Protocol Professionals, Inc. | Opera Protocol Tips (2024)

FAQs

Should you wear black tie to the opera? ›

Italians dress to the nines when they go to see an opera performance. Men traditionally wear a tuxedo, while women wear ball gowns, co*cktail dresses or elegant pants suits. It's not all black tie - there are plenty of options.

What to wear: As at the classic opera houses of Europe, those attending an Opening Night should dress in formal attire. Men wear black tie (tuxedo, preferably in a traditional style) or white tie and tails to an Opening Night. On other opera nights, black tie or a dark suit is appropriate.

While there is no dress code at the Met, we recommend comfortable clothing appropriate for a professional setting. Attendees tend to dress more formally for Galas or openings of new productions, but this is optional. Are children allowed? Yes; however, all attendees must be ticketed for the performance.

Formal suits are always appropriate for the opera, no matter the dress code. Go the traditional route with a black, single-breasted jacket or choose something more contemporary like a midnight blue jacket with a shawl lapel. Regardless of the style, make sure both the jacket and pants fit properly.

You should't wear casual clothing such as jeans, T-shirts, shorts, jumpers and trainers. It's also best to avoid suits that aren't black (or dark blue) and patterned ties or shirts.

What's the best way to navigate a black-tie dress code? Generally speaking, “black tie” for women means “long.” A floor-length dress in an evening-appropriate fabric, such as velvet, chiffon, silk, or lace, is the best bet.

Sit back and enjoy the music. Please turn off phones and other electronic devices before the performance begins and leave any camera or camcorders at home. Also, it is inappropriate to whisper, talk or hum during the performance. Some operas can last up to 3 hours.

You can wear whatever you want to the opera, but dressy clothes are the norm.

There's no compulsory dress code. Wear what you'll feel comfortable in. It can get cold in the theatre, so consider an extra layer.

How long does an opera last? Operas generally last anywhere from 1.5 to 5 hours or sometimes longer.

What to do before going to opera? ›

Most operas have at least one intermission—use that time to grab a glass of champagne or a quick bite (view food and drink options) and explore the opera house.

Suit or Tuxedo: A well-tailored suit or tuxedo is the foundation of opera attire. A traditional black tuxedo with satin or silk lapels is a timeless choice, especially for formal performances. Our list of best tuxedo shirts to try. A dark suit in navy or charcoal gray is also acceptable for semi-formal occasions.

You can't go wrong with an elegant white blouse. Pair it with wide-leg trousers or sleek black skinnies for a simple yet chic opera outfit.

Fortunately, nowadays, this isn't the case. A night at the opera can be as casual or as dressy as you like. On most nights at Lyric, you'll see everything from denim to sequins!

Not at all necessary, or even advised. The Dress Circle and Parquet (Orchestra) are the most likely place for a tux. The one time I would recommend it would be on the opening night of a new production, people do seem to dress up for that specific occasion.

Look around the theatre and you'll see women in co*cktail dresses, men in chinos, corporates in business suits, families in their Sunday best and tourists in whatever-they-were-wearing-that-day. There's no compulsory dress code. Wear what you'll feel comfortable in.

Black tie was once the only thing you wore to the opera, but nowadays you can get away with less formal attire.

While you might see evening gowns and dinner jackets on the opening night of the opera season, a typical night at the opera isn't a formal event, and there's never a dress code. Many people consider the opera a big night out and like to dress up, but just as many come in khakis or jeans.