This topic was touched on in the current Concert Hall or front room thread and I recall it from the old forum.
But its worth reviving :)
I tend to dress formally when attending a concert; jacket and tie/jacket and polo necked shirt if I'm feeling 'arty' ;)
I notice some scruffy people but most people at classical music concerts seem to make an effort with their appearance. Although I abhor the heavy use of perfumes and after shave as I'm allergic to chemicals :(
What about you? Smart or casual? :)
To the Houston Symphony or the Houston Grand Opera I usually wear semi-formal garments. "Church clothes" if you will. My wardrobe consists of a succinct selection of such clothes that I rewear often.
If I am performing in a concert, then of course I wear concert attire. (i.e. all black)
Any other venue I simply dress nicely but casually.
I like to dress up, so I have no problems with formal attire at concerts. Typically, I wear some sort of fancy evening dress or a skirt-suit. I tend to save my fanciest outfits for the opera; that is where people really seem to dress up. I never wear perfume for any occasion; I can't stand the smell of the stuff and it makes my eyes water. I hate it when my seat is next to someone who really pours it on. Since classical concerts tend to attract a geriatric crowd, this can be a problem; more than a few old ladies habitually overuse perfume.
Heather
In the Royal Albert Hall in the summer, linen is best. I had on linen trousers and a black t-shirt this evening. Mind you, few people dress up for the BBC Proms. :)
For me it's simple: I dress to fit in. I'm not ever going to be trying to make any kind of statement with my choice of clothing.
So in London that generally means "smart casual".
In Austria - the only other place I go to concerts with any regularity - things tend to be more formal: men wear suits - so I wear a suit.
I generally wear a blue sport-coat, Oxford cloth button-down dress shirt, slacks, and a tie. Since I wear bow-ties almost exclusively at this point, it tends to make the whole ensemble look a little smarter than otherwise. That, and I just like bow-ties. I flirt with pocket squares, but - on someone my age - they tend to look a little affected. Coat and tie seems to be a pretty standard look for men, and something equivalent for women.
Hmm...interesting replies.
It would seem the standard of dress in the States is a little higher than some other places. I would have said the opposite from concerts I've attended there, but perhaps the crowd at Early Music festivals is drawn from a different pool. 0:)
There's a series of Bach cantatas each Spring here in a really old church in the centre of town. The crowd that goes there is astonishingly scruffy, so I fit right in in regular clothes.
If I'm going to concerts on my own, generally I wear a t-shirt with a decent or sometimes a nice jacket. Usually with decent jeans - overall, the effect ranges between student and yuppie. Anyone who saw my pictures on that Diner thread will understand that anything more formal would veer into Fauntleroy territory pretty quickly. >:D
I never go to any formal event without my tux tee shirt.
In Berlin, it's pretty casual. Some people dress up, some dress nice, many just come in moderately decent clothes. It's not seen as that important anymore. What's seen as important is to be quiet and listen.
Quote from: M forever on July 18, 2007, 05:21:12 PM
What's seen as important is to be quiet and listen.
Yes, I agree. But not stinking horribly is good, too. I like it when people don't stink.
I live in a city that is notoriously casual wear oriented... when I went to my first symphony here, I stayed true to that vibe and wore khakis and a polo... I felt embarrassingly under-dressed, so now I suit and tie it. ;)
Where is that?
Somewhat like beclemund mentioned, khakis and a polo button down, occassionally a tie, but always have this on my dome when entering the hall (which I remove once my ticket is taken):
(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:KWuVI8cfcJIIxM:http://www.fansedge.com/Images/Product/31-10/31-10068-F.jpg)
I guess this is the more appropriate thread for my earlier post:
Quote from: O Mensch on July 18, 2007, 04:01:43 PM
I had a friend in NY with whom I often went to concerts. He had the bizzarre policy that he would wear jeans if he paid for a ticket full price, but would wear full suit and tie if he got a student ticket.
Quote from: beclemund on July 18, 2007, 05:59:16 PM
I live in a city that is notoriously casual wear oriented... when I went to my first symphony here, I stayed true to that vibe and wore khakis and a polo... I felt embarrassingly under-dressed, so now I suit and tie it. ;)
Why? You were comfortable and they were all itchy. I laugh at them all!
