Royal Opera House Nutcracker

[Manonymously]

What to wear?

First time to the ROH. Taking DH and DD 6

I know supposedly anything goes but we want to play at dress up and feel great as it's special and Christmas.

I have nothing suitable in my wardrobe and no clue. I've been living in mum uniform so am a bit lost. Bought a Boden velvet dress with long sleeves last Christmas (as it was easy and didn't have to think much) Haven't been to London since DD was born

I'm early 40's, 12, rubenesque pear shape with a long torso, dark blonde hair with a red cast

To my name I have a designer black slouchy calf leather bag (probably looks dated) and some jewelry.

I have some earrings very similar to these but silver vermeil I usually wear at Christmas
Earrings
but also some plain stuff all solid silver.

Saw this dressBeads and lace gally
Drawn to the cut of the lower half of it. Shame about the colour

I'd love some suggestions. Would ideally like a short or long sleeve to cover upper arms.. guidance very welcome !

Ah, you will love it! We go every year- it's the start of Christmas for me.

People wear all sorts. I imagine that you are going to an afternoon show with a 6yo. There will definitely be people there who are dressed up and Christmassy, girls in party dresses etc (and many more people dressed up than there would be for a different ballet matinee at the ROH). There will also be people in jeans and everything in between. So wear whatever you like.

Personally I would find velvet too hot if it has long sleeves. I'd try to wear something that you can adjust for temperature (eg jacket or cardie you can take off) and the same for your DD, because it will be cold outside but can get quite warm in the theatre.

yes, do layers. I find it cold to begin with then get too hot as the performance goes on.

I go to the ballet at the ROH in December too.

A long-sleeved dress in velvet will feel too warm after you have been there for a while.

A short-sleeved dress layered with a light cardigan will be your best option.

It's true that people wear all manner of things there, so choose something comfortable which makes you feel good.

I love seeing the little girls going to these performances. I've seen some in little net 'tutu' skirts over their tights topped with a ballet cardigan wrap or dressed as fairies or princesses. So excited!

I love it. Such a wonderful atmosphere.

I think that dress is overly occasion-y, even winter bridesmaid-y. The seats are quite compact, too, so I wouldn’t wear anything too wide-skirted. I’m one of the people who used to queue for cheap day tickets at dawn and rush into the ROH after work wearing work clothes, but the odd time, if going to the opera in a more organised, pre-planned way, I used to wear a wrap dress with a ribbon belt, or a thrifted Isobel Marant dress — midi with long sleeves.

We go regularly and few adults dress up to more than smart casual unless you are in the stalls. Little girls often wear party dresses though.

Oh thankyou. Gorgeus to make it an annual thing. What the perfect festive kick off.

Actually we umm'ed and ahh'ed and went for evening so hoping there's no cast change fingers crossed..

Yes ! Good point about temperature in and out the auditorium. Luckily I had also thought that.

Decidely not wearing the velvet dress and want to feel a bit grown up. DD very excited to dress up.. would go like Liberace if we let her !

Plenty of small girls will be in sparkly party dresses, some of the adults will look like minor royalty, most will be in slightly smarter than average outfits, and some young people will have come straight from the dance studio in casual wear.

I have been known to wear jeans in the Royal Opera House.😁Adult dd and I go fairly often. You really don't have to put a huge amount of effort into it.

If you've not been there before, go early and take plenty of money for the very impressive but rather expensive gift shop. Oh, and the drinks at the bar aren't cheap either!!