Typical wear for Broadway show in '07

[Get Smart]

So what do folks dress like for a Broadway show these days?

In LA, it's mostly really really casual. If you wore a suit to a show at the Pantages you'd feel overdressed.

Just curious as I'm taking my fiancee to NYC in a month (coincidentally during CSE weekend) and we're hitting up a Broadway show and I'm already mentally packing my gear and wondering if I should bring a suit or not...?

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Depends on what show you are seeing. You are much more likely to see suits at restaurants and clubs than at a Broadway theater. Even then, they will likely be worn by a minority of the customers. At clubs, especially, they are often worn without a tie.

Personally it doesn't bother me when I'm wearing a suit or a jacket and everyone else looks like a slob. Even at an expensive restaurant. (If you're dining with a beautiful and interesting woman, there's no need to look at other tables. Right, Ken?

)

Also, I would treat this as an opportunity to show off your new line of suits. The market for these in New York is certainly there.

 

[LabelKing]

Tee-shirts, sandals, Dockers, or as my experiences showed me last time, glittery suit jackets that certainly were appropriate in a camp sort of way; but the man had a wife.

 

[Quirk]

Originally Posted by Get Smart

So what do folks dress like for a Broadway show these days? In LA, it's mostly really really casual. If you wore a suit to a show at the Pantages you'd feel overdressed. Just curious as I'm taking my fiancee to NYC in a month (coincidentally during CSE weekend) and we're hitting up a Broadway show and I'm already mentally packing my gear and wondering if I should bring a suit or not...?
These days, it's just like church or the opera -- pretty casual. Actually, it's kind of a mix. I think a nice blazer and slacks is more than adequate for any show -- you'll look dressier than 90% of the crowd, but won't feel conspicuously overdressed or out of place. A suit would be fine if you really want to wear it, but it's not even close to necessary.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

Dockers
Too expensive. Perhaps Haggar or Old Navy.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Patrick Bateman

Too expensive. Perhaps Haggar or Old Navy.
Maybe Kirkland Signature. I understand their shirts are quite popular on another forum.

 

[coachvu]

I've only been twice, and most people seemed to be wearing jeans, t-shirts, polo shirts, etc. The most common look was the tourist look. I don't think I saw a single guy in a sportscoat. Mind you, these were early shows on the weekend.

 

[BUFFEDCARACENILOVER]

..

 

[Nantucket Red]

I've never been to a Broadway show but have logged sufficient time at Carnegie Hall that I would never dream of wearing anything but a suit and tie for an evening at the Theatah.

GS, why do you, of all people, need to ask for notes on proper dress? I say shame the tourist crowd with your inimitable panache.

 

[Get Smart]

cool, thanks for the replies.....was debating on bringing a suit or just "really nice dressy casual". I'd always thought of theater, opera, fine dining as "dress up" events, but apparently 98% of the population doesn't agree with me.

I always wear a suit to local LA theater/opera so I guess there's no reason to change that habit.

 

[mack11211]

People dress every which way.

Shows vary depending on their target crowd (older/younger, locals/tourists) but there is no dress code.

Some people dress very well. Most don't.

Better over- than under-, always.

A B'way show is an event. Rise to it.

 

[Connemara]

When I go to shows, it's generally an odd jacket and trousers. Suits are usually a bit too much though they are seen on occasion.

If it's a matinee show, don't expect to see any suits.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Conne why did you drag this up?

 

[chorse123]

Odd thread revival. I think Broadway is pretty casual. But then again, the baseline standard has fallen so much that I am no longer shocked by anything, although still disappointed. At the opera on Saturday I saw everything from black tie down to a guy in sambas, jeans, a popped polo shirt, and sunglasses on his head.

 

[TheFoo]

I went to see Les Miserable over the summer and wore a sportcoat. I was horribly over-dressed. But then, there were going to be lots of tourists at Les Mis to begin with. Khakis, a button-down, and shoes that aren't sneakers will already put you in the 95th percentile.