Professional Concert Dress

A Step Above The Rest

Do you have an important concert coming up and you want to learn more about professional concert dress? If you can answer YES, then tune in, this is the site for you.

This is not the time to look like you just rolled out of bed. Were you aware of the fact that many competitions and festivals are graded to a small degree on your appearance? Many teachers will also dock your grade if you come to concert sloppy and inappropriately dressed.

Here is one university professor's example in a letter sent home with students.

"These dress guidelines are strongly enforced to ensure that everyone in the ensemble is dressed professionally for performances. If in doubt as to what to wear, you should stay as conservative as possible. Students who arrive for a concert improperly dressed will be sent home to change or, if this is not possible, will have their grade automatically lowered and may be pulled from the concert."

Trust me, this is serious business. Most orchestra teachers/conductors do NOT mess around when it comes to your performance attire.

I came across an AWESEOME online boutique store, I've included the picture link below. Shabby Apple has the most unique, stylish, and sophisticated selection of black dresses I have ever seen. You will want to make sure on the exact standard of your performance group and be careful because some of the dresses only come to the knee. However, they do have a handful of black dresses that come to mid-calf and some that sweep all the way to the ground. Almost all of their dresses have sleeves which is great because most orchestra's require sleeves.

Dresses from Shabby Apple

Also, for those of us who play pregnant (and there are more of us then you think) check out Maternity Dresses from Shabby Apple). They have a gorgeous selection of black maternity dresses that are floor length...why didn't I discover this site 12 months ago when I was searching high and low for a professional concert dress that would cover my belly!

...And for preteens check out the Shabby Apple 'Recital' dress. Yes, the name says it all. It would be perfect, and it covers all the basics of the majority of concert standards.

Don't know you're groups exact rules? Follow these guidelines to look like a professional at your next concert.


MEN Dress Guidelines

  • Black tuxedo
  • White dress shirt – clean and pressed!
  • Black socks and black dress shoes
  • Black cummerbund or black tuxedo vest
  • Suspenders are permitted, but must be either black or white
  • Black bow tie


    • WOMEN Dress Guidelines

  • Plain, black, floor to mid-calf length gown with long or ¾ sleeves or
  • Long or mid-calf black skirt (or black dress slacks) with a black top having long or ¾ sleeves. No black jeans.
  • Black or neutral hosiery and black dress shoes (No open-toed shoes or sandals)
  • No plunging necklines, rising slits, low-cut backs, or displays of midriff. Dress and skirt slits must not exceed six inches in length. Wear a slip if the outfit requires it

    • *One safe rule to follow is that no one should be able to see your toes, knees, or elbows.

    The list above is an example of a pretty strict professional concert dress standard. You’ll want to check with your specific performance group to know for sure as there might be some flexibility. However, if you’re going to spend money on concert attire you want it to work and be within the guidelines no matter where you live or perform in the future.

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