What to Wear to the Theater

Latest update: November 6, 2026

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Almost no theater has a dress code, so wear what you'd wear to a nice dinner, bring a layer you can take off at your seat, and wear shoes you can climb stairs in.

Masquerade in New York is the exception. It has a dress code, black, white and silver plus a mask, and my Masquerade guide covers it.

1Broadway and the West End

Broadway is casual, and you'll see jeans and gowns at the same show. I usually wear a dress, but I've also gone in pink pants and an olive jacket.

Andrea in an olive jacket, black tee and pink pants holding a fan at Cats: The Jellicle Ball — Cats: The Jellicle BallNew York

Andrea in a black floral blouse, cream midi skirt and red cardigan in the Oh, Mary! lobby photo op — Oh, Mary!Lyceum Theatre, New YorkSimilar: Son de Flor Classic Skirt, White MagnoliaSimilar: Lacemade Dewdrop Rose Cardigancode FLAGBRIDGEDESIGNS

Andrea in a long purple linen dress holding a Ragtime Playbill in the Vivian Beaumont Theater before curtain — RagtimeVivian Beaumont Theater, New YorkSame dress, another color: Son de Flor Diane Dress, Wild Plum

Andrea twirling in a satin high-low dress in the Rocky Horror Show lobby under green light — The Rocky Horror ShowStudio 54, New YorkDress from the TDF Costume Collection
Similar: Scarlet Darkness high-low dresscode ANDREA

Andrea in a purple dress and white lace kimono before Rent in London — Rent, 30th anniversaryTom Stoppard Theatre, LondonSimilar: Chelsea Reece Novella Dress, Amethystcode FLAGBRIDGESimilar: lace kimono

2Regional theater

When I lived in DC I was at Ford's Theatre and the Kennedy Center all the time, and I dressed for them the same way I do for Broadway.

Andrea in the Son de Flor Jasmine bow collar dress on the set at Ford's Theatre before A Christmas Carol — A Christmas CarolFord's Theatre, Washington, DCSon de Flor Jasmine Dress, Walnut Brown, discontinued
Similar: Son de Flor Peter Pan collar linen dress

Andrea in a plum Son de Flor dress and cream cardigan behind the Welcome to Gander sign in the Ford's Theatre lobby before Come From Away — Come From AwayFord's Theatre, Washington, DCSon de Flor Diane Dress, Wild Plum

Andrea in a blue floral midi dress on the Kennedy Center terrace with a rainbow behind her — Parade, national tourKennedy Center, Washington, DCSimilar: Fairy Tong Secret Bloom Midi Dress, Bluecode ANDREA

Andrea in a red midi dress in front of the Damn Yankees backdrop at Arena Stage — Damn YankeesArena Stage, Washington, DCPoet Dresses Hymn Dress, Cherrygifted by Poet Dresses

3Opera

Opera has a reputation for gowns, and some nights you'll see them. The Met is also not snobby like some other opera houses I've been to who are more hung up on tradition than people enjoying art (note: general etiquette still applies).

Andrea in a brown floral dress at the Metropolitan Opera House — La Fille du RégimentMetropolitan Opera House, New YorkSimilar: Son de Flor Dawn Dress, Wild Plum Bloom

Andrea in a lavender jumpsuit on the Kennedy Center terrace before Turandot — Turandot, Washington National OperaKennedy Center Opera House, Washington, DCSimilar: wide-leg jumpsuit with pockets

4Immersive theater

At immersive shows you're on your feet and going up and down stairs all night, so wear comfortable shoes. At the McKittrick the 6th and 7th floors were no-photo floors, so take your photos where you're allowed to.

Andrea in a green shirt dress on the green neon stairwell at the McKittrick Hotel — Sleep No MoreThe McKittrick Hotel, New YorkSimilar: Son de Flor Darcy Dress, Evergreen

Andrea in the black and gold Unique Vintage celestial print dress, denim jacket and headscarf against a brick wall at the McKittrick Hotel — Tell No One and a preview of A Death of RasputinThe McKittrick Hotel, New YorkUnique Vintage Celestial Dahlia Swing Dressgifted by Unique VintageSimilar: Wrangler denim jacket

5Galas

Galas and anniversary performances are when I wear a gown.

Andrea in a navy Marchesa gown at the Royal Philharmonic gala in London — American Friends of the Royal Philharmonic galaLondonMarchesa gown, rented from Rent the Runway
Similar: Poet Dresses Monody Dress, Midnight

Andrea in the blue floral JessaKae Darcy gown at the Phantom of the Opera 40th anniversary gala at His Majesty's Theatre — The Phantom of the Opera40th anniversary gala, His Majesty's Theatre, LondonJessaKae Darcy Dress, Blue HeirLinen Naive cloak
Similar: Scarlet Darkness hooded cloakcode ANDREA

6Phantom of the Opera

My outfits for each Phantom production are on the US tour, West End and Masquerade NYC guides.

Andrea in a pale pink Lacemade dress on the red carpet at Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour — The Phantom of the Opera on Sydney Harbour, Opera AustraliaLacemade dress, no longer sold
Similar: Lacemade Daisy Wind Chine Dresscode FLAGBRIDGEDESIGNS

Andrea in a yellow dress outside the theater for El Fantasma de la Opera in Mexico City — El Fantasma de la ÓperaMexico CityYellow dress made by meEvening: Lacemade Love Flower Notes Corset Dress, Whiteon my TikTok Shop, or lacemade.com with code FLAGBRIDGEDESIGNS

Andrea in a red dress and dark coat at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine — The Phantom of the Opera (1925) with live organCathedral of St. John the Divine, New YorkPoet Dresses Hymn Dress, Cherrygifted by Poet Dresses

7Bags and photos

Take your outfit photos before the show or at intermission, since phones go away during the performance.

Look up the bag rules on the theater's website. Some search bags at the door, and some make you check anything big.

In a small theater, watch how much room your skirt takes up, and take off anything tall before the lights go down.

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More Phantom guides

US Tour · Masquerade NYC · West End · Worldwide · All guides