STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

hey - dc goes to the Opera in DC often - she is out of town and only checking in periodically. I'll pop her a note letting her know you posted this - I'm sure she'll have some good suggestions.

Hi jmango!  Detroit showed me your post. 

You don't have to wear black - you can wear any color (black is safe, though).  When people go to the Kennedy center, the dress code runs the gamut.  Jeans are not ok (people do wear them... ugh), but a long fancy evening dress looks silly (people wear those, too - and they look like they've never been to the opera before.  Unless it's opening night at La Scala or the Met, that's just too much for an average night at the DC opera).  A "little black dress" or other simple cocktail knee-length dress with a wrap is fine - I generally always dress the way I would for a nice dinner out.   Sometimes I wear a nice suit and good jewelry and carry an evening bag, sometimes a DVF wrap with stilettos and diamond earrings.  To a summer opera (at the Kenedy center, not wolf trap) I might wear a simple black strapless dress with a wrap and a pretty necklace.  Simple chic plus a little glitz is safe.  Opening night is dressier. 

If attending an opera at Wolf Trap in the summer, casual is just fine. 

Does that help?