Belgrade Philharmonic Concerts at Kolarac Hall are my most usual venue and doesn't have much of a dress code, if I'm there just for the concert then it's extremely casual, but I have no problems wearing suit and tie if my date is wearing an evening dress and high heels.
But I prefere these:
Summer-ish
(http://www.crossings.com.ph/images/products/Men/Apparel/_mg_9023.jpg)(http://mirror.altrec.com/images/shop/photos/MHW/25054_m.jpg)
(http://www.shoes.com/productimages/SHOES_IS79467.JPG) or (http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/21ZUJzY+qCL._AA160_.jpg)
winter-ish
(http://www.americanbluejeans.com/thumbnails/08-869.jpg)(http://images1.comstock.com/Imagewarehouse/PX/SITECS/NLWMCompingVersions/px200/px200108.jpg)(http://www.shoelowdown.com/images/Dr.MartensOriginalMensBoots_11650/dr_martens_original_mens_boots_thumb1.jpg)
8)
Quote from: M forever on July 18, 2007, 05:21:12 PM
In Berlin, it's pretty casual. Some people dress up, some dress nice, many just come in moderately decent clothes. It's not seen as that important anymore. What's seen as important is to be quiet and listen.
Generally speaking, I've found the rudest, most disruptive people at concerts tend to be well-dressed.
I usually go for jeans and a T-shirt: I rarely get anyone appearing offended by this in Canada (never had anyone appear offended by it in Scotland).
I go for style and comfort. Well tailored slacks (invariably Armani) or designer jeans (usually Roberto Cavallo), low heeled dress shoes, and a dressy top usually fit the bill. I rarely wear a dress if at all possible because I tend to fidget in nylons, and there's never enough leg room to accomodate heels. Sometimes, if it's an opening night, benefit performance, or if I have another event to go to afterwards, I have to pull out all the stops. Then I'm just uncomfortable, and hope that the music will be good enough to keep me from constant fidgeting. I always wear perfume, but it's a very old scent from the 20s and it's very unobtrusive. Most people don't even notice it unless they do the ''greeting (2 cheek) kiss,'' at which point they will ask if I'm wearing perfume. Strong perfume gives me a headache, so I'm happy to have found something that seems to melt into my skin.
Depends on who the performers are...
I tend to go for the "business casual" look; shirtsleeves and slacks and dress shoes. Of course, if I'm performing with an orchestra, it's always a black suit, white shirt and black bow tie--poor man's tuxedo. :o
Quote from: Mozart on July 18, 2007, 05:19:52 PM
I never go to any formal event without my tux tee shirt.
Ah, the tux t-shirt. Timeless apparel - whether at a Met gala or shotgunning PBR on the hood of a '85 Firebird.
Well-played. Well-played, indeed.
Quote from: Tancata on July 18, 2007, 05:18:18 PM
Anyone who saw my pictures on that Diner thread will understand that anything more formal would veer into Fauntleroy territory pretty quickly. >:D
;D
Whatever I feel like wearing. I'm there to listen and watch, not to be watched and listened to. I don't mind or care what other people wear, it's their choice. If someone wants to prejudge me on what I'm wearing, well, to quote Rhett Butler, "Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn."
For Brahms: (http://p.mii.instacontent.net/is.bluefly.com/mgen/Bluefly/prodImage.ms?productCode=2016458&width=300&height=300)
For Mahler: (http://www.youlookfab.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/prada.jpg)
For Elgar: (http://socialitelife.com/images/richard_simmons_031407_04-1.jpg)
I'm just there to listen to music, so I don't put on anything special, just what I would wear any other day, jeans etc. At least if it's a standard concert hall thing.. If it's the opera I might wear something slightly more formal, but still pretty casual..
In Paris, most people wear suits but without tie.
I'm not very disciplined with this. When I think of it, I wear a suit.
In Warsaw, people are much stricter with clothes. I take more care because my fiancee tries to oblige me.
In Santiago I usually wear a suit. Now that I'm in Paris, it depends on the circumstances (but as I like wearing suits, it's not a problem for me). ;)
Quote from: M forever on July 18, 2007, 06:24:23 PMWhere is that?
Austin, Texas, USA... I think more Birkenstocks (http://www.birkenstockusa.com/) are sold here per capita than anywhere this side of San Francisco. Other than a few pockets of students (many of whom dress up as well), the symphony is filled with dapper dressers, so I feel more at home assuming their "code".
