Proper attire for London show?
 

We are going to London next month and have tickets for Les Miserables. My husband is concerned about appropriate attire. He thinks he need to wear a jacket. We're concerned, however, since it will take up so much luggage space and won't be needed again during the trip (we're going to do casual, touristy things the rest of the trip). Would it be appropriate to wear a tie and call it a day, or will we have to schlep the sport coat.

Thanks.

He absolutely will not need a jacket. You will see many people in very casual attire at the theatre.

Hi Katherine22,
In my experience of London shows, most people just wear smart casual clothes.
(Although I have not seen Les Mis.)
I don't think a jacket is necessary or indeed a tie for that matter. However if hubby is comfortable in a tie then go for it. I have even seen many people in smart denim jeans.
I don't think these shows are too formal.
I totally agree to cart a jacket over for one time wear seems OTT.

Enjoy

Muck

Agree w/previous response: patrons will be wearing everything from suits to slop. Whatever he feels comfortable wearing (which obviously includes being acceptable to you) will be ok.

That said, it's not a bad idea to have something like a lightweight wool blue blazer. You don't have to pack it (can be worn on the plane, and useful when the a/c is high), and London in summer might be hot (as it is now) or windy and chilly.

While the rule about this in London is "there are no rules", wearing a tie without a jacket in July seems bizarre.

No-one would want to wear a tie in a crowd in a London summer unless there was some strong reason (like playing in an orchestra) why they had to.

Men coming from work sometimes keep their ties on - but even that's rare in the summer.

But you're the customer in this. What you wear is yor decision, not someone else's

As the others have said there is absolutely no dress code. Wear anything that is clean and you are comfortable wearing.

And if he is not taking a jacket there is ABSOLUTELY no reason to take a tie unless he just likes wearing one. In fact a jacket makes more sense than a tie. Some sort of warm outer garmet is usually necessary even in the summer. If you plan to be out late in the evenings it can get down into the low 50's F or even the high 40's and being fairly humid can feel even cooler. So taking a light sport coat, light leather jacket or sweater makes a lot of sense - he would certainly wear it more than just to the theatre.

I enjoy dressing up for the theatre, but find that London has about the most casually dressed crowds vs any other major city I've seen shows at. No coat, no tie needed.

If your husband wears a jacket he will be one of only a few who do.

Indeed, as has been said; no jacket, no tie necessary. Jeans are fine too.
By the way, I think a jacket without tie looks good, a tie without a jacket never looks good.
Enjoy Les Miserables! I know I did, saw it several times.