14Yr. Daughter Going to Symphony

Attire is usually dressy but not formal ,esp for evening shows. Any color is fine, but if you are buying new, go with something she can easily wear again for other events. Jeans or casual attire are never acceptable for these types of performances.

I am a classically trained pianist and have been to lots of concerts. For this type, I say a dress or slacks and a nice top. It can be any color she wants. Not prom kind of formal, just not casual.

i'd encourage respect for the venue and hard-working performers by jazzing it up a bit, but she should also be comfortable. what does she want to wear? for most 14 year olds it would be a terrific opportunity to dress up. if she's not a gal who enjoys that, then nice slacks or a simple skirt and blouse would do. and if she were to wear jeans and a sweatshirt she probably wouldn't be the only one, but i think that's too casual.
but you certainly don't have to go out and spend a lot of money, or wear a certain color or anything. let her choose her nicest dress that she loves, or just go to penneys or marshalls and let her pick out a new one. sales racks!
khairete
S.

What a wonderful experience! She can wear what she would wear to a nice restaurant or to church - that could be a dress, but it could also be dressy pants or plain black or navy pants and a decent jacket or a pretty blouse to dress up the pants. The color doesn't matter. They'll dim the lights and she'll be sitting in the dark anyway so nothing she wears will be distracting. Shoes should be flats or heels, whatever she's comfortable in, or nice boots if she has those. People don't really dress elegantly (and certainly don't expect teens to do so). I don't think you necessarily have to go shopping unless you feel she has nothing at all in her closet but sweatshirts and jeans, or unless you feel she'll get good use out of something new for other occasions. But certainly no jeans, no corduroys, no sneakers, etc. You could ask the mother of the other girl what she's wearing.

She should not wear a lot of jingly earrings or bangle bracelets or anything that makes noise - that can be disturbing to others around her. I usually don't wear any kind of perfume or other scent when I'm sitting in close quarters with others.

Depends on when she is going. If an evening performance, then she should dress nice. Nothing super fancy but definitely nice. If an afternoon performance, she can be a little bit less dressy. A friend took her kids to an afternoon performance at the Chicago Symphony and since it was cold, her daughter wore a nice pair of pants with a blouse, her son wore khakis with a nice shirt. I think her son is 15 and daughter is 12, maybe 13.

Who is she going with? Is she performing or just watching? I would ask who is taking her, but generally speaking, if she's just going to be in the audience anything she would wear to a nice dinner out should be fine. If she's performing it's usually black and white (black dress, or white blouse and black skirt or slacks.)

How fun!!!

When we go here in Dallas, I wear a nice dress.

She doesn't have to be fancy and over the top.

Good luck and enjoy!!

I suggest you ask the mom who is taking her. You want her to fit in with the family. Have your daughter ask the friend what she is wearing.

I live in Oregon. I've noticed that people have become more and more casual. I've seen jeans and a t-shirt. About half of the audience is dressed up. The other half is office casual. I recommend not buying a dress she won't be wearing several times. You could buy a cotton dress in any color and design which she could wear other places. I suggest that you probably have something already. Pants or tights are good. Wear an attractive sweater, shirt, or blouse. If you want to buy something make it practical and fit in with her wardrobe.

I suggest that older adults still dress up. With later generations the clothes have become more casual.

Anything that she would wear to a nice dinner or holiday would be fine. If she wants to get very dressed up she can, but even dress pants and a sweater would be fine.

My teenage daughter has found most of her holiday/church/family function dresses at Target or Delia's. This is similar to one of her go-to dresses, which she can dress up or down depending on the occasion:

http://www.target.com/p/women-s-ponte-sleeveless-fit-and-...

Hope that helps!

She can wear anything comfortable. Ask grandma and grandpa what they're wearing. If grandma is dressing up then girl should put in an effort. If grandma is wearing slacks and a top girl can wear anything but jeans/denim, shorts, etc...non casual clothes.

If grandma is wearing jeans and a tee shirt then girl can wear what ever she wants. Grandma sets the standard in this situation.

Nice dress, any color. My son (3rd grade) just went with his class to the symphony last week. He wore a jacket and tie.

I think you should ask her grandparents. Her attire should somewhat match theirs. Not matchy matchy, but if they are going formal, then she should be formal with them.

It sounds like fun!

What a great experience for your daughter! Is she going to the Kaufman Center? :)

I think a nice dress (along the lines of something that one would wear to church) would be fine. Even though the weather in KC has been beautiful, I'd still send a wrap or light sweater to wear, too.

I was in Macy's at Town Center Plaza the other day and they had a really great sale going on- you may want to check there. (Check Retail-Me-Not app for additional discounts.)

Hope she has a great time!

I've seen everything from tuxes to jeans. I think any nice dress and shoes, or even nice slacks and a blouse, would be fine

A dress or a skirt and neat top or sweater. It need not be of a certain color, and it should be something comfortable to sit in. I've even gone in good dress pants and a sweater, because where I live the winters make wearing a skirt extremely unpleasant.

I usually don't wear a dress, simply because it is very cold when I go and parking downtown usually means a long walk to the concert hall.

You don't have to buy anything new...just any nice dress or outfit she already owns is fine.

It does not have to be a formal dress or anything super fancy. It does not have to be a specific color. She could wear any dress that she might wear to a religious service or similar function.

I'm not sure what shops are available in your area, but since the performance isn't until early March, you've got time to do some online shopping. I'm sure you'll be able to find a variety of dresses that meet your budget and find something just perfect for your daughter. What a fun experience for her and her grandparents to share!

My daughter (11) and I have been to shows at the Kennedy Center and Warner Theater over the past 6 months. For the Kennedy Center we dressed very classy in dresses and heels. We were met with some people dressed in tuxedos and formal gowns, while others were in jeans and sneakers. I went to a show a few weeks later with my mom and sister at the Kennedy Center and the same thing - some were over dressed and some were under dressed.

The Warner Theater was similar. It was a cold December day when we went there so myself, my daughter, and her friend all had on pants and a nice top. We fit in nicely...again, with a mix of over and under dressed.

So with those being two of the top three venues for performances in DC, I'd say you are good in pretty much anything. The most important thing in my opinion is to match the people you are going with. So they should all dress in similar styles. I would always go on the dressier side though.

Pants or skirt with a sweater set with a little bling would be perfect. Flats or small heels.

Something dressy. Nice skirt and sweater set. (think church outfit with some bling) Dress slacks and sweater. No jeans and or tennis shoes. I think it will be a lot of fun for her. We go sometimes. You will see people dressed ranging from jeans and tshirts to formal dresswear. I think the same as you would wear to a theater performance. Nice but not over the top formal.

She can where church dress to the Kaufman Center. Nothing to short. If she wants she can wear heels. Have her bring a sweater because it will get cold. Since March's weather is different every Year in KC you might want to wait until mid-Feb to purchase something. It may still be cold outside or snowy. That is why I would wait. Since she is 14 she doesn't need to wear anything too formal. I hope she enjoys it. It will be an experience she won't soon forget.