What to wear to the opera?

[Johnathan]

A suit isn't necessary, is it? I've never been.

 

[Standard Toaster]

Dinner jacket and trousers.

 

[Bill Smith]

Go dark suit, dress shirt and no tie.

 

[jmix1]

Originally Posted by Johnathan

A suit isn't necessary, is it? I've never been.

Not necessary, but recommended, especially on opening night. A tux would be better, but if you're hesitant to wear a suit I would imagine a tux isn't an option. If you own a black or navy suit, wear it. And wear a tie!

 

[East Oakland]

It often depends on when you go.

In San Francisco people often wear tuxes to season openers, but for daytime performances on the weekends, you'll see a lot of jeans and kakis.

Not sure what the norm is in Chicago, but unless it's opening night, I would not wear a tux in SF.

 

[Johnathan]

It's not an opening night, in fact it's student night. I'm not necessarily opposed to wearing a suit, but a tuxedo seems like overkill.

 

[East Oakland]

Originally Posted by Johnathan

It's not an opening night, in fact it's student night. I'm not necessarily opposed to wearing a suit, but a tuxedo seems like overkill.
Yes, if you wore a tux, you'd probably be the only person wearing one. For an evening performance, personally I would wear a suit, but god knows what most people will be wearing on student night.

 

[Connemara]

Opera pumps.

 

[Standard Toaster]

Originally Posted by Connemara

Opera pumps.

I'd imagine only wearing opera pumps would go down better on a student night than wearing a dinner jacket.

 

[jefferyd]

I sang with an opera company for 8 years. It used to be that black tie was de rigeur for opening night, and some sort of smart for the rest of the run, but now people wear whatever they feel comfortable in. My feeling is that you will be seated for at least two hours, trying not to fidget and to focus on what's going on on stage, not on your getup. Wear whatever makes you comfortable enough to enjoy the music.

 

[Orgetorix]

I usually wear a dark suit, white shirt, fairly formal tie, and black shoes. I always want to pull out my tux, but I'm too self-conscious to do so if it's not opening night (and I've never been to an opening night performance).

 

[Johnathan]

Well it's not a student night per se, but it's a night when students can get tickets for $20. I couldn't afford to go otherwise, so I won't be missing this. I'm not opposed to wearing a suit at all, but I'm twenty, I'm not about to buy a tux.

 

[pbc]

I'd wear black tie. I've done this to other (non-opera) performances. At one the dress code seemed to be jeans or khakis with a casual shirt, a few ties sprinkled in, perhaps a sport coat or two. I was the only one there in black tie and I thought it was great reading their reactions: "Wow, they're all dressed up." "Hey they look good." Trying not to look while straightening own jeans and casual shirt. A couple complimented us directly. If you have a black tie outfit, I'd do it. You'll stand out all the more (in a very good way) and I'll bet you could easily get a date out of it. The right women will be impressed with a man well dressed, especially at the opera, especially with a theater full of casually dressed students. Go for black tie or a nice dark suit with appropriate tie and shoes. If you're bringing a date, so much the better as women usually enjoy the idea of a man dressing like a man and are happy to follow suit (no pun intended). A diamond shines more brightly against a black background. Let us know how it goes. -pbc

 

[porcelain monkey]

I wear a suit to the opera. I usually go from the office. I generally see more people in jeans than tuxedos. If I went on a weekend, I would probably wear a jacket and, perhaps, a tie.

 

[Johnathan]

Originally Posted by pbc

I'd wear black tie. I've done this to other (non-opera) performances. At one the dress code seemed to be jeans or khakis with a casual shirt, a few ties sprinkled in, perhaps a sport coat or two. I was the only one there in black tie and I thought it was great reading their reactions:

"Wow, they're all dressed up."
"Hey they look good."
Trying not to look while straightening own jeans and casual shirt.
A couple complimented us directly.

If you have a black tie outfit, I'd do it. You'll stand out all the more (in a very good way) and I'll bet you could easily get a date out of it. The right women will be impressed with a man well dressed, especially at the opera, especially with a theater full of casually dressed students. Go for black tie or a nice dark suit with appropriate tie and shoes. If you're bringing a date, so much the better as women usually enjoy the idea of a man dressing like a man and are happy to follow suit (no pun intended).

A diamond shines more brightly against a black background. Let is know how it goes.

-pbc

I'm actually already going with a girl

. Right now I'm just planning on wearing a suit.