The Los Angeles Times offers Angelenos a definitive guide to L.A. Opera's Ring cycle, with a couple pointers on dress code. Bafflingly, it urges women to ditch the high heels under the pretense of comfort, while men are told to mummify themselves in full frac.
Ladies: Dress up, but don't overdo it with the footwear. "You always want to look elegant when you go out to the opera," Silver said."But you have to be comfortable." After nearly six hours of "Gotterdammerung," your feet will exact vengeance if you get too ambitious with footwear.
Guys: Don't blow this sartorial occasion. "A man should certainly don his dinner suit," Ray said. "That means a full tuxedo, from bow tie to cummerbund all the way down to shiny patent leather opera pumps. If you've already put out the big dollars for the tickets and you don't own a tuxedo, it is perfectly acceptable to wear a dark suit, dark shoes, white shirt and dark four-in-hand tie. And wash and shave your face and comb your hair. Respect the institution as well as your fellow concertgoers. If you plan to attend after opening night, scratch the tux and wear the dark suit. Do not wear jeans.
This is like your grandpa's guide to dressing for the opera. Don't forget to bring a sweater and make sure to wear clean underwear! Guys parading around in full tuxedos while women are free to embrace their inner frump: khaki capris and Cros. Or even better, the Stella McCartney Birkenstock hybrids above.
