What To Wear To The Symphony Or Orchestra Concert
Going to the symphony is a special event. But what should you wear to a symphony concert?
In this post, we’re sharing a simple guide that will help you decide what to wear to a symphony orchestra performance.
An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble that combines instruments from different families, most common in classical music.
The history of orchestras dates back to the 17th century in Italy when an Italian composer named Claudio Monteverdi formally assigned specific instruments to perform his music.
A symphony is a specific type of musical composition, usually, with three or four movements that are designed for an orchestra to perform. Symphonies emerged in the 18th century in Italy’s Neapolitan School.
Today, symphonies are popular in the United States as well.
If you have tickets to the symphony, you’ll likely be attending a classical concert at a concert hall or other concert venue. Not all symphonies are traditional; “pops” orchestras also perform familiar pop hits in addition to classical standards.
If it’s your first time heading to a symphony orchestra concert experience you may be wondering what exactly to wear.
Here are some tips for dressing for symphonies and orchestral concerts.
Is There a Dress Code for the Symphony?
Most symphony orchestra concerts do not have an official dress code. That being said, many guests opt to wear more formal attire and dress up.
Traditionally, a symphony has been a formal affair and it would not be uncommon to see women in evening gowns and men in suits and ties and even top hats. But these days, symphonies are trying to attract younger audiences who prefer to dress more casually.
Going to the symphony is not just for the elite or wealthy and today most symphonies do not have a dress code.
For example, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra which performs at Lincoln Center in New York City states on its website: “We encourage you to come as yourself in a style of your choice—there is no right way to enjoy the NY Philharmonic!”
Even the famous Vienna Philharmonic in Austria does not have a formal dress code, stating: “There is no strict dress code for the regular concerts.
Not welcome are training clothes or athletic wear like for example cyclist shorts, muscle shirts, hoodies, or belly tops. Decent training shoes like sneakers are fine. Many of our guests dress for the occasion and smart casual clothing has become somewhat expected.”
So while loungewear, shorts, and crop tops are out, pretty much anything else goes at these live performances.
What To Wear To A Symphony
Of course, it’s always better to be over-dressed than under-dressed. However, the majority of symphony-goers will be dressed in smart casual to formal clothing.
What you wear also depends on the program. If it’s a matinee concert on a weekday, you may dress up less than you would for an evening weekend concert or a holiday performance.
Here are some symphony outfit ideas for both women and men.
Symphony Attire for Women
While you’ll see guests wearing everything from jeans to cocktail dresses at the symphony, these outfit ideas are all on the more formal end.
Dressing up for the symphony is part of the fun, so these outfits are all on the dressier side. However, you can wear whatever you’re comfortable with at this type of event.
A nice dress is always a safe bet or casual business attire like a blazer and dress pants.
Here are some ideas of what to wear to a symphony for women for a dressier look:
Midi Wrap Dress
A midi wrap dress is an appropriate dress for your special night. A navy floral dress or this black dress is a great look for the symphony. It’s classy and elegant, and dressy without being too formal.
Cocktail Dress
If you want to step it up a notch and get even dressier for your night at the symphony, cocktail attire is the perfect outfit. This cocktail dress is perfect for the symphony.
Evening Gown
Evening symphony attire will often require a more formal dress code. A ball gown is appropriate for these types of performances or for special functions at the symphony, like a gala or fundraiser.
An evening gown like this is a classy and elegant option.
Blouse and Midi Skirt
A pleated midi skirt and a simple long-sleeved blouse is a great outfit for the symphony if you don’t want to wear a dress but still want a dressier outfit.
Blazer and Pants
Another good outfit to wear to a symphony orchestra concert is a blazer and nice pants. This is a cute matching set that is perfect for the symphony.
When it comes to shoes, a pair of heels or flats works for women. The only thing you’ll want to avoid for footwear is anything too casual, like old sneakers or a pair of flip-flops.
Other than that, you can wear whatever you’re most comfortable with.
Accessories
When it comes to accessories for the symphony, a small handbag or clutch is a must-have. You’ll want a bag that’s big enough to hold your cell phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials, but something that is not too oversized.
This sparkly clutch will add a touch of glamor to your ensemble for the symphony, while a faux leather convertible clutch and handbag is a simple, stylish choice.
Symphony Attire for Men
For men, what you wear to the symphony also depends on how dressy you want to be. For a more casual look, a pair of khakis or even nice jeans and a polo or button-down shirt would work.
You can also wear business clothes like a suit and tie.
Part of the fun of going to the symphony is getting dressed up for a night out. Here are some fancier outfit ideas for men to wear to the symphony:
Dress Shirt and Pants
For a nice outfit to wear at a symphony concert, you can’t go wrong with something business casual like a dress shirt and nice pants. This is not too formal but still looks sharp.
Suit and Tie
If you want to go a little dressier for the symphony, you can add a suit jacket and a necktie or bow tie to your dress shirt and dress pants ensemble.
This is a great way to look nice for a night out at the symphony.
Tuxedo
For a really fancy evening at the symphony, a black tuxedo is a classic choice. This is also the right attire if you’re attending a gala or other more formal event at the symphony.
For footwear, a nice pair of dress shoes is appropriate for men.
What NOT to Wear to the Symphony
Now that we’ve discussed what to wear to a symphony concert, what should you avoid wearing?
Well, as mentioned earlier, most symphony concerts do not have a formal dress code, but that doesn’t mean that anything goes. You don’t have to dress up, but you also want to look presentable and put-together.
Some clothing that is never appropriate at the symphony includes shorts, tank tops, crop tops, sweatshirts, sweatpants, and flip-flops. You don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed at the symphony!
Etiquette for Attending the Symphony
When attending classical music concerts like the symphony, there are a few etiquette rules to keep in mind.
One of the most obvious is not to talk during the performance. It’s also extremely important to silence your cell phone and any other electronic device you may have with you to avoid a distracting disruption.
Symphony concerts typically last between 90 minutes and two hours, with one intermission of 15 to 20 minutes in the middle. If you can limit getting out of your seat to use the restroom or purchase refreshments to intermission, that is best.
It’s also a good idea to show up at least 15 minutes before the show starts to ensure you have plenty of time to find your seat.
One area of symphony etiquette that many people wonder about is when to clap. Typically, the audience should only clap at the end of the piece, so if you really enjoy one part of the performance, reserve your applause for the next stopping point.
Final Thoughts
Going to the symphony is a special occasion. You get to hear some incredible live music, usually in a beautiful symphony hall or another concert venue.
It’s fun to dress up for the symphony, but it’s not a requirement. Whether you want to go all-out with formal attire or wear dressy casual clothes, it’s up to you and what you feel most comfortable in.
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