I won't wear jeans to the Kennedy Center but I sure as hell am going to wear my mountain parka with a fleece underneath on the way over. I take it off after I get there so why should anyone care what I wore to get there?

Anonymous wrote:It's a "thing" that appears to have migrated down from NYC. Often, it's perceived as a way to out infrequent attendees and tourists. My teen is preoccupied with not looking too fancy when she attends the theater or the opera.

So the locals are dressed like slobs, and the tourists are dressed up?

Wait, don't you have to check your coat in? Did people bring their coats in the theater?

Anonymous wrote:I feel like it varies depending on what you are seeing. We went to see An american in Paris and people were generally dressed up. Cocktail dresses, a couple floor length gowns, etc. But when we went to see The Humans, people were much more casual.

I saw this, too, and I agree. I think it also drew a different crowd than other shows.

I am always astounded when I see people in t-shirts and jeans at shows. If you are paying $75+ for a ticket, can't you wear a nice pair of pants and shirt?

I have plenty of "nicer" dress coats, but when it's as cold as it has been this winter, I'm wearing my down ski jacket, and I don't care what anyone thinks. Dressier coats don't block wind, aren't waterproof (if it's snowing/sleeting), etc.

I feel like it varies depending on what you are seeing. We went to see An american in Paris and people were generally dressed up. Cocktail dresses, a couple floor length gowns, etc. But when we went to see The Humans, people were much more casual.

It surprises me how many professional adults come into my office for a meeting with me (or other coworkers) in 100% unprofessional jackets... puffer coats, North Face jackets, hoodies from vacation spots, etc.

I mean, even Walmart has longer pea coats and trench coats!

I got so many odd looks the last time I was at the Kennedy Center (in November for The Nutcracker) and I was just wearing a simple black dress and flats. And it wasn't even a matinee performance. I don't feel that I was overdressed in any way. I had on no outrageous jewelry or furs and didn't have crazy hair. I was just an anomaly among the sea of jeans and sneakers.

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.

Anonymous wrote:People don't dress up anymore to go to the Kennedy Center, unless they are 70+.

Untrue. DH and I are in our late twenties and were the most appropriately dressed set there.

We went to a gala at the Kennedy Center, and I was overdressed in a black workdress with heels. We went to opening night at opening night at a European symphony and I was underessed in a long dress with the best jewelry I could muster. Lots of blink, gorgeous dresses -- really ball gowns -- and furs, furs, furs. Even the little girls looked better than most flower girls.

We are a nation of slobs.

People don't dress up anymore to go to the Kennedy Center, unless they are 70+.

It's a "thing" that appears to have migrated down from NYC. Often, it's perceived as a way to out infrequent attendees and tourists. My teen is preoccupied with not looking too fancy when she attends the theater or the opera.

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

It's really cold out. Why don't you dress up and leave others to choose their own attire?

We were at the Kennedy Center last night to attend a symphony. I was appalled at the casual attires of the audiences around us. North face jackets, tights, boots, sweaters and jeans, puffy jackets galore.

What happened to dressing up to go there?