Metropolitan Opera House Dress Code

[globetrotter]

A guy in a black tuxedo, with a very fancy silver bolo tie, and a jet black cowboy hat with sterling hatband, and very very shiny black crocodile cowboy boots.  This was not a look that I would emulate, but it looked very good on the guy wearing it.  My wife and I both thought it was quite handsome.  

kai,

in such a case, do you wear your hat into the opera? do you keep it on during, or rest it by your feet? how does that work?

 

[norcaltransplant]

I fielded a similar question a couple of months ago, and decided to go with the lone respectable suit I had hanging in the closet. In retrospect, a sportcoat, slacks, and tie would have probably been MORE appropriate, since my date for the evening had just finished work and was wearing biz casual (generic black pants, blouse, light jacket, and one oversized bag). Just don't wear khakis...

 

[Kai]

Quote:

(Kai @ Feb. 14 2005,11:02) A guy in a black tuxedo, with a very fancy silver bolo tie, and a jet black cowboy hat with sterling hatband, and very very shiny black crocodile cowboy boots. Â This was not a look that I would emulate, but it looked very good on the guy wearing it. Â My wife and I both thought it was quite handsome. Â
kai, in such a case, do you wear your hat into the opera? do you keep it on during, or rest it by your feet? how does that work?
No, he checked his hat at the coat check, and picked it up when the opera was over. I was standing behind him at the coat check when he picked up his hat.

 

[YoungFogey]

No, he checked his hat at the coat check, and picked it up when the opera was over.  I was standing behind him at the coat check when he picked up his hat.

Perhaps he had one of those collapsible opera cowboy hats.

 

[emsny]

Really, you can wear what you damn well please at the Met. Me, I almost always wear a suit (we go 10 or 12 times a year), but I'd probably wear a suit to the beach if I ever went to the beach. People wear jeans and sweaters to the Met, at all ticket prices. It really doesn't matter. It's about the performance, not about the audience.

The only time I ever felt I needed to wear black tie to the opera was at Monte Carlo, where probably 80 per cent of the men were thus attired. I'd asked beforehand, and my contacts said it was unnecessary - but I sensed from their tone that what they really meant was, "Please, please, please don't come in anything BUT black tie." When we met before the first of the shows we were to see, they actually told us how relieved they were that I was all riveted into a stiff shirt. It was, of course, fun to dress up - the Monte Carlo opera house is in the casino building and is extraordinarily fancy.

 

[Horace]

Really, you can wear what you damn well please at the Met. Me, I almost always wear a suit (we go 10 or 12 times a year), but I'd probably wear a suit to the beach if I ever went to the beach. People wear jeans and sweaters to the Met, at all ticket prices. It really doesn't matter. It's about the performance, not about the audience.

The only time I ever felt I needed to wear black tie to the opera was at Monte Carlo, where probably 80 per cent of the men were thus attired. I'd asked beforehand, and my contacts said it was unnecessary - but I sensed from their tone that what they really meant was, "Please, please, please don't come in anything BUT black tie." When we met before the first of the shows we were to see, they actually told us how relieved they were that I was all riveted into a stiff shirt. It was, of course, fun to dress up - the Monte Carlo opera house is in the casino building and is extraordinarily fancy.

Of course you can. And yet the article I mentioned above does point out that it's a matter of respect to the orchestra for patrons to dress well. I think it also signals dignity to the event.

 

[Fabienne]

Going to the last performance of Carmen this afternoon in the Midwest. My husband says he'll be wearing a black suit, what should I wear?

 

[Concordia]

Originally Posted by Fabienne

Going to the last performance of Carmen this afternoon in the Midwest. My husband says he'll be wearing a black suit, what should I wear?

A T-shirt saying "I didn't authorize this black suit ====>>"

Otherwise, anything neat and clean. Attractive women seem to have a lot more latitude when it comes to afternoons out.

 

[barims]

Originally Posted by Kai

I'm a regular at the Colorado Opera. Our tickets are usually to opening night. I always wear black tie.

Last Saturday, we saw Handel's Julius Ceasar. (wonderful performance.)

As to how other folks were dressed: Perhaps a little over 1/4 of the men were in black tie. probably 1/2 were in conservative suits, and the other 1/4 ranged from polo shirts to sport coats.

Some interesting clothes I noticed:

A guy in a shawl collared tuxedo made from glossy satin, with the shawl collar made from black mink fur. This was not a look I found particularly attractive or classy.

A guy in a black tuxedo, with a very fancy silver bolo tie, and a jet black cowboy hat with sterling hatband, and very very shiny black crocodile cowboy boots. This was not a look that I would emulate, but it looked very good on the guy wearing it. My wife and I both thought it was quite handsome.

A guy in a tuxedo with an absolutely beautiful silk vest with gold brocade, which went very nicely with some gold studs and a white linen pocket square with fine gold edged trim. He looked very well put-together. Probably the best looking ensemble I saw all evening.

Some very aureate outfits here. I'd love to see photographs, if only to see how these could be pulled off

 

[Fabienne]

OK, so let's say I have some influence, what should he be wearing, and what should I then consider for myself? I know the opera on facebook posted "come as you are", but no.

 

[Concordia]

Where in Midwest? A barn in eastern Ohio, or the Chicago Lyric?

Anyway, aim it as though you were going to church or maybe a brunch or afternoon tea at a good restaurant. Nice blazer or not-so-glossy suit for him, medium to dark colors probably best (it will be dark for most of the day). Suit or sweater set for you perhaps. Plan ahead for a slightly over-heated auditorium.

Unless this is a very odd opera club, there won't be a dress code as such. Look nice, but be relaxed-- it will be a long afternoon and there won't be any need to look good under flash bulbs.

 

[Archivist]

An afternoon performance is a little more casual but still, I think it's nice to wear a dark suit, preferably charcoal or navy. Tie. black shoes.

More casually, a non flashy sports coat or blazer, nice trousers (not jeans, not chinos), tie, and appropriately colored shoes.

There is a deep history of distrust of the black suit here.

Any of the above, and he will probably be better dressed than many of the men there.

 

[Srynerson]

Originally Posted by Kai

I'm a regular at the Colorado Opera. Our tickets are usually to opening night. I always wear black tie.

Last Saturday, we saw Handel's Julius Ceasar. (wonderful performance.)

As to how other folks were dressed: Perhaps a little over 1/4 of the men were in black tie. probably 1/2 were in conservative suits, and the other 1/4 ranged from polo shirts to sport coats.

The interesting thing to me is how much dressier the crowd for Opera Colorado is than the Colorado Symphony Orchestra next door. Other than the New Year's Eve concert, black tie is almost non-existent at the CSO as far as I've seen (I've never attended the season opening/closing so I don't know what the standard is for those) and probably fewer than 50% of men are in suits at the evening performances. Mrs. Srynerson actually gets distressed if I try to wear a suit to a CSO matinee.

 

[Concordia]

Originally Posted by Fabienne

OK, so let's say I have some influence, what should he be wearing, and what should I then consider for myself? I know the opera on facebook posted "come as you are", but no.

???

 

[patrickBOOTH]

When I go to the met in a suit I feel like I stand out.