What to wear to Glyndebourne

[1Wanda1]

Going for the first time this year. I don't have a wardrobe full of evening wear (in fact I have none) so need to buy something specially for the occasion. Budget is limited. Does it need to be full-length gown or are more "cocktail" dresses also seen as OK? Also what do women do for a warmer layer? I don't have any fancy coats, and I think pashminas are a bit "out" these days (are they?).

Worried I'm just going to look all wrong.

Cocktail dress is appropriate though some do wear floor length gowns. Pashmina is absolutely fine - the fashion police won’t arrest you!

It's not super-posh unless you have been invited to some swanky dinner as well (some people host catered picnics at Glyndebourne, which are often black tie). Quite a lot of opera lovers -even ones who go to Glyndebourne-are pretty scruffy and very few of them are fashionable enough to have a view on the acceptability of the pashmina . Any nice skirt & top or dress would be fine. I would take layers for warmth - a cardie with a shawl/pashmina over it.

Top tip: don't drink too much - the queues for the loo can be epic.

First of all, lucky you! I love Glyndebourne.

Full length isn't necessary - your idea of cocktail dress is fine but it can get chilly and as you'll be sitting down for much of the time, make sure that whatever you wear doesn't ride up too much. Also think about footwear - stilettos and grass don't mix too well.

And yes, layers are the way to go. A nice cardie plus pashmina gives you plenty of options.

Enjoy!

It's a work thing so I think the catered picnic option is involved. Does that mean I should go smarter?

I did think that heels might be difficult on grass. But flats are quite difficult with evening outfits. Do most ladies wear flats?

Worried now about loo queues as I am actually on mat leave currently and will undoubtedly need to find somewhere to express a bit of milk at some point to avoid uncomfortably full and sore boobs!

I've just googled it, and there a ton of useful images right there. Looks pretty smart to me i.e. the men are in black tie and whilst not all the women are in full length, they are very dressy.

How about glamming up a shorter or plainer cocktail dress by having your hair done in an up do (assuming it is long enough!) and buying some blingy costume jewellery like some dangly sparkly earrings or necklace? Just had a quick look at the jewellery on M&S and most stuff is under £20.

Good news from the images is that women seem to be carrying wraps and coats so preparing for the cold doesn't seem to be an issue. Don't forget once the temperature drops, so will the daylight, so no one will notice anyway.

Yes - came to say what someone has already said: main thing is don't go in heels or pale shoes that will sink into grass or this will happen - a lot.

Some kind of wrap a very good idea. There is usually quite a spectrum of posh/formality in terms of dresses. It did not remind me of the more showy race days etc.

Watching with interest - we're off for the first time too in a couple of weeks! I'm planning to wear a floor-length gown and DP is in a tux. I assume I don't need elbow-length gloves like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman?!

Don't get too pissed in the interval (from experience!). I've only ever taken a pashmina or cardigan and never been cold, it's a sheltered spot. Dress ranges from extremely formal to floaty arty pashmina type dresses. Once you've remortgaged to buy a g and t, you'll be glad you didn't spend lots on new clothes.

Wear the gloves freckled, I dare you 😁.

Oh, and for the expressing OP, get in touch with Glyndbourne customer services, they maybe able to find you a space to use.

Earmuffs?

I honestly wouldn't wear a cardigan to Glyndeborne, OP. It's very dressy - the black tie sort of dressy. I went in a cocktail dress, and I felt underdressed. Lots of people really go for it, and look very glam. I'd definitely wear full length if I went back. (One of the nice things about the place is that they do actually have lovely big changing rooms, so you don't need to travel there in all your finery; you can change when you get there is you like).

*if you like. Not is you like.

Good idea Her0utdoors about asking customer services beforehand about a place to express - I'll do that.

Is a wrap/pashmina the most usual extra layer? I have seen lovely dress coats in pics but no idea where you huh such things and anyway, it would be a bit of a waste of money for me as I would never wear it again!

The Festival does need dressing up for, long dresses are quite acceptable. I often wear a cocktail length dress with a matching jacket or wrap. I always wear heels. This year I’m wearing a tux jacket with black ankle length trousers, heels and a silk shirt.

Oh, I am so jealous wish I was going.
Anybody going, hope you enjoy it.

Another one jealous here. Hope you have a lovely evening.

Cocktail dresses are fine - I've been twice (I have a friend on the ticket list and sometimes she gets tickets but then can't go) and I think both times wore something cocktailish with a nice cape/short jacket over it. Enjoy, it's great fun

How about this ?

perfect...
I’ve been many times and cocktail is fine and what I usually wear. Floor length is also ok too. You would be at the smarter end with the elbow gloves on and it may stop you getting stuck into the picnic
There are plenty of frowsy looking old lady frocks so you can pretty much get away with anything so long as you’ve made a bit of an effort. Nobody will mind if you wear a cardi but a smart jacket is probably a better option if you don’t have an evening wrap. I wouldn’t say corporate groups are noticeably smarter than others either.
Actually never ever had a problem getting to use the loo (nowhere near as bad as your average west end theatre or even the O2) but I have been chilly in the long interval so do bring something warm if it’s a chilly evening. Is also a few degrees cooler than London if you are coming from the city (ignore if you aren’t, obviously...!) have a great time.

Definitely most will be in long, but often it’s clearly something pulled from the back go granny’s wardrobe. Wear what you feel glamorous in...I have seen amazing women rocking trouser suits or smart dressy jackets with plain trousers. Cocktail fine but you can have more fun...I wear a short fake fur jacket over my gown and have a pashmina as well.

And wedges not stilettos!

I wore a big fake fur coat over a sequin cocktail dress (borrowed from a friend who paid £30 for it on eBay) one year and felt brilliant in it.