Dressing for Volksoper Opera
 

I've read several threads on this topic but nothing recent. We've got tickets for the Magic Flute(seats in the second balcony) at the Volksoper and I'm wondering whether I can wear casual clothes. We don't have any room in our suitcase for one time fancy outfits. For me(the wife), I was thinking along the lines of dark, tailored jeans with a dressy top and shoes. When we were in Budapest a couple of years ago, we got last minute (unplanned) tickets to the Opera in the orchestra and sat next to couples in full formal evening attire (we wore our casual clothes).
I read that the Staatsoper is much more formal but we'll probably be sitting among all the other tourists at the Volksoper.
Thanks.

You are going to get ALL kinds of responses including my own. I realize what the house WANTS people to do, say, and dress but my own experiences over the past year in Zurich, Paris, Venice, Milan, and yes, Vienna, have been that you ar4e going to see just about every type of dress.

The Volks is NOT going to kick you out so wear what you feel is decent and you will be fine.

Yes, a of people are continually pissed off because folks don't always "dress up" the way they "used to." But it is what is is now.

YOu are seriously not taking anything more "dressy" than a pair of jeans on your trip?? Well, I wouldn't dress that way to go to any concert, ballet or opera but I know some people do. I like to wear skirts and always take 1-2 on my trips, they are often more comfortable than pants, in fact. There are plenty of casual skirts around, not to mention some decent trousers other than jeans. Clothes other than jeans are hardly one-time fancy outfits.

I don't even know what tailored jeans are versus nontailored jeans, but if they are a darker solid color and you have a dressy top, they shouldn't be that noticeable as jeans, I guess you are saying. If they are mid-color or light color blue jeans, they will be though. Black, not so much.

Yes, you "can" wear such clothes if you want, and that's what you like to wear to special events like that. They won't kick you out, if that's what you mean. I don't really know of any venue that bars people from entering based on what they are wearing, although perhaps there are some.

Plenty of people go to the VOlksoper who are not tourists.

I wonder if this means all those businessmen who wear a sports jacket and jeans are going to stop doing so.

It doesn't need to be a "one time fancy outfit" but I would wear something better than just jeans.

There are all kinds of fabrics are packable yet look dressier. Pair of black silk or velvet pants or something like that. Aren't you going out to a nice dinner, or doing anything else on your trip that you would want to wear better than jeans?

Yes - I'm not getting the "fancy" part. It's as if some people never wear anything but jeans their entire life.

Going to europe I always take 3 or 4 upscale outfits (dresses or pants outfits in silk or linen - they take up next to no room) so we look decent at any opera, concert or ballet or going out for a special dinner.

And yes, in Europe you will often see younger women going out dressed in beautiful black jeans, designer pumps and a lovely cashmere sweater and Hermes scarf - or a perfect silk blouse. With the right accessories and figure you can pull it off and still look good. But only that way.

Thanks for the input.

We went to the opera and enjoyed it very much.
As far as what to wear: I saw that in the orchestra seats many women wore dress/skirts and men jackets.
In the upper balcony, it was very casual - teens in jeans, young women in sundresses and sandals (it was hot in Vienna), most women in casual slacks etc.. and a few older couples dressed like most of the people in the orchestra.
My conclusion: dress nicely (no torn clothes or flipflops etc...) for the upper balcony but you don't have to wear semi-formal or for women.

Thank you for the practical feedback! May it inform future discussions of this evergreen topic.

Taltul, Thanks for posting back on your thread. So many people don't ever let us know how things turned out! Excellent info. Again thanks.

Evergreen topic - I like that!
It's really a dilemma because most people try to travel with minimal luggage and don't have room for any special . I've come to the conclusion after going to the opera in Budapest, Prague and Vienna that if you're in the upper balcony, the dress is more casual. However, I'm sure for a gala performance or opening night of the season, more formal dress is needed no matter where you sit.