Quote from: Mozart on July 18, 2007, 07:06:43 PMWhy? You were comfortable and they were all itchy. I laugh at them all!
I am just as comfortable in a suit--nothing itchy about it. ;)
Quote from: Solitary Wanderer on July 18, 2007, 04:13:23 PM
I notice some scruffy people...What about you? Smart or casual? :)
Scruffy, I'm afraid. I always wear my very best black t-shirt though.
Sarge
Quote from: D Minor on July 19, 2007, 04:10:37 AM
For Elgar: [frightening image]
I was thinking something more along the lines of this
(http://www.donaldsensing.com/Pix/0507/ZULU-3.jpg)
Kullervo, your pic doesn't work.
Quote from: O Mensch on July 19, 2007, 11:47:54 AM
Kullervo, your pic doesn't work.
What I mean to say is, I wear nothing at all!
Err, or this:
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/ZULU-1.jpg)
Quote from: Kullervo on July 19, 2007, 07:54:02 PM
What I mean to say is, I wear nothing at all!
And you get away with it? :o ;D
It's been a long time since I attended a local concert (much more interesting music can be had on disc), but I quite happily dress as a gentleman should for such events (i.e., nice dress clothes). A little class, in both music and attire, would do a lot of people some good.
Here's me on my way to an Elgar concert:
(http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/British_Royal_Guard.jpg)
I usually don't get many opportunities to attend many performances. That said, I usually strive to dress conservatively. Polo shirt/dress shirt with khakis. That way I can at least keep from falling into the scruffy category.
Another Texan who dresses up here. ;) It's always fun to choose what to wear to go to concerts, I dress close to formal to go to the (also Houston) Symphony, more formal for Saturday nights than matinees, and more for certain programs. Local concerts more dress casual.
I like chic pantsuits, fun dresses, and a la Carrie Bradshaw heels (girl reference :D) though they can be annoying to walk in. I wish I could wear designer stuff (Armani suits, lucky Bunny!) but I find great things at the department store for 1/10th the price, can't complain.
The big cities in Texas do dress, but you see all kinds though, the pic I posted was going to a Pops concert and I was sort of overdressed, yet for this season's Pops finale, I went dressy casual and saw pearls and people in prom dresses. So a wide variety. Classical series I often see ladies in taffeta or silk brocade skirt suits and lots of jewelry, very pretty.
In The Netherlands, I felt overdressed in what I would wear down here, even to see Der fliegende hollander. I wore a flowy skirt and boots when we went to the world premiere of the De Meij 3rd Symphony and it was just right. Dressy city chic and comfortable more the norm over there, the focus is a little more on the music than impressive outfits and jewelry.
Quote from: Grazioso on July 21, 2007, 04:13:35 AM
Here's me on my way to an Elgar concert:
(http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/British_Royal_Guard.jpg)
Do they let you take your weapon into the hall? :o
I, like Greta, often envy the smarter stylings of some of my fellow concert-goers. But, I just can't bring myself to spend the extra dollars on more handsome apparel. Not when there are CDs to be bought!
For Elgar
I'd need something strong enough to counter the rampant Wellington Fever!
(http://imagesource.allposters.com:80/images/pic/PF_New%5C22006/PF_1622320~Napoleon-on-Horseback-at-the-St-Bernard-Pass-Posters.jpg)
Being nearly half-French.... the hat is a must ;D
the one on the right
(http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/1514/frankimavirginji4.jpg)
IT WORKS.
Here comes my choice for Elgar:
(http://www.duramproducts.com.au/internal/protective%20suit.jpg)
Quote from: Scriptavolant on July 23, 2007, 07:50:11 PM
Here comes my choice for Elgar:
(http://www.duramproducts.com.au/internal/protective%20suit.jpg)
Wouldn't you rather save that for
Stockhausen?
Quote from: Kullervo on July 24, 2007, 09:54:43 PM
Wouldn't you rather save that for Stockhausen?
I don't know, British Imperialism is rather contagious. :)
Old Spice. :)
Of course, as you can imagine, you have to dress properly to go to a concert in Paris :
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uVLfwj5stpc/S6Di1GJZevI/AAAAAAAAAGk/2Ms4uerueCc/s320/Andre-Deveria-Costume-Louis-XVI-101281.jpg)