Is it true that you "don't do" dress codes in London? When I lived there, people made very clear class distinctions based on dress. One man told me that he would never wear a pinstriped suit, as that would be "putting on airs" for a person in his position (salesman). Pinstripes were reserved for professionals.

Was this in 1940? Did he tug his forelock and call you 'guv'nor' as well? Otherwise he was pulling your leg.

Katey,

Have a lovely trip and I know you'll really enjoy Mary Poppins.

As others have said, if you want to dress up to make an occassion if it, you can. If you just want to wear casual clothing, you can.

Just try and get back to the hotel to freshen up a little after you day's sightseeing and off you go!

Totally agree with Miss Prism. After all, she wasn't recommending ball gowns & black tie.

Following some of the logic here, why not just wear your pajamas?

The idea of a dress code is that everyone wears the same, so that social and class distinctions are lost. If there is no dress code, you wear what you like, and show the sort of person you are. Dress up, and you may be thought to have an exaggerated idea of your own importance. Dress down, and you show you have no sense of occasion.

If this is your first visit to a "real" theatre, then you should make an occasion of it for yourselves by wearing something special but comfortable. You will be better dressed than many, but by not going over the top, you will show how at ease you are in sophisticated society.

There has been a big fuss in the right-wing UK press recently about Gordon Brown, Prime Minister in waiting, and his refusal to wear white tie to a posh dinner. Personally, I am not sure why I keep a suit or two in the wardrobe, as I only wear one for funerals. For virtually any other occasion, it would seem far too formal.

you go to a theatre to be entertained. You pay for that by purchasing tickets. That's the deal. There is no deal on how you dress.

What you wear is down to you, and it is to be hoped that you have a little consideration for others -- a modicum of decency, nothing smelly, no big hat to obstruct other people's view. That's about it.

Oh, and please do not unwrap sweets while the show is on: I hate the crinkling of cellophane.

Nona1 wrote:

"Was this in 1940? "

1987. And I'm pretty sure he believed what he said to be true.

ha ha ha, no, he was definately pulling your leg.

I don't think so. The circumstances under which the interview took place would have made it extremely unwise of him to play games.

Then he had an extremely strange opinion.Don't take one person's view as necessarily relating to reality.

Even way back in 1987 pin-stripe suits were worn to work by all sorts - as long as their job required a suit of course. I don't think they were particularly fashionable though, seen as a bit fuddy-duddy, not worn as much as today. Perhaps that is more his intended meaning - other people didn't WANT to wear them as much as the stuffier 'professions'. What I remember of 1980s suits then it was double-breasted baggy chino trousered wide-lapelled plain patterned ones that most younger/trendier men were wearing.

Honestly, to believe that you are not 'good enough' or 'getting above yourself' to wear is suit is quite a peculiar thing.

"Then he had an extremely strange opinion."

That is certainly possible.