I stood outside Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on a drizzly London afternoon, watching a stream of theater-goers arrive for an evening performance. Some wore blazers and dress trousers. Others showed up in jeans and sneakers. One woman was dressed like she was heading to a black-tie gala. A couple of tourists in the groundling queue looked genuinely anxious, whispering to each other about whether their outfits were appropriate. I realized then that figuring out what to wear at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London isn’t actually intuitive—and the confusion extends far beyond this iconic venue.
Cultural landmarks, historic theaters, and heritage sites often come with unwritten dress expectations that baffle visitors. We know temples require modesty. We know formal opera houses expect something dressier. But what about a 400-year-old open-air theater in London? Or Temple Square in Salt Lake City? Or UNESCO World Heritage Sites scattered across the globe? Most travelers default to either overdressing or underdressing, sometimes awkwardly both at the same time.
I’ve been there, standing in front of a museum in southeast Asia, sweating through a cardigan I wasn’t sure I needed, while frantically Googling dress codes on spotty wifi. So I’ve done the research, collected the real answers, and I’m sharing everything you need to pack with confidence—whether you’re catching a comedy at the Globe or exploring a sacred site thousands of miles away.
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What to Wear at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre London: The No-Nonsense Answer
Here’s the thing: there is no official dress code at the Globe Theatre London. Full stop. The theater’s own website doesn’t mention dress expectations, and the staff will tell you to wear whatever makes you comfortable. But that’s almost too vague to be useful, so let me break this down by ticket type, because the experience changes drastically depending on where you’re sitting—or standing.
Groundling Tickets: Embrace the Chaos
If you’ve booked groundling standing tickets (£5–£10, the cheapest option), you’re standing in the open-air “yard” for the entire two to three hours of the performance. This is historically accurate—groundlings were the common people of Shakespeare’s era, and they stood, ate, drank, and heckled freely. Modern groundlings do much the same.
For this experience, wear comfortable shoes above all else. I’m talking broken-in sneakers or supportive flats—something you could stand in for hours without complaint. Avoid heels entirely unless they’re genuinely comfortable for you (and they rarely are). You’ll be on cobblestone and packed dirt, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other people, and your feet will be the ones complaining by Act III.
Layer up. London weather is famously unpredictable, and the Globe is completely open to the elements. Even on a warm day, bring a lightweight layer—a cardigan, a travel blazer, or a packable jacket. If it rains (and it might), you’re going to get damp. Many groundlings bring umbrellas, though they’re less useful when you’re packed in tightly with others. A water-resistant or quick-dry fabric is genuinely helpful. Wear something you don’t mind getting slightly damp or scuffed.
And honestly? Dress casually. Jeans, comfortable trousers, a t-shirt, a casual dress—whatever you’d wear to explore London for the day works perfectly. The beauty of groundling tickets is that the atmosphere is relaxed and participatory. You’re not trying to be fancy; you’re trying to have fun and be part of theater history.
Seated Gallery Tickets: Smart Casual Wins
If you’ve splurged on seated gallery tickets (£20–£55), you’re in the wooden benches under the covered galleries. This is genuinely more comfortable than it sounds, though I’ll give you a pro tip: hire a cushion at the door (about £3). Those medieval wooden benches aren’t designed for modern comfort, and even a thin cushion makes an enormous difference over a three-hour play.
For seated tickets, you can dress up slightly—think smart casual. A casual dress (pair it with a light layer for warmth and modesty), nice trousers with a blouse, a skirt and sweater, tailored jeans with a button-up. You’re watching theater as an evening activity, so you might look like you’re heading to dinner rather than a casual daytime outing. But formal attire isn’t expected or necessary. No one needs a blazer and tie, and you’ll actually see a wide range of outfits from casual to quite polished, all equally welcome.
The single most important thing for seated tickets? Layers and a waterproof outer layer. The gallery is covered, but the sides are open. A lightweight travel blazer or a compact rain jacket is genuinely essential.
The Globe Theatre London Dress Code: What Actually Matters
Okay, so technically the Globe theatre London dress code is “wear what you want.” But the real answer to what to wear is more about practicality than formality. Weather is the primary concern. You’re in an open-air amphitheater in London in a climate that can shift from mild to drizzly within minutes.
Pack these essentials:
- Comfortable, well-broken-in shoes. Seriously, this is non-negotiable.
- A lightweight, packable layer (a travel-friendly cardigan or blazer).
- A compact umbrella or water-resistant jacket for the inevitable London drizzle.
- Clothes you don’t mind getting damp if you’re a groundling.
- A small bag or crossbody purse to hold your essentials—pickpockets love crowded venues.
