Fashion advice: matinee opera event ????

[TexasSissy]

Okay, I am going to the opera for the first time. I'm female. Going with a male - first date.

It's a modern opera, a matinee. The problem: I've recently gained about 15 pounds (quit smoking), so my old standby outfit of a silk blouse tucked into dressy pants is out.

I have a bright rose fine gauge sweater top with a fancy crochety neckline with feminine detail around the neckline. Kinda sexy, but not too much. Can wear with some slim fitting midnight navy pants and heels. Too casual?

Anyone out there been to a matinee opera with some fashion advice? I don't want to be overdressed...but don't want him to think I'm a slob who doesn't know how to dress. He said, BTW, that it's business casual dress. But I don't think that's right---I wear Dockers at work for business casual, and I don't think that's appropriate for an opera, even a matinee one.

Any advice? (Please no wisecrack responses! This is a first date, guys. Give me a break!)

[yvr girl]

1. I don't think it's too casual but it

depends on your city. Vancouver is very casual. Matinees are generally much more laid back. Have fun.

[TexasSissy]

9. Thanks! I'm in Dallas...not formal.

I go to musicals at that theater all the time, and it's a variety of dress. It's the opera thing that's throwing me; opera buffs are more formal, I think.

Thanks for your response. It's good to know that it didn't strike you right off the bat as too casual. So I think that means it's not way off the mark.

[auntAgonist]

2. perfect!

wear the bright rose fine gauge sweater top with a fancy crochety neckline with feminine detail around the neckline, sounds elegant, understated and feminine. Enjoy !!

You'll look lovely!


:)

[TexasSissy]

10. Thanks!

[gennifer6]

3. black skirt just above or just below the knees....

or a business suit if you have one, coat and skirt, as long as you don't wear any unnecessary jewelry you shouldn't look overdressed.

[gennifer6]

4. The sweater sounds great....

Do they make them for women built like linebackers???

[TexasSissy]

11. Hey! I'm not built like a linebacker!

I'm the same as before, just 15 lbs more of me! (yuk! But I'm working on it. Eating less, exercising; it's tough.) But I still look adorable, I guess, since this guy asked me out in my puffed up state! Go figure. Here's my picture: :*

See....I'm adorable!

[gennifer6]

21. That's great but I am........

I'm working on my "moral values", so I've decided to become self-centered and only concern myself with finding a sweater like that for me....God wants me to wear it, too.

[TexasSissy]

24. I got it at Dillard's. The label says it's a "Poodle."

Poodle makes some unique sweater tops.

[pk_du]

5. You'll fit right in....will be very mixed crowd I'm sure

To be safe...why not ask him what he's wearing?

[TexasSissy]

12. Will do. I can call him in the morning. (I bet he'll say...

pants and a shirt. What else? But maybe he'll say casual pants or something. I'll ask him.) Thanks.

[tjdee]

6. Any dresses?

This is a time when the little black dress becomes one's best friend.

I HATE things like this, many :hug: because I hate the feeling of not knowing what to wear to things and ending up feeling over/under dressed.

Not knowing what the sweater looks like, I think it sounds a bit casual...unless you dress it up with a necklace and that whole accessories bit (on edit: I'm in the minority, so wear your pretty rose thing, girl!). Any way to spy on another day's matinee audience (difficult if it's like, tomorrow, or if the show is out of your way)?

Good luck!

[TexasSissy]

7. LOL LOL.

I'd love to spy...but it's tomorrow. It was a standby thing, depending on some other circumstances. I really didn't think we'd be going, or I'd have prepared for it. But surprise, the other circumstances means we can go.

I don't think I have a fall weather little black dress (need to get one)....only a sleeveless summer one. I don't want to wear a jacket (that's not very sexy). But I'll look again.

Thanks for your advice!

[WMliberal]

8. dress like church for the sunday matinee.

many of the old folks who go to the sunday matinee just came from church.
Dockers= bad idea.
However, I'm a guy... but if I were your date, I'm show up in black, freshly polished shoes, gray or black slacks, dress shirt, necktie. No jacket, unless it's cold.

BTW, what opera? The Merry Widow is ending its run here this weekend. I'm devestated that I can't make it. It's gotten rave reviews and I LOVED it the last time Virginia Opera did a production.

[TexasSissy]

15. Hey, that was great info (about church). That makes

sense. Thanks! And great to get some input from a guy.

The opera is Jenufa (by Janacek).

Based on your info, I don't know if the sweater outfit is dressy enough. I'll see if I can find a top for my black silk skirt. If not, I'll have to go with the rose sweatery top.

