My husband and I have tickets for the Royal Opera on a Friday night in July, followed by Phantom on Saturday night. My question is, we will be seeing a lot of the tourist sites on both of those days and I don’t think we’ll have time to go back to where we’re staying in S Kensington to change for the evening. I do not like to go to the theater looking like a hiker, but am not excited about the thought of wearing a dress all day either. Can I get away with black pants and a nice top, my husband khakis and a button down shirt? In the states I know that is considered ‘dressing up’ but I don’t know if that’s the case in London. Thanks in advance for any helpful information.
Posted by
Land of La
9265 posts
You'll be fine.
Posted by
Chicago
1334 posts
I’m male, so your husband will be fine. That’s what I’d wear, although I’ve also worn nice jeans.
Posted by
Glostrup, Denmark
1394 posts
I admire your stamina. When in London (or any other large city) I will get back to my hotel/apartment late afternoon, make a cup of coffee, and put my feet on the table. Then I would shower and put on fresh clothes to go out for dinner, a show, and a pint. Next day I will go touristing in the clothes from the evening before. So no more washing, but a chance to rest and going out in fresh clothes.
Posted by
Portsmouth
5554 posts
I'd probably be wearing shorts but as I can't stand opera I'd never attend. I have tolerated a normal theatre and you'll see the whole gamut of clothing, some people like to dress up to the nines, others are happy in jeans and a smart polo shirt. I've seen women in dresses, trousers, jeans, you name it, nobody is going to notice.
Posted by
New York, NY
4071 posts
Can I get away with black pants and a nice top, my husband khakis and
a button down shirt? In the states I know that is considered ‘dressing
up’
Wear whatever you like for theatre in London. You both will be perfectly fine in the clothing you described above.
As an aside, perhaps "dressing up" is a regional distinction because your husband's khakis and a button down shirt is business casual. at least in Manhattan.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8913 posts
I went to a show in April. There were a few people that were dressed up, but most were comfortably dressed. I don't think that anyone really notices what you wear. I think those who dressed up, did so because they enjoy dressing up. There certainly wasn't any implied dress code.
It does tell you how times have changed. I remember as a child getting dressed in my best clothes before we went to the take the bus because we were going downtown. Such an event required our best!
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1869 posts
Many of the theatres are not air-conditioned and get VERY hot and stuffy in the summer.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15794 posts
The only time I saw people really dress up for the theatre was to see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. They were on the metro, wearing bangles, pink feather boas, sparkles and lots more. It made me a little sad that I hadn't booked to see the show.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32363 posts
When attending the theatre in London, I just wear the same "dressy" trousers that I use for touring, a nice shirt and black shoes. I haven't been to an Opera yet and that might be a bit more formal, but I'm certainly not packing a Tux!