An edit

What to Wear to the Ballet

Tailored blazers, silk shirts, pleated trousers, dresses, and leather shoes from independent boutiques for a night at the ballet or theatre.

Deciding what to wear to the ballet calls for tailored jackets, pleated trousers, dresses and leather shoes that feel considered without becoming stiff evening wear. The National Ballet of Canada in Toronto says there is no dress code at the ballet and that all looks are welcome. Dark shades of blue and black make a quiet base for sculptural folds and rich textures.

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake pleats its pieces after they are sewn, so they resist wrinkles through a long performance. Pleats Please Issey Miyake grew out of pleated costumes Issey Miyake made for Ballett Frankfurt in the early nineties. Sulvam, the Japanese label Teppei Fujita started in the mid twenty tens, reworks classic tailoring. Pair a suit or blazer with a crisp shirt, and add a fine wool coat for the walk between the theatre and the street.

WDLT117 in Toronto brings sculptural jackets, coats and pleated pieces. Due West in Toronto adds Mackage coats and jackets, and Utopia in Toronto adds Rick Owens, Louis Vuitton and Dior.

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Edge Pants Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Edge Pants Black

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Straight-leg Pleated Trousers Black at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Straight-leg Pleated Trousers Black

Undercover Prints Padded Jacket Grey Beige at WDLT117 on within

Prints Padded Jacket Grey Beige

AED 7,621Last one

Rick Owens Outershirt Lodenette Wool Fawn, front view, at Utopia on within

Outershirt Lodenette Wool Fawn

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Basic Pleated Jacket Black at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Basic Pleated Jacket Black

AED 3,489Last one

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Basic Pleated Jacket L. Grey at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Basic Pleated Jacket L. Grey

Undercover Kasuri Pants Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Kasuri Pants Black

Undercover Zip Pocket Cargo Trousers Black at WDLT117 on within

Zip Pocket Cargo Trousers Black

AED 2,550Last one

UJOH Rib Collar 4 Pockets Blouson Navy, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Rib Collar 4 Pockets Blouson Navy

AED 3,422Last one

Song for the Mute Daisy Worker Jacket Oat at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

Daisy Worker Jacket Oat

Dior Sample Sorayama Silk Shirt, front view, at Utopia on within

Sample Sorayama Silk Shirt

Song for the Mute Art Jacket Black at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

Art Jacket Black

Song for the Mute Coach Jacket Navy at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

Coach Jacket Navy

AED 3,086Last one

Masnada Tailored Jacket Black at WDLT117 on within

Tailored Jacket Black

Louis Vuitton Black Damier Signature Crewneck Knit Wool Sweater, front view, at Utopia on within

Black Damier Signature Crewneck Knit Wool Sweater

AED 1,578Pre-owned

PRONOUNCE Adjustable Length Half Button Jacket in Grey at WDLT117 on within

Adjustable Length Half Button Jacket

AED 1,822~~AED 6,038~~

Song for the Mute Pleated Zip-up Jacket Sand, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Song for the Mute

Pleated Zip-up Jacket Sand

AED 2,413~~AED 4,549~~

UJOH Wide Open Collar Short Sleeve Shirt Chocolate, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Wide Open Collar Short Sleeve Shirt Chocolate

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake Basic Pleated Straight Leg Pants Black, front view, at WDLT117 on within

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake

Basic Pleated Straight Leg Pants Black

Rick Owens Mastodon Megacargo Pant Heavy Faille Black at Utopia on within

Mastodon Megacargo Pant Heavy Faille Black

Looks in this edit

After dark, before midnight. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake turtleneck and black Guidi derbies.

After dark, before midnight

A Christmas party at the hotel bar. Flat lay of a black Undercover jacket, a black Louis Vuitton sweater and black UJOH trousers.

A Christmas party at the hotel bar

All black with a silver buckle. Flat lay of a black Masnada jacket, black trousers, a black Issey Miyake sweater and black Balenciaga sneakers.

All black with a silver buckle

The pieces of A printed Undercover jacket in a Tokyo lift mirror

A printed Undercover jacket in a Tokyo lift mirror

The only pattern in the room. Still life of a black and natural Goyard bag, a black UJOH shirt, black trousers and a black jacket.

The only pattern in the room

A first dinner. Flat lay of a charcoal MM6 cardigan, ivory Undercover trousers, black Guidi derbies and a silver Tom Wood ring.

Common questions

What is the dress code for attending an evening ballet performance?

The National Ballet of Canada says there is no dress code at the ballet and that all looks are welcome. For an evening show, a tailored jacket with pressed trousers or a midi skirt is a simple choice.

Which fabrics work best for sitting through a long performance?

Permanent pleats and fine wool resist wrinkles through a long sitting. Stiff cottons and heavy brocades can bind while seated, so soft knits are a practical choice. The National Ballet of Canada notes that most ballets have at least one intermission.

Which designers specialize in comfortable tailoring for evening arts events?

Homme Plisse Issey Miyake makes pleated separates that are light, quick to dry and easy to wear. Sulvam, a Japanese label started by Teppei Fujita, reworks classic tailoring in a modern way.