Mr. Dobbs, enjoy the opera. I think that you and your companion will love the Met. There is an exhibit of Callas' jewelry going on right now, too--the hall closes at 5, but perhaps it could be seen before your pre-theater dinner if that's what you're doing.

Here is the website for the Met. The dresscode is listed (there is no dresscode):

http://www.metoperafamily.org/metope...aspx#dressCode

I would just like to say one thing..
We have been to Operas and Ballets and the theatre in various cities and countries, every single place had people dressed in full formal attire to young people checking their backpacks in jeans and sneakers.
It is SO Not about what you Wear.
If you pay for those tickets to go see/hear an Opera or Ballet, it is for the Love of the Music, Dance, Spectacle. Not to show off your new dress or shoes or to see who is not dressed up to your standards..

I was so charmed in London one year when a young couple, he in jeans and a shirt with sneakers but wearing a jacket and she in a long skirt and top , huddled together, reading the program, so excited and full of anticipation..and it was not excitement over what everyone else was wearing.

Personally, I usually wear a black silk suit.. when I travel, it works for so many situations..
Enjoy, Bob & Mrs Dobbs! ( we miss the Met )

I am certain that La Callas herself would have stared out into the audience and declared, "It is not about what anyone else is wearing, EXCEPT ME!"

I have every confidence in your clothing decision. Anyone who is sitting and wasting any time at all judging the clothing in the audience (and undoubtedly thinking they themselves look oh, so much better)isn't paying attention to the right things IMO.

I was at the Met on Saturday for an opera. I wore black pants and a nice warm sweater and I fit right in. The people who stood out were the two women in sequined dresses. It is cold in NYC right now and would be prudent, in my mind, to dress warmly. Wearing a suit is appropriate but a gown, not really. Do dress with the thought in mind that it is winter in NYC and you want to be comfortable sitting for several hours.

When I wrote that nobody cared, I meant that you would still be admitted to the opera. It isn't like showing up at Alain Ducasse in a t-shirt and being turned away at the door.

I find it highly amusing and ironic that the most critical of dress violations are those who neither live in NYC nor attend the Met on a regular basis.

What kind of snide comment was that last comment supposed to be?

What on earth does living in New York have to do with KNOWING that some people are offended by others' dress. Is that supposed to indicate that no one but a resident of New York has common sense? Or is it just another attempt to say that only New Yorkers have any class or taste? Come on MM, that comment is totally beneath you! Anyway, in my case I have made NO comment being critical of anyone's dress at the Met, so apparently your comments aren't referring to me at all. Nevertheless. . .

You seem to have changed your tune, as it's hard to go back and believe that when you said "no one cares what you wear" simply meant -- they'll let you in anyway. Obviously people dress to impress (some of them even have to mention the brand of boots they wear for the purpose of impressing others -- so obviously what others think is important to some). It's only logical to point out that audiences are aware of what others are wearing. They take note and are impressed when people around them are wearing nice and fashionable clothes and of course, they also take note and are "unimpressed" when those around them do not. Simple.

One time at the met, 10th row center, a guy came in and sat down next to me. He looked like a street person, tatty and torn. I could not for the life of me figure out how he got in there, tickets being $100+ and him with his belongings in a plastic bag. And I will never know. But, he seemed to enjoy himself. And I did too, until he pulled a pink kitchen sponge from the bag and proceeded to wash himself with it.

True story.

Bob_Dobbs,

Been only to the Met once but I'm a regular seson ticket holder here in Houston. I still see, every once in a while, someone really dressed up and I like it. I however, prefer to be more comfortable in nice black slacks and nice top or a nice dress. I would never think to go in jeans, however, but that is just me. I have no issues with people who do. I think it's just great they are going!

In the end, it's what you are comfortable in going and seeing as it is your anniversary, I think dressing up a little will be an added "fun".

Enjoy and what will you be seeing? Makes me jealous, wish I was going too!

Hmm. Maybe he was just getting into the spirit of things. Was the opera, The Water Nymph by any chance?

By the way, I have been going to the opera several times a year for the past thirty years and the only time I saw quite a few long dresses was at a opening night for a new opera. If you want to wear a long gown, feel free. But since the OP was asking and it seems to me they are concerned about dressing like the majority of people there, my answer stands. A lovely suit, dress, or pants and nice top are all appropriate wear.

OOOOOKAY...

Seems that I have stirred things up a bit more than intended with a simple question, although it also appears that "MM" wants to make an argument any way s/he can (I will not make any sex/gender call because this too would probably cause an argument). I would like to add a few things:

My intent was to get the feeling for what is the norm, not what is possible. I stated very clearly that anyone should be allowed in so long as they have clothes on (I will draw a line at nudity in the audience), and I only care about what others wear to a small degree. It is my opinion (MM- I said "opinion") that just as dressing up a bit can make one feel different, the way all dress can affect the way an event feels. By dressing-up to some degree, everyone shows respect for the event and for the performers. We need not all wear black tie, but by avoiding the wranglers and birkenstocks (not to knock them, I own each... but not for the opera), we can make the entire evening seem a bit more refined and a bit more significant. This is the way I feel, and perhaps a casual-to-sloppy attitude will prevail in the future, however I will not personally contribute. That is MY decision.

Coming from a fairly humble background and being only 30 years old myself, I am not an expert on opera. I do, however, have some formal tarining and education in music, and I do truly enjoy the beauty and elegance of opera. I understand that the opera itself is far more important than anything happening in the audience. This is why I said that if one could not afford nicer clothes, I (quite seriously) APPLAUD him/her for still investing their money in opera tickets. If this is not the case, I personally don't see why certain norms of proper attire cannot be (at least unofficially) adhered to by the patrons.

Now, having beaten that horse to death, lets all move on with our lives.

I will be seeing La Traviata. I will most definitely enjoy it!!

Ooooohhhh! La Traviata was my first opera and what got me hooked, although Wagner operas are my favorite, La Traviata will definitely hold a special place in my heart.

Enjoy Bob_Dobbs and have a wonderful anniversary!

Another reason that I love Seattle. I'll never make it to the Met, so to that extent this response is off-topic, but I just want to note that I have seen men dressed in work clothes, carrying lunch buckets, at the opera, ballet, and symphony in Seattle, apparently on their way to a late shift after the event. It's love of the art, not clothes, that counts.

Bravo Bob Dobbs!

This is kind of funny.
Someone says: No one cares what you wear. I've worn jeans.
Someone else says: It's disrespectful to wear jeans to such an event.
Person One replies: Well, they were expensive jeans!

This thread is a hoot.
Have a great time, Bob!

Nowhere in my post did I mention my jeans being expensive. Please find that statement for me because I don't see it.

You are the one who is a hoot, Dreamer, because you make things up out of thin air. You obviously dream things up too much.

Perhaps every male should wear what was once called a "Texas Tux." I don't know if they still do, but my family went to a wedding in Houston and that seemed to be the favorite outfit for the men.

It's the full tuxedo top, coat, fancy shirt, bow tie.....with jeans on the bottom.

Aileen79>> WOW. That's it, just, "WOW."

Cheers.

An easy question: black tie, naturally. If others wish to "slob" it, they will simply be offering an appropriate backdrop to amplify your own elegant taste. I've always found it confusing why some will go to a special event dressed for Whole Foods.