What To Wear To The Theatre

If you want to look your best for opening night, you want to know what to wear to the theatre. Though there is no official dress code, it's quite disrespectful to the actors and the director to come to the performance in your pajamas. It's time to iron your Sunday best and learn what to wear to the theatre.

To know what to wear to the theatre, you're going to need:

For men:

• A collared shirt
• A nice belt
• Ironed slacks
• Loafers
• A suit or sport coat
• A white dress shirt
• A nice tie
• Dress shoes

For women:

• A blouse or tank top with cardigan
• Pencil skirt
• Nice heels
• Cocktail dress (not too short; at least knee-length)

1. Know what kind of performance you're going to. The rules of dressing are completely different depending on what time of day or of the week you're attending the show. Shows during the weekdays and the daylight hours on the weekends usually call for a more dressed-down yet polished look, while evening and weekend nightly performances are more formal, urging their guests to dress accordingly. Taking note of when your performance is is the first step in learning what to wear to the theatre.
2. If you are attending a weekday or weekend daytime performance, dress in business casual attire. These are usually more casual affairs, so you don't have to stifle yourself with a suit and tie. That being said, however, you should try and look at least presentable—the best option is to go for business casual. For the gentlemen, this means collared shirt that's tucked into your ironed slacks, paired with a nice belt and loafers (remember, pair a black belt with black shoes and a brown belt with brown shoes). The ladies should dress themselves in a blouse or tank top with a cardigan, as well as a pencil skirt and heels.
3. If you are attending an opening, weekend night, or weekday evening performance, opt for business formal. Opening nights and night performances are the black-tie affairs of the theatre world, and you should dress accordingly. For men, this means a dark suit or sports coat and formal pants combination, as well as a white dress shirt and coordinated tie. For the ladies, keep it simple and elegant with a cocktail dress and classy heels.

Knowing what to wear to the theatre will turn a regular night out into one to remember. By putting on your best clothes and acting accordingly, you will always look fantastic no matter what the occasion. Though the code of conduct at the theatre isn't set in stone, you should always keep yourself neat, tidy, and presentable to show people that you know what to wear to the theatre.