Opera outfit (or a dreadful confession) - YouLookFab Forum

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Opera outfit (or a dreadful confession)

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

I will be blunt. I hv never been to an opera. Yes, I live in Vienna and I hv never been to an opera. I know, it's bad. But let's pretend I did so we both feel better. Let's pretend I just need a little help (even if I need a ton on this one) Deal?

So here's what I hv on my plate ATM. I got complimentary tickets for a summer concert in the Wien Musikverein. (It is not our main opera house; it is a former imperial summer retreat and the classical music events are held there during the main opera house holidays) The opera - a Mozart piece, as classical as it gets for Vienna - is next Wednesday at 8.30pm. It will be scorching hot again (forecast for the evening is of 30 degrees; sunset is around 8.30pm) and I have no idea of what to wear. None whatsoever. (I warned you I needed a ton of help!)

I am prepared to buy something. As long as the complete outfit (without shoes) don't go over 100 euros and comes from one of these shops: Mango, S.Oliver, Esprit, HM/Forever 21, Promod or Zara (the teenager line might fit me with some alteration and I already contacted my tailor. She would hv time for minor alterations/taking in/hem). I hv easy access to these shops: they are all availabe on the nearest mall to my house, and I would like to try the stuff bf Wednesday... which bars online purchases.

This is a little something that pleased me (from Mango). Is it opera material?
http://st.mngbcn.com/rcs/pics/.....071_02.jpg

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Beth Ann

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

Sisley or Vero Moda are also shop alternatives.

merwoman

Veteran

Gorgeous outfit - definitely opera material IMO.

merwoman

Veteran

Chiming back to add - at the opera in Toronto I've seen the whole style spectrum; from leading edge fashion to very casual. I'm thinking that Vienna the majority will be more fashionable dressed as opposed to casual so the beautiful outfit you have selected would work.

Anonymous

Yes!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I think that outfit is stunning and opera worthy.

Diana

Veteran

I love that outfit and I think it would be perfect for the opera. I would wear it! Where I live (Boston) people wear the whole spectrum of stuff to opera/symphony, from jeans to business wear to evening gowns. I look at these things as an opportunity to dress up in a more arty way (as opposed to, say, cocktail events associated with my husband's work, which are pretty staid and usually just plain LBD material, know what I mean?). Oh, and you know at least here most of the opera/symphony audience is over 50 so I tend to stick out anyway because of my age; might as well wear something eye-catching and fun (but still appropriate of course).

BUT if you don't want to buy anything new, a LBD would work too!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Gorgeous outfit!! I would totally wear that! Kind of '40s. Great diagonal sleeve.

The Opera is not everyone's cup of tea. I wouldn't give it a second thought - living in or out of Vienna. I live in Seattle and am not outdoorsy at all. I do not sleep over it.

rachylou

Veteran

Lol re. having never been to the opera. One never goes anywhere in the place where they live. That's a rule!

The Mango outfit is fantastic! Simply fantastic. You should wear that, absolutely.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

This is lovely and would totally work for the opera. I agree with others that the audience will dress in lots of different ways but this is a perfect excuse to wear something like this. Worst comes to worse, you can wear your version of a LBD, as Diana says. And have fun! I LOVE the opera! It is so over-the-top.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I know this is for the state opera but it may give you some ideas

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Sho.....ienna.html

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

YES!

I personally don't like Mozart operas. If you're just starting out, one of the favorites that everyone seems to like is Bizet's Carmen

Thistle

Veteran

Perfect for the opera, in my opinion!

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I'm a multi year subscriber to the Seattle Opera. That dress would be great. Honestly, I just wear cocktail dresses.

Archer

Veteran

That oufit screams opera.Especially nice given the context.

Beth Ann

Veteran

Love you outfit, and, if the fit is top notch, I think it would be fab for the opera. You will see a wide range of dress, but I agree with the others, that festive and artistic dress is welcome and even encouraged. Fantasy both on the stage and in the seats!

I sing a lot of Mozart and, while some may find the stories not as compelling as La Boheme or Carmen, Mozart was not only a brilliant composer, he was masterful at bringing out the beauty and expressiveness in the human voice. I encourage you to marvel, just for a moment, at vocal folds less than 1 inch long carrying such beautiful sounds to thousands without amplification.

To build on Angie's point: I don't care for hockey, but I'm so glad I saw a Rangers game in NYC. I probably won't go again, but I was impressed and came away with a greater understanding of the sport.

Which opera are you seeing? Don Giovanni and Le Nozze de Figaro are my faves. Very political, actually. WARNING: They're also LONG!

rute

Veteran

Love that Mango dress! Go for it!

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for all the feedback; you were very helpful! I hv bad news though: Mango's outfit (which consists of a maxi skirt and a top) is out of the question. I skipped a class and hit the mall, where I asked for it. According to the girl on the shop, this maxi-top combo is part of the new Autumn/Winter collection and is for now only available online. I insisted and she even accepted to check the other 3 Mango stores in Vienna. She called, gave the reference number and the answer was "No, we don't have it" in all stores.

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

After reading the recommendations on the post Caro found, Diana's LBD tip and annagybe experience in dressing for operas, I decided to check out online the recommendations for Musik Verein dress-code... What did I learn? I learned that even here in Vienna, over-the-top dressing is for season openings or particular venues.

Musik Verein isn't one of the most pompous opera houses. On the contrary, it's used only during the summer and the musicians who will be playing/singing aren't part of a cohesive, proper orchestra. It's a group made with a few musicians from all opera houses in the city plus newbies or applicants to the state opera orchestra. This group plays at Musik Verein during the official orchestras holidays and summer events are, therefore, mainly aimed at tourists. This impacts the dress-code dramatically: most travelers won't carry very formal clothes with them.

On top of that, I am myself going with two tourists (colleagues of the friend who invited me) and it seems they didn't even have a complete suit with them. I don't want make anybody uncomfortable as much as I don't want to feel uncomfortable myself, and then... LBD it is.

I have four options, but I am afraid they might all be a bit too revealing... I will upload pics in a moment and would really appreciate if you could pick the dress for me. Thanks again and I'm sorry for all the trouble!

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

@Beth Ann: there's no information on the ticket about which operas will be played. I guess that's to force people to buy the program once they entered the Musik Verein; I will let you know what I heard them on Thursday. I'm curious I must say!

jurocha

(website)

Veteran

Forgive the mess and the bad posture; I'm tired.

Pic 1: A strapless, short LBD. It's the black version of the dress I was wearing a few days ago and you saw here.
Pic 2: A fairy LBD. It's a straight cotton dress covered by a see-through lace.
Pic 3&4: An old workhorse. (I own a backless bra; just not wearing it on this pic)
Pic 5: Another strapless. Not-so-black. It also has seen better days.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah....too bad about the Mango. It's always so much fun to buy a new outfit for a new event! Alas. But this way you are saving money.

Do you have a topper you can wear with the strapless? I like the simplicity but if you are concerned it might be too bare, then a topper could solve that issue.

Anonymous

I like 5, then 4. I love Mozart and he's very listener friendly. I wish opera were more popular where I live.

Jules

Veteran

The first one or the last one look best to me, as seen unstyled.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My vote is for #1 or #2.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I favor 1 and 5. A topper would be nice, too, particularly if you need a little something for warmth, but a necklace might also "finish the look, particularly in #1. I find a necklace can make the neckline seem a little less bare. I don't find these dresses too skimpy for you and the event, btw, and I'm quite conservative.

I think a clutch bag would be a phenomenal finish for the look.