<p>I think jeans are something that people now wear all the time and in most places–if your son won’t wear anything else (khakis) for the show, I would urge him to wear a nice pair of jeans, i.e., clean, not torn, etc. We usually go to two Broadway shows a year and I’ve seen every type of dress in the last few years, especially for an afternoon performance. In my experience, people tend to dress up a little more for the evening performances–which might be because they go out to dinner either before or after the show.</p>
<p>NYC is very informal and casual. The only time I’ve seen a tux at a permforance was maybe a Saturday night opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, and even at that, there are few dressed so formal. Nice slacks and a polo shirt are dressy enough for a concert. As far as theater, half the audience will be in jeans, especially if its a show that attracts a younger crowd. I wouldn’t recommend shorts or beat up jeans, but most anything else is fine for theater as long as it’s neat.</p>
<p>Same goes for restaurants. We had dinner out last night with my son in soho, and he was wearing shorts and a T-shirt. It was perfectly acceptable in your average restaurant, especially at the earlier hours (before 8pm).</p>
<p>eggmom - Casual is perfectly acceptable. The thing I noticed when I visited my D (twice now) and went to Broadway shows is that some “dress” for the occasion and some (many) do not. The younger crowd (40 and under) did not. It seemed that those who did were also going (or coming) to (or from) more elegant dinners/clubs. </p>
<p>My best friend and I (she’s nearly 60) wore jeans and sneakers the entire time. We brought something nicer to wear (just in case) but when we saw the swing of attire kept it easy for ourselves. </p>
<p>You are correct though that for the concert your S (and his family) should not be in jeans. But for his guests nice trousers and blouse/sweater is appropriate.</p>
<p>We’re much more casual than other people. Most days I just wear jeans, kicks, a tee, and a hat. </p>
<p>The other thing about NYC, is that we just don’t give a **** about what you are wearing and what not.</p>
<p>Haha I will have to agree with the color thing. I once went to the Colbert Report and most of the audience was in dark colors, and he saw this one woman in a bright orange shirt or jacket and he said “You’re not from here! You’re in orange, where are you from?” and he was right, she was from some completely foreign place. :P</p>
<p>When we have been to NYC in the summer and attended Broadway shows my DDs and I will usually wear a nice sundress with sandals and my DH will wear khakis with a collared shirt (either button down or polo). We attend a lot of theatre productions from children’s/local to the La Jolla Playhouse and Old Globe here at home and we always dress nice regardless of the time of year. None of us like to see people dressed in shorts and flip flops at a Broadway show. We all think that it shows respect for the actors to dress accordingly.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your excellent advice. Many good suggestions here.</p>
<p>Sodiumfree, they will perform onstage at Carnegie (whoo hoo!), so that’s where the tux comes in. </p>
<p>Chinablue, this tip will be easy to follow as DS wears only black, grey and shades of brown. </p>
<p>PS. When I visited NY with my high school in the 70s, the girls all wore matching polyester pants suits in coordinated pastel colors. We thought we were tres chic, but I’m pretty sure everyone knew we were from a small town in Texas.</p>
<p>Thanks again, everyone!</p>
<p>Re performing onstage at Carnegie Hall: whoo hoo, indeed! Congrats – that is very exciting!</p>
<p>I was in the city today visiting S. </p>
<p>It was 83 degrees. It’s summer. I wore shorts, so did nearly every other guy I saw, regardless of age. Khaki cargo pants. And, yes, flip flops (we can’t ALL be tourists). He may want to dress for dinner, or the theater, but if it’s a class trip you’re not going to be visiting dressy restaurants. Bring the shorts…NY’s very casual in summer…and hot.</p>
<p>**Appropriate attire in NYC? **</p>
<p>I’ve lived nearby and commuted to Manhattan for years. </p>
<p>That question just does not compute. (Unless you were planning on going shoeless and wearing bib jeans.)</p>
<p>I’ve lived in NYC my entire adult life and I can tell you that I (and every other NYer who has been here at least a year) can spot a visitor from the other end of the subway car. It’s not just the clothes, it’s the hairstyles, the behavior, the shoes, everything! I’m not sure why there is such a difference, after all, many of the same stores have flagships in Manhattan, and most NYers come from elsewhere. Styles here tend to the very trendy, but on the other hand, no one really cares what the visitors wear. Even at the opera. I agree that your son should just dress the way he normally does, which will make him more comfortable with his peers in the group, because it won’t matter if he’s wearing jeans, khakis, a collar shirt or not. And many many people wear flip flops all over the place, but you run the risk of being stomped on by someone’s high heel in a crowded subway car (ouch!)</p>
<p>We’re visiting NYC next month and I know it will be hot and humid. Would it be acceptable for my two teens to wear shorts? The color thing won’t be a problem - S doesn’t own anything lighter than brown or grey but my D is really into beachwear - shorts and tees. You know how teens don’t like to “stick out” in a crowd.</p>
<p>mousegray- I wonder if the native spotting tourist a mile away is something that happens in every town that has a large tourist population. I know that in my small city the locals often talk about how we can point out the out of town visitors from a mile away. (small city Coastal Ca)</p>
<p>The message is: Dress as you like, New Yorkers can tell you’re a tourist no matter what you wear.</p>
<p>Shorts are fine, lots of people wear shorts. It does get very hot, especially since the city is so condense and there are always so many people and lights etc. Many people are out and about in shorts (or skirts) and tanks.</p>