<p>The young man D has been dating is playing at Carnegie Hall end of March, and he invited her, so she will see his performance, then have dinner afterwards with his parents, aunts & uncles, and grandparents.</p>
<p>She told me she searched travel advice and tourist websites and other places trying to figure out what to wear, and just doesn’t know. He is wearing a tux, but neither of us know if that is because that’s how one dresses if one is performing there, or, if that is standard attire (???). </p>
<p>The performance begins at 8:00 p.m., if that matters. I don’t know what to advise her, and I also have no idea what the weather will be like for that area end of March. </p>
<p>Can anyone suggest what she should wear? She has several tea-length dresses, but is not sure if that is appropriate for an evening event, and also she wonders if a longer dress might be improper for the dinner with his family afterwards…</p>
<p>Anyway, she asked me what she should do, and I told her I don’t know, and said “I’ll ask the parents”. So she said “huh??? what parents??? HIS parents???” lol. I said no, I’ll ask a group of parents that neither of us know. So she said, “oh, good”. (She doesn’t know about CC but sort of gets that there’s this mystery group of parents that is sort of a “go to” resource.) :)</p>
<p>He’s wearing a tux because he’s playing. Tea length dress would be fin for her. Longer would be inconvenient wandering around NYC. She could even wear pants if they were very dressy. I’d wear a nice dress. Weather is hard to predict - but March can be quite chilly and/or wet. Sometimes it even snows. If you go to concerts at the Kennedy Center - I’d say the formality is similar. Most people get dressed up, but many don’t.</p>
<p>OMG!!! <strong><em>ROFLMAO</em></strong> The funniest part is that unlike your D, I understand this totally–'cept I feel like I know quite a few of you! ;)</p>
<p>Good luck to your D on choosing the <em>perfect</em> outfit! </p>
<p>LTS,
Like Mathmom, I am also from the area and I agree with her advice about the dress. Likely though, there will be plenty in attendance who are less dressed than she is. But since her date will be all spiffied (sp?) up, it would probably make him feel a little less obvious if she is nicely dressed for dinner. I’m guessing his family will be well-dressed.</p>
<p>I have 2 teen age daughters and live around NYC area. I think a nice tea length dress would be nice (Betsey Johnson is my girls’ favorite). I would not wear open toe shoes because it will still be cold, and just in case if they are not cabbing it to the restaurant. I would also wear an ankle length coat, instead of short jacket that kids usually wear to school. If the dress is strappy, bring a shawl. Also have a matching handbag.</p>
<p>Look on the Lincoln Center website, under the NY Philharmonic and you’ll find a nice FAQ section that addresses this very question (what to wear) but also has a primer for anyone new to classical music.</p>
<p>Oh, whew! Thanks! I will happily tell her that a tea length is fine, and, from the sounds of it she could probably even do a very nice evening dress of regular length. Closed toed shoes dress shoes are going to be an interesting sell for those size nine feet, but, I can see how the dressy sandle-type shoes she prefers wouldn’t really work well for this venue. </p>
<p>She owns no coat though, except her letter jacket. If she buys a full length coat, I’ll have to hope she’s accepted to grad school in the northeast, otherwise it won’t be worn very often, if ever…</p>
<p>I can’t thank everyone enough…this is a very, very nice young man (music engineering and computer science double major); they seem so well suited for each other, and she is looking forward to meeting his family.</p>
<p>I’ve worn slightly dressy pants or dark jeans and as always, my sneakers. (I have a walking problems and dress shoes are a nightmare) nothing I hate more than limping down a windy NY street in the dark and cold while wearing a dress. brrrr.
The issue is more what would be best to wear to meet the family. Might be worth trying to find out if they are formal, informal or casual dressers and also what type of dinner place they are going to afterwards.
Usually in classical music performances the men wear a tux, women wear black dresses or wide pants that look like a dress when they stand. (think where that cello is held)</p>
<p>I thought your daughter was in high school… If she is in college, a nice long coat (light weight) is a nice investment no matter where she is going to be. It will become handy when she is interviewing for grad schools or jobs. It wouldn’t matter if the family is formal or informal. She is going to be next to her boyfriend, ho will be in a tux. She will look too out of place if she is too casual. Another point is that his family must be very proud of him for playing at the Carnegie Hall, if his girlfriend is too casual then they may think she is taking it too lightly.</p>
<p>Check consignment shops for the jacket/coat. You’d be surprised at the lovely items that can be found for cents on the dollar that are so very gently worn.</p>
<p>The boyfriend, as the musician, is expected to be more dressed up than his guests. A tux is “black tie”, and the equivalent for a woman as an audience member would be too dressy. You will find a wide range of “appropriate dress”, but dressy black pants or a nice dress (no sequins) is always appropriate.</p>
<p>I would say the letter jacket isn’t though!</p>
<p>I’m sitting here thinking that a long coat worn over a tea length dress isn’t going to look quite right - or is it the other way around, the coat isn’t supposed to be shorter than one’s dress…</p>
<p>There is no opportunity to change, whatever she wears has to go from performance to musician’s reception…to the dinner with family…even in late March is warm, I’m guessing by late at night it will be cold compared to what she’s used to, so, sounds like the coat is necessary…</p>
<p>Maybe she can borrow a coat? What is “tea length” ? She doesn’t want to be too formal or they will look like prom night. Sounds like a great great evening! Carnegie Hall, reception and dinner.</p>
<p>Carnegie Hall is beautiful. Your d will never go wrong dressing up rather than down. A cocktail dress or tea length dress would be perfect. She’ll need a coat in March, for sure! D sang there with her choir a few years back & very few audience members weren’t nicely dressed. Even me, who always looks to be as casual & confortable as possible. I wore a dress & heels & long coat. H wore a suit. Those that were in jeans stood out like sore thumbs. Usually Carnegie Hall events are dressier than Radio City or Boradway shows. But less so than Lincoln Center. Have your d arrive in time to go to the museum on the second floor. I think it’s also open during intermission, but that might be a bit crowded.</p>
<p>Hope she enjoys the experience. It’s exciting to have someone you care about up on that famous stage.</p>
<p>My standard outfit would be dressy black pants (or long skirt) and white (pastel) blouse. I love the idea of thrift store for coat.
This may sound weird, but perhaps b/f’s mother has a jacket/lined trench coat that your D could borrow. She could be flattered if your D spoke to her about attire, and if generous, could make the offer of a loan.</p>
<p>Carnegie Hall is visually gorgeous as well as acoustically so. With all this talk of CH, I’m surprised that no one has asked how you <em>get</em> to Carnegie Hall.</p>
<p>My D got a really cute simple black coat at a Forever21 type store…35 bucks…very classic look that dress up or down…</p>
<p>Gloves, a scarf, and an evening clutch can dress up a simple dress…</p>
<p>My D owns about 4 simple black dresses she got on sale at various places…its amazing how veristile those are</p>
<p>Every girls should have a pair of black slacks, a fitted black blazer, a simple out coat, a simple black clutch and some stuff to add some color</p>
Sounds like a great great evening! Carnegie Hall, reception and dinner.</p>