What to Wear to the Theater

So you’ve landed some incredible seats to a show that’s happening at the San Diego Musical Theater. One thing is for sure, you’re about to have an incredible night! Whether you’re planning on going with family, a close friend, or your significant other, few things are as incredible as watching a live theatrical performance. 

When it comes to attending the theater, the one thing that most people worry about, however, is what they’re going to wear. This is a completely fair concern to have! Though the lights are dimmed, there are some general guidelines about what one should (or shouldn’t) wear to the theater. Whether it’s your first time attending a performance or you want to give your guest the basic guidelines, today’s blog is for you. 

In today’s blog post, we are going to go over some of the basics to ensure that you look your very best when it’s finally time to head to the theater. Let’s go ahead and get started. 

Dressed to the Nines

While there will inevitably be members of the audience that are dressed casually (maybe even too casually), it’s not common for casual attire to be the go-to when attending a show at the theater. In fact, it’s actually suggested that attendees wear more formal clothes when attending a performance. 

The way that we see it, attending the theater is something special — it’s a night out. Most theaters will still have some of the old-school architecture and design elements that make them feel grand. This alone makes it all the more fun to put on a nice pair of slacks and a dress shirt or a dress that is on the more formal side of your wardrobe. 

By no means do you want to go out in a ball gown and tuxedo (although nobody’s going to stop you if you do), but dressing for the occasion in clothes that are semi-formal at the very least is always suggested.

Comfortable Shoes

When people think of formal attire, they immediately want to wear their best shoes too. In the case of women, this often includes a heel while men’s shoes can be a tighter fit and slick on the bottom. A piece of advice that we have is to wear shoes that are comfortable and that you don’t mind wearing for a while. Though you aren’t going to be moving around a ton, the rows at the theater don’t exactly offer a ton of space to spread out. In most cases, it can be uncomfortable to sit with your legs crossed for extended periods (think a movie theater row). 

Another point worth making is the number of steps that need to be walked to get to a seat. While not all seats will require tons of walking, there is a good chance that you and your guest will have to walk up a couple of flights of stairs to get to your assigned seats. It’s always better to wear a more practical shoe than one that will lead to a trip, a slip, or a fall. 

Cover Up

Most theaters are kept pretty cool to counter the high temperatures of the stage lights. Aside from that, the actors and dancers performing need a bit of cool air as well! Given that you will not be moving around nearly as much, it’s always good to have something to keep you warm. If you’re thinking about wearing a dress, adding a jacket or a shawl to your outfit is never a bad idea. Even in the case that you don’t choose to wear it, it’s always nice to have.

For men, opting for a cardigan or pullover sweater is a great way to keep a look classy while still factoring in a piece for warmth. Otherwise, one of the more common cover-up methods that men will go to is a standard suit jacket. 

Feel Free to Accessorize

Getting dressed up certainly contributes to the fun of attending the theater, but the accessories that you include in your outfit can make it all the more exciting. Given that you are going to be getting dressed up, it’s always fun to find accessories that add to your outfit that are also entirely theater approved. Some of our favorite ones to see are:

• Top hat
• Gloves
• Shawls
• Bow Ties
• Cuff Links
• Suspenders

Have some fun creating your outfit for the theater! It will only add to the experience. 

Order Tickets Today

Now that you have an idea of what to wear when you attend the theater, it’s time to order your tickets. The San Diego Musical Theater has a selection of shows currently scheduled that we know guests of all ages will enjoy. Take a minute to look over some of the shows that are coming through, and find one that you think you’d enjoy. Once you get dressed up in your formal wear and you’ve gone out for a tasty dinner, a night at the theater will be the cherry on top. Contact our team if you need any additional help purchasing tickets or if you have any questions we could assist you with.