An evening at the theatre is a double pleasure: first, to see a performance, and second, to dress up and show your good taste! But how to choose a dress for a visit to the theatre, and is it necessarily a dress? What are the dress code options for different theatres?
The most formal occasion to dress up for a theatre is a visit to an opera or a ballet. However, do not be surprised if you come to the opera in an evening dress and family diamonds and you meet the public in jeans and sweaters! So how do you find the line between modern realities and the strictures of the classic theatrical dress code?
The more beautiful and elegant the building and the interior of the theatre are, the more elegant the clothes for going to the theatre should be! It will be most correct to make a decision based on this classification:
# Floor-length with open shoulders, jewellery, possibly gloves. This is the image you should be sticking to if you are going to attend a premiere, as well as to visit the theatres “with a name” – in the metropolitan cities, for example. Most often, people dress exactly like this to to the opera house, but this is also acceptable for dramatic theatre on special occasions.
# Tea length dress, sleeveless, of any length, jewellery, without gloves. In principle, it is possible to go to any opera or ballet in any theatre wearing this attire. At the maximum, you will be more elegant than the majority, but it will not be excessive.
# Cocktail length dress without open shoulders, possibly with sleeves. It is absolutely a universal option for the opera house. It is better to wear elegant, modest jewellery with such dress, and you can wear quality fashion jewellery (for example, pearls or ornamental stones).
# Skirt and blouse (possibly with a jacket). Not for every opera theatre, but still can be treated as an option! It is advisable that every detail of your outfit is elegant and is complemented by beautiful fashion jewellery.
And also remember, do not wear dresses of too modern style, of screaming colors, with crinolines to the theatre. It is better to choose a simple elegant cut, a good fabric, and a noble color.
An important part of your outfit not available for others is your underwear. No dress will look perfect on you without proper underwear. Since most theatre dresses are made of soft fabrics, your best choice is shapewear, which will hide possible problematic zones and make you look more fit.
How to complete a dress for a trip to the theatre or opera, or a ballet?
Having decided your outfit to go to the theatre, you need to think over the accessories to complement the dress or set of clothes. There are special rules regarding this!
A trip to the theatre, opera, or ballet is impossible without a small elegant handbag, which is called an evening bag. They are small and made of elegant materials, often decorated with rich decor: paillettes, embroidery with beads or lurex, lace, etc. The evening bag is worn on a long chain, but sometimes just in the hands. As an option, it can be a beautiful clutch.
Another appropriate accessory in the theatre, opera, or ballet is a fan. Depending on clothing, the design and material of the fan are selected – fabric, carved wooden or bone plates, paper, and the most elegant evening version is a feather fan. The evening hat is acceptable in the theatre. But remember that during the performance this accessory is better to take off, so as not to obscure the view of the people sitting behind!
Footwear for the theatre. If you are going to the performance in the cold season, it’s better to take shoes with you and change there, because visiting the theatre in boots is a mauvais! Average height of the heel should be 5-7 cm, or without a heel at all.