[FuzzySlippers]

13. I've been to lots of operas

matinee and otherwise. I think what you're proposing is just fine.

[TexasSissy]

16. Oh, really? Thanks so much. I was going to look for a top

to go with a black silk skirt I have...but I really don't want to tuck in, if I don't have to. I'm self conscious about the added weight, and I want to be relaxed and have a good time. If the sweater outfit will do, I would like that one. It is flattering...the color and the fit and all. Thanks!

[Rabrrrrrr]

14. No, no crochety neckline for a modern opera

Remember, these will be intelligent intellectual people.

No midnight navy, either. Amongst the modern crowd, navy is strictly verboten. Wear black, or wear louder colors. But no navy.

And no lace.

For help, take a look at any GAP or DOCKERS catalogue, and whatever you see in them, is what you should not wear.

But, it also depends on your attitude and your hairstyle, and how many piercings you might have. Which is to say, if you have flaming red hair, or purple, or blue, or whatever, you can get away with the crochety neckline.

In other words, your dressings should be free of filigree, unless your body has filigree. If you have no piercings, and have regular hair, then you need to wear earth-tones, and should have angles and a severe look. And no brown shoes.

A turtle neck would be appropriate, and slacks, with black shoes. Or tennis shoes. Remember, you're trying to look serious - this is a modern opera, in the afternoon, and a first date - you aren't trying to look like Mrs. Pool or some midwestern country-decor wannabe.

Or wear a cocktail dress, or a skirt (though not a mini - this is a date, and an afternoon show - can't look that sexy until it's an evening show).

But, egads, totally no on the navy blue.

Oh, and jeans are also okay - even blue ones. In that case, blue is okay. But they can't be ripped or bleached or any of that crap, unless you also wear a baggy earth-colored (but not pathetic or cheap looking) sweater.

[FuzzySlippers]

17. Are you being serious or totally facetious?

I can't tell. Anyway, I think you've just driven the poor girl completely bonkers.

[Rabrrrrrr]

20. No, being serious

and I know, it's confusing. But there are a lot of variables.

If she were going to Turandot or Rigaletto, it would be easy.

But modern stuff is quite different.

THough the admonition against wearing navy blue is utterly appropriate for anything (whether opera, symphony, weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, etc.) unless you're going to the yacht club.

[FuzzySlippers]

23. It's not NYC.

I'm sure the rules there are much more stringent.

[TexasSissy]

26. As FuzzySlippers said...this does confuse me. I wonder if it's

dressy enough. But it so happens, this is my natural style, anyway. I can do this!

My hairstyle is serious (med-dark brown, longish, straight) - the classic long style.

I've got a great outfit for a serious look: black silk-like pants (not shiny), black shoes, dusty purple/lavender silk sweater (straight up to the neck, but not a turtleneck), antique silver necklace. This is it! A serious look, but not masculine.

Thanks!

[Rabrrrrrr]

27. Sounds good!

I think you shall look quite elegant and appropriate.

[Rabrrrrrr]

28. p.s. enjoy the opera! Which one are you seeing?

[TexasSissy]

29. Jenufa (by Janacek). Should be good. I've never seen it and am

excited about seeing it.

Thanks for your help. It's much appreciated.

[Rabrrrrrr]

30. Ooh - Jancek! Good stuff.

Probably could have gotten away with the crocheted stuff, then. I thought you meant modern modern, like recent. Oh, well. In the end, it really doesn't matter. I often wore jeans to the Metropolitan Opera because they were comfy - and I almost always stood for the operas (even the entire Ring Cycle - 2 times!).

[The empressof all]

18. You'll be perfectly appropriate in that

I've found that most folks don't dress for matinee's. Then again I'm in Seattle and SO and I have gone in Jeans. The Ring is coming around again this summer ---gotta be comfy for 6 hours of Wagner at a stretch.

[AngryAmish]

19. Opera in Chicago is suit and tie minimum

Black tie for opening nite. (Male) Gowns for gals.

However, you are not in Chicago. Wear a skirt with a fancy top.

Or a Chinese dress. Those always look good.

[gennifer6]

22. BTW have fun.......

[TexasSissy]

25. Thanks! That's my goal, and why the hubub over the dress. I don't

want to worry about fitting in or being comfortable. I want to have a good time. This is a very nice man....I'd like us both to have a good time, above all else.

[Sabriel]

31. Take a tablecloth, cut a hole in the middle, and put it over your head.

If it works for **ush, why not for you, too?