Hi All, I was wondering if anyone has been to a classical concert in La Scala (on a Sunday night). Is the dress code as strict as it is for the Opera? We've got tickets to a classical concert right at the end of our 2 week tour, and I really don't want to lug a Jacket with me just for this. I was thinking of wearing something like nice Black Pants, White shirt and a tie, does anyone know if that would be acceptable? (We're sitting in the first row of a third level box.)
Thanks in advance,
Greg
We visited the La Scala Museo earlier this month (it has a fabulous special exhibit and film on Maria Callas) and I read while there that jacket and tie are required and for grander events, openings et al, a dark suit as well. This may not be true but you might want to go to LaScala's website and see if you may learn more. George
Greg, From my experience, most concerts (classical included) are not black tie anymore. Howevre, your black pants and white shirt may sound more like a waiter than a patron :)
When are you going? Summer? I would wear nice pants and a dress shirt, but if you're not wearing a jacket, you can ditch the tie.
Hello to my neighbor in Mountain View! Michelle is right in asking what time of year it will be. Spring and Summer is casual. I would go with a subdued collared shirt and nice pants, doesn't even have to be slacks. Fall and Winter would be more of a coat and tie sorta thing.
One of the best parts of going to La Scala is seeing what everyone is wearing. It isn't that there is a dress code, but people dress elegantly, they want to be seen. Italians in general dress up more, you would be more likely to see men with jackets but without ties than vice versa, this is Milan after all. I understand you don't want to lug a jacket, so the question is, what do you feel is acceptable? I will tell you that a polo shirt and khakis will not be the norm, and the fashion code doesn't change based on where you are sitting. I hope you enjoy the concert.
What Claire says above for La Scala is what I've seen in Paris when men want to look nice in a nice place: men wear a jacket but without a tie. What you don't see much of, is a shirt and tie with no jacket. Yona (I believe she was the one) has also mentioned this for the nicer Paris restaurants: jacket, nice shirt and trousers, but no tie--but always wear the white Nikes, those will make the correct fashion statement wherever you are in Europe.
Thanks for the help everyone, we're going during summer, so it sounds like I'll be just fine being myself, and wearing what I normally wear to symphony here:
Namely, nice modern dressy shirt (not white and without a tie -- Michelle, I agree with you on the waiter part, what I read elsewhere on the net had me scared, so I was trying to invent a more "formal" look :) ), and dark pants.
And those nice tennis shoes are a must obviously ;)
Thanks again,
Greg
