What to Wear to an Opera Dress Rehearsal?

[Tristan.sf]

So, all of the sort of posts I've seen for what to wear for x occasion typically come from people older than myself, and, when one has a smaller wardrobe than almost anyone on this forum (e.g., no suits, outerwear, or sport coats [yet]), can all of you give some advice on what to wear for the following occasion? Tomorrow night, I'm going to the dress rehearsal for a show from the Opera San Jose From my wardrobe, here are some of the items I have in mind: Shirts: Dress shirt (blue, white), oxford (blue) Pants: Dress pants (black, gray), chino pants (gray, medium tan) Shoes: Black captoes, shell cordovan bluchers

 

[landshark]

For a small (timer) beginner's wardrobe : http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker38.html Don't get black pants (get charcoal) or a black blazer (get navy).

 

[EZETHATSME]

From your existing wardrobe, I'd probably wear a white shirt, gray pants and the black shoes.

When you do get your first suit, go with the usual advice of navy or charcoal, and also with navy on a blazer (you probably already know that...)

Enjoy the rehearsal!

EZ

 

[Tristan.sf]

Thanks for the suggestion, but honestly, that article was mostly rubbish. For example: "[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Trousers: they are not supposed to fit like jeans! They are supposed to be loose and even bellowy by blue-jean standards. Do not have the seat taken in. Do not have the back leg taken in. Just wear them as they come." Really? [/FONT] Or, "[FONT=Times New Roman, Times, serif]Jackets: most men wear them too tight! Resist the temptation to get them taken in. They should be loose and comfortable."[/FONT]

Originally Posted by landshark

For a small (timer) beginner's wardrobe : http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker38.html Don't get black pants (get charcoal) or a black blazer (get navy).
Thanks, EZE. Er, something I forgot to mention is that the white dress shirt I own is a cotton-polyester blend, and does not fit well; I only wear it underneath v-neck sweaters occasionally.

Originally Posted by EZETHATSME

From your existing wardrobe, I'd probably wear a white shirt, gray pants and the black shoes. When you do get your first suit, go with the usual advice of navy or charcoal, and also with navy on a blazer (you probably already know that...) Enjoy the rehearsal! EZ

 

[EZETHATSME]

Ah, in that case wear the blue one if it fits better. Will be fine - California isn't generally known as the dressiest place in the nation, even at the opera, so I'm willing to bet you will look as good or better than many there.

EZ

 

[hypostatic]

Big nights at the opera (or symphony) should be nothing but opera attire: tux or velvet blazer + black/charcoal pants, opera pumps, and a white shirt. Opera scarf and cape optional. Not sure how loose dress code norms are in California, but it might be fine to do with less - I myself would feel uncomfortable in Toronto/New York/London.

If it's a dress rehearsal or a show later in the series, that might warrant wearing something slightly less (semi-)formal. I guess the most important thing is to stick to black and white, and grey if necessary.

 

[comrade]

Originally Posted by Tristan.sf

So, all of the sort of posts I've seen for what to wear for x occasion typically come from people older than myself, and, when one has a smaller wardrobe than almost anyone on this forum (e.g., no suits, outerwear, or sport coats [yet]), can all of you give some advice on what to wear for the following occasion? Tomorrow night, I'm going to the dress rehearsal for a show from the Opera San Jose

From my wardrobe, here are some of the items I have in mind:

Shirts: Dress shirt (blue, white), oxford (blue)
Pants: Dress pants (black, gray), chino pants (gray, medium tan)
Shoes: Black captoes, shell cordovan bluchers

I went to one in San Francisco last Spring. It was in the afternoon.
I wore a cashmere wool houndstooth sportcoat, tan twill slacks,
suede shoes and a non solid color dress shirt without a tie. Put on tie
for Style Forum Meet-Up in the evening. At the rehearsal I was one
of the most "dressed-up".

