Help! A surprise visit to Glyndebourne

[SpanielsByTheSea]

As a surprise for DD14, who is studying classical singing, my fabulous ( also well off, and infuriatingly commitment-free and spontaneous) in law has wangled four seats at Glyndebourne next Saturday.

She has already made her dressing plan (retro Collectif dress with net skirt and DM’s) and will obviously look amazing. The boys will just wear black tie. But I haven’t worn evening dress since before Covid (and pre-peri lumps and bumps) and am panicking.

Any ideas for an elegant evening outfit ( I feel the cold!)? I can’t make it to London but could get to Cambridge at a push. Was thinking about ordering half a dozen from John Lewis and picking the best one.

You don’t HAVE to go in full evening dress! A lot of women just wear a smart, longish summer dress, heals and either a smart jacket or a pashmina.

Enjoy!! I’m soooo envious… 😀

My go to outfit for glyndebourne, garsington etc is

Long dress made of stretchy material so it keeps my legs warm and I don't have to shave them each time - I got mine at a charity shop but it is almost identical to this: https://www.coastfashion.com/clean-plunge-split-hem-bridesmaids-maxi-dress/BCC04847-148-22.html?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4ASGWeeVlZvpHysTOinPr41xH2yqnGesEP807MGSMvtDFQFDum22uRoCtIAQAvDD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Interesting evening jacket thing - mine is made of chinese silk in shocking pink but this would be lovely too: www.coastfashion.com/long-sleeve-sequin-bolero/BCC03745-184-18.html?gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1YCkBhAOEiwA5aN4AaSLxikRpWpCAkPYbmrDpJ7esXrbubya8FEcwXj5djuzPN8lLmViJRoCErMQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

And most important is WEDGE HEELS for gravel, grass, etc.

Have a great time!!

Next Saturday, not this Saturday? (Makes a difference with ordering!)

Matches Fashion delivers really fast - and they have a huge sale at the moment. For a feeling the cold opera attendee I’d recommend this:

https://www.matchesfashion.com/products/The-Vampire%27s-Wife-The-Festival-ruffled-corduroy-dress-1511521

Obviously you don’t have to wear a dress, but it’s quicker to put together at short notice than say a long skirt and top.

(Are you sure you’re in law ‘wangled’ those tickets - rather than just ordering months in advance? )

‘your’!

I went last year for the first time.

I wore a smart summer dress and flat white trainers.

There were lots of people in full evening dress, but equally plenty of people (particularly younger ones) in exactly the same as me.

(I use a wheelchair and can't wear heels).

Alternatively:

One of these and an easy long skirt?

Most people at Glyndebourne dress fairly casually.

People dress up and “make an effort”, but it’s not the oil barons’ ball! As a pp said, if you have a smart summer dress you could “dress up” with heels etc, then you’d be fine to wear that. Enjoy!

That's beautiful.

Thanks all. That’s a relief, I imagined long evening gowns were pretty compulsory. In contrast to WOMAD which is our usual family summer music venue 🙂 There’s a photo of my parents in law at Glyndebourne in about 1986 and they are dressed to the nines (MIL looks stunning). Times change, I’m glad to hear.

I think I’ll go for something like this. https://www.hobbs.com/product/renee-silk-floral-dress/0123-5487-2205L00-CREAM-MULTI.html#navAjax=true&imageType=model&is=true&sz=60&start=0&cgid=occasion-wedding-guest-dresses&isSecondPage=false&pid=0123-5487-2205L00-CREAM-MULTI&pos=2

Looks gorgeous!!

Agree with above. I have been a few times and would say the vibe these days among many attendees is a bit more ‘summer wedding without a hat’. With shoes that you can walk on grass. Though there are plenty of people there in longer dresses who look fab and it is lovely to have the glam. Whatever you feel most comfortable in - that Hobbs dress looks perfect

Have you thought about food?? Not S&B I know! Fizz and nibbles before maybe, main bit of picnic/restaurant at interval and even coffee afterwards if you really want to soak up the most of the evening (they don’t shut the grounds immediately and plenty of people hang around after). But it is dark and chilly by then so make sure you have a wrap or something to keep you warm.

I live not far from Glyndebourne and have been a few times, courtesy of freebies from friends who work there during the season. Summer dress and flats will be fine, and a cardigan and/or pashmina for when it gets chilly later. Full evening dress is a bit OTT for an afternoon event imo, for men or women. A suit or even smart casual is fine for men. I saw Melvyn Bragg (or his double) in the garden during the interval the other year, and he wasn't wearing a suit or a tie, he had a linen jacket on and (iirc) a collarless shirt.

Give some thought to what you will do in the long interval: if you intend to picnic on the grass, you'll need something you can sit on the ground in easily and that won't mark if it gets a bit damp. I always take folding chairs, I'm too old for sitting on the grass and would probably need help getting up. If you're going to eat in the restaurant, make sure you book asap!

I'm very jealous, I haven't been since before the pandemic.

Well this thread is a whole new world, all seems absolutely lovely! Off to google!

I've googled, gosh, how fabulous! Have a wonderful time!

Have you thought about food??

Presumably the in-law who is inviting the OP and family will already have made arrangements for food?

Thank you everyone. I’ve ordered four Hobbs dresses for next day delivery from JL, so hopefully something will work. I can’t wait. The rest of my family are great opera fans. I’m just along for the ride!

The tickets and table were a thanks to DBIL from a friend. We are eating in the fine dining restaurant in the interval. It was DD’s only eyeroll and she’s bringing Kitkats just in case. I’d also prefer a picnic in the grounds, but I’m sure I’ll cope.

Oh you’ll have a fabulous time! I have also (accidentally) had one of my greatest naps there. Warm, dark, comfy seats, nice music…

😂

I hope you didn't snore!

I cried during Cosi Fan Tutte, and while I wasn't actually sobbing, I got very sniffly and had to rummage in my bag for a tissue.

I have it on good authority that I didn’t! I was so embarrassed though, because I genuinely wasn’t bored.

I have also cried my way through operas there, so haven’t just been for sleep!

I’m going to try my best not to sleep or cry- but at least if I do, I’m in good company!

My mum snored during Jacobi’s famous Lear and has never been allowed to forget it.

My go to is long black skirt and black sleeveless top (or long black sleeveless dress) - which I wear a lot and is not dressy - and dress it up with a silk, chiffon or velvet jacket, depending on temperature, and nice jewellery. It has been my go to outfit for weddings too.

This. Also take a thin gilet for stealth warmth under your jacket, although, as you're not eating outside, you will probably not have to worry too much about the cold.

Went last year. You will probably picnic outdoors, and on grass, so think comfortable smart summer wedding. A nice summer dress will be fine, perhaps with a jacket.

We were invited, so offered to take the picnic. you eat on arrival and in the (long) interval so good bread, good charcouterie, cheese, smoked salmon etc and a pub worked out fine.

A pud.