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!

You'll both look fabulous, have a fantastic time, what a wonderful way to celebrate your daughter's birthday.
My pearl earrings are my most worn jewellery (18th present), good pearls light up your face, classic for a reason.
Ignore any comments about being overdressed, you won't be, I've only ever regretted the effort I haven't made.
The 'nobody dresses up in London' narrative that exists here doesn't reflect my experience at all. I find the clever, creative and playful use of colour, texture and shape I see day to day on the tube inspiring. If you're looking for confirmation bias of dull and basic you see only that, if you're looking for creative and beautiful then that's what you'll find.

No, it hasn’t, we were there very recently.

TFI’s (or is it TGI’s?) for my youngsters 18th…wasn’t too shabby either!

I think it's more nuanced than 'no-one dresses up'.

There are different fashion tribes all across London. There is a general trend towards practical coats and comfortable footwear due to most people using public transport.

Clothes may well be very expensive but might not look as obviously 'dressy' as if you are going out in Liverpool or Manchester.

I work most of the week in 'the North' but live somewhere v much in 'the South'. Day to day dress codes in both places are different - I've never ever had so many compliments on what I wear but I'm not stylish, I just stand out a bit as I'm doing oversized tailoring in a town that's more bodycon.

Mentioned at work I was going to the opera next week and the assumption was that this would be a big expensive fancy night out and they were shocked that it was costing a small fraction of what they had spent on Oasis tickets.

Agree! The amazing thing about London (as one who lives there) is that you can go out in your three piece suit, or your dressing gown, and broadly no one bats an eyelid. :)

I do find that often I’ve worn something quite classic to one of the smart hotels and found myself surrounded by tourists wearing baseball caps and sneakers (no doubt probably more expensive than anything I was wearing). But that’s fine. Have a lovely time OP! Onegin is receiving rave reviews.

This, exactly.

I’m not keen on either dress, the waistlines are too high, they remind me of little girls party dresses.
Will you be wearing tights with the cream?

The last version of Eugene Onegin at ROH was staged in the sense of the singers being on stage and the orchestra in the pit but there was very little in the way of staging in the sense of set design or costumes. The ballet will be more of a spectacle.

It made me think of the young Twiggy in the 1960s but the dress looks more Mango than Mary Quant.

Your dress is lovely and perfect for the occasion. I'm sure your DD will have a great day and look stunning in her beautiful outfit.

I think it sounds lovely @DieDreiHexen not that you were asking, it has been my dream to stay at the Ritz even before I was 16! People really are bizarre towards people with different tastes and budgets to themselves, you definitely won’t be considered overdressed in London, you see all sorts.

I go to the ROH fairly often. You can wear absolutely anything! But given the Ritz too,I think that's a lovely dress. Have fun

Op your dress choices are lovely. These comments however...

Come on if you can't get dressed up for the Ritz and the ROH where can you?! I also like to dress up for occasions, however apparently the done thing is to go as scruffy as possible in case god forbid someone may (correctly) assume I'm an "out of towner" 😂

Personally I love to see people make effort with their style and it tends to be the older generation who do this best nowadays. The main thing is you're having fun and enjoying yourself! If you want to go in your leggings and raincoat you do you, but I like to see people make a bit of an effort, particularly when they're in a beautiful building, whether they're a lowly out of towner or not 🙄

😂 pathetic

I wouldn't wear that anywhere but it's probably okay for the ROH. DD's aunt would know, she goes to ROH fairly often as enjoys opera. Not asking her, though.

😂😘

Because freedom to dine at the Ritz is a positive freedom as is going to the ROH. Most of us are more interested in women's rights and the five negative freedoms from want, ignorance, disease, idleness and squalor.
And why has OP detailed entire programme and said this is extra special (and detailed less special visits?) most of which is irrelevant to the suit she shows? Sounds like showing off. Most of us don't and it's considered appallingly bad manners in the UK.

I’d get dressed up for afternoon tea at the Ritz but then change to comfort for the ROH. It’s really low key, mainly jeans and day wear and I think you might feel a bit overdressed?

That’s a very cultured 16th! (I’m quite jealous to be honest)

You don’t need to wear anything fancy for ROH if you don’t want to. I like the dress in Cream. Have fun!

Side note: is it not called the Royal Ballet & Opera now?

It's gorgeous:) and yes, it does suit the occasion

Dead 😂😂😂

people don’t dress up for opera

like the dress tho

OP’s plans all sound wonderful.
Lots of chips on shoulders here today.