Dress code for SF Opera performance (camping, budget, tickets)

[PeixeGato]

Hi,

My wife and I have tickets to see the SF opera for a weeknight performance. We've never been to the opera before and I realized that I have no idea what the appropriate attire is for a man attending the opera on a weeknight (not sure if it is different than a weekend performance).

Can anyone tell me what I should plan to wear? Do I need a tux, a business suit and tie, or can I go business casual jacket and slacks?

Thanks!

[Ceece]

It's been awhile but when my H and I went we were both working in SF and just went straight from work to the Opera so he was in a sport coat and slacks. I always wore dresses or skits but wouldn't have been in anything remotely "cocktail-y" or black tie worthy. You can never go wrong in a simple suit, just make sure you are comfortable in whatever you decide on.

[Ruth4Truth]

For opening night, it's black tie. Otherwise a suit is fine, or a nice sport coat and slacks.

[EdJS]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

For opening night, it's black tie. Otherwise a suit is fine, or a nice sport coat and slacks.

If it's not opening night, I've seen everything from suit and tie to T-shirt and jeans. Especially in the upper balcony. But most people make a little effort to look nice.

[tanglenet]

Originally Posted by EdJS

If it's not opening night, I've seen everything from suit and tie to T-shirt and jeans. Especially in the upper balcony. But most people make a little effort to look nice.

Ditto EdJS. Same with the symphony.

[FrenchKissed]

Originally Posted by EdJS

If it's not opening night, I've seen everything from suit and tie to T-shirt and jeans. Especially in the upper balcony. But most people make a little effort to look nice.

Ditto on the jeans. I think it's very inappropriate to dress down so much but people these days lack manners. When we went last year it was appalling how many were wearing worn out jeans and sweatshirts or flannel shirts. It wouldn't be so bad if people wore nice new jeans with a polo shirt or sweater, but we saw several who looked like the were going to a tree-sitting demonstration or had just returned from a week long camping trip.

The first time we went we had orchestra seats, and we wore cocktail attire. Since then we've either sat in the dress circle or balcony and I wear a skirt and blouse and my husband wears a sport coat and slacks. I wouldn't worry too much about it; it's unlikely you'd be in the top or bottom five percent in terms of attire as the spread is usually quite large.

[Bayarea4]

As other posters have mentioned, you are going to see everything from formal wear to jeans at the S. F. Opera, especially on a weeknight. There are a lot of music lovers out there who can just barely afford the tickets and don't have a big budget for clothing, so you'll see a lot of people who are neatly but inexpensively dressed. Dressy business or cocktail party attire is always appropriate, and if you want to have fun with it and have the wherewithal to do so, feel free to glam up your look a bit. You'll have lots of company (especially in the expensive seats), but don't feel that you have to compete. It's not a fashion show, it's about the music. Have fun!