I will be visiting Chicago next week with my daughter and wonder how dressed up Chicago theatre goers usually are. I was surprised to notice when I was last in New York that many patrons were very casual. My dressier clothes work better in cooler weather and I'm trying to limit our suitcases to carry-ons. I am sure there will be a wide range of attire but I don't want to feel under or over dressed. Thank you!

Can't imagine Chicago would be much dressier than NYC. Seems like blue jeans, sneakers, shorts, flip flops and Tee Shirts are the dress these days in most theaters and restaurants across the U.S.

Dressing for the theater has really taken a down turn, sad to see. I've been to theaters in Chicago and NY in the past few months and you would be fine with "smart casual" or whatever you feel is appropriate to wear in a nice restaurant. When you say dressy I don't know what you consider dressy, but dress nicely to show the others how they should be dressed!I can't stand the tee shirts and jeans in theaters myself; my grandchildren autoamtically dress up when we take them.

Chicago is casual to smart casual during the summer

Last week we were 5th row ORCH at Billy Elliot and the group of 7 behind us looked like they just drove down from Six Flags

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And did you enjoy the show less as a result?

sf7307,

Im in the crowd that thinks its more fun to play dress up even for musicals, but I know US standards and I too was merely smart casual.

Frank, I have no problem with you dressing for the occasion. I also don't have a problem with others NOT dressing for the occasion (I think it would be nice if they were more nicely dressed, but if they aren't, it has no impact on me so long (as they don't smell))

sf7307,
They were on the loud side throwing paper and gum wadded in wrappers before Billy Elliot started, I was really glad when the matriarch of the group stood up and put an end to that.

Well, that's a different issue entirely, isn't it?

Sounds good, thanks! What with packing up my son for college and realizing many of my nicer clothes would be too warm or are a bit snug (now, how did that happen?) I really don't want to have to run out to the stores tonight. I think I can make do with what I have.

People do NOT dress up for the theater if you mean evening wear. the most you are likely to see is business casual - with a tiny sprinkling of regular business dress. Sadly, many people dress as if they were getting ready to clean out the garage (or at least in things I would wear only to clean out the garage).