what to wear to a broadway show – the ultimate guide

Whether you’re a Phantom fan, you’re seeing Wicked or perhaps Chicago, once you’ve got your tickets, now it’s time to think about your broadway outfit. Below you’ll find tips on what to wear to a broadway show, including a broadway outfits capsule, no matter whether you’re attending a matinee or evening performance.

Is there a dress code?

First, is there anything you should or shouldn’t be wearing? Well, there’s no dress code as such for a Broadway show. So, it’s largely up to you. But generally, you’ll want to think about a semi-formal look that mixes practical with sophisticated. Chic but comfortable is what you’re aiming for. If going to Broadway is a special occasion for you, it’s natural to want to dress up.

Does it depend on the show?

If you’re going to the Lion King, you’re likely to be among a more casual, family crowd. At some shows you might want to have fun and dress to the theme, particularly if you are going with a group of friends.

Are you seeing the matinee or evening show?

If you’re catching the afternoon show, you’ll find that people do still dress well, but it has a more casual feel as there tend to be a lot of families.

In the evening, you can opt for a dressier outfit. You probably have dinner plans either before or after the show, so you can dress up.

It could be chilly

Even if it’s warm outside, you may find that air conditioning makes it chilly in the theater so make sure to take a wrap or pashmina.

Achillea Pashmina Scarf

Kylie @kylish_aus above gives her outfit oomph with her print scarf.

Steal her look with this similar jacket, wide leg pants (another option here), flats and scarf.

Do you need a coat?

While it might be cold on your way to the show, you may find long queues to check your coat (if there is somewhere to check your coat at all). If you keep it with you, you won’t want it taking up your seat space, so choose something thin and easy to fold.

What to wear to a broadway show

Now, let’s look at some specific Broadway outfits you could choose.

tops

Choose tops that you can wear to dress up your jeans or wear with your favorite skirts or pants.

COS Slim Fit Cotton Shirt – COS Relaxed Fit Printed Shirt – Vince Camuto Flutter Sleeve Drape Silk Top – Loveappella Faux Wrap Top

COS Relaxed Fit Printed Shirt – PAIGE Manhattan High Waist Bootcut Jeans – Donald Pliner Phyllis Block Heel Sandal – Tory Burch Robinson Leather Wallet on a Chain – Knotty Chain Link Hoop Drop Earrings

Greetje @no_fear_of_fashion above (read her style interview here) wears a maxi skirt outfit that would be perfect for many occasions.

Recreate her outfit with this similar blouse, skirt, sandals, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

jackets

You could look out for blazers, short jackets, ponchos and cardigans to stay warm on your way to the show or while you are watching.

Urban CoCo Open Front Blazer – AllSaints Belted Crop Leather Moto Jacket – Ming Wang Draped Open Front Knit Jacket – Moss Rose Wrap Ruana

AllSaints Belted Crop Leather Moto Jacket – COS Slim Fit Cotton Shirt – Vince Slip Skirt – Donald Pliner Phyllis Block Heel Sandal – Tory Burch Robinson Leather Wallet on a Chain

Susan @susan_unefemme (read her style interview here) opts for a blazer that could add warmth without too much bulk.

Get her look with all these items from Nordstrom – blazer (another option here), top, jeans, mules and necklace.

Jeans and pants

For most shows, you can wear a pair of smart jeans. Or, you may like to choose a pair of bright, or print, pants and keep the rest of your outfit fairly simple.

PAIGE Manhattan High Waist Bootcut Jeans – Karen Millen Satin Crepe Wide Leg High Waist Pants – DIARRABLU Costa Wide Leg Pants – Anne Klein Herringbone Dot Wide Leg Pull-On Pants

Urban CoCo Open Front Blazer – Loveappella Faux Wrap Top – PAIGE Manhattan High Waist Bootcut Jeans – Unity in Diversity Panache Bootie – See By Chloé Mini Hana Leather Crossbody Bag – Knotty Chain Link Hoop Drop Earrings

Sheree @shesheshow above opts for a pair of palazzo pants.

Recreate her outfit with this similar blazer, pants (another option here), sandals. earrings and necklace.

dresses, jumpsuit and skirt

You can wear a dress, jumpsuit or a midi skirt to the show. That way, you’ll also be ready to go out to dinner before or after the performance.

Halogen Crossover Short Sleeve Wrap Dress – Karen Millen Wool Blend Belted Midi Dress – COS Wide Leg Jumpsuit – Vince Slip Skirt

Karen Millen Wool Blend Belted Midi Dress – Donald Pliner Phyllis Block Heel Sandal – Tory Burch Robinson Leather Wallet on a Chain – Knotty Chain Link Hoop Drop Earrings

Eugenia @theeageofgrace above (read her style interview here) opts for an on-trend pink dress that she teams with gold accessories.

Steal her look with this similar dress (other options here and here), heels, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

shoes

You could choose either heels or flats. As you will be sitting for the performance, you shouldn’t have to stand for too long in your heels.

SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Story Ballet Flat – Donald Pliner Phyllis Block Heel Sandal – FLY London Bootie Sandal – Unity in Diversity Panache Bootie

Urban CoCo Open Front Blazer – Vince Camuto Flutter Sleeve Drape Silk Top – Anne Klein Herringbone Dot Wide Leg Pull-On Pants – FLY London Bootie Sandal – See By Chloé Mini Hana Leather Crossbody Bag – Knotty Chain Link Hoop Drop Earrings

Sylvia @sylviacolella above (read her style interview here) opts for a classic pair of pumps that would go with any of your outfits.

Recreate her outfit with this similar dress (another option here), jacket, pumps, handbag, earrings and sunglasses.

accessories

Look for bags that you can easily carry with you as well as sculptural earrings or statement necklaces.

Rebecca Minkoff Julian Small Chevron Quilted Leather Backpack – Tory Burch Robinson Leather Wallet on a Chain – See By Chloé Mini Hana Leather Crossbody Bag – Karine Sultan Braided Link Collar Necklace – Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings – Knotty Chain Link Hoop Drop Earrings

AllSaints Belted Crop Leather Moto Jacket – COS Slim Fit Cotton Shirt – DIARRABLU Costa Wide Leg Pants – FLY London Bootie Sandal – Rebecca Minkoff Julian Small Chevron Quilted Leather Backpack – Jenny Bird Nouveaux Puff Earrings

Patricia @madamechicbcn above (read her style interview here) chooses a headband and hoop earrings to go with her jumpsuit. Her white shoes and blazer work well against her brown outfit.

Check out this similar jumpsuit (another option here), blazer (another option here), pumps, handbag, earrings, sunglasses and headband.

Your Broadway outfits together in one capsule

Take a look below at the Broadway show clothes and accessories from above, together in one capsule. You can switch around the tops, coats and accessories to get different looks. For example, you could wear the silver top and moto jacket with the red pants, the blazer with the jumpsuit or the white shirt with the jeans.

shop some of the items above here:

Have you been to a Broadway show lately? What did you wear? What did you consider when thinking about what to wear to a Broadway show?

Continue reading:

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2. Winter going out outfits
3. What to wear for date night
4. What To Wear To A Winery: The Best Winery Outfits Whether You Love White, Red Or Rosé
5. What To Wear To A Casual Wedding In Summer

Feature image by Sylvia @sylviacolella

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