What to Wear (and Not) to the Nutcracker Ballet: A Guide

December is hands-down my favorite time of year in New York. Everything feels festive wherever you go, from all the stores on 5th Avenue unveiling their holiday window displays to the annual tree lighting in Rockefeller Center. But more than anything, the tradition I most look forward to this time of year is going to see a performance of the Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center. Some of my earliest Christmas-related memories revolve around going to see my sister dance in my hometown’s performance and since moving to New York, I’ve made a point of going each year and making a whole evening out of it—getting all dressed up and then moseying on over to The Mark or Bemelman’s Bar for a martini afterwards.

With the New York Ballet’s calendar in full swing for the season, not only am I securing my tickets but I’m also (and maybe more importantly) planning what to wear to the Nutcracker ballet. I think attending any ballet is a great reason to dress up in something a little more special, and that’s especially true for the Nutcracker, which is the perfect opportunity to debut your best festive-season wardrobe. Whether you lean into holiday-inspired velvet and satin or take inspiration from traditional ballet silhouettes with A-line skirts and ballet flats, I’ve created a top-level style guide for dressing for the occasion. I based my do’s and don’ts on my own personal preferences, but I also spoke to two of my colleagues who are both classically-trained ballerinas, associate beauty editor Maya Thomas and branded content editor Emma Walsh.

As a former ballerina herself, Thomas insists that when you attend the ballet, you help set the tone long before the theatre fades to black and the dancers step on stage. “While the dancers may not see you from where they’re performing, the idea that people have come to see them dressed to the nines adds to the magical experience of attending a ballet,” she says. “As a dancer-turned-editor, I always appreciate seeing other well-dressed people when I step into a theatre. It signals that there was some thought put into how they’d like to present themselves and an appreciation for the countless hours the dancers have spent preparing for this very moment.”

As for what makes a well-dressed ballet attendee, she advises on leaning away from casual pieces completely and would put items like jeans, slouchy sweaters, and T-shirts on the list of items to overlook. “While ballets can be long, try finding creative ways to make sure you’re comfortable for the course of the performance without sacrificing style. Perhaps you might opt for a light knit rather than a leather button-up shirt, or choose heels that are a few inches shorter than you’d usually go for if you’ll be walking before or after the ballet. It might be smart to bring outerwear that can be tucked away for easy access and won’t get in the way while you’re watching the performance rather than going completely coat free.”

Would Wear: A Festive Cocktail Dress

Wouldn’t Wear: A Casual Dress

Anna LaPlaca at the Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center wearing a satin bubble-hem Marlies Grace dress

Personally, I love dressing up for the Nutcracker and it’s one of my favorite holiday traditions as a New Yorker. I usually try to prioritize a nicer cocktail dress and would avoid wearing anything overly casual like a sundress, denim dress, or knit dress. “Attending a ballet is an event that combines the efforts of hundreds of individuals, so leaning into the excitement and formality can make it even more enjoyable,” echoes Thomas. “While there are generally no hard and fast rules for what should be worn to a bullet, I recommend opting for cocktail or semi-formal attire (with the later being more applicable to evening performances). When I’m deciding what I’d like to wear to a ballet, I gravitate towards dresses with A-line hems and tapered waists with elegant touches that resemble the romantic-style tutus I’ve been in love with since slipping on my first pair of ballet slippers.”

Laney Feather Silk Midi Dress

Delphine

Laney Feather Silk Midi Dress

Veda Bow-Detailed Corded Lace-Trimmed Silk-Charmeuse Midi Dress

Doen

Veda Bow-Detailed Corded Lace-Trimmed Silk-Charmeuse Midi Dress

Bow Contrasting Dress - Women | Mango Usa

MANGO

Bow Contrasting Dress

Delia Dress

Aiko Dress

Blanche Silk Dress

Reformation

Blanche Silk Dress

Would Wear: Romantic Separates

Wouldn’t Wear: Jeans

Coco Schiffer wearing a red skirt and cropped jacket set

A dress isn’t 100% necessary. A maxi skirt or a pair of trousers with a chic jacket is perfect. “Attending a ballet is such a special experience,” Walsh insists, “so I recommend leaning into it with flowy, romantic silhouettes, fabrics like tulle and satin, and bow or ribbon accents. While it’s not required to wear an evening gown, I’d avoid any clothing that’s too casual, especially for evening performances.”

+ Net Sustain Velvet Peplum Jacket

LIBEROWE

+ Net Sustain Velvet Peplum Jacket

Belle Silk Cape

Midi Ball Skirt in Taffeta

J.Crew

Midi Ball Skirt in Taffeta

Puff Sleeve Top Zw Collection

ZARA

Puff Sleeve Top Zw Collection

Would Wear: A Faux Fur or Wool Coat

Wouldn’t Wear: A Puffer Coat

Sofia Richie Grainge wearing a faux fur SRG coat

I might ruffle some feathers by saying this, but if you ask me, I don’y think the ballet is the right place for a puffer coat. If it’s the only practical option for the evening (like during a polar vortex, say), then by all means, but if there’s an option for a more polished and evening-ready topper then I’d strongly advise going with the more formal style. A classic wool coat or peacoat always looks polished, but as faux fur and fluffy-trimmed coats are rising in popularity this winter, I expect that that’s what the chicest show-goers will be styled in.