What are you wearing?

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most e-mailed articles

Other links Search event listings Search movie listings Sign up for Movies e-mail

At the opera or symphony, there's a fine line between fashion and faux pas.

Dressing up

When you're deciding what to wear, take into consideration the relative formality of the event you're attending:

Opening night for opera productions tends to be more formal than the rest of the run. At the top sartorial end are men in black tie and women in long dresses. Perfectly acceptable, however, are business suits or even sport coats for men, and dresses or elegant pantsuits for women. Also popular at the opera: dress themed toward what's being performed (an Asian flair for "Madame Butterfly" or a dressy cowgirl theme for "Girl of the Golden West").

For symphony concerts, men can't go wrong in a business suit. You also see variations on dress slacks, collared shirt and tie with a sweater or a vest, or with a leather jacket. For women, anything you'd wear out to a sit-down (not fast-food) dinner is fine.

New music performances are a law unto themselves. Most patrons try to look hip; certainly no suits or conservative dresses.

 
For summer festivals, all bets are off; you'll see shorts, sundresses and all kinds of casual attire. (Just remember, the person seated behind you is unlikely to appreciate that towering sun hat you're wearing.)

Goofing up

The following outfits were recently sighted in the audience at the opera. All we can say is: Please.

A man in jeans and underwear-type T-shirt with large holes.

A woman in hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants, with running shoes (possibly aiming for a quick getaway at the final curtain).