xyz123

Let me make it short and succinct...I go to the theatre on Broadway in blue jeans, a t shirt and sneakers and if it's good enough on Broadway, it's good enough in the West End.

sf7307

<i>"Why should one 'dress better' when going to London plays? Pray tell me what you reason could be - besides some personal attitude you want others to comport to"

It has nothing to do with a personal attitude that I want others to comport to, how silly.</i>

Nothing to do with personal attitude? Then what does it have to do with -- is there a law, or a theatre rule I don't know about? You're entitled to your opinion, but it's just that, your opinion.

<i>If you plan on going to a play you SHOULD pack for it. Some have such low esteem, they just don't care, that's why they dress as they do.</i>

My clothes will just have to do double-duty. I won't pack something that I will only wear one time.

sf7307

Oh, and BTW, I don't think dressing in jeans for the theatre indicates low self-respect at all. In fact, quite the opposite, I think it indicates a very self-confident person (one who does not care what other people think).

As for job interviews, of course you should dress in whatever is "appropriate", which generally would not include beach-wear. The difference is, in that case you're "asking" for something (a job), which you're certainly not when attending the theatre, for which you presumably paid good money.

lennyba

<As I said, a few more years and people will be getting out of bed not bothering to get out of their pajamas.>

I put on my pajamas when I get OUT of bed.

corli33

"Nothing to do with personal attitude? Then what does it have to do with -- is there a law, or a theatre rule I don't know about? You're entitled to your opinion, but it's just that, your opinion."

Geez, what's the big deal. Yeah, it's my opinion that in some places it's better to dress a little better and it's the opinion of millions of people who have a tad of decorum. As far as you and others, I don't care. Wear your jeans, tees, big white track shoes or whatever anywhere. Oh and don't forget the baseball cap everywhere, looks real classy. Really, go to the theatre butt naked for all I care. I don't friggin care. Enough already.

xyz123

Yeah I forgot the baseball cap....need it to protect me from the sun beating down on me and possibly causing skin cancer....but I will admit, I don't wear it to the theatre backwards (and it comes in handy when it starts to rain eh)...

janisj

corli - you are definitely off on a rant there. Maybe it is because where you are from the theatre is a special event - like a touring company that comes into town once or twice a year. In London, theatre is there 365 (well 363) days a year and it is just a part of everyday life. No one above ever said one should be dirty/smelly/cruddy - but casual or dressy it makes <u>absolutely no difference whatsoever</u>. Not a single person advocated being a slob - though it would be perfectly OK - but you keep stretching the examples to imply anyone who opts for casual is a slob/cretin/whatever.

One can dress up as much as they want - but not dressing up at all is also 100% perfectly OK -- have you ever seen what actors wear when attending other plays???? If it is good enough for them it should be good enough for regular Joe's . . . . .

cathies

Might as well wade in....... if I am going to a movie then jeans t-shirt etc is fine for me. If I am going to the theatre to see a play/musical/ballet then I will dress up a little more. Partly because I've paid considerably more for the tickets and for me, it seems appropriate to go to a little more trouble. Also, out of respect for the actors/musicians/dancers etc I think it is nice to go to a little effort.

Not sure I understood the earlier posts re dressing up for job interviews, but I can tell you that if somebody came to my office looking as though they hadn't gone to some trouble then it would be the quickest interview of all time. Not a suit necessarily, but certainly well pressed with polished shoes.

corli33

"corli - you are definitely off on a rant there. Maybe it is because where you are from the theatre is a special event - like a touring company that comes into town once or twice a year. In London, theatre is there 365 (well 363) days a year and it is just a part of everyday life."

No one is on a rant. I'm expressing my opinon same as anyone. Where I'm from, the theatre is not a "special event" and where I'm from, it is a lot more civilized then "eurotrash london". I would NEVER want to live in London. It's downright inferior and trashy. Everyone looks dirty and sting haired and pasty faced and like they have dirty knickers. Ok, sweetie!!! Spare me.

spaarne

I've read that there is a "last minute" discount ticket office for London theater. Can someone let me know where it it located? TIA.

travelgourmet

spaarne - I think you mean the tkts booth in Leicester Square. Here is the website: www.officiallondontheatre.co.uk

As to what to where, throw me in with the nobody cares crowd.

stevelyon

Last time I went to the theatre I dressed only in a basque and suspenders.

stevelyon

Whoops, forgot to mention it was the Rocky Horror Show.

Palenque

where I'm from, it is a lot more civilized then "eurotrash london". I would NEVER want to live in London. It's downright inferior and trashy. Everyone looks dirty and sting haired and pasty faced and like they have dirty knickers. Ok, sweetie!!! Spare me.>

wow - i've been going to London yearly for about 40 years now - i have never see Corli's London - i wonder if Corli has ever been to London? If so where does she go? Camden?

Talk about a skewed view! Perception is in the eye of the beholder i guess.

nd5524

Dress comfortable. When I visited London in 2007, I proposed that same question in a different Forum. Many posters said to "dress to impress". I decided not to go "all out"; instead, I wore nice jeans and a shirt. 90% of the crowd did the same! Be comfortable. Who cares what anybody else looks like. Have fun!

1Ready2Go

When my granddaughter and I were in London last summer and saw a play we dressed in summery dresses because to us it was a special occasion. We go to the Nutcracker Ballet in our town every year at Christmas and dress up because to us it is a special occasion. We really don't care what anyone else wears. We go out to a nice restaurant for dinner after the ballet, and again, to us, it's a special occasion.

nona1

That sums it up really. If it is a special treat or special occasion for you, then enjoy dressing up for it. If it isn't, don't worry about it, jeans etc are fine. I've done both quite happily depending on why I was there.

It's more about your state of mind and why you are going, than any 'rule' for what is correct.

Palenque

Yes nona has it exactly - dress for 'your' occasion but don't try to impose your dress criteria on others or make them out to be some low lives than a few above posters have done.