Anonymous wrote:The everyday standard of dress changed decades ago. Also, it's February. Yesterday it pored buckets out of the sky. (I actually was a theater yesterday). Lots of sweaters, but really I couldn't bother to notice - the performance was too good. Casual theater goers are not buying clothes just for the event. I bet the performers prefer full seats than better dressed patrons.

This exact topic has been a huge conversation in the theatre community, and the bolded is the consensus. I was raised to dress up for special occasions and still wear a dress or skirt to theatre events. But honestly, the people onstage can’t see the audience, and people might not have the “right” clothes to wear, especially if they’ve saved up for the tickets and don’t have the funds for a special outfit.

Tl;dr from a theatre person: it’s all good.

The everyday standard of dress changed decades ago. Also, it's February. Yesterday it pored buckets out of the sky. (I actually was a theater yesterday). Lots of sweaters, but really I couldn't bother to notice - the performance was too good. Casual theater goers are not buying clothes just for the event. I bet the performers prefer full seats than better dressed patrons.

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

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Pretty much. There's a snobbish element to it.

I have noticed the same thing in church, restaurants, funerals and weddings OP. Sad

Anonymous wrote: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.

Well said.

My favorite experience -- we were sitting 4-5 rows back from Opera House stage. Middle-aged couple next to me take off their puffer coats and put them in their backpacks, which they are storing between their legs.

I kind of love that about KC. Most shows -particularly the ballet- have people who are VERY dressy and others who are downright casual. I think it's nice that anything goes.

Anonymous wrote:I have several wool coats: camel, black, and a gray wrap coat. This winter has been pretty cold though, so my knee-length down puffer is getting a lot of use.

I get that. But if you're going to a nice dinner somewhere and are wearing a dress, do you wear your puffer coat with it? Unless you walk everywhere, how long are you even outside? Just curious.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We get that you think that, but you're wrong. That's why there's a coat check. Learn some manners.

This. Thank you, PP.

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.

We get that you think that, but you're wrong. That's why there's a coat check. Learn some manners.

I have several wool coats: camel, black, and a gray wrap coat. This winter has been pretty cold though, so my knee-length down puffer is getting a lot of use.

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.

Agree. And don't people have nice coats anymore? I don't wear mine often, but I have a black wool coat that I wear in the winter when I dress up. What coats do people wear in winter when they are dressed up?

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.

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.