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my observations - based on work, and some recent-era broadcasts/videos of professional ensembles
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tails:
trending towards out of style, but - being “classic” - will never completely be out of style

black suit long darker (grey, etc.) tie:
currently in style, and trending towards dominance

black bow tie / cummerbund tuxedo:
never has been in style / traditional “groom” (equestrian) uniform, yet worn by a few orchestras
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pops concerts:

white dinner jackets:
trending out of style, but still brought out for major television broadcasts

all black:
black long sleeve dress shirt, black trousers
~or~ black suit, black shirt, and no tie…
trending in style - moving from the pit to the stage / particularly (or simply: white dress shirt/black pants) trending towards replacing white dinner jackets for outdoor concerts, as - so often - white dinner jackets are worn, and then management tells the musicians that they may remove them, due to heat/humidity

The black shirt thing.

Three Valves wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:31 pm The black shirt thing.

This actually pulls attention away from the ensemble, and towards the “star” or “stars” who the ensemble is accompanying.

black-shirted musicians: stand lights

stars: spotlights

I think that wearing tails, tux, or a suit to perform is outdated. Especially due to the physical nature of playing an instrument.

rodgeman wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:06 pm I think that wearing tails, tux, or a suit to perform is outdated. Especially due to the physical nature of playing an instrument.

Because before WWII few venues were air conditioned.

And now nearly all are.

People - though - don’t buy tickets to watch people “work”. Rather, they buy tickets to watch (nope: not so much “listen to”) people PERFORM.
Think of some of the costumes that people have worn – over the years – while dancing.
I grew up at the end of the “wear a suit to work”, “wear a hat and white gloves to church/weddings/funerals/commencements” era.

Every generation – particularly when younger than thirty or so - has denied this, but clothing greatly affects the attitudes of the wearer.

Also, “dress“ rehearsal used to mean “in costume“, and I believe that was a good idea (and not just for dancers) which was mistakenly abandoned.

Tuxes and tails used to be formal evening dress so orchestras wore that because the concerts were formal, evening events.

I used to hate wearing a tux for an afternoon concert. It made the tux more of a uniform. Plain suits, coats & ties, etc. are more appropriate for afternoon wear.

I personally like to dress up formally when it is appropriate for the event. I dislike the growing casualness in dress these days.

Having grown up near Philly in the 70s, the black shirt thing was “guido”

I believe I like the trend towards black suit/long tie.
Many concerts today seem to involve receptions for musicians and (either some or all of the) patrons. It’s just a little bit more egalitarian when patrons and musicians are chatting with each other, and dressed similarly.

Big soloist, with spaghetti strapped red gown. Should be facing the orchestra. It would enhance the subdivided sections…….

.

One rule trumps all:
No. White. Socks.

Some places have dress codes for the venue:

I played a brass quintet gig at the Greenbrier for a knighting ceremony. The resort’s dress for the rehearsal had to be a coat and tie, but since the event was after a certain time, I had to be in a tuxedo.

Do any of these orchestra dress trends stem from rules such as these expected of the venue?

If we are now discussing preferences - along with discussing trends, I have already expressed my preference for a black suit over tails, but I still prefer tails over a tuxedo.
Again, I really believe that tuxedos belong at weddings, as it is the old-old traditional (literal: equestrian) groom’s uniform. I suspect (??) that the decades-ago requirements for black tie tuxedos at men’s/private/country clubs and such after 6 PM was actually in a retreat in formality from the previous (perhaps World War I and earlier…??) evening requirement of wearing tails.
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If necessary, it’s pretty easy to define female concert dress:
Either they can wear a black suit and white shirt (with or without a tie), or a dress can be fairly specifically defined:
- a black dress or a skirt to the ankles
- a black blouse or dress with long sleeves
- optional upper body covering can be a white long sleeve blouse with a collar with a long sleeve black jacket
- a dress or blouse must feature a collar at the neck
- upper torso covered
- jewelry limited to wedding ring and watch
- black dress shoes covering the toes

tofu wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 12:29 am
My favorite rule by far is the highly subjective - "no excessive cleavage" clause. I have volunteered to be the examiner of this.

I tend to not get worked up over concert dress codes, I'm just happy that these bands and orchestras still let me play with them, so I'll gladly wear whatever is required.
I do prefer the 'dressed-up look' of a black suit with tie (either bow or straight); sometimes they ask for white shirts, sometimes for black. I also enjoy when our spring and/or outdoor concerts just specify "wear something colorful." Ladies in dresses/skirts is a very nice thing, but a lady in a well-fitted suit can be a knock-out.
Regarding jewelry, a little goes a long way; however I do wear my long passed-away father's HS class ring on my right hand - it adds just a little fun bling and also honors his memory, as he (though probably preferring that I'd been a killer guitar player as he was) always supported my brass habit.
But, that's just me.
Tim

Three Valves wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:18 pm

rodgeman wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 7:06 pm I think that wearing tails, tux, or a suit to perform is outdated. Especially due to the physical nature of playing an instrument.

Because before WWII few venues were air conditioned.

And now nearly all are.

Actually I live in Phoenix, Az and the heat is an issue. I don't like tux or suit coats as they are constraining even if tailored (which I have had done).

re. heat:
I’m thinking that on Caribbean islands and in quite a bit of Mexico, this shirt – worn over trousers – is considered to be formal wear.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guayabera

I’ve worn a guayabera to a wedding in the Caribbean, as is tradition. They come both short and long sleeved as well. I’m an advocate for this type of shirt in hot weather as formal/semi-formal attire.

matt g wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 11:31 am I’ve worn a guayabera to a wedding in the Caribbean, as is tradition. They come both short and long sleeved as well. I’m an advocate for this type of shirt in hot weather as formal/semi-formal attire.

Here's a fancy one:
(I like it !)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/393973263684