WHAT DO I WEAR TO GLYNDEBOURNE?????

[controlfreaky2]

am going to opera at glyndebourne in july.... i know its smart, but what sort of smart??? ideas / help / advice please.

very posh - evening dress and pashmina I'd have thought - open air opera... nothing too flimsy but something very eveningy... trouser suit if extremely classic (linen and either black or beige) but with beaded (jet or petit point) top.

These suggestions sound any good?

oohhhh you lucky thing!!

I think my parents have been in the last year or so - will ask my mum how dressy it was/what she wore etc.

You can get away with a wide range at Glyndebourne as a woman. The "standard" is long evening dress but there are plenty of people in shorter dresses / trousers and smart top / etc. so you wouldn't feel out of place dressed that way. I'd suggest that if you wear long evening dress then don't dress it up too much more (although have a warm jacket/shrug/shawl/wrap in case it turns chilly) but if you go for something shorter / more trousery then glam it up a bit. Wear reasonably sensible shoes though (actually, if it hasn't been raining heels are fine but if it has and the ground is soft you can find yourself sinking in).

If the weather isn't great you can picnic in the marquee (spaces limited) or on the balconies of the opera house. In general I'd recommend the latter.

P.S. the opera itself isn't outside, it's in a very nice pirpose-built opera house.

We went last year and I specially looked to see who I thought had "got it right". Best of all (though this doesn't apply to you) was an Indian man in a Nehru suit, jacket with subtle embroidery on the collar and down the join at the front. He looked divine.

First prize for the women was an ankle-length geometric-print silk coat, vintage from 1964 (I asked her). Perfect chic, and so simple you could wear it with leather flipflops.

More generally, good for women were long dresses in (plain) jewel colours & simple cut-on-the-bias shapes with a snazzy short bolero/shrug type jacket in a complementary colour (or embroidered). If you're shopping I think Coast or East would be good places to look.

Long is good because then as LeahE says you can do flat shoes.

P.S. I have (once) seen someone in jeans...

Something warm! I always end up freezing there and one year ended up wearing the picnic blanket! That said, it's fairly evening-dressy so anyting with velvet / sparkles etc would probably go down well.

I'm going to Grange Park on Friday - does anyone know if that's equally dressy? I'm kind of presuming so . . .

Should have also said - layers, the opera house is pretty warm (as opposed to Grange Park, where it is farily chilly)

I'd say not that posh, have been 3 or 4 times.

You often see men in linen, some in black tie. Some of the older women do still wear raw silk puff sleeve, stripey numbers, it has to be seen to be believed. The last time I went I wore my wedding skirt (orange silk) with a corsety top and jacket that is the same style as a denim one but in babycord, so I didn't look too "dressed up". Flat sandals.

If weather looking dodgy, make sure you bags a place in one of the tents for your interval picnic. oh and get someone else to drive, so you can slurp champagne

what are you seeing btw?

Bramshott, saw South Pacific at Grange Park last summer..I'd say it's on a par (but slightly less corporate, a bit more hants provincial) with Glyndebourne, we ate there though, so didn't need to bother with picnic

flat shoes essential for glyndebourne so your (expensive) heels don't sink in the grass - the gardens are truly lovely

lucky you

yes what are you seeing? My friend is conducting a couple of the Cosi Fan Tutte performances (he is the chorusmaster. where are my free tickets then eh?)

and yes, take the opportunity to dress smartly but definitely take a nice warm pashmina or similar for if it gets chilly later on

Dressing up for Glynebourne is fab - it's all part of the occasion! I always (well, the three times I've been) wear something v v v smart. Totally agree about taking a pashmina and would also suggest huge umbrellas in the car just in case it rains. I am sooo jealous...

only just had chance to look at my thread again.... thanks so much for really helpful advice... isnt mumsnet FAB. no iisue too big, none too small. am being taken so opera not my choice but is die fleidermaus (?sp?) (hhhhhmmmmm). would have loved to see the handel myself. now have perfect excuse to go and buy something new to wear... excellent.

Bundle - we are eating there too, I hope it's nice! Have been trying out outfits tonight, but largely depends on whether my friend comes up trumps with her black evening jacket tomorrow. We're seeing Figaro. Am hoping to get down to Glyndebourne for Julius Caesar later in the summer.

It's a fantastic production of Fledermaus we saw it a few weeks ago and sung in English, unusually for Glyndebourne. Hope you enjoy it!

will report back re opera (and outfit) glad to hear opera was good.

will report back re opera (and outfit) glad to hear opera was good.