7+ Easy Outfit Tips: What to Wear to a Broadway Show in NYC

Looking for Broadway show outfit ideas for your big night out at the theater in New York City? Let's talk about what to wear to a Broadway show.

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Wondering what to wear to a Broadway show?

"They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway...
They say there's always magic in the air..."

I'll never forget the first time I saw a real Broadway show. I'd never been so excited. The literal gleam of the shimmering Broadway lights reflected in my dinner plate-sized eyes, the eager crowds waiting to get into the theater, the chicly dressed older gentleman who sat behind me...I fell in love with the entire scene right away. 


And I haven't fallen out of love in the many years since. 


I've had the pleasure of seeing a number of shows on Broadway, in addition to probably equivalent number on the West End in London (lots more booze, far fewer lights), and I'm happy to say that theater going, even at home in Indianapolis, has certainly become a regular occurrence for us. There's simply nothing like a Broadway musical. Whether you're a native New Yorker or an enthusiastic tourist like your esteemed author, everyone is welcome to take in the magic the minute the lights go down in the theater district.

Having just returned from a Broadway show-packed weekend in New York City, packing for a couple evenings 'out of the town,' has been forefront in my mind for a few weeks. We had an absolutely incredible, whirlwind weekend, seeing two incredible Broadway shows, neither of which we had had the pleasure of seeing before. 


First, on Friday night, we were lucky enough to snag tickets to Merrily We Roll Along, in the front row, no less, staring Jonathan Groff and Daniel Radcliffe, which was still in previews. Second, on Saturday night, we took in Sweeney Todd, staring Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford. 


Both nights, we stopped by excellent restaurants close to our respective theaters to grab a quick pre-theater dinner, and then headed over to our theater in time for drinks and poking around before the show. Unfortunately, in mid-October, we didn't have the best weather, but we made the most of it and adapted the clothes we'd brought to accommodate some rainy evenings.

If you've been following the blog for a while, you'll know that packing for trips is one of the main ways I get excited for vacation. Not to mention, reading excellent travel blogs, watching themed movies, etc.

Though we ended up not having the best weather for our recent adventure, I was thrilled with the outfits I ultimately selected for our evenings at two different Broadway theaters. After getting home, I thought I'd share what I learned and wanted to walk you through my newest packing ideas.


Let's do it! What should you wear to a night out at a Broadway theater?

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there a dress code for audience members at Broadway theaters?

No, there is no official dress code at a Broadway theater. Within reason, you can wear whatever you are comfortable in to a Broadway show. 

​You can't go wrong with a generally business casual dress code, adding a little more for an evening show, a show premiere, or a special occasion. I would avoid ripped jeans, graphic or casual t-shirts, flip flops, and shorts, regardless of the time of year.

Ok, so there's no strict dress code for Broadway theaters. But I want to fit in. What do most people wear at a Broadway show?

Depending on the show, what "most" people will be wearing will vary. 
At newer shows, the crowd will be more NYC-based, less touristy, and people will be slightly more dressed up (dresses/suits without ties). 
If you're seeing Cats in the middle of the afternoon, jeans will abound and many of the matinee crowd of tourists will be in very informal clothing.

...did you know there are 41 professional Broadway theaters in New York City?

Can I bring a purse to a Broadway show?

You are welcome to bring a (small) purse to a Broadway show. You may have to go through a security check and open it up, but other than that, bringing a purse shouldn't be a problem.

Whatever purse you selected should be small enough to fit comfortably under your seat, so I wouldn't bring anything larger than a wallet on a chain/crossbody. Leave the travel backpack in your hotel. It's neither appropriate attire nor convenient for you or your fellow theater goers.

Do Broadway theaters have a coat check?

Yes, most Broadway theaters have a coat check. Don't forget to bring cash to tip the coat check attendant at the theater, and I would recommend adding in a bit of extra time to drop off and pick up your coat before and after the show, as there will almost always be a small line.

Is there security at a Broadway theater?

Yes. Both theaters we visited on our most recent trip to see Broadway musicals had security when guests entered, and the attendants looked in people's purses. It's not as intense as airport security - you don't have to take off your shoes or anything like that.

Is there air conditioning in Broadway theaters?

For the most part, yes. I have yet to be in a Broadway theater that didn't have AC, but I am told that they exist. It's always a good idea to check your theater before you pick your outfit.

What's the difference in attire between a matinee and and evening show?

The time of day you'll be visiting the theater will, unsurprisingly, have a significant impact on what people will be wearing.
Matinee shows are always going to feature more casual attire. Evening performances, as opposed to daytime shows, will have a more formal de facto dress code, especially considering people often have dinner plans before or after their performance time.
The more established, and the more touristy the show, the more casual the audience will be. The newer and more popular the show, the more well-dressed people will be. 


Recent shows we've seen:

• Friday evening, Phantom of the Opera: Business casual
• Saturday matinee, Cats: Extremely casual
• Friday evening preview, Merrily We Roll Along: Fanciest of this list, by far
• Saturday evening, Josh Groban in Sweeney Todd, middle-of-the-road

Haven't snagged your tickets yet? Check out TKTS for last-minute Broadway tickets.

What to Wear to a Broadway Show,
​Outfit Elements

Now that we've gotten through the initial FAQs and building blocks, let's discuss the actual elements of building the perfect outfit for your trip to Broadway.

Dress

You'll never go wrong in a little black dress, at a Broadway show or, frankly, just in general. It's the de facto Broadway theater dress code. I generally do a black cocktail dress for a Broadway theater, with a trench coat (more on coats below).
There's no need to wear an evening gown, formal wear, glitter, gloves or anything over-the-top. Unfortunately, nowadays people don't exactly dress like they're at the Metropolitan Opera on The Gilded Age.

Skirt & Shirt or Trousers

Another absolutely viable option is a nice blouse and skirt or trousers. I'd say this is the attire of the majority of women at any given show. Add a scarf and a nice crossbody.

FAQ: Should I wear a coat to a Broadway show?

I recently bought the cutest Sezane trench coat. Unless it's absolutely frigid in the colder months of winter, it's a perfect coat for running around, and I'm not worried if it needs to be folded up under my seat if I'm running too late for the coat check.

Small crossbody or clutch

In NYC, or any major, tourist city, frankly, I always prefer the smallest possible bag. And a Broadway evening is no different. A small crossbody, or even a clutch, is perfect for a Broadway show. Word to the wise: make sure it doesn't have a loud, gold chain. I've made that mistake before and spent the whole show worrying my silly purse was going to slip around and make loud noises.

Finding the best shoes for Broadway

Unless it's a particularly special night, I really tend to avoid high-heels for a Broadway show. You'll likely end up walking through Times Square, between dinner and your Broadway theater, which is...crowded...and...not the cleanest. Additionally, I would feel slightly overdressed and if you'll be walking to the theater, you'll want to make smart outfit choices and wear some comfortable shoes.

​I'm always afraid I'll step on someone and impale their toe with my heel when I'm crawling over everyone to get to my seat. Just me?

"Smart" flats or loafers are the way to go.

I made a few Broadway show outfits below to get the juices flowing! Below that, I've rounded up a few dresses/shoes/purses/wraps to look through!

Broadway Show
​Outfit Ideas

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope you have a fabulous time at whatever Broadway show you've selected and that I've given you at least a few good outfit ideas as your planning what to wear. Drop your Broadway outfit tips in the comment section below and don't forget to sign up for the blog newsletter, while you're here. xx

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