The bigger question than what to wear is what to bring. Arrive 30 minutes early to explore the museum underneath the theater (genuinely excellent—immersive history of the original Globe). Hire a cushion if you have gallery tickets. And if you’re a groundling, some people bring a small picnic (the Globe allows outside food in the standing area—very historically authentic).
Temple Square Salt Lake City: Religious Respect Without Overthinking
Now we shift gears to a completely different venue: Temple Square in Salt Lake City, the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is an active religious site, which means a different set of expectations applies.
Let’s be clear about what you can and cannot access. The Salt Lake Temple itself is not open to non-members—only to members who hold current temple recommends. As a visitor, you can explore the grounds, attend free organ recitals in the historic Tabernacle, access the Family History Library (free, and one of the world’s largest genealogical databases), and tour the Beehive House (Brigham Young’s preserved mansion). These are all genuinely worth your time.
How to Dress on Temple Square: The Practical Guidelines
For how to dress on Temple Square, the expectation is “modest and respectful.” This isn’t as restrictive as some religious sites (you won’t need a headscarf or full coverage), but it’s more formal than wandering through downtown Salt Lake City.
Specific guidance:
- Shorts: Knee-length or longer is recommended (not absolutely required, but appreciated). Shorter shorts are tolerated on the grounds but might get sideways glances.
- Sleeveless tops: Fine on the grounds, but when entering the Visitors’ Center, the Tabernacle, or attending events, shoulders covered is appropriate. Pack a light cardigan or shawl to be safe.
- Neckline: Keep it modest—nothing deeply plunging.
- Overall vibe: Business casual or smart casual. You’d wear this to a professional event or a nice dinner.
The spirit here is respect, not restriction. You’re not expected to dress like a church member, but acknowledging you’re in a sacred space matters. It’s the difference between dressing for a museum visit versus dressing for a temple ceremony—somewhere in the middle is the right call.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Cultural Landmarks: The Universal Strategy
Here’s what travelers often assume: UNESCO World Heritage Site dress code is a real, standardized thing. It’s not. UNESCO designation is about cultural, historical, or natural significance—not dress codes. The dress code of any particular site depends entirely on what that site is.
Let me break this down:
- Active religious UNESCO sites (Angkor Wat in Cambodia, Meteora Monasteries in Greece, Borobudur in Indonesia, the sacred precincts of Mecca or Jerusalem): Follow the dress codes of those religious traditions. Shoulders and knees covered is the baseline for most.
- Secular or historical UNESCO sites (Machu Picchu, the Grand Canyon, Stonehenge, the Acropolis): No dress code applies beyond what’s practical for the terrain and weather. Wear hiking boots if you’re hiking; wear sunscreen and a hat if it’s sunny.
- Mixed-use sites (Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the medinas of Morocco, historic city centers): Respect local culture, which usually means modest dress in more conservative regions.
The universal safe strategy: cover shoulders and knees for any site in a religious or traditionally conservative context. You can always take layers off if they weren’t necessary. It’s far easier to remove a cardigan than to explain why you showed up to a sacred site in a bikini top.
When in doubt, Google “[site name] dress code” before you arrive. Most major UNESCO sites have visitor information online. If that fails, look for signage at the entrance or ask at the visitor center. Staff are accustomed to this question and won’t judge you for asking.
The Blazer That Saved Me From Looking Like I’d Wandered in From the Street
The Globe’s dress code is genuinely all over the place, and I learned the hard way that showing up in jeans when half the audience is in formal wear creates an awkward self-consciousness that kills the magic of a three-hour Shakespeare performance. A lightweight blazer bridges that gap—fancy enough to feel intentional, casual enough that you won’t overheat in the packed theater.
What works
- Fits easily over whatever you wore underneath, so you can dress it down or up depending on the crowd without changing clothes in a theater bathroom.
- Lightweight enough that you’re not trapped in wool when the Globe’s lack of air conditioning becomes apparent by Act II.
- The structured silhouette actually photographs well when you inevitably take selfies outside the theater—no shapeless draping.
What doesn’t
- The seams started coming loose after about six wears, which is frustrating if you’re a frequent theater-goer or plan to rewear it throughout a longer London trip.
- It wrinkles almost immediately when you fold it into a backpack or luggage, defeating the purpose of looking polished unless you also pack an iron.
I almost left it in my hotel room on opening night because I thought I was overthinking the whole “appropriate attire” question—until I walked into the theater and realized I’d made exactly the right call. If you’re torn about what to wear to the Globe, grab the PJ PAUL JONES Lightweight Blazer Jacket for Men and stop second-guessing yourself.
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