We have tickets for several concerts during our trip to Italy in May. All are evening, and classical music programmes. Does anyone have a sense of how formally folks dress for this type of event? Does my husband need to pack a jacket and tie, or will a dress shirt and nice pants be OK? Should I be packing formal black stuff?
Posted by
Green Bay
20023 posts
First, there is no real dress code, but it really depends on the type of classical concerts they are. Are they "tourist" type concerts or serious concerts that mostly Italian music lovers are likely to attend. Even then, "dress shirt and nice pants" will be fine. The only recommendations I have seen are for La Scala opera. "For premiers, gentlemen are asked to where dark suits and ties". So if that is not the case, your plan will work just fine.
We have been to several serious symphony concerts and operas over the years in Europe. i pack a tie, dress shirt and nice pants and I was OK. The only exception was a week at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany in August where at least 50% of the men had tuxes. I brought a bow tie to go with my suits to fit in.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7328 posts
A necktie takes up little luggage space, and my husband has taken a tie, even when he didn’t have a sport coat to go with it. By the same token, I’ve usually brought a scarf or two, which can really dress up whatever else I’m wearing, even if it’s not actually formal attire.
Posted by
white plains, ny, usa
4140 posts
I'll echo Sam's reply. We travel to Europe for an extended visit each Autumn and packing very light is a must for us . As we attend a fair number of theater programs , opera , and classical concerts , my wife dresses with a lightweight dark colored ensemble , and I stick with dress slacks , shirt , and tie. My shoes are dark gray Merrell walking shoes , but as the saying in a popular movie goes - " I mean how often do you look at a man's shoes ? " We are able to fit in in good taste , without carrying any more than we have to .
Posted by
OP
41 posts
This is all very helpful input! Thanks! I guess I will leave the sequinned jacket at home….🤡🤡
Posted by
Hayden, Idaho, USA
7251 posts
I’ve attended some very nice concerts, ballets, opera, etc. in Europe, and I usually wear a pair of black pants, a formal sleeveless top & black sweater and black flats shoes and accessorize with larger (fake) gold earrings & necklace. All of these items are also pieces I wear for some dinners throughout the trip. I am usually in the middle to slightly lower standard compared to the others I notice. Your husband would be fine with a shirt and tie and nice pants.
The only exception was when I was going to attend the symphony during the Stresa Music Festival in their concert hall. I don’t know who was there that night, but there were professional photographers, and everyone was dressed very formal (and beautiful!). For that trip, I had packed a nicer black small-patterned dress with embellishments on it and nicer shoes. (It was still an easy-to-wash dress.). I was glad that I wasn’t wearing my regular concert outfit that evening!
If you have a lightweight dress that’s easy to pack, and you think you could wear it for dinners, that would be my choice.