How to Dress for an Opera Performance
Opera performances move, dazzle and amaze an audience. Keep your attire dressy casual, and don't forget the tissues.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Cashmere Shawl
- Evening Gowns
- Evening Handbags
- Formal Gowns
- Men's Dress Shirts
- Men's Dress Shoes
- Men's Suits And Tie
- Mens' Dress Pants
- Sports Coat
- Tuxedos
- Women's Dress Shoes
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1
Check your ticket stubs. Opening night at the opera is usually a very well publicized formal event. Go for an evening gown or tuxedo.
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2
Select a dressy casual outfit for all other performance times. Men may consider dress slacks, a fine gauge silk sweater and sports coat. Women will impress in a nice dress or coordinating skirt and top.
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3
Go directly to the performance from work if your profession calls for a suit and tie or the like. Men might shake the tie and lose a button for added comfort. Women might switch a blouse for a bright satin shell.
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4
Opt for comfortable shoes. Although you'll be seated the entire performance, you'll need to hail a cab or walk back to the parking lot upon the performance's conclusion.
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5
Leave the jeans, shorts, tennis shoes and thongs at home, as they're inappropriate for this special occasion.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Operas are long, so eat a snack or dinner, if possible, before the performance. Make dinner reservation at a nearby restaurant so that you can bypass long lines once the show lets out.
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Comments
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RobynByrd
Nov 07, 2008
Very helpful comment about the bathroom. Go right before the performance if at all possible, and stake out the location of it in the performance hall before you have to go. If you're a woman the line will be horrible. So if you need to go in between acts, as soon as people start clapping, grab your purse and start saying "excuse me, excuse me," and charge ahead, directly to it, do not pass go, before the lines get too long. UNWRAP your cough drops, mints, gum, etc. and put them in a ziplock or other noiseless before going to the opera. You'd be amazed how excruciatingly loud the crinkling wrapper can be!!! And of course, DO NOT FORGET to turn off your cell phone. -
RobynByrd
Nov 07, 2008
Very helpful comment about the bathroom. Go right before the performance if at all possible, and stake out the location of it in the performance hall before you have to go. If you're a woman the line will be horrible. So if you need to go in between acts, as soon as people start clapping, grab your purse and start saying "excuse me, excuse me," and charge ahead, directly to it, do not pass go, before the lines get too long. UNWRAP your cough drops, mints, gum, etc. and put them in a ziplock or other noiseless before going to the opera. You'd be amazed how excruciatingly loud the crinkling wrapper can be!!! And of course, DO NOT FORGET to turn off your cell phone.
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Nov 22, 2005
These are three major issues during ANY performance, and they should be taken into special consideration for superformal things like evening operas. 1) Watch out for hiccups. Unless you have an instantaneous (and I mean instantaneous) cure for hiccups, leave before an official has to ask you to leave. Stifling them will just make you miserable, and the people sitting next to you will think you aren't taking the opera seriously. 2) Beware of the bathroom. Don't beat yourself up for eating or drinking too much ahead of time, it happens to the best of us. Do not leave before an act is over. It's impolite, and chances are that they will not let you out during an act anyway (unless you are making noticeable noise). Try crossing and uncrossing your legs very silently. 3) Make a proper entrance. If you're a few minutes late for the first act, too bad. It's highly disrespectful to enter any performance while it's occurring. You'll just have to wait until Act 2. Make your bathroom breaks during intermission speedy, otherwise you'll be stuck in a long re-entrance line. Trust me, you'll need that bathroom break. You've got a long evening of wailing women ahead of you. :) Good luck and enjoy your opera!
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Nov 22, 2005
(1) Cough drops; you'll be sorry if you don't have them and get "the tickles" during the performance (also good to hand to other coughers to shut them up!); (2) shawl for shoulders or lap; it can get cold and drafty sitting in concert halls.
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Nov 22, 2005
(1) Cough drops; you'll be sorry if you don't have them and get "the tickles" during the performance (also good to hand to other coughers to shut them up!); (2) shawl for shoulders or lap; it can get cold and drafty sitting in concert halls.