 

[Tristan.sf]

That was very helpful, thank you. So, tomorrow night, I'll wear a blue dress shirt, gray dress pants, and black cap toes. Should I add anything else, perhaps a necktie or a sweater? Oh, and how often are there gatherings in S.F.?

Originally Posted by comrade

I went to one in San Francisco last Spring. It was in the afternoon. I wore a cashmere wool houndstooth sportcoat, tan twill slacks, suede shoes and a non solid color dress shirt without a tie. Put on tie for Style Forum Meet-Up in the evening. At the rehearsal I was one of the most "dressed-up".

 

[A Y]

Whatever you're comfortable in. Jeans and T-shirt would not be out of place. There'll be stagehands running around, the musicians will be in street wear, and the artistic staff will be working their butts off. It's a working atmosphere quite unlike a real performance.

--Andre

 

[EZETHATSME]

Regardless of the above post, I'd still dress up. A dress rehearsal is the final rehearsal before opening night, and I'd treat it as worthy of dressing up to some extent.

To be honest, I've not attended a dress rehearsal for an opera, only for philharmonic events - in those cases the musicans were dressed as they would be for the actual performance. Andre certainly may be right about the atmosphere at an opera dress rehearsal.

Also, do you have a date and if so what is she wearing? Maybe take that in to consideration as to how dressy you go...

At any rate, have a fun time. When you get a chance, please update what you wore, and what the general attire of others was. All too often people ask for advice for some event or date on here, then we never hear what they ended up doing or how it went!

EZ

 

[pitboss12]

You'll be fine with what you plan to wear. I go to the opera once or twice a season. In California (Los Angeles), you will see some people in formal attire but the overwhelming majority will just wear sportcoats and chinos. Many people wear jeans.

Since you're attending a rehearsal, the dress code is even more lax.

 

[ysc]

Originally Posted by A Y

Whatever you're comfortable in. Jeans and T-shirt would not be out of place. There'll be stagehands running around, the musicians will be in street wear, and the artistic staff will be working their butts off. It's a working atmosphere quite unlike a real performance.

--Andre

Been to quite a few opera dress rehearsals now, and this guy is right. Even if all the cast is in costume the director, all his bitches, and the stage hands will be wearing whatever.

I would go on the smarter side of casual, but really whatever you want to wear will work.
The idea that you have to be very smartly dressed for the opera these days is kind of silly, apart from opening night (or other special events, or glyndebourne) black tie is really not needed, and outside of the most expensive seats you don't really even need a jacket most nights.

 

[Tristan.sf]

Okay. So, I would've written a summary last night, but I got home a bit late.. I went with gray slacks, a blue oxford, a navy v-neck sweater, and black cap toes; warm enough for the rain, and comfortable as well. Because there was a dress rehearsal, there weren't very many people at the building, and, most of them were not dressed very well, although, I didn't pay as much attention to the women as to the men. For the men, the spectrum went from jeans with plaid shirts to a black suit that needed tailoring. Actually, there was a boy who had clothes similar to mine, except that he had a ribbed v-neck sweater, and split-toe slip-ons. The rehearsal was for the opera, Tosca, and was held at the California Theatre in San Jose; here's a picture of what it looked like (I was up in a balcony on the left of the picture). While I won't take the time to describe the story of Tosca to you, I will say that the overall experience was exhilarating, to be inside such a majestic building, and to hear and see music of the ages past. /End of over-dramatic writing

Originally Posted by EZETHATSME

Regardless of the above post, I'd still dress up. A dress rehearsal is the final rehearsal before opening night, and I'd treat it as worthy of dressing up to some extent. To be honest, I've not attended a dress rehearsal for an opera, only for philharmonic events - in those cases the musicans were dressed as they would be for the actual performance. Andre certainly may be right about the atmosphere at an opera dress rehearsal. Also, do you have a date and if so what is she wearing? Maybe take that in to consideration as to how dressy you go... At any rate, have a fun time. When you get a chance, please update what you wore, and what the general attire of others was. All too often people ask for advice for some event or date on here, then we never hear what they ended up doing or how it went! EZ