NYC Met Opera SOS emergency panic - formalwear???

[quickkimchi]

Have had tickets for months and assumed I'd wear the same sort of thing you'd wear to the theatre. Last night - only days before my flight - I made the mistake of looking at lastnightatthemet and in the hours before dawn panic-ordered hundreds of pounds worth of sequins. I forgot they don't just half-arse it in New York, it's all so red carpet. Please help me.

What is the general vibe? Mostly formalwear or mostly smartly-dressed with a sprinkling of formalwear? I want to look appropriate and crucially I don't want to miss an opportunity to dress up, but if I want to buy something on this side I only have a few days.

Other details:

• I've panic-booked a session at John Lewis just in case
• I'm flying next week, so basically everything needs to be sorted on this side by Mon, or I can order something to be delivered where I'm staying (but this feels risky)
• I only have one carry-on suitcase, but there won't be much in it
• I can't wear heels
• budget is roughly £300 (ideally less) but in a pinch I can push the boat out a little
• I'm tall and slightly pear-shaped (12-14 on top, 14 on bottom) and look best in clothes that are very fitted on top (no dropped shoulders or dropped waists), flared skirts, I prefer midi/maxi length
• I'm 52, winter colours, but I find black hard to wear near my face so usually avoid it

Please advise!

Are you sure you weren't looking a photos of a function or gala opening night? Apparently the Met recommends comfortable clothing for a professional setting.

I wondered the same thing - whether it was a special performance or an opening or gala night.

Either way, what about Ted Baker :

www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/CELEYST-V-neck-georgette-midi-dress-Deep-Pink/p/154600-DEEP-PINK

or

www.tedbaker.com/uk/Womens/Clothing/Dresses/WYLIEH-Sleeveless-floral-midi-dress-Deep-Pink/p/153753-DEEP-PINK

Oh how exciting What will you watch?

Mythical I meant to ask that as well! Over to you OP....

Well that was what I thought, that people dress up for events (opening nights etc) but the whole of the IG looks terrifyingly dressy.

Madama Butterfly. No Placido Domingo though, he has made a Me Too-related early departure.

Ok, thanks for talking me down, I'll see if I can put something together from my wardrobe. I have some black velvet skinny jeans and sparkly navy culottes that look like a big skirt. I'm sure something can be assembled.
I like glamorous but dressed-down clothes so very dressy events set me quaking, but only in the days immediately beforehand. I'm confident in my own abilities until the very last minute and then I get the fear. I'm not sure which worries me more, being under- or over-dressed.

Looking through that IG feed- there's everything from trouser suits to full-on red carpet ballgown glamour.
And everything in-between.

Velvet or sequinned bottoms sound lovely and you can put a cashmere jumper over a tulle/satin/silk top. Then you can judge on-site how formal you want to be.

The other option is to go v plain with your outfit and lift it with (a literal) opera coat- if you have something that would fit.

Think about your outer layer for travelling to the Met.
NY, from now on into winter, usually calls for wearing a duvet coat to your shins.

Minesa thanks for those, colours and shapes are great. I think I need something a little more covered up though.

Duchess yes, that's a major consideration actually, forecast says it will only be around 3 degrees at night. I wear silk long johns under everything so that helps, and I have a down gilet I keep in my bag in case I need a little extra. We only have to get from hotel to restaurant to Lincoln Center so it shouldn't be too bad.

I do wish I had an opera coat, for the very reasons you point out, that you can wear something very neutral and plain underneath and it instantly dresses you up. I have a long duster-style herringbone tweed coat I just bought at a kilo sale (v glam lol) but it needs replacement buttons. That might be doable. It's not formal but quite sweeping in length with a vent that can be unbuttoned, so it has some drama to it.

I looked into it last year but didn't go in the end. Apparently a lot of people go straight from work without changing. The red carpet looking outfits are the people going the vip route with the very expensive tickets.

All I think of is Moonstruck!! Watched it a few days ago while painting DS's nails for his Halloween party that night. So good. Wear what Cher wore!! [helpful]

I havent been to the Met in years but go to lots of opera in the UK and plenty of theatre etc in the US. Just go smart - that would cover all bases.

But lucky you - what are you off to see? I was so tempted to book tickets for Akhnaten. Saw it in London earlier this year and it was mesmerizing.

Molton thank you, that's a good explanation and I feel better. It just shocked surprised me that this level of glam happens not only on opening night but on your average weeknight.

Libra aww, what a cozy picture you've painted! If you liked Moonstruck see if you can find Summer Madness with Katharine Hepburn, which I always assume provided the inspiration for the pre-opera getting-ready scenes in Moonstruck.

sponge thanks for the tip! Akhnaten is on during our visit and tickets are available. I might see if I can convince my travelling partner (my mum!) that we need to go twice.

Ooh I can feel the excitement

You really do need a warm outer layer- it's a while since I've been to NY, but the wind chill is serious. So, a temp of 3degree might feel much worse. Big consideration if you are travelling with someone older.

Sounds as if you have stopped panicking quickkimchi?

Oh gosh I'm so envious, the Met's Madame Butterfly is spectacular. I have only seen it on the live feed in the cinema, it is breathtaking.

When I went to the ballet at Covent Garden, there was everything from full length gowns and diamonds to jeans and hoodies, and lots of people had clearly come from work.

Wear what makes you feel good, I'm sure you have something in your wardrobe already that makes you happy when you wear it.

Hope you have an amazing time!

Duchess yes, it may well be cold. I do this trip every Nov and usually a wool coat, long johns and a down gilet are fine. If it's unusually cold I'll just have to make adjustments.

I've been through my panic stage, then entered the getting anything suitable out of the wardrobe stage and I'm now in the maybe get a quick Asos delivery belt-and-braces mode. But yes, it will be fine. This thread has been very helpful.

sponge I've booked Akhnaten! Thanks for your recommendation.

chartreuse oh thank you for that, I'm looking forward to it. I'm hardly an opera aficionado, but I love Lincoln Center. I visited many times as a young person and have lots of happy memories of performances there. They really push the boat out, it's never less than a lush experience.

Thanks all, breathing easier now.

You just need a warm coat for warmth.
You will boil to death if you wear your silk long johns under your outfit to the opera.

Velvet skinny leg jeans would be great if they're black. You could wear dressy boots with a little heel and a drapey black top with a scarf or shawl in a different colour over that if black up close to your face isn't flattering.

Black is always acceptable in NYC, anywhere, any time.

Lol, I feel very looked after on this thread with everyone worrying about me being too cold and then too hot! I can almost guarantee that if it's cold enough outside to wear them, it will be boiling inside.
I've spent all afternoon trying on anything that might work for me and I think the velvet trousers are a go, with silk shirts and little suede boots or patent loafers.

On their website it says there is no dress code www.metopera.org/visit/what-to-expect/

Oh that sounds lovely. Favourite glam clothes you already own definitely better for this occasion than brand new sequins off the internet which would probably be hideously uncomfortable.

Remember that nobody’s going to be putting photos of all the many people who came straight from work in smart dresses and boots on instagram: why would they?

Cherry yes, no dress code, and what would be the point of having one? There will always be a jeans/baseball cap contingent and they won't be refused.

Temeraire I did see a photo of someone dressed casually (and scathing comments) but yes, you're right, it's generally the more distinctive outifts that are posted.

So how was the trip? What did you think of Akhnaten? Heard from a very good source it is coming back to London in 2 years and of course the Met announced just this week that it will return to their repertoire in 2 years time as well.

It was fantastic thanks sponge. Akhnaten was hypnotic and magical. Thanks for the update, I'd see it again if I had the opportunity.
It was predictably freezing (but dry) so I layered up and was fine.
Going back with dh in Jan and will see Porgy and Bess.