck top, a cropped jacket and ankle boots. I got a lovely random compliment from a lady in the bar during the interval!

Been too several shows lately most are very causal , I felt very out of place in a smart dress . I was looking forward to dressing up for the ballet to find the same thing . Every show we’ve been to has been the same didn’t seem to matter what time the showing was all very causal like popping to corner shop 🙈

Very casual I find even though I like to dress up a bit.

I received theatre tickets for Christmas- not London. I will be dressing up 👗

Thank you to the people who do actually make the effort to dress up - you make it feel more like an occasion for the rest of us too, which is lovely!

I've carefully considered what I'm wearing for warmth and comfort when I've been a groundling at the Globe. Otherwise its whatever I've already been wearing that day. I've never changed for the theatre.

As PPs say anything goes - dress up as if you were going to a smart restaurant if that will make it more fun for you.

Don't worry OP. I live in London and go fairly often (sometimes from work, sometimes from home) to the theatre/ballet/opera (including the ROH) etc. People are in a mix of casual, work-wear, a bit dressed up or super-dressed up - depends on their circumstances. No-one is judging and no-one cares. You won't feel underdressed or overdressed. So do what you like, honestly!

We went to a matinee performance yesterday and it was a mixed bag. I like to dress up a little - maxi shirt dress, knee length boots and a wool coat yesterday. The theatre was very warm!

I live in london and we go theatre often, you'll see a mix of casual and really dressed up to the nines and nobody cares and nobody judges which I love. Personally I like to dress up and it's always nice to see so many people do too- lovely to make an occasion of it!

Smart casual but also plenty of tourist waterproofs. I dress up a bit as I’m usually straight from work It does get very hot.

I try to look semi casual. Would never wear jeans . We went to Frozen in December and there were lots of Elsa’s in the audience all dressed up 😊They all looked beautiful!