What to wear for the Royal Opera House?

[FleetwoodRaincoat]

Just bought tickets for DH's birthday (a special one) to go to see the opera at Covent Garden, which he's always wanted to do.

What do people wear? He doesn't even have a suit and I don't have anything other than a smart dress! Will it matter? Are we expected to be in posh gear with tiaras and cummerbunds? Or will a smart jacket and trousers for DH and the dress I wore to DD's graduation be ok?

[over2021]

There's a scale of smart casual (black trousers and a blouse) to smart (dress, heels, hair up, jewellery) to black tie (full length dresses, dressed to the nines!). I'd go in the middle so you don't feel over or under dressed. Have fun!

[JaninaDuszejko]

Whatever you want. Some people dress up but the only dress code is as follows:

Dress code
There is no formal dress code. We want everyone to feel comfortable and able to engage with what is happening on stage, and so we encourage audiences and visitors to wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing. We only ask that feet and torsos are covered.

[LittleBearPad]

You will be absolutely fine - your outfits sound ideal.

[Nomoreusernames1244]

Wear what you’d normally wear to the theatre.

We went ages ago, don’t remember what we wore but we aren’t “formal”, most likely dh wore jeans and a shirt, i’ll just have worn something comfortable 😀.

[NotAnotherPushyMum]

Just normal ‘theatre’ dress, nothing special.

[AnnaMagnani]

I have never seen anyone in posh tiaras and cummerbunds at the Royal Opera House although if that's what you want to wear, go for it.

Whereabouts are your seats and what are you seeing?

I don't think I've ever seen anyone in black tie but then we aren't Stalls people

Most people are going for smart casual, and right up in the Gods, more casual than smart. And on a rainy day practical raincoats and brollies take priority over fashion.

I went last week, it was tipping down with rain - DH had made a bit of an effort with cords and a jumper, I was in jeans, white top and a feature necklace. Both of us had hair that looked like drowned rats.We were in the Balcony and looked fine 2 levels down from our natural home of Amphitheatre

[LaurieFairyCake]

I've been loads of times in whatever I was wearing that day - usually jeans and a jumper

[Mrsfrumble]

We were there last night, and there were plenty of folks in jeans and trainers. I tend to wear a dress just because I don’t often get the chance, but definitely dress for comfort rather than show; I don’t know where you’re sitting, but the seats in the amphitheater are very tightly packed with not much legroom and it can get a bit stuffy.

What are you going to see?

[Sarah2384]

You do quite often see little girls dressed up in glitzy party frocks but anything that you would wear to any "normal' theatre is fine.

[Wigeon]

DH and I went quite a bit when he was a (music) student, and it also depended a bit on what the performance was! Modern: younger audience, more casual. Classic/traditional/famous opera - older audience, smarter dressed.

Either way, you can definitely go in anything and no one will care. Well, perhaps not shorts and a crop top, but normal clothes fine. Wear a nice dress if you want, but your DH definitely doesn’t have to wear a suit, or even a jacket. But he’s be totally fine in either too.

[HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime]

Some people will be going after a full day of sight seeing and be in jeans and others will be going for a special birthday or anniversary perhaps after a nice meal and be more formal so it really doesn't matter.

[BeenThruMoreThanALilBit]

I’ve worn jeans, whatever I was wearing at work that day, a black dress to go out in after. Some people really dress up and enjoy it; some people really dress up and feel uncomfortable; some people dress down to signal they justdontcare; some people dress down because they don’t want to dress up. Wear whatever you want, and have fun!

[HeronLanyon]

Your plan will be fine.
I go a lot to both opera and ballet. Opera audience can sometimes be a bit smarter but not necessarily at all. During the week a lot are there straight from work.
People I go with are generally smart casual and no more or suits from work. I’ve worn jeans on occasion.
Saturday nights can be smarter as tend to be people form further afield/special occasion and what you are suggesting would be perfect then too.

[HeronLanyon]

It can get stuffy esp in stalls or stalls circle (ha ha not meant as a joke) I never wear too many layers.

[katemuff]

We got really dressed up and stood out as unsophisticated Northerns to the point that a little girl in leggings and a jumper asked DD why she was dressed up for a party in the queue for the loo! I like getting dressed up now and again and there aren't' that many places you can these days....

[FleetwoodRaincoat]

Thanks for all your replies, I feel reassured now! We have seats in Level 3 (Balcony) so hope it's not too hot.

[HeronLanyon]

Balcony better for acoustics. Have fun.

[AnnaMagnani]

I've found ballet = little girls in princess dresses or younger crowd looking aching cool.

If you go to opera abroad definitely dress up. I turned up at regional German opera house in my usual jeans and this was very much Wrong.

[HeronLanyon]

But eg Rome/Verona very casual. Venice not casual at all - well not when I went - I too made that mistake.

[FleetwoodRaincoat]

Quick update - our outfits were absolutely fine. Ranged from jeans to ballgowns to pearls to smart suits.

And the opera itself was fantastic. Would definitely love to go again.

Thanks for all your replies.

[JoanOgden]

@AnnaMagnani

I've found ballet = little girls in princess dresses or younger crowd looking aching cool.

If you go to opera abroad definitely dress up. I turned up at regional German opera house in my usual jeans and this was very much Wrong.

When I went to Bayreuth a few years ago most people (including us) were in black tie but there were a few young people wearing scruffy jeans as a statement of rebellion

[JoanOgden]

Anyway, glad you had a great time, OP! I am off to the RAH at the weekend, it is always fun.

[ChooChooSan]

We went recently for the first time. There really were all sorts of dress. Some guys in jeans and trainers were standing behind us.

What did you see?

[chrisechamp]

Just joined

[AlwaysLatte]

I haven't been for a couple of years but I've always worn very smart/feminine - but not overly dressy.