Broadway Dress Code: How to Dress for a Show
New York City is famous for its Broadway shows and the stunning Theater District. To get you fully prepared for this unforgettable bucket list New York experience, we put together a guide about the appropriate Broadway dress code and included some tips and tricks on how to snag the cheapest Broadway tickets and what else to explore around the Theater District.
No matter if you prefer classic musicals like Chicago and Phantom of the Opera, Disney favorites like Aladdin or the Lion King, modern plays like Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, or revolutionary pieces like Hamilton, there is a large variety of shows to choose from.
As Hudson Valley locals, we are lucky enough to have seen a ton of Broadway plays and musicals. Especially in the winter when there is less to do outdoors, it is fun to drive to the city to watch a Broadway matinee or evening show.
During our various Broadway experiences, we have seen a lot of audiences dressed up for their show, that’s why we are here to give you all of our expertise in this post to follow the Broadway show dress code to make your event even more special.
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What is the Broadway Dress Code?
For a simple and quick answer, there is no Broadway dress code, at least not anymore. You can choose to dress to impress or keep it easygoing and casual for your attire for Broadway shows.
The Broadway dress code has become relaxed over the years. Today, showing up to a Broadway show you will see most people in a nice pair of jeans.
Let’s face it. When you are visiting New York City, chances are high that you will be busy enjoying all the city’s attractions and landmarks before or after you watch a show. Therefore you might wear some casual, comfortable clothes and won’t have time to change before your musical or play starts.
As long as you are a paying customer with a ticket they will let you in the door, but as a rule of thumb, try to always look presentable and put together.
Nevertheless, there are still quite a few folks who dress up in the old-time Broadway dress code fashion or according to the show they are about to see.
If you are not sure what we mean, keep reading for some helpful hints about what to wear to a Broadway show when planning for your next visit to the Theater District.
How to Dress for a Broadway Show
Even though there is no real dress code, there are some factors you should consider when choosing how to dress for a Broadway show.
Broadway Dress Code Exceptions
The range from informal to formal attire of audience members at a Broadway show is so broad that there is no real Broadway dress code. However, this does not hold up for specific special performances like premieres, galas, or opening nights.
If you happen to be in attendance for one of these events, it is likely that you will be presented with a Boardway dress code to follow. Then you will unquestionably want to avoid wearing any casual attire.
These events will range from women in full gowns to cocktail dresses and men in clean cut suits to well fitted tuxedos.
Dress Code For Broadway Show Matinee vs. Evening Show
First, let’s quickly go over the difference between a matinee show and an evening show for those who don’t know.
A matinee show is an early afternoon performance, whereas an evening show can start anywhere between 7:00 to 8:00 PM.
Now that we all know the difference between the two types of shows, why is it important for Broadway dress code?
Usually, depending on the time of day of the show you are attending, the Broadway dress code can change a little.
People tend to dress on the more casual side for the afternoon matinee shows, which is primarily due to the fact that more families and New York day trippers attend these shows.
In the evening shows the audience usually wears a more upscale attire. It might be due to the fact that they will attend a nice restaurant in the Theater District before the show.
