So what does one wear to the theatre in London?

In My Humble Opinion
1

Due to the generosity of my 2nd family, I will be visiting London on nearly all expenses paid vacation. My benefactoress has indicated that we will likely attend the theater (or is it re?) three times - one each of drama, comedy and musical.

Is a ‘little black dress’ appropriate, too much or not enough?

Thanks

2

Sounds fine with me. Something equally as formal but more stylish than what one would wear to church. I’m no expert, but that’s my two cents.

3

If it’s opening night, dress up (little black dress is fine). Wear nearly anything you want to subsequent performances. The theatres are filled with tourists in sweats and jeans, locals in everyday clothing. As a matter of courtesy, respect the venue you’re in.

4

** straykat23’s ** absolutely correct that just about anything’s acceptable this days.
However, when we went on a Saturday night we dressed up a little bit for the fun of it.
I wore a black suit and my husband wore a blazer and nice slacks.

[hijack] We took the underground to the theatre. When a older couple boarded, my husband stood up to allow the gentleman to sit next to his wife. In a very precise clipped accent, the man remarked loudly “Isn’t it nice to say that SOME of the younger generation have been raised with good manners?”
I couldn’t help it-in the thickest Texas drawl I could put on I replied: “Well, thank y’all-his momma will be right pleased to hear that when we get back to Texas.”
His expression was just priceless [hijack over]

5

I went to over a dozen plays during my stay in London and wore mostly sweaters and dress pants, but I saw people in everything from dresses to jeans. If you look put together and nice, you should be fine.

6

Anything you like really. Depends what you’re doing before/afterwards: dress for that.

7

For opening nights, gala performances, and Rocky Horror you need to dress up. Everything else normal clothing is fine. Don’t wear too much perfume or too little antiperspirant though. A little black dress would be fine just about any performance (especially for Rocky Horror if you are a man).

8

Thanks for the input.

I am trying to begin planning on what to pack for this adventure. I hate taking too much stuff as much as I hate being unprepared which means that I am often unsatisfied :wink: Combine this with an unwillingness to portray the tacky tourist and it takes me several days to come to a decision about what to pack - then the actual packing takes 20 minutes :slight_smile:

I definitely need to hit the dry-cleaners before I go. All of my presentable clothes are a wearing or two past socially acceptable.

OOOh I had a thought, If I leave the fancy little black dress at home, I get to leave the 3" heels too :smiley: Sounds like a plan to me