Theatre
Guide
What to wear to the theatre: a handy guide
Heading to the West End and not sure what the theatre dress code is? We’ve got you covered
What to wear to the theatre? Clothes. Weirdly, most West End theatres still frown upon nudity (except whenever Hair is in town). Make sure you’re reasonably covered up and you’ll probably be fine – dressing for the theatre isn’t something you want to worry too much about. That said… some theatres do have a dress code. A few productions encourage a bit of themed dress-up, and you generally want to make sure you feel confident, comfortable and respectful at the same time.
If you’re planning a night out at a West End show and you’re currently struggling to choose between the ball gown, the ripped jeans and the homemade Mrs Doubtfire cosplay suit, read on… (Short answer to the above: go for it, probably not and hell yes).
Check the dress code
While you’re unlikely to be turned away for wearing the wrong thing, it’s always a good idea to check if there’s a theatre dress code before you start planning your theatre outfits. Long gone are the days of having to wear black tie to a night out at the theatre (unless you’re going to a gala opening or special event, in which case it would have been made very clear already when you got your tickets), but it’s still important to respect the venue’s rules, as well as the occasion.
A lot of the best theatre shows and musicals in London don’t have a dress code at all, but you should still take care not to wear anything offensive or insensitive that might cause a problem. Take a look on the theatre’s own website for any dos and don’ts, and make sure to read the FAQs on our own ticket pages too before picking what to wear to the theatre.
When in doubt, opt for smart-casual
It’s the universal fail-safe: good for job interviews, work events, weddings of people you don’t know too well, and pretty much all the best musicals in London. Worst case scenario: you look a bit smarter than others in the audience, but you still won’t feel overdressed.
Smart casual is annoyingly ambiguous, but it’s also hard to get wrong. Blouses, shirts, dresses, smart jeans and skirts are all good theatre outfits, as are heels, flats and boots. Then again, trainers, sandals, T-shirts and jumpers are obviously fine too. Most of what we wear to work or to see friends at the weekend is also suitable for a night out in the West End. If it’s ripped and smelly and covered in yesterday’s beans, you might have an empty seat next to you after the interval.
Choose comfort
If this article was written in the 1800s, men would have had to wear top hats and waistcoats. Women would have had to wear something that didn’t actually even fit in the seat (and also crushed all of their internal organs). Thankfully, times have changed. Some theatres haven’t, though. Some London plays and musicals are in swanky new buildings with spacious, comfy, air-conditioned auditoriums. And some are in very beautiful but very old theatres that often come with their own challenges to comfort.
Legroom can be tight, and some auditoriums can get warm (especially on hot days, and nearer the top of the balconies). So make sure you wear something light and breathable if you’re sitting for a long time. Magic Mike gets hot too, but for different reasons.
Go with the show
If you’re seeing Slave Play, it’s probably not too in-keeping with the tone to wear whatever you wore to watch Barbie. If you’re seeing Clueless: The Musical, you might feel like you’re missing out if you wear whatever you wore to watch Oppenhemier. Plays, musicals, pantomimes and comedy nights come in all different colours, and so does your wardrobe. Pick something that matches the mood and you’ll probably feel a lot more comfortable.
Some London shows, such as Clueless, Mean Girls, Mamma Mia!, Moulin Rouge!, Six, Wicked and, most definitely, The Rocky Horror Show, encourage audiences to enter into the spirit a bit and wear a costume or themed outfit, if you feel like it. Kids shows too, are a great chance to get the Disney dress out the cupboard. If you’ve ever gotten the tube home after Matilda or Frozen kicks out, you’ll know what we mean. If you are dressing up, don’t forget the above point about comfort and heat. And if you’re a tall person thinking of wearing a hilarious and brilliant hat… sit in the back row.
Themed outfits are often all part of the fun. Again though, it’s not for everyone and it’s not for every show. If you turn up to Les Misérables dressed as a sad French prostitute, you might get a few funny looks.
Wear whatever you want
At the end of the day, what to wear to the theatre is entirely up to you. As long as there’s not a strict dress code in place, you should wear something that makes you feel comfortable and confident and happy. Going to the theatre can be a special occasion, but it’s also your special occasion. You want to remember the show itself, not the hours you spent mulling over what to wear to see it.
