Since I could remember, I had always been told to dress to the nines when attending a symphony concert or any sort of classical music concert. I remember the first concert I went to. I was in sixth grade, and I went to see the Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra perform music from Star Wars. I was beyond excited, and I picked out the nicest dress I owned to wear that evening. Despite wearing what I had considered to be extremely fancy, I still felt under-dressed while being surrounded by suits and silk dresses. Based off of that experience, I always made sure to have appropriate clothes for concerts thereafter.

When I went to Germany this summer, I was beyond excited to see a contemporary opera in Frankfurt. I had heard that a larger percentage of the population in Europe enjoyed classical music, and I assumed that the dress code would be about the same to what I was accustomed. I made sure to pack an outfit that would impress all. To my surprise and slight embarrassment, I was entirely out of place with my glossy black heels and classy skirt. Most people were wearing nice clothes, but not nearly as formal as what I was clad in. Comparatively, it looked like more people would wear to go to a semi-formal dinner.

After thinking about the implications behind their wardrobe, I found it beautiful. This wasn’t a special occasion for them or something that they only did once in a blue moon. This was something that they did often, coming back from work or after getting drinks with friends. Attending a classical music concert isn’t just for those who can afford the most expensive name brands. Music is for everyone to enjoy and appreciate, and if that means dropping in on a recital after your five o’clock class, so be it. Wear your jeans and sweater because I’d rather see you attending in jeans than not at all.