What do men wear to opera concerts?
For men, this often means wearing a suit or a blazer and dress trousers, while women commonly choose elegant dresses or pantsuits. Some opera-goers opt for more formal attire, such as tuxedos and evening gowns, especially for premieres or gala events.
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. The main idea is to show that you have confidence in your sense of style - without screaming about it.
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.
Attending the opera
But for regular performances you can wear what you like. Smart casual to high end couture, it's your night and we want you to have a great time – all we ask is that if you have large headwear that you remove it for the performance.
Weekday and matinee performances are generally where you'll see more casually dressed opera-goers in business casual or jeans and a nice blouse or button-up.
Men: A tuxedo or a dark suit with a bowtie, crisp white dress shirt, and formal dress shoes. Women: A floor-length gown or a sophisticated dress with refined accessories like pearls and elegant heels.
Men wear black tie (tuxedo, preferably in a traditional style) or white tie and tails to an Opening Night.
If going to the theatre is a special occasion rather than a regular occurrence, you may want to dress up in a formal outfit and shoes. Overall, it's best to be in an outfit you feel comfortable in, though — you don't want to spend a few hours sitting down with blistered feet.
Concert Attire for Adults
For women: Knee-length or longer skirts/dresses or dress pants. Choose formal and comfortable clothing. For men: Formal clothing such as suits, dress shirts and dress pants. Make sure you feel comfortable wearing them.
This may be a straightforward dress, a pair of khakis or dress pants, and a dress shirt. Or in the summer, even walking shorts with a polo shirt or top. You can choose to dress up more if you'd like. Because some audience members will be wearing suits and co*cktail dresses.
What is opera etiquette?
What do I do during the performance? 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.
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.
Etiquette for attending the opera
While there is no dress code at the Met, the setting and occasion are somewhat formal. The Met recommends comfortable clothing appropriate for a professional setting.
The opera is an occasion to dress up, so avoid anything that appears so casual that you might wear running around on the weekend.
Jeans are a great option if you want to wear something comfortable, casual, and effortlessly cute to a concert.
For men, that means you don a suit and a collared shirt but no tie (which immediately states “casual”) and opt for a good classic loafer. For women, a spiffy sweater over a tailored skirt (knee-length or longer) or slacks with a low heel pump or a dressy flat, all topped with an elegant silk scarf.
Your concert clothes should consist of bright t-shirts, neon colors, and a worn pair of jeans or shorts. Wear something comfortable enough to move around in, and throw on a bucket hat if the concert takes place outside!
To a musical show, you should opt for smart casual clothing, such as dress pants or chinos paired with a white button-up shirt and polished shoes, striking a balance between comfort and a slightly elevated appearance.
For example, all students must wear black dress shoes, flats or kitten heels, black socks, black pants and a black shirt with three-quarter sleeves or longer. While concert black may seem much simpler than marching band uniforms, there are a surprising number of factors to consider.
Suit: Men attending the opera should wear a dark suit, preferably black or navy. A tuxedo is also appropriate for evening performances. Shirt and Tie: A white dress shirt and tie are a must.
What do Italians wear to the opera?
Contrary to popular belief, there isn't actually a dress code for the opera. Some take the occasion as an opportunity to put on their finest clothes and make an evening of it. Whilst others will dress more casually. Most, however, will wear business attire and this is the safest option for your first time.
As the name suggests, you should wear a black suit, with a black tie, and a white shirt. The most basic definition of a Black Tie Event Dress Code is a black tuxedo or smoking jacket, however more recently people have been experimenting with Burgundy and other colors.
People wear everything and anything to the the theater these days. They tend to dress for what they're doing before and after. It also depends on day of week and time of day. Wear what you like, but be kind to your neighbors and be clean and fresh smelling and don't come laden with packages that take up room.
We do recommend smart casual attire.
That said, there's no need to arrive early or line up outside the theater, as your seat is assigned and waiting for you! Arriving 15 minutes prior to curtain should be sufficient to find your seat, use the restroom, and peruse your playbill.
