Dress code for ballet - black tie?

[rach2jlc]

Unless you are sitting in box seats, attending a gala, or donated enough money to have the ballet hall named after you, I think you're going to look way out of place in black tie.

In fact, if it is just a regular performance and you are just sitting in "normal" seats, then I think you will not only look out of place, but look downright awkward and reaching. The ballet, symphony, and opera aren't those kinds of events, for the most part or on a standard evening... you'll have everything from retired music lovers to students to couples out on a date. Hardly "black tie" company.

I went to the ballet/symphony/opera nearly weekly all through college... never once saw anybody in normal seats in black tie.

 

[dopey]

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[ZON_JR]

If you wear black tie you'll confuse people. In the Hall, they will wonder why you aren't in the orchestra. At dinner, they'll wonder why you aren't pouring their wine.

 

[Lone Wolf]

I wore a tuxedo to a performance of The Nutcracker at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles over the holidays. Other than one other guy also in a tux, the males in attendance wore mostly shirt and trousers, with a few in suits and some in jackets and trousers.

 

[rach2jlc]

Do people even still view the opera/symphony/ballet still as such a grand, pretentious affair? These days, given the accessibility of tickets and venues, it's really just an enjoyment of culture and art... not really a once-in-a-lifetime event for which you need to worry about your dress. I've been dozens of times, mostly back as a student using my ID card to get "best available" seats for about $10. Not exactly Count von Monocle with his diamond stick pin and his tophat.

Again, galas, special performances/seats, dinners w/ the conductor, etc. are different, but the OP seems just to be talking about a regular performance.

 

[aKula]

Yes, I guess you're right. We're enthusiasts for clothes here though and I think it's nice to get dressed up. At least for opening nights at the opera there are a few more people in dinner jackets.

 

[jgan85]

suit and tie will do quite nicely..

 

[bowtielover]

Ballet is supposed to be black tie, it used to be anyways. Now I see more men getting away with suits instead, I still wear a tux but I like to stay tradional and let others know the proper attire for certain socal events. If you don't want to end up being over dressed I suppose you could get away with wearing a suit or something.

 

[De Gustibus]

Originally Posted by bowtielover

Ballet is supposed to be black tie, it used to be anyways. Now I see more men getting away with suits instead, I still wear a tux but I like to stay tradional and let others know the proper attire for certain socal events. If you don't want to end up being over dressed I suppose you could get away with wearing a suit or something.

I thought black tie/black lounge was for eating informally at home, and you would wear a frock coat to the ballet just like anywhere else public.

I guess later black tie was used for any fancy public occasions, including eating at a nice restaurant in the 20s and 30s.

Not sure if I am just being flip.

 

[jyook]

Went to a ballet with my wife 2 years ago at the Orange County Performing Arts Center... I dressed in a suit and tie and my wife a nice dress... We were shocked to see many men wearing Hawaiian shirts and shorts as well as t-shirts and jeans...

 

[kannoos]

Originally Posted by De Gustibus

I thought black tie/black lounge was for eating informally at home, and you would wear a frock coat to the ballet just like anywhere else public.

I guess later black tie was used for any fancy public occasions, including eating at a nice restaurant in the 20s and 30s.

Not sure if I am just being flip.

Frock coats are formal daywear. White tie would have been de rigeur for evening occasions. However, frock (not frock coat) is another word for an evening tailcoat, so maybe you were thinking of that?

 

[Augustus Davies]

Originally Posted by ZON_JR

If you wear black tie you'll confuse people. In the Hall, they will wonder why you aren't in the orchestra. At dinner, they'll wonder why you aren't pouring their wine.


Or they will wonder, where is this guy going after the ballet....

 

[JKB]

Originally Posted by jgan85

suit and tie will do quite nicely..

As is usually better dressed than most others.

 

[barims]

I usually attend such events in anything from smart-casual to semi-formal to a suit. Lately, I've taken to wearing bow ties with the suits. I'm never worried about how I look to others, nor if I'm not 100% dressed up for the occasion. If it's really of concern to others, for all they know, I'm going to a good restaurant afterwards, or a function

Most may no longer view these events as requiring smarter dress, but I think it shows appreciation for the experience, as well as the dress and efforts of the performers