What to Wear for Safety and Comfort When Watching an Outdoor Theatre Play

In this age of streaming services, it’s only right to applaud the outdoor theatre and its dedication to putting on a good show. Stunning natural backdrops allow set designers to make plays more immersive, and the outdoor setting encourages audience participation for a more experiential play. More importantly, the cast and crew brave environmental factors like extreme temperatures and animals barging in on performances just to ensure you have a good time.

Yet, while they might prepared to overcome these obstacles, you may not be. As a member of the audience, you must think about your safety and comfort besides following a dress code appropriate for outdoor theatre plays. Though you don’t want to wear something too casual like a pair of jeans, you also want to avoid getting too hot or too cold in the middle of an event—or wear heels that make it challenging to navigate outdoor venues.

It’s therefore vital to choose what you wear when watching an outdoor theatre play. To get you started, here are a few essentials that can keep you safe and comfortable:

Hat

Although your hair may cover your scalp, its skin is still at risk of getting sunburned and irritated. If this happens, you’ll experience redness and pain for a few days until it heals. Wearing a hat for outdoor theatre plays in the daytime will protect your scalp and face and keep you comfortable in the heat.

You can opt for a chic sunhat, like a bucket hat that also provides shade for your nape. If you’re conscious about wearing a wide-brimmed hat and blocking the view of the people behind you, choose a cap instead. A classic cap from Ralph Lauren is always an elegant, dress code-friendly choice perfect for protecting your scalp and face.

Sunglasses

Watching outdoor theatre plays in the daytime also means facing the sun—literally. Its glare can leave you squinting, making it hard to see performances. Dust or pollen can also get into your eyes and irritate them. To avoid these, wear a pair of polarized sunglasses. Unlike ordinary sunnies, these use lenses with vertical filters to block horizontal sunlight and cut out glare to give you a better view of the theatre.

You can buy your polarised sunglasses from Oakley, as the brand is known for designing pairs specifically for outdoor activities like sports. These sunglasses utilise PRIZM lenses that enhance colour and detail—making Oakley’s non-sporty designs, like the Holbrook and Pitchman, especially appropriate and useful for watching outdoor plays.

Jumper

Spending time outdoors means risking bug bites and sunburns that can itch and cause discomfort or even pain that can take away from your outdoor theatre experience. As such, bringing a stylish jumper is ideal to keep you covered. On warmer days, a light jumper will do just fine, especially for nighttime performances where temperatures can drop by a few degrees after sunset. When attending daytime plays in colder weather, try choosing a jumper with sun-protective labelling.

Look for one with government-recommended UPF 50+ protection so you get the highest level of defence available. You can get such jumpers from Solbari. Aside from complying with government UPF guidelines, its polos come with comfortable, long sleeves that can keep bugs away from your skin.

Wearing a jumper ensures a comfortable watching experience when attending outdoor plays.

Trousers

Skirts and shorts might be your go-to for outdoor events, but trousers can be more comfortable for plays. Depending on the weather, the seats or ground may be too cold or hot for your skin, so wearing trousers will shield your thighs and legs. During the summer, pick cotton or linen trousers to keep cool. In the colder seasons, wear fleece or cashmere trousers for warmth.

Not only will trousers protect you from outdoor elements, but they’re also more appropriate for theatre productions as they toe the line between casual and formal attire.

Knowing what to wear to outdoor theatre plays can better ensure your comfort, safety, and enjoyment. Keep these items in your closet so you can better appreciate the effort that goes into the next production you watch!