What to wear to the opera in the opera house

[Goodmum1234]

After 18 rubbish months, I am going to the royal opera house see a ballet. It is a matinee on a Sunday afternoon. I do not know what to wear? Any ideas please

If it's London the only people dressed up will be little girls. I'd go for skinny jeans, smart white trainers or flat boots and a nice top and/or jacket. But that's pretty much what I've worn to any daytime event since I was 15. Although back in the day I wore bootcut jeans and heels.

People do tend to dress a bit more smartly at roh. I wouldn't go in trainers. But I wouldn't go too OTT either. Maybe a smart dress with boots, or a nice top, smart trousers and jacket. Just picture yourself sipping champagne before the show and go wearing that outfit

A dress and boots. You can wear jeans and trainers any day, so it's nice to make a bit more of a special event.

@Practicebeingpatient

If it's London the only people dressed up will be little girls. I'd go for skinny jeans, smart white trainers or flat boots and a nice top and/or jacket. But that's pretty much what I've worn to any daytime event since I was 15. Although back in the day I wore bootcut jeans and heels.

That's not entirely true at Covent Garden. People do dress up for the evening performances but there's no enforced dress code. I've never seen anyone in a ball gown but cocktail/ evening dress wouldn't make anyone raise an eyebrows, nor would jeans and a t-shirt. There's a very wide range , although if you're dining in any of the restaurants the people there tend to be on the smart side.

You get the little girls dressed up for the Saturday mainees.

I wear dresses all the time, so for a matinee would just wear what I'd wear for a normal day shopping or going round galleries in London. For an evening performance I'd wear a smarter (but not evening) dress.

Sounds like an amazing day out.

Check out @lastnightatthemet on Insta which showcases what people wore to the opera.

Saturday will be dressier than a weekday but more casual for a matinee.

Can't go wrong with a classic black dress is one option.

I have a dress in my wardrobe that I think of, it has a flowy sleeve over the shoulders and is gathered at the waist with some black ornate beading and a simple a line. Its very comfortable. I actually got it on ebay, along with another Jaegar dress, you can get quite a good bargain on dresses for a special event on ebay. Thats what suits me, what suits you might be totally different.

It's really up to what the OP feels comfortable in.

There's no need to dress up; she won't be turned away and no- one will raise an eyebrow if she doesn't but it might make the day more special for her if she wants to.

I’d wear something loose and unrestrictive. I’m short and found the seats really tight and claustrophobic. A pair of skinny jeans or boots would have finished me off. A loose dress and shoes you can easily slip off would be better in my humble (and extremely unfashionable) view.

A lovely venue though. Have fun. X

@RaskolnikovsGarret

I’d wear something loose and unrestrictive. I’m short and found the seats really tight and claustrophobic. A pair of skinny jeans or boots would have finished me off. A loose dress and shoes you can easily slip off would be better in my humble (and extremely unfashionable) view.

A lovely venue though. Have fun. X

That's a good point because audience etiquette there is very strict once you're in your seat. You don't want to be fidgeting during the performance.

Misty thanks for recommending the Insta account - beautiful photos. I'm inspired!

Whatever you would normally wear. I go to the ROH a lot, and I certainly wouldn’t dress specially for a matinée (unless you especially want to, obviously!’) When I was there a couple of weeks ago, I wore slouchy wool trousers, a cashmere jumper, biker boots and a cross-body bag — exactly what I’d worn around a market in the morning.

Royal Opera House is not the Met.

Matinee is not the evening - bear in mind lots of people have travelled, mooched round town earlier, it might be cold/wet and so on. In the evening people do make an effort but equally lots have come straight from work - not seen a ball dress/cocktail dress for over 20 years.

Ballet does mean little girls in princess outfits unless you have chosen a particularly adult ballet.

Last time I went I did wear jeans, trainers, raincoat - effort was statement necklace. I did not look out of place.

Oh my goodness, this is making me want to take my daughter and dress her up like a princess.

I think I’d want to be smarter than jeans and trainers personally, maybe leather trousers with a black jumper and gold jewellery.

I'm a regular. Ballet is less dressy than opera, and matinees less dressy than evenings, generally. But you really can wear what you want. See it as a chance to have fun with clothes, make up, jewellery etc. if that will make the experience more special.

There'll be a big range of clothing and levels of formality. I'd usually wear trousers and a nice top, plus trainers or ankle boots, with a necklace and a smart mask, for a matinee. Or maybe a nice, fairly understated day dress. Some people come in very casual outfits, just normal daywear, and others, especially one-off visitors, will glam up a bit. Recently at a ballet matinee in the morning I saw a woman in a satin full-length low-cut gown and diamonds. That did stand out as surprising, and is way removed from the norm, but she was probably enjoying wearing it, and though people might have blinked at first sight, I don't suppose anyone cared.

The cloakrooms are still closed so take a jacket or coat you can keep on your knees comfortably. Avoid clothing and jewellery that makes a noise or rustles if you fidget (that rules out my pleather trousers), and if you're in cheaper bench seats it's probably best not to wear a large skirt; there won't be room.

Have a wonderful time!

Not tracky bottoms, not anything notably scruffy, other than that literally anything you want. In your position I'd take the opportunity to wear something that I love but which is "too good" for everyday.