Hi,

I have had some disagreement with my wife about proper theatre attire.

We will be in London next week and would like to see Mary Poppins and/or Mamma Mia. According to my wife I should dress in a jacket and a tie. I think it is a bit overdressing and prefer smart casual dressing. Am I right?

Yes, you are right. If you wear smart casual, you'll be far ahead of most of the crowd.

You can wear a mink coat or jeans and trainers, I've seen both. Have fun

In addition to the style issue, both of you should consider the temperature issue. I've been to some theatres in London where I thought I was being poached or broiled, even in winter. If possible, where something relatively light with a layer over top. For example, for her, a sleeveless or short-sleeved dress with a shawl, cardigan or lightweight jacket. For you, a lightweight shirt (eg linen, seersucker or other cool weave - possibly even short sleeves), no tie, and lightweight blazer.

I go to the theatre in jeans. The day I am invited to a gala premiere, I will rethink my wardrobe.

Thank you all.

It feels good to be right once in a while!

I'd echo smart casual for the theatre.

You get people here saying that anything goes and of course if you turned up in scruffy jeans and dirty white trainers you wouldn't get chucked out.
However, I'm with the Italians on this one
with their concept of "bella figura".

Italians rarely go to the theatre in London, so there's little point in aligning yourself with their endless obsession with the superficial.

When in London, do as Londoners. Dress precisely how YOU like.

Anything goes really but you would probably be in a tiny minority if you bothered with tie and jacket! (you might even be the only person so dressed).

I wouldn't encourage my husband to wear a jacket and tie. Many theatres are small and can be cramped and dress code is just not an issue anymore. Smart casual works in London in almost all nightime pursuits. We attended the opera on the weekend in Holland Park and I enjoyed looking at all the tasteful but very *wow* jewellery worn by some of the women I think the vast majority of men were without ties. My brother wore jeans. Hope that helps and enjoy London

i agree with the concern about the heat in theatres. sometimes the older theatres do get very hot...especially up high.

depending on the day of the week that you go, i would expect about 10% of the men to be wearing a tie. quite often you see couples from outlying areas taking organised bus trips into london for dinner and theatre. these are often older people who will dress up. otherwise, the younger people will usually just wear a tie to the theatre if they had been wearing one to work earlier in the day. have fun.

I agree that by dressing smart you will be ahead of the crowd, but I also feel obligatged to point out that wearing a coat and tie is of small consequence, yet likely to make the wife very happy, which is of course, priceless....

It sounds more like the wife just wants to fit in. If they go to the theatre overdressed, she will feel even more uncomfortable (heat + socially awkward) and most definitely not happy. (And why would a wife be happier to see a miserable man all dressed up than a happy husband dressed comfortably?)

>>(And why would a wife be happier to see a miserable man all dressed up than a happy husband dressed comfortably?)<<

It's not for outsiders to probe the mysteries of other people's marriages...

For the venues/productions, I won't bother with a jacket and a tie. The only time I recommend dressing fancy/smart is if it's a gala event like the one at Royal Opera House. I usually try to dress up more smart-ish if the ticket is worth more than £75 or so.
Agree with the heating in the theatres. I'm convinced they keep it that way to drive up the icecream sale during intermissions... (Having said that, stem ginger ice creams are yummy!)

PatrickLondon: Ha!