Is this okay for tea at the Ritz and ROH?

[DieDreiHexen]

We visit London quite often, but mostly supper in Marylebone, picnic in the park, the theatre, lunch by the river, an exhibition or Ronnie Scott's (or work!) Basically, nice stuff but nothing fancy, just wear jeans or a day dress. This outing is unusual for me...

We are celebrating DD's 16th birthday in January with a trip to Mikimoto for pearl earrings, tea at the Ritz and Onegin at the Royal Opera House. We are overnighting at the Ritz (already looking forward to breakfast!)

DD has an amazing Sister Jane dress.

Would this dress do for me? How do people dress for ROH? Is it better in black or cream? (I'm a Deep Autumn apparently) And what shoes might work? I was hoping I might get away with loafers as I hate heels.

Any ideas appreciated!

And jacket too,or it used to be, might've changed.

I think the plan for your daughter's day sounds lovely and I bet she will love it. I am going against the grain on the outfit though. The cream dress looks, to me, like it would age even the most youthful among us. Just looks incredibly frumpy and unflattering to me. I feel that you could find something more beautiful and way more flattering fairly easily if I'm being honest. And I really hope that doesn't sound hurtful so sorry if it reads that way. It just seems like an incredibly ageing and frumpy dress sorry. But the style forum on here does often seem to gear towards rather strange suggestions in my experience. I don't know your body shape or height etc in order to suggest alternatives (if you've said it I've evidently missed it but it is gone midnight so forgive me)
Anyway enjoy the day and have a wonderful time regardless of outfit.

I agree - I think the faux Chanel style is always a bit naff if I'm honest, and by now it's defintely associated with conservative/matronly dressing. I feel this short version is ironic, and meant to be worn by a 20 year old - ie the whole point would be the irony of her wearing something that's very middle aged.

Sorry op - I fear you fall between two stools!

You obviously have a great figure - why not go for something more 'now' ? maybe in the same general style as your DD but longer?

It's a nice dress but a little plain.

Last time I went to the ROH I wore a tiara and a ball gown. I was accompanied by a small cote of doves though, who I fed with bite sized venison burgers from my hands. Appreciate it's not a look that everyone can pull off.

Anyway, you should be more than ok for the Ritz.

I know you're being sarcastic but I would so love to rock up in a full on ball gown and tiara 👑 😁

I love DDs dress. If I'm honest the cream dress isn't to my taste, but who cares. If you love it, buy it!

I love that Klements dress posted by a PP. Looks like a difficult shape to wear though.

Your daughter's dress is gorgeous. I hope you have wonderful time.

Best stay out of mainland Europe then from September onwards, they never stopped wearing fur.

Yeah, I don’t like the faux-Chanel dress either, and it is unflattering even on the model. It’s not very afternoon tea or ROH, I’d have said. I think I’d find something in a more relaxed cut. Your daughter’s dress is great.

I'm another one who doesn't like the Chanel-style dress. For the reasons pp said above. Love your daughter's dress though, the colour is gorgeous!

I don't think the Me&Em one is awful enough that I would really clock it it if I saw someone in it, and if all you want to know is whether it's suitable for the occasion, then yes, it's fine. But I agree with a pp that it seems as though you could do much better for a similar budget.

Having just been to Claridges for afternoon tea, I’d say that the Channel type dress is spot on for afternoon tea. Daughter dress also lovely so long as it looks ok sitting down. I say this as a tall woman, it would not work for me lengthwise

Don't wear black loafers, they will be too heavy and dark for the cream dress and will focus attention in the wrong place.

Not true. And even if it were, it's still disgusting.

ROH is more dressy than other theatres. . You won't stand out out or get funny looks if you're smart casual but equally it's still more dressy than smart casual. The OP and her daughter in those outfits will absolutely not be the smartest people there.

I'm a regular attendee at ROH. I disagree. There's a gamut of styles but what the OP is proposing won't stand out as over dressed.

People have different ideas of fun.

Love the cream , absolutely perfect for what you describe
The green is perfect for a16 year old if this is her style
Have a lovely stay and a wonderful birthday weekend

I don’t personally like the ivory dress either - I associate it with workwear, and would feel a little stiff in it at such a joyous occasion. HOWEVER it is not inappropriate for either setting, and it is a good choice in that it allows full focus to be on your daughter in her fabulous dress. And if you like it and feel comfortable in it, that’s what matters.

Don’t,worry about what you wear to ROH. There’s no dress code as such for opera and ballet, as long as you are clothed!

I wouldn’t care what the person next to me wore, as long as they weren’t dirty to the point of smelling bad (although I do care if they are talking, humming along, eating noisily or trying to inconspicuously use their phone - this is never discreet - the bloody thing lights up!).

I think it’s a good thing to make opera and ballet feel less elitist and intimidating. I would rather that people feel comfortable and able to allow themselves to be transported by the amazing performers in front of them, than to feel judged by their fellow audience members.

Wear what you like. Nobody dresses up for going out these days and London nobody even notices either!

Sounds like a lovely day though. Enjoy!

Both dresses are really lovely, your daughter will have amazing memories for her 16 th!

Agree that pretty much anything goes at ROH, I wore silk trousers and a top and I think a simple dress another time.

@J1Dub the green dress is very 'in' for a 16 yr old. That is the fashion these days for youngins!

I think it's lovely that she will be with family and doing grownup stuff. One of my friends sons wanted to go fossil hunting for his bday and another wanted money to go to Nando's with friends, like anything in life different people do different things and thats a good thing.

OP if you are autumn colouring why are you considering wearing black, especially next to your face?
Wear colours that suit you in order to look your best surely?

Have a great time!

Yes, but what did you wear! 😆

I think that would be my entire monthly salary gone in one day.

To have a joke?

I thought it was a funny comment!