Appropriate Clothing
 

My 22 year old son and his friend are leaving for a 5 week backpacking tour of Europe, starting in Amsterdam, traveling to Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Greece and ending up in Istanbul. While in Amsterdam and Vienna, they will be attending a symphony performance. They are wondering whether they can get away with wearing their typical jeans and t-shirts in these musical venues or whether they need to pack more "appropriate" apparel? Any thoughts? Symphony goers in Toronto are often very casually dressed so they were assuming it would be the same situation. They are of course trying to pack the minimum amount of clothes.

Day time or evening performance? Stalls or the Gods?

Amsterdam should be ok but might be worth checking on Vienna

standing room tickets in Vienna regular seats in Amsterdam

I wouldn't worry about it. Maybe keep a clean Polo for the occasion (and maybe a casual pair of khakis), but it really wouldn't be worth saddling their packs down for 2 events in a 5 week trip with a jacket or such a thing. 99% of their trip will be casual anyway. I don't think they'll feel uncomfortable at the symphony for the 4 minutes that their clothes will be visible to the public.

Concertgebouw in Amsterdam? No problem at all (unless maybe it is some sort of special event which, gathering from your post, doesn't seem to be the case). Some people will be dressed up and some will be wearing jeans and tshirts.

For Vienna I would think that casual would be fine for standing room but I'm not sure about that one ...

Nice casual would be okay for both venues. A polo shirt won't hurt.

The standing room is frequented by music students, they will be dressed smart casually.

Two weeks ago in Vienna in the standing room for the Vienna Philharmonic it was mostly students and nearly all were casually dressed and many in colorful and fun student gear. The adults in this area were also casually dressed - locals and tourists alike!

By way of contrast many of the people in the stalls and balcony seats were more formally dressed - in day attire - as it was a Sunday morning concert.

The students all looked great and relaxed together in their standing space - don't worry about carrying extra gear -especially a polo top. If they carry what I call a 'normal' (not business type shirt!) young person's shirt - this is also OK - but not necessary

Keep in mind that jeans are not very practical for a trip of that length--even young men will probably have to wash them somewhere along the way. You might want to advise them to find pants made of some more practical material than denim.