Kennedy Center attire

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The choice is casually dressed arts patrons or empty seats. Which would you prefer?

This is a false choice. You can have both.

[Anonymous]

That's what you found appalling, OP? Not the floppiness of the Tchaikovsky? Or the applause after each movement of the Rachmaninoff?

[Anonymous]

We're in DC...not NY or Paris or Tokyo. There's more frump than fashion here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're in DC...not NY or Paris or Tokyo. There's more frump than fashion here.

It doesn't take a lot of money or even fashion-sense to dress nicely. Just a simple dress or blouse/dress pants for women, and for men a dress shirt and tie if they don't own a suit. These can be purchased at Target. There is no need to buy a designer outfit from Saks to go to the Kennedy Center. Parents are not teaching their children that certain places (like the Kennedy Center or church or funerals) should command a certain dress code. My son was wearing a coat and tie and dress pants to the Kennedy Center Opera House. He looked better than most men I saw in their jeans and casual shirts and running shoes, still wearing their puffer jackets.

I understand that certain shows at the KC are not fancy -- like Shear Madness upstairs in the Terrace Theater or when the NSO played the score to a Harry Potter movie projected on screen. I am talking about the premier shows in the Opera House and Concert Hall.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the issue with the winter parkas is that most attendees do not go to coat check and just walk around wearing their parkas. Definitely looks like casual attire....I, too was appalled at the jeans/casual clothing.

Mountain parka pp here. Sorry, I'm not going to check my coat. I take it off when I get to my seat and leave it there and I think that's okay.

Of course you do and that's 100% of the problem.

No class.

[Anonymous]

No symphonies were played at the Kennedy Center that evening, OP.

There was an orchestral performance, which I assume you attended but it is rather ironic that you hold yourself up as a bastion of class, when you can’t differentiate between musical compositions.

It’s a shame they didn’t teach music in your finishing school, OP. Pity.

[Anonymous]

DH and I saw all four operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle in May 2016 and everyone dressed nicely - tuxedos and long gowns. Opera capes. Just beautiful.

And this was 18 hours of opera in one week. And I wore a different gown for every performance, as did everyone else.

Are are still classy people out there, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I saw all four operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle in May 2016 and everyone dressed nicely - tuxedos and long gowns. Opera capes. Just beautiful.

And this was 18 hours of opera in one week. And I wore a different gown for every performance, as did everyone else.

Are are still classy people out there, OP.

People who are sitting through 18 hours of opera in one week are hard core, not the average theater goer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No symphonies were played at the Kennedy Center that evening, OP.

There was an orchestral performance, which I assume you attended but it is rather ironic that you hold yourself up as a bastion of class, when you can’t differentiate between musical compositions.

It’s a shame they didn’t teach music in your finishing school, OP. Pity.

Not OP, but this is beside the point. I don't know what event she attended, but her comments are right on the mark. Are you the mountain parka-wearing PP?

[Anonymous]

Don't forget that not everyone is there for a show (if you are talking about the attire you see in the lobby area). It's open for tourists who just want to look around, take pictures, visit the gift shop, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No symphonies were played at the Kennedy Center that evening, OP.

There was an orchestral performance, which I assume you attended but it is rather ironic that you hold yourself up as a bastion of class, when you can’t differentiate between musical compositions.

It’s a shame they didn’t teach music in your finishing school, OP. Pity.

Not OP, but this is beside the point. I don't know what event she attended, but her comments are right on the mark. Are you the mountain parka-wearing PP?

Have you asked the Kennedy Center to put dress recommendations on their website?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH and I saw all four operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle in May 2016 and everyone dressed nicely - tuxedos and long gowns. Opera capes. Just beautiful.

And this was 18 hours of opera in one week. And I wore a different gown for every performance, as did everyone else.

Are are still classy people out there, OP.

We attended the Ring Cycle as well. I would point out that many people were foreigners who appreciate Wagner and dressed appropriately. Many of the usual Kennedy Center slobs avoided the Ring Cycle because of the composer.

[Anonymous]

This is why I prefer shows at the Studio or the Woolly Mammoth. No old biddies judging what everyone is wearing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DH and I saw all four operas in Wagner's Ring Cycle in May 2016 and everyone dressed nicely - tuxedos and long gowns. Opera capes. Just beautiful.

And this was 18 hours of opera in one week. And I wore a different gown for every performance, as did everyone else.

Are are still classy people out there, OP.

People who are sitting through 18 hours of opera in one week are hard core, not the average theater goer.

And one need not wear a tux to the opera these days. A suit is just fine.

Bunch of phony try-hards around here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cold isn’t an excuse. I’ve seen people there in cut off jean shorts. It’s awful.

Also, why do young women think wearing slutty club dresses is appropriate wear to go to the Opera?

Us Americans have no class.

Our grammar is even worse.