To wear jeans to the Royal Opera House?

[Nutcrackerjack]

I’ve name changed as I feel a bit dim asking.

I’ve never been to the Royal Opera House and have heard that everyone wears super formal dress eg bow ties and evening dress.

I’m so excited that we have tickets to the Nutcracker (NHS ) for a matinee but I usually live in jeans outside work. I do have a smart dress though!

I don’t want to look like an idiot- does anyone who moves in ROH ballet and opera circles know what to wear?

I've been to the matinee for the nutcracker at the roh in jeans. There were people in everything from jeans and a torn jumper (me - we got the day tickets and I hadn't expected to be far enough up the queue) to little girls in ball dresses and everything in between. It's not as formal as la Scala so wear what you're comfortable in.

P.s I don't hold truck with dress codes so my advice might be more militant than others'.

Been a fair few times and always worn jeans! I probably wouldn't wear trainers, but a pair of boots.
Unless you're in super fancy exclusive seats or it's a very particular event (opening night or something), regular clothes that you would wear in the evening are fine

There doesn't seem to be a formal dress code. www.roh.org.uk/visit-us/attending-a-performance-safely#dress-code

Enjoy!

Jeans will be fine, especially for a matinee. Hope you have a good time!

People absolutely don’t go in full formal wear! Some might, but it’s not actually that common.

I’ve been to quite a few performances there and you absolutely can wear jeans, no one will bat an eye at that. Especially for a matinee!
Just be comfortable and enjoy - the Nutcracker at ROH is wonderful!

I go a fair bit - I love the nutcracker at Christmas there 😍

Jeans will be absolutely fine.
I'd just wear a nice jumper and be a bit dressed up just because it's nice.
Also get there early to enjoy a glass of something nice in the bar in the foyer.

Having said that, there will be other people there in trainers...but I tend to feel just a bit nicer if I wear boots or something. But maybe that's just me.
If you want to use it as an excuse to put your nice earrings in/nice top/ smart dress on etc, by all means go for it, but it's not expected and definitely formal wear is not expected

Last time I was there I saw no one in full formal attire. Jeans wouldve been fine. It was a bit of a night out for us so I wore a dress, opaque tights and flat boots.

The seats are so cramped there that tight jeans would destroy me. I’d specifically wear a loose dress when going to the ROH. But appreciate I am probably overreacting so if claustrophobic clothing isn’t an issue for you, go ahead. Have fun.

I have gone to the ROH quite a bit over the years (sister used to work there!) and its a somewhere in in-between jeans and ball dresses generally. It’s very unusual to see people in full evening dress - although you do see the odd one, particularly in the more expensive seats or boxes. Jeans I would say would be quite casual although again some people do. As the previous poster said there are last minute on the day tickets (they have a student standby thing for what’s unsold most days) and obviously those people come in whatever they had on that day. Most people will come in smart casual-smart like skirts, chinos, cords, wrap dress etc. Flat boots etc are are common although some women wear heels.

It’s a lovely place and none of the staff are stuffy. Hope you have a wonderful time

Virtually NO ONE wears bow ties and evening dress to the ROH, and most certainly not to a matinee of the Nutcracker!! Really, as a long time ROH patron, I am telling you not to worry. Jeans and sweater are fine as long as they are neat and clean. Maybe wear ballet flats or ankle boots rather than trainers, but anything goes.

Enjoy!!! The Royal Ballet's Nutcracker is absolutely the most wonderful ballet there is. The dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the ensuing pas de deux is divine, and the rest is just lovely.

Seeing it in the new year - can't wait!

We were in the highest tier whatever it's called. We all wore jeans as we were travelling light for a short break by train. People wore all sorts, mostly casual to smart-casual I would say.

If I were going for a more expensive seat though, would probably dress up a bit more and the champagne bar in the old flower hall looks stunning so would dress up for some of the bar/dining areas if you were pre-dining.

Enjoy!

I usually wear a smartish day dress. Personally, I wouldn't wear Jeans but I definitely wouldn't wear a ballgown!

You look far sillier if you turn up in an opera gown for a standard performance. You can wear anything you want and there is no dress code, I usually wear the same thing I would if I were going to lunch with friends, which is generally a dress, ankle boots and a coat. I wouldn't look twice at someone in jeans though.

Yanbu.
We did Nutcracker and Romeo & Juliette matinees in jeans. And we had sandwiches to eat in the interval. It was surprisingly chilled.
Can't wait to get back and see an opera next.

Of course you can wear jeans, you get a mix and some people like to dress up and some like to go in very casual clothes. No one will bat an eyelid

PS I don’t know where you heard everyone dresses super formally, they really don’t!

Don't wear jeans 🙈

Jeans are fine. Last time I was there, the only person dressed to the nines in a Fortuny silk dress was a transwoman.

I’ve worn jeans and trainers there - it’s not an issue. I hate dressing up so happiest in jeans.
Have a lovely time.

There'll be people there in jeans. I like to dress up a little but that's just me.

I would wear "smart" jeans

I go a lot to both opera and ballet. I have been in jeans. More usually in suits from work (lawyer). Matinee ballet absolutely no one will bat an eyelid. Have fun.

I would never wear jeans, most people have dressed with effort. It makes the whole experience feel special. I didn't see many in jeans, mainly children and teens. Matinee is more relaxed, and also the night of the week. Friday and Saturday evenings are smarter.

I find it depressing that people have lost their creativity when it comes to what we now wear. Jeans to absolutely everything regardless. Sorry op not a personal dig at you at all. I find it so boring to see every single person in the high street, in a restaurant, literally everywhere looking identical. I went to Florence and every one looked so dashing in comparison (although identikit jeans seems to be happening all over the world)

I've been for opera and ballet, and jeans will be fine. Opera tends to be a little smarter, and evening smarter than day, but jeans still fine for all. The people sitting in the stalls tend to dress smarter than people in the upstairs bits from what I can see.

The pricier the ticket, the smarter the dress, as far as I can tell.

Thank you all so much for your insights. I feel so much more relaxed about going now and am really looking forward to the performance.
I think I might ditch my jeans and wear my longish satin skirt from last Christmas and a black jumper. I can’t wait!