Dressing for the Opera: What You Can Wear

Dressing for the opera is tricky no matter whether you live in warm or cold climate. What will the weather be on that day? When you traveled to a city to enjoy your favorite opera or go to the opera for the first time, add the following questions to the list. Is there a dress-code? Will the theater be über-air-conditioned or over-heated? Read this post to know your options and best judge how much you want to dress up. 

Contents

Disclosure: Ad. The burned red and teal gowns are samples of my choice from Ever Pretty. The post is not endorsed by them. I wrote it entirely myself and it represents my own 100% honest opinion. I am affiliated with them.

No Dress Code, but Something Formal Is Expected

Check whether the opera house has a dress code. If not, it still means that something formal is expected. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with a Little Black Dress. Dress it up with jewelry and (jewelry) embellished  black pumps. Avoid to over-do it to not look like Audrey Hepburn  in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. It’s the opera, not Halloween.

Other options are a gown, tuxedo suit, feather trimmed jumpsuit or dress, a sequin dress, a black maxi skirt with festive blouse, just to mention a few. Always add festive footgear, and an evening bag or clutch that compliments your look.

Formal Posh Casual Outfits

When your personal style is casual, you may prefer one of the following outfit suggestions.

A high quality wool or cashmere dark straight just-above the knee or longer straight or pencil skirt with a flouncy festive or sequin top, pantyhose and patent leather high heels is a less formal option. You can find affordable, nice festive tops at Ever Pretty.

A knee-length sleek skater-style or sheath-style cocktail dress in a gemstone color also has a more casual vibe than an evening gown.

Why to Wear Evening Attire?

Recall, it is always better to be over- than underdressed. When your fear is not meet the dress code, or not to fit in, go for evening attire. You can dress down the look easily by removing jewelry, wearing your hair open instead of up, if you feel that you are too formal compared with the other women; and you want to blend in more with what they wear.

Obviously, it is hard to dress up when you wear a tea-length satin skirt with a chic knit cardigan, and satin ballet flats. Such a look would work in winter and cold climate farther away from the mega-cities.

Last, but not least, you don’t go to the opera every day, week, or month. It’s a special occasion. Therefore, you shouldn’t miss out your chance to wear a special event dress. This is particularly true when you can buy affordable chic special occasion dresses at prices much cheaper than the $200 or more ticket for the show.

Tip: Keep accessories on the minimalist side.

Which Gowns Are Best for Which Weather?

On rainy days, a cocktail dress with black semi-sheer tights, nude fishnets or bare fake-tan legs, and festive pumps is best. This way any splashes remain invisible, and your feet won’t get cold. A cocktail dress fits under a classic trench coat, if needed. The same applies for snow at temperatures around the freezing point. Stay away from satin shoes as they get wet. Silver, gold, or patent leather work.

On days with below freezing temperatures, and snow cover, tea-length gowns with boots are best. Your dress won’t plow the road, and, hence, no snow will stick to it and melt inside. Have your sandals in a tote. Inside swap the footwear, and check your coat, tote, and boots at the coat clerk’s. When the curbsides are cleaned you can go full-length. In cold weather, velvet is best.

On hot days, chiffon, or (cotton) lace are fine with festive strappy heels. Have a chic faux fur or silk stole in case, the AC is over-performing.

Accessorize with festive (costume) jewelry when your dress has no embellishment like sequins, pearls, embroidery, or lace.

Tip: For a modern look don’t match the color/material of your evening clutch with your shoes.

Tip: Match the evening bag with your outfit’s color like in the post banner.

What to Wear on the Commute?

When you plan to go to the opera on a regular basis investing in an evening coat is best. However, any high quality classic wool coat in a neutral color or faux fur coat or jacket is fine in winter. When it rains cats and dogs, a high quality classic trench coat also fits the bill.

Stylist Tip: When the weather isn’t cooperative, take a cub.

What Not to Wear to the Opera

Anything that screams weekend, work wear, gym, outdoors, vacation, or casual. No distressed whatever, no sneakers, leggings, mini skirts, anything denim, bare mid-riff except you are Indian and wear a silk sari.

Stir away from too much sequins, Rhinestones, and glitter because these material may cause annoying or irritating reflections of the light.

Dressing for the Opera in a Nutshell

You can’t go wrong with a special occasion dress. Ever Pretty offers a special discount for my subscribers and fans of 25% off on orders $75 and up. Use code:  blogger25. Browse their collection now. The next special occasion comes faster than you think.

Photos: G. Kramm

© 2013-2023 Nicole Mölders | All rights reserved