What to Wear to the Ballet or The Nutcracker

Most ballet performances don't set a dress code, so wear what you'd wear to a nice dinner: a knee-length or midi dress, or smart trousers and a top. Opening nights and gala performances run dressier, and matinees run more relaxed.

For The Nutcracker, which ballet companies usually stage around the holidays, plan for the cold, the coat line and a couple of hours in a theater seat. Here's what that looks like.

The ballet dress code: usually none

Ballet companies rarely set one for regular performances. You'll see everything from suits to sweaters in the audience. But dressing up a little is part of the fun of a night at the ballet, and the right outfit is the one you can sit in comfortably through every act. Here's what to wear to a ballet performance, by type of show:

• Evening performance: a midi dress or a dressy knit, tights, and low heels or ankle boots.
• Matinee or a family Nutcracker: a sweater dress or smart separates with flats. Dark jeans with a nice sweater and boots are fine at most regular shows.
• Opening night or a ballet gala: follow the invitation, which often says cocktail or black tie. What to wear to a gala explains each code.

What to wear to The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker is a holiday outing as much as a performance, so a festive touch fits: velvet, a jewel color, a sparkly earring. Keep the shape easy to sit in.

A velvet midi with sleeves

HomRain's dress is a stretch-velvet A-line midi with 3/4 sleeves, a round neck and a zipper, in sizes Small to 3X-Large. Velvet says holiday without a single sequin, and an A-line skirt doesn't ride up when you sit. The listing says machine wash.

A ribbed turtleneck sweater dress

Rocorose's sweater dress is a ribbed turtleneck midi with elbow sleeves and a slim fit, in a viscose and nylon blend, sizes X-Small to XX-Large. It's the matinee answer: warm, neat and easy. Add a belt and earrings for an evening show. Machine wash, per the listing.

What to wear to the ballet in winter

A winter ballet night means a heated auditorium and a cold sidewalk on either side of it. Dress in layers you can take off in your seat.

A long belted coat

The Allegra K coat is a lined, longline coat with a stand collar, a detachable belt and slant pockets, in sizes X-Small to 3X-Large. The listing calls it long (longline) without giving a length, so check it against your dress: a coat that covers the hem keeps a strip of skirt from showing below it in the cold. If the theater has a coat check, leave time for the line after the show.

Black tights

L'eggs seasonless tights are black, same-to-waist with a sheer toe, in sizes Small to X-Large, and the listing says hand wash only. Black tights make a midi dress and low heels look finished, and they're one less decision on a cold night.

Low kitten heels

DREAM PAIRS kitten-heel pumps have a 2.5-inch heel and a round toe, in sizes 5 to 12 with wide widths listed, and the listing says the sole is slip resistant. A low heel is the right height for theater stairs and a walk from the parking garage.

A small crossbody bag and a wrap

Theater rows are tight, so a small bag is easier than a tote. JANKS's nylon crossbody is 7.5 x 4.5 inches with a detachable adjustable strap, and the listing says it fits phones up to 6.8 inches.

For the auditorium, RIIQIICHY's fringed shawl, in polyester and viscose, is 75 x 27 inches including the fringe. It goes around your shoulders when the room is cool and folds onto your lap when it isn't.

For a dressier winter evening, see winter cocktail dresses, and for other events, occasion dresses.

What not to wear to the ballet