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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wear jeans to the Royal Opera House?

72 replies

Nutcrackerjack · 03/12/2021 16:38

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?

OP posts:

pigsDOfly · 03/12/2021 17:46

Used to go to operas at ROH in the evening.

Rarely saw anyone in a bow tie or evening dress when I went.

Smart casual seemed to be the norm.

For a ballet in the day jeans will be fine; obviously avoid jeans with ripped knees

pigsDOfly · 03/12/2021 17:47

Ah, just seen your update. Sounds perfect.

Have a lovely day.

LoveGrooveDanceParty · 03/12/2021 17:51

Well, you can wear jeans, of course you can.

But how depressing.

I’m 100% with @Fairylights25.

LoveGrooveDanceParty · 03/12/2021 17:52

Your proposed outfit sounds perfect.

andyindurham · 03/12/2021 17:57

When I lived in London, I often used to go straight from the football to the ROH on a Saturday. Jeans seemed to be fine at both, although I didn't quite get round to turning up in a football shirt and scarf!

Saying that, if I was going now I'd probably take the opportunity to dress up a little, simply because I don't get that chance so often any more. But really, it's your night out so go with what makes you comfortable (unless it's a Newcastle Utd shirt!)

EvilRingahBitch · 03/12/2021 18:21

I'd probably wear dark jeans with smart boots, a nice top and a velvet blazer. If you like dressing up a bit it's a nice excuse to wear your nicest day clothes (not full evening wear) but if you don't then just wear whatever clean and respectable clothes you feel comfortable in.

Tenfifteen · 03/12/2021 18:28

Totally fine esp. for matinee.

Even in the evening for a more “serious” event it will still be mixed. It’s not something I do often so will look nicer than I do day to day.

londonmummy1966 · 03/12/2021 18:30

Black tie and evening dresses are really only worn at the summer opera festivals like Glyndebourne/Garsington etc. For a ROH matinee I'd usually wear smart casual - eg skirt/trousers, boots, top and jacket - probably a bit more formal in the evneing especially if I was someone's guest. SO jeans/boots/top and jacket would fit in well.

I do second the PP who mentioned the small size of the seats - not a problem if you are in the stalls/circle but the upper tiers are quite cramped so tight jeans could be uncomfortable.

foxgoosefinch · 03/12/2021 18:36

The skirt and jumper sound perfect. You can wear jeans, no-one would bat an eyelid; but personally I’d dress up a tiny bit more even for a matinee. Skirt and cardigan or dress but not over the top would be my pick - smart casual for a matinee, and somewhere between smart casual and cocktail dress for an evening performance at Christmas, just to feel a bit special!

(I wouldn’t go so far as full cocktail dress and definitely not full evening dress. Basically in the evening, same as what you’d wear to a smart restaurant.)

Have a lovely time!

MrsPleasant · 03/12/2021 18:38

I (used to) go to the ROH often - people wear all kinds, but the last time I went to the opera there was a group in a box all in black tie and I admit to a pang of envy over a woman in the most beautiful green full length dress and elbow length gloves drinking champagne, she looked wonderful. For full disclosure I went straight from work and was wearing jeans, DMS and a parka.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 03/12/2021 18:44

I think you can wear what you want!
I mean, it might be odd to turn up in tracksuit bottoms, but I think jeans with a nice top is fine.
Have only been once or twice but didn’t see anyone in a ball gown. Can’t even remember what o wore - fairly informal day dress I thjnk

Laiste · 03/12/2021 19:20

Went to see the Royal Ballet Nutcracker couple of weekends ago. Matinee. Dithered about footwear and then decided on some heeled boots rather than trainers.

God i wished i'd worn my trainers!

For a start there was the walk/run from the car park to the event. Over cobbles. We got mixed up in German Market traffic/parking and began to cut it fine.

Then there was the stairs up to the circle. And the stairs up a bit more. And the shuffling along the teeny aisles past people's knees.

Then - when i stood up at the end my legs were practically dead! Cramped seats meant i had barely moved the whole time. Attempting the steep stairs down the side of the circle with dead legs, no hand rails and heels was NOT FUN.

Note: also didn't help that i am well out of practice of heels because of not going anywhere much for 18 months.

TheAntiGardener · 03/12/2021 19:32

Wore jeans when I went to an opera matinee at the ROH a few years ago. And trainers! I would say I was on the very casual end of the scale, but not alone, and two young women who had very obviously dressed up for the occasion in expensive-looking dresses at the other end. They looked great and were obviously enjoying it, so I don’t see why people should go all out either if that’s what they want!

Really enjoyed the whole experience and hoping to go again soon.

Dozer · 03/12/2021 19:35

Yes, sensible footwear for London!

florentina1 · 03/12/2021 19:41

You will be fine, smart casual is the usual attire. Last time I was there a small altercation broke out between an older gentleman and the young woman behind him in evening dress. It was Carmen and she decided to sing along and he turned round and tapped her on the knee. Her partner objected and staff came along to referee.

My grand daughter said it was the best bit.

Davros · 03/12/2021 19:43

Wear what you want. The seating is incredibly uncomfortable

DrSbaitso · 03/12/2021 20:13

@florentina1

My grand daughter said it was the best bit.

🤣

FlowerArranger · 03/12/2021 21:27

Enjoy!!

And especially this:

Bluntness100 · 03/12/2021 21:33

I think it’s very different a matinee to an evening performance, the former is much more casual the latter is more people a little dressy for an evening out.

SomethingNastyInTheBallPool · 03/12/2021 21:39

YANBU. Wear whatever you like - it’s fine. I go to evening performances fairly frequently and usually sit in the front stalls (I’m a short-sighted spendthrift ) - last time I was there, I wore a dress but the friend I went with wore jogging bottoms. No one cares.

Odoreida · 03/12/2021 21:43

Your outfit sounds great and you'll have an amazing time! Enjoy the beautiful bar too.

groundcontroltomontydon · 03/12/2021 22:11

I went to see la traviata at roh straight from the gym (was doing a course) with wet hair, jeans and trainers. It was grand. Have a lovely time!

BeringBlue · 03/12/2021 23:30

What a wonderful thing to be doing! Satin skirt and jumper sounds perfect. I wore similar to The Nutcracker at The Lowry one Christmas but that was more about wanting to dress up than feeling I had to. Last time I went to the ROH I was in grey jeans...

Luzina · 04/12/2021 00:01

You can absolutely wear whatever you like. People don’t dress up in my experience

JoanOgden · 04/12/2021 08:27

I actually went last night, to the ballet, and it was dresser than usual - there was a general feeling of it bring a pre-Christmas night out. So a few people in smart jeans, but mostly nice dresses, smart trousers with sparkly tops etc.

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