We are bringing 17, 15, and 13 yr. old children to NYC this weekend. We'll be attending a performance at Carnegie Hall, and the Phantom. What level of dress is appropriate?

You will see everything, unfortunately, from torn jeans to elegant suits and dresses. I think people should dress for the theatre and other special events, as a matter of courtesy and respect; and I think it's important that children are taught this.

as a former New yorker, I would not even take my children to NYC with 'appropriate dress' for the theater. people are starting to revert to dressing for the evening again, and I think we shoudl teach our children to dress appropriate for special occasions. Ultra casual is always evident eveywhere, but dressing up for the theater is definitely coming back into vogue.
enjoy your time in NY.

Honestly people are wearing jeans these days but really come on! to answer you question, yes there should be an appropriate level of attire. You don't say whether yu are going to afternoon or evening shows. In the afternoon you can get away with more casual, I would say dress pants and nice blouses or tops for girls, skirts if they want to but not too dressy. for evening performances I would say no cocktail dress or promlike formals but very dressy dress maybe some sparkly jewelry etc. Oops guess you didn't say whether they were boys or girls. guys should be fine with dress pants and sweater for afternoon show and again a little dressier for evening. Hope this helps.

Thank you for your replies. The children who are coming on this trip are girls. We'll see The Phantom at night and the Carnegie Hall performance is a matinee. I agree that it is preferred to dress up for these occasions.

HOGWASH. We recently were at 3 shows and my advice is wear WHATEVER you are comfortable in(esp. the kids). There were many many people that were NOT dressed up but were dressed casual. And this weekend with students on Break, it will be even MORE casual. Sorry to upset all of you who wish we would all have a dress code.JMHO.

Gee, I live here and I think part of the "charm" of going to the theatre is the dressing up part. Weekends, all I wear is jeans, but not to the theatre, and as a performer, (I sing at Carnegie Hall with a large chorus), I think that it is comming back to dress up for an evening out and especially Carnegie Hall, seems to evoke a special feeling.

Phantom is wonderful I have seen it 10 times over the years and loved each performance.

Enjoy your weekend in the "big city".

Appropriate? All but the 'paint the house' (parents) and hand-out-at-the-mall-to-show-off (kids) are appropriate.

I agree with what someone wrote on this a while ago: If you can, dress up. But, if you checked out of your hotel room, will be in your nice clothes all day in the heat, don't have appropriate clothes... then where what is comfortable.

There is no dress code. You will be in the minority if you dress to the 9s, and will still be in the minority if you dress up better than casual dress day at work.

Last time this subject came up, I had tickets a few days later. During intermission, I counted the clothing of people around me - just to report it on the theatre newsgroup. Unscientific as it was, only 1 man in jacket and tie. Most women had a dress, but a close second for pants. Jeans were there, but not as often.

Why don't you take a random sample when you are sitting during intermission (don't pick out people, just the ones that pass you to/from seats or lounge. Then report back.

I dress up for anything I have to pay over $40/ticket for. If the theater's elegant, the cost of the evening high, and the production something special, why wear what I wear every day?

You "wear what you feel comfortable in" people not only have no idea how comfortable suedes and satins can be, you kind of spoil the atmosphere for the rest of us who have to look at you. Let's send the denim back home or maybe to the farm!

At the price of theatre tickets it is appropriate NOT to wear dungarees..There are some events like "Blue Man Group" that I could understand...but Theatre is special..it's not the local movies..If very dressy is coming back..great..I don't intend to wear a gown..but it is respectful to the actors..For children, anything but dungarees and a nice shirt..girls..can wear a dress.. Interesting enough at Nutcracker during the holiday season people are dressed to kill with children dressed in velvet and little suits.. why this one occasion only.. all theatre is special..Sorry for being grouchy..