Speaking of ballet...

munkii

Nicole reminded me! (but the use of "you" is collective)

When you go to the ballet, what do you normally wear?  You don't have to break down the outfit, just formal, semi-formal, business cas., etc.

Reinedumonde

I think it really depends on when/where you go.  We went to a matinee in Maine, which was a pretty family-friendly production, so I went with dressed up jeans--heels, a nice cardigan, etc. 

If you were to go to an evening production or to a more prestigious auditorium, the dress code would probably be more like semi-formal.

Karen2905

When I've seen ballets in Milwaukee and Chicago, it's always been semi-formal to formal.  No jeans, but I think khakis/nice shirt would be okay.  A lot of guys in suits and a few in tuxes.  Lots of dresses/skirts, and a few gowns.

munkii

I ask because I went to a matinee a few weeks ago and there were people wearing jeans, which threw me back.  I'm with Karen on semi-formal to formal but will add business casual to matinees.

Maybe the venue plays into it as well?  Live Nation took over this venue in March and allows food and drinks in the theatre (which about killed me too). 

Karen2905

munkii:

I ask because I went to a matinee a few weeks ago and there were people wearing jeans, which threw me back.  I'm with Karen on semi-formal to formal but will add business casual to matinees.

Maybe the venue plays into it as well?  Live Nation took over this venue in March and allows food and drinks in the theatre (which about killed me too). 

 

Oh, I think bets are off at a matinee.  I wouldn't be shocked to see jeans at a matinee though I personally wouldn't do it. 

And yeah, I definitely agree the venue makes a different.  I wouldn't wear the same thing to a ballet presented by DePaul University than I would to an event at the Chicago theater. 

nicoleabrock

I may be old fashioned in this thinking but I believe it is respectful to dress up for the ballet/arts.  Not formal but something dressy and nice.

kelnyc

I saw the Nutcracker last weekend at 1pm with my neice, SIL and MIL and we all wore dressy outfits. I wore black slacks and a ruffly blouse with cardigan, MIL wore a skirt and sweater, SIL wore a jumper dress and blouse, and neice wore a jumper dress and ruffly long-sleeve tee. We fit right in and I didn't see anyone dressed more casually than us. The little kids were all really dressed up in sparkly gowns and dresses and suits. It was so stinkin' cute (and did not help my baby fever)!

Muffin'sMom

Semi formal definitely!  The Nutcracker here is an opportunity for grandma, mom, and little girls in sparkly dresses to do a girls outing...matinee or not.

Milliechel67

I've never gone to a ballet, but I've seen the Nutcracker several times and have seen everything from nice jeans and a sweater to gowns.  I usually go with nice slacks/skirt and a nice top of some sort but I went with friends one year and I wore a formal dress and they wore suits and we didn't feel out of place then either.  But that's San Francisco for you... you get a little of everything wherever you go.