Following The Milton Berle Show on Tuesday nights on NBC, Fireside was an anthology drama that presented a different half-hour story each week. In an era when live television dominated network schedules, the series demonstrated that filmed programming could be successful and from the fall of 1949 to the spring of 1955, it was one of the ten most watched programs in the United States. While there are no bouncers to head you off at the door, there are definitely a few no-goes when it comes to theatre-attending fashion.Fireside Theatre was the first successful filmed series on American network television. Of course, this goes the other way too - a theatre with air conditioning is a rare beast, so maybe leave the faux fur at home on a balmy evening.

But if it's an indoor performance, don't keep your coat on throughout or you'll never feel the benefit. In colder weather you might want to wrap up - coats can usually be left in the cloakroom although if you're going to Shakespeare's Globe or the Regents Park Open Air Theatre, chances are you'll want to keep it on. It's worth remembering that many of Britain's theatres are old buildings with rich and colourful histories, but also a bit of a draught. There are certain aspects of any outfit that need to be considered in advance, usually based on weather. And anyway, for the most part you'll be sitting in the dark. So you can say that it's nice to look nice (true) or that dressing up is fun (also true) but really, the play's the thing. The last thing we want to do is discourage anybody from attending for fear of being underdressed at its very best, theatre is an inclusive social experience. Very few theatres operate a dress policy, and though traditionally evening performances are more formal than matinees, nobody will lambast you for wearing denim after 7pm.

But if you're coming straight from the office, or just feel more comfortable in a pair of trainers, that's fine too. If you want to rock that look, knock yourself out - it's a good look. But that time is not now, when theatre is more accessible to a much broader range of society and, as Cole Porter taught us, Anything Goes.

There was a time when a visit to the theatre was a formal occasion a scan of the audience would reveal dapper gents in suits next to well turned-out ladies, all refined, with arms clothed in satin from finger to elbow. Can I wear my most expensive and elaborate ballgown to the theatre?.Does he have a point? You may have questions. In November last year, fashion designer Valentino Garavani spoke of being 'disturbed' by the sight of a man wearing a T-shirt at a Broadway show. It's a question that crops up every now and then on theatre blogs across the web - and now this one, too: what should one wear to the theatre? It's true that etiquette regarding theatre attire has gone the same way as The Dandy, but traditionalists would argue that while there is no formal code, making an effort is simply good manners.

Fireside theater dress code