# Suggestions for attire at jazz performance **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275 "2010-02-17T01:33:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Petek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/petek/32/1590_2.png) [@Petek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/1 "2010-02-17T01:33:23Z")
I have a date to go see Paula West at a nightclub (the [Rrazz Room](http://www.therrazzroom.com/)) in San Francisco. Problem is, I haven’t been out on such a date for quite awhile and have nothing suitable to wear. So, what should I get? A suit? A sports coat or blazer with slacks? Something else? I’m a guy in my early 60s. I don’t want to be too dressed up, but not look out of place. All suggestions appreciated. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Chef\_Troy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/85f322/32.png) [@Chef\_Troy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chef_Troy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/2 "2010-02-17T04:38:14Z")
You can’t go wrong with all black. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/3 "2010-02-17T05:03:25Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/4 "2010-02-17T05:50:22Z")
If I were going to the Rrazz room (I haven’t been, but I used to go to the Plush Room from time to time, I think they are probably comparable) I would wear dressy casual trousers (not so casual as khakis, not necessarily as dressy as dress slacks), a nice shirt or any shirt and a nice sweater, and a nice jacket (not a sports coat type jacket, just a jacket, leather might be nice). It’s jazz, not the philharmonic, I think most people there will be in dress casual. Some women will be in cocktail dresses, some not as dressy as that. You won’t see a lot of men with suits or neckties, I don’t believe. But at your age (and I can say that because I’m in the same ballpark) a blazer and tie wouldn’t be too much, I think. Truly, nobody is going to care that much except you and possibly your date. Enjoy, I read that Paula West is in top form. Wish I could go. Roddy ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/5 "2010-02-17T15:51:16Z")
My last trip to Jazz Alley I wore khakis and a Polo shirt. I’m 62. And I was better dressed than most. ---
**Author:** ![Shark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Shark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shark)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/6 "2010-02-17T17:24:59Z")
I thought you had to wear a black turtleneck, black skinny legged pants and a black beret. Pointy-toed black shoes are probably a must also:) ---
**Author:** ![Petek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/petek/32/1590_2.png) [@Petek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petek)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/7 "2010-02-17T19:43:17Z")
Thanks all, I think I’m good to go now. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/8 "2010-02-17T19:48:20Z")
> [@Shark](#): > > I thought you had to wear a black turtleneck, black skinny legged pants and a black beret. Pointy-toed black shoes are probably a must also:) Unless you have black skin, in which case a white suit, white shirt, white tie and white shoes would seem to be the perfect ensemble. ---
**Author:** ![mo50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@mo50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mo50)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/9 "2010-02-17T20:28:22Z")
> [@Shark](#): > > I thought you had to wear a black turtleneck, black skinny legged pants and a black beret. Pointy-toed black shoes are probably a must also:) Dark Ray Bans, and try to grow a goatee between now & then! (hope you have fun :)) ---
**Author:** ![River\_Hippie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/river_hippie/32/26_2.png) [@River\_Hippie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/River_Hippie)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/10 "2010-02-17T22:02:05Z")
I say a tweed sport coat with elbow patches. The beret mentioned above would be a must. A pipe of course, preferably large, like a Sherlock Holmes style. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/suggestions-for-attire-at-jazz-performance/529275/11 "2010-02-17T23:01:08Z")
Just wear something clean and not too rumpled. The era of the cool sophisticate jazz fan died out 30 years ago. Nowadays there are only the old folks (largely pre-baby boomers) and the obsessives. Quite a few of the latter look like they sleep in their clothes; many smell like it.