Most orchestras allow 'the ladies' to wear whatever they like - as long as its black. The results vary, with the stylish likes of the LSO's Maxine Kwok-Adams sadly a minority in a sea of faded T-shirts and nylon slacks.
The Vienna Philharmonic on the other hand has long restricted its female members to simple black trouser suits with matching black tops and patent shoes.
Now they're going one step further with the introduction of a smart new ladies-only uniform created by Vienna fashion student Markus Binder, who won a competition to design it. The brief - homogenous and functional. Echoing the suit worn by the men, the design incorporates a curvy black jacket, pinstripe pants, a grey cutaway waistcoat and crisp white shirt. Hardly killer chic, but coming from a 150 year old organisation which only admitted women for the first time in 1997 maybe that's not so surprising.
Binder explained the decision to go with trousers was a practical one. "A certain freedom of movement is needed. When a harpist sits there in a skirt or dress, it's more difficult." He described his design as "very classic".
The new uniform debuts in a couple of weeks time at the traditional New Year's concert.