This question is tricky to answer. We would suggest using your best judgment based on the type of Broadway show you are seeing, the time of the show, and the theater the show is in. These three things may help you decide how to dress for a Broadway show. For us, we would say it is always safer to keep it on the dressier side than showing up and feeling underdressed. Now, this doesn’t mean you have to show up in a ball gown, but something leaning towards business casual attire. Even without a Broadway dress code, you want to make sure your outfit choice is sensible, comfortable, and functional. Now that we have established that most of the time there is no Broadway dress code, let’s see what to wear to a Broadway show. Note: If the show specifies an explicit Broadway dress code to be worn, please ignore all our suggestions and follow the Broadway dress code required. Here are a few suggestions for women when trying to decide what to wear to a Broadway show: Here are a few suggestions for men when trying to decide what to wear to a Broadway show: Still confused on this whole Broadway dress code thing, what to wear and what not to wear? Don’t worry you are not alone. Here are a few of the basic outfit rules to follow no matter what show you are attending: We all know that New York City is pricey but Broadway shows do not even have to be that expensive if you know some good tricks and book in advance. Take a look at these websites and (seasonal) deals to get around the high price tag to keep your itinerary for New York more budget-friendly: We usually purchase tickets for a show on TodayTix. If you observe the prices in advance and wait for good deals, their tickets offer the best value. When you are lucky you don’t even have to pay the ticket fees. For some shows, you can also win low-price general rush tickets. You simply have to wait in the digital line and be the first one to claim the tickets once they get released at a certain time. It is difficult to make a decision about which of the dozens of shows you want to see. Luckily, Broadway Roulette can help you out by surprising you with a show. You pick the day and they pick the show for you for just $49-$59. You can select from different types of roulettes and choose whether you prefer to see a musical or a play. After showing you their broad selection, you can even eliminate up to 5 shows for free to make them match your taste. For the ultimate way to save money check out Broadway for Broke People. This option is especially beneficial when you spend more time in New York City or live close by because it requires some time and luck. The website shows your options for discounted tickets for some Broadway shows. Try to win cheap tickets in one of the lotteries, get standing-room-only tickets (SRO), or if time allows, go to the ticket office as soon as it opens to get some general rush tickets. Keep in mind that the tickets you can win might have a partial view and your party might be seated separately. We already won tickets in the lottery a few times, always sat next to each other, and had some really good box or even orchestra seats. Ever heard of Broadway week? No! Well, keep reading to see what you are missing out on. Two times a year, at the end of January/beginning of February and in September, Broadway week comes to New York City. During this week, which is really a two-week period, you can get 2 tickets for the price of 1 to a variety of Broadway shows. Tickets tend to sell out quickly during these weeks, especially for the more popular Broadway shows. If you have a particular one in mind, you will need to act fast. Also, do note the tickets which are offered at the Broadway week discount are usually the ones the theater/producers are the most eager to sell. That mainly includes seats for the balcony, mezzanine, and side areas. To be honest, we only took advantage of Broadway Week once because we tend to find better deals on the websites above but it is definitely worth comparing prices when you are looking to see a show in late January/early February and September. Besides seeing a famous Broadway show in the Theater District, you can also decide to check out an Off-Broadway show. Off-Broadway shows are usually a tad cheaper in price and are located in venues outside of the Theater District with fewer than 500 seats. If you are into theater, seeing an off-broadway show is a great way to support the arts, become part of the show, and avoid crowds. Plus, many of the popular Broadway shows came from the Off-Broadway stages. Want to dive deeper into Broadway and the Theatre District in NYC? Besides seeing a show, there are different interactive Broadway experiences you should add to your to-do list to learn more about the rich history and to purely get more entertained. Book a Broadway tour to get a behind-the-scenes experience. Tours can vary from learning about Broadway’s beginning, touring certain theaters within the theater district, learning all about Hamilton, or even experiencing the haunted side of Broadway. Be aware that almost all of the tours are exterior tours and won’t give you access to the inside of the theaters. At the end of 2022, the first permanent, interactive museum dedicated to Broadway opened at Times Square. Get to know the rich history of Broadway theaters through immerse video installations, learn how Broadway developed from its beginning to the present day, and gain knowledge about the production of the shows. Plan 1-3 hours for your visit. Can’t get enough of musical songs? Then head over to Ellen’s Stardust Diner to be entertained and eat at the same time at this multi-level ’50s themed diner. It features singing and dancing waiters and waitresses waiting for their chance to make it on Broadway. The entire Theater District in Midtown is pretty big, made of a total of 16.1 acres. There are officially 41 theaters with more than 500 seats which are home to famous Broadway shows, musicals, and plays. Seeing a Broadway show is just one thing you can do in the Theater District in Manhattan. Make sure to plan some extra time before or after your show to quench your hunger in one of the extraordinary restaurants and explore some stunning landmarks. These are our top recommendations for what to do and see in the Theater District:
Let us know in the comments below! Did you like this post? Subscribe to our newsletter and we’ll send you more unique travel tips, updates, and even FREE content!Specific Broadway Dress Ideas for Everyone
Ladies’ Outfit Ideas for Broadway
Mens Dress Ideas for Broadway
Still Unsure? Follow These Basic Dress Code Rules
Finding Good Deals on Broadway Shows
More Broadway Experiences
Other Things to Do in the Theater District
What is your preferred Broadway dress code? Which Broadway shows are your favorites?
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