thought :: dressing for the symphony
Thursday, April 7, 2011 by {darlene}

{my teeny little disclaimer: although this is an interiors blog, I could not help but cross the line for a small chat about another area of style:}

Am I the only one?
please tell me no.
I am a stubborn member of the American Association of Over-dressed Attenders.

People. When did this happen to us? It used to be, that if you were going to be attending a City Symphony Hall, that is when your finest finery would come out of the closet with joy. That is when we would all “dress to the nines.”

{Valentina is off to the Met, 1945; photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt via NYTimes}

alas. now, we are getting advice like this about what to wear to the Symphony! A “lightweight turtleneck sweater???” Really, people?

now, don’t get me wrong. This is not about being elite. It is NOT about being snooty-tooty. Oh, no!

It is about having FUN,
It is about having GUTS,
and it is about dressing like a queen for a change… and grinning like you used too when trying on your mommy’s high heels and lipstick.
If you cannot look smashing for the Symphony… well, then, I ask: Where can you look smashing?

{photo by Drew Altizer, via SFLuxe.com}

You don’t have to dress like these amazing opera and symphony go-ers,
but I do beg to differ on the “lightweight turtleneck sweater.”
How about a lovely black dress with a sophisticated jacket, nice heels and your most beautiful necklace? Now was that so hard? And don’t you look smashing?!!!

Today, I am off to the Symphony. My firstborn {age 5} and I are going on a date: Benjamin Britten’s “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra.” Now, for a children’s matinee, I will not be dressed in a ball gown, or in Valentina. But nevertheless, I will likely be overdressed compared to the rest.

But, at least my date will be too.

pictures to come.
-{darlene}

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Labeled: beautiful thoughts

10 Comments

  • Can't wait to see you being smashing together! 🙂
    I'm going to the theater on Saturday and I'll be overdressed too. Love it! Every now and then one has to pamper herself, just to feel good! 🙂

    Reply

  • Sounds like you have an amazing date planned. