According to the Washington Ballet website, a common style of dress for non-opening night performances of art events is what’s termed casual business attire. This is clothing that’s a step removed from jeans and a T-shirt and looks smart, but isn’t over-the-top. For men, business casual can include a suit jacket and trousers. Guys typically don’t wear ties, but under the jacket they will don a collared shirt. Sweaters are also often part of this look. For footwear, men should wear leather dress shoes and avoid sneakers.
If you’re part of a couple that’s choosing to opt for casual business attire, you’ll want to match your partner in terms of dress. Casual business attire aims to provide comfort but also looks sophisticated. This means that shirts and blouses are in, usually coupled with a skirt or pants with a belt. A dress -- or pantsuit with a jacket -- can be worn, but in the latter case avoid looking too business-like. Add jewelry and accessorize to your desire.
The Washington Ballet website also recommends that should you be attending an opening night performance of an arts event, you should consider adopting the style termed formal business attire. This does not mean dressing exactly as you would for a high-powered business meeting, but for a man, it does mean wearing a suit with a jacket and a neutral-colored shirt. Don a tie as well and stick to conservative colors like black and navy. For women, a dress or pantsuit is acceptable. Women do not have to stick to drab colors, and their outfits can feature yellow or pink hues for example, but wild patterns should be avoided. Jewelry and other accessories are acceptable.
Generally, most attendees of an event at the Kennedy Center will avoid outfits that look too casual. After all, for many people a visit to the ballet is a chance to dress up for the night and so they tend to opt for more formal wear. If you have little choice but to go truly casual, you won’t be denied entrance but you may get a few looks from other patrons. Try to minimize this effect by not wearing outlandish clothing and ensuring any garment you wear is clean and well-presented. Sweatshirts -- and shirts with collars or blouses -- are a better option than T-shirts or other tops.