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Original poster

Ballet at the Royal Opera House....WTF do I wear!!

21 replies

thegoodishlife · 04/02/2011 17:05

Evening :)

Will be going to see Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden in March. While I am super geeky excited about it; I've just realised that I have NO idea what to wear!!

If it's an evening performance, will it mean the full on evening dress/suit combo??? Or will be able to get away with a demure LBD and nice shoes, or even trousers and a smart top??

Help please....am rubbish at this kind of thing!!

TIA...XX

OP posts:
harecare · 04/02/2011 17:07

You'll be sitting in the dark, wear what you like.

valiumredhead · 04/02/2011 17:08

LBD will be fine. You will be amazed at how un fancy people go these days. Have fun! :)

ViolaTricolor · 04/02/2011 17:11

Exciting Grin. I'd say dress as if you were going out to a restaurant. You won't get dirty looks whatever you do, so there's no need to worrry about 'getting away' with anything. I think the opera crowd still tend to be a bit ritzier.

hugebelly · 04/02/2011 17:16

LBD is fine. Some people go in jeans (tourists) and for opening night it's black tie. A wrap dress/ trousers/ LBD are more than acceptable. The coat room is free of charge so you can check your coat.

Enjoy the champagne bar!

Original poster
thegoodishlife · 04/02/2011 17:17

Thanks everyone - was worried I'd have to find a proper full length dress etc. and borrow some pearls haha!! Will check the wardrobe :)

OP posts:
onimolap · 04/02/2011 17:17

People wear anything these days. LBD sounds fine, as would good trousers plus a top which definitely goes out at night (IYSWIM).

Original poster
thegoodishlife · 04/02/2011 17:17

CHAMPAGNE BAR?!?!?!?

OMG Now I am looking forward to it even more!!!

OP posts:
catinthehat2 · 04/02/2011 17:19

I usually wear my white feathered tutu for Swan Lake, (DH has matching pale coloured tights).

For things like Firebird I tennd to branch out and wear whatever leopardskin I can find in my wardrobe.

I thin kyou'll find most audience members would wear something similar - it's a bit like ROcky Horror, you dress up as the characters.

Good luck

Original poster
thegoodishlife · 04/02/2011 17:20

Been at the Wine, catinthehat2? ;)

OP posts:
Sparkles23 · 04/02/2011 17:22

Wear what you like, some people dress up, some don't. I've gone straight from the office a couple of times and gone in flip flops before, I didn't stand out! A complete mixture of people go. Have a lovely time!

PatientGriselda · 04/02/2011 17:26

Also depends on your seats a bit. People in the stalls tend to be glammer than people in the amphitheatre. But really practically anything goes.

AtYourCervix · 04/02/2011 17:30

v Envy. anything from jeans to full evening wear is worn. I love ROH. fabulous building.

EasterEggHuntIsOver · 04/02/2011 17:40

catinthehat2 :o

I once saw a group of chavs ladies in the audience all dolled up, complete with feather boa.
It was very :o

hugebelly · 04/02/2011 17:50

Oh yes, the Champers Bar is a large glass atrium - wonderful architecture... A glass was £10 and I think the salmon sarnies were around the same price (yes, really!). It was a year ago, so may have gone up a bit.

BlackSwan · 04/02/2011 17:53

Dress up! But unless it's opening night you would be overdressed in an evening dress. Cocktail dress would be perfect.

cabbageroses · 04/02/2011 18:08

My friend is always there and wears jeans. They are Amarni but no one can tell with a top over the logo!

harecare · 04/02/2011 19:03

I've only been once to see my brother in the Nutcracker, my Mum made a big deal about how we were the only people there who had spent an entire weeks wages to go (£200 for 4 of us), I was dying with embarrassment.
As it was he was only on stage for a minute or so and we didn't even recognise him! The production was great though.

animula · 04/02/2011 20:16

Have to share the oddest outfit I've seen @ first night at Sadler's Wells (less posh than ROH):

Lady wearing black trousers + frilly, chiffon-y top thing.

Qu'est-ce qu'odd about that? I hear you ask.

Weeeell, lady generrously apportioned; top see-through; lady bra-less.

Hmmm. Methinks she was showing off a birthday-present boob-job. Yikes.

Agree think restaurant-level dressing.

Butterbur · 04/02/2011 20:20

Am also going to see Swan Lake on March 12, with DD. It is Carlos Accosta and Tamara Rojo - I am so excited.

I am planning to wear my LBD. DD will probably wear a flippy skirt from Primark, and a vest top.

Last time I went, pretty much everyone was in evening wear - black abounded.

Sariska · 04/02/2011 20:32

Last time I went I wore v. dark blue straight leg jeans and a tunic-y style top. Was about 7 mo pg though and didn't have much wardrobe choice. Still went to the champagne bar.....

In the past I often straight from work, which meant a suit or smart dress. If I went at the weekend I'd dress up more - not to LBD standard, though - more restaurant level as someone else has already said.

Really, unless it's opening night, anything goes.

Have fun. Wish I was going!

catinthehat2 · 04/02/2011 20:41

that must have been me Animula

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