"Dress Codes" for Weddings/Broadway Shows

[AdminAssistant]

Broadway musicals, especially matinees, are casual. Yes, if it's the opening night of a show, then you should dress accordingly. Otherwise, go for comfort and layers (theatres are *freezing*.)

Weddings you can either tell by the invitation or the venue. If the wedding is in a church, then church clothes (nice shirt, nice slacks, dress). If it's at a beach or a park, then you can go more casual. If the bride specifically wants formal/black tie, then she needs to put that on the invite. Or you can just ask. I really wish people would just ask ME questions they have about this stuff, instead of asking my parents.

Personally, I don't give a damn. I wouldn't be offended if someone came in slightly ragged jeans and a colorful top, especially if I knew they were on hard times. I'd be thrilled they made the effort to be there.

[bex1218]

Bah. The only time I would wear something out of "dress code" for a Broadway show is if it was "American Idiot" I have 2 Green Day shirts to chose from. Other than that, I'm never in NY for opening night shows.

There was no requirements for their guests. As I said, the bro of the bride wore jeans. It was mostly the bridal's side that was there (I actually have another idea for a thread about this whole situation). Me, my mom, my aunt, my grandmother and my gf at the time and a couple of his friends were the only one's for his side.

[Amanita]

For a Broadway show, I'd dress up a little. Accessorize one of the pretty long dresses I own from holyclothing.com with an Austrian crystal necklace, perhaps. And depending on time of year, I've got a fleece wrap cape, or a shawl of some sort.
I think dressing up just a little shows respect for the actors, it doesn't have to be uncomfortable or overly fancy, just neat and clean, maybe just a little fancier than sightseeing garb.

As for a wedding, I wouldn't have worn ripped pants, but if that blouse was similar to one of the dressy tie died ones, that would have been okay in my book.

[bex1218]

Yeah, as I said, I'm just gonna suck it up and buy new pants if need be. But now I have more than one pair so the bottoms don't get ripped or dirtied. If they bitch about that, I'll just not go. I am not willing to change who I am anymore. Even for those couple of hrs.

Or I will just sit away from them, if there is a wedding again. Thankfully all my cousins are still little, so no weddings from them for a while. For the show, I just gotta put my foot down. I won't start something by wearing jeans, but I'm just not into women's clothing anymore. I don't fit properly in them, or look good cause my hair is more of a "butch" cut. They can't seem to understand that. No matter what I do or bring, its never enough for them. At least for my mom and grandmother. My grandfather wouldn't care, nor would my great uncle.

[HYHYBT]

The current "The Devil's Panties" story seems relevant to mention.

It all depends on the wedding. And apparently, if the ceremony takes place under a re-purposed satellite dish, a T-shirt is fine.

[Mytical]

My sense of fashion is what is close and what is clean. Not a suit and tie type person. So most likely if I was invited to a wedding in which such was required..probably would apologize and not attend. Just not comfortable in them. I can look nice, I have a dress shirt and dress pants, but full on suit is not going to happen. Absolutely no tie either.

Which is why I am happy that my SO wants a medieval themed wedding should it ever happen .

[Boozy]

I won't start something by wearing jeans, but I'm just not into women's clothing anymore. I don't fit properly in them, or look good cause my hair is more of a "butch" cut. They can't seem to understand that.

Your dilemma here got me thinking. Khakis and a collared shirt tend to look "dressier" on men than women. My husband can usually get away with this look at the office if he's not meeting clients that day. But when I wear khakis and a golf shirt, I look much more casual than he does. I think it's because women have traditionally adopted men's garb for practicality and comfort, so that's how we look when we're wearing that type of outfit. It sucks, but that's the way things are.

If you feel more comfortable wearing men's clothing, I'd suggest you invest in a suit, or if not a suit, a nice pair of dress pants (not khakis -- dress pants) and a dress shirt and tie. Everyone will look dressy in finely creased pants and a tie.

[bex1218]

That is an idea. Hmm, some point I shall get a suit to have. Maybe when I get off my lazy ass and lose my weight that be a treat to myself.

[Andara Bledin]

My female cousin declared at a young age that were she to marry, she'd be wearing a tux. She doesn't care if the groom wears one as well, but she's not going to be in a dress. She would have worn a suit to my wedding had it not been a costume affair.

^-.-^

[Seshat]

I went and found a summer and a winter all-purpose 'little black dress', the sort that can be dressed up or down and worn for all events ranging from 'smart casual' to 'black tie'. Or at least, as close to 'black tie' as I am ever going to get!

Both were cheap, both are neutral enough to never quite be in fashion, and never quite out of fashion. The only problem is the 'wearing black to a wedding' issue, which bothers some folks, and which I solve by wearing a colourful scarf or other colour-dominating accessory.

For those who don't wear dresses, a smart pair of pants and a shirt or blouse can perform the same function.

[Boozy]

That old rule about not wearing black to a wedding has been completely tossed around here. People do it all the time now and no one says a word. My bridesmaid's dress for my sister's wedding was black.

My second sister is getting married next spring, and I am her maid of honour and only bridesmaid. She wants to do the Kate Middleton/Pippa Middleton thing and put me in a white dress. I think it's a neat idea, but my mother nearly had a coronary. She's having some trouble dealing with my sister's less conventional ideas.

[AdminAssistant]

My bridesmaids are wearing the black dress of their choice, the groomsmen are wearing white shirts and khakis, and Fiance is wearing a black shirt and khakis. Mom has *finally* accepted all this, but it's taken a lot of time. It doesn't help that her good friend, who has offered to make bouquets/boutineers and help us pull stuff together the day off, had a fit about white shirts (when I'm wearing an IVORY dress, heaven forbid) and that the bridesmaids dresses might be different fabrics. I'm still having to fight for my Princess/Mario cake topper.

[bex1218]

If I wanted to get married, and I find the right person to get married to, and it was legal for me, I would want a rock themed wedding (imagine going to a concert, what would you see? Other than drunken idiots wanting to mosh of course ). That have to be considered with what the other person wants. I hope they say yes, that just be awesome. And the family better stay out of the planning. I can just imagine the hell that would ensue if my grandmother would put her two cents in.

[blas87]

I despise white. I would never wear a white dress. Hell, I wouldn't even wear a long, princess gown. I want to be able to use the bathroom sometime that day.

And forget my hair up. I have a very round, chubby face. I cannot do my hair up, save for when I work out, when I don't care how I look.

Edit to add: bex, I was thinking the same thing! But, my family members are known to be schoolyard bullies. It'll be like climbing Everest barefoot to keep my mother out of it or be able to invite ONLY whom I want to invite. Even the dress code I imagined would be damned near difficult to enforce with a family of Larry the Cable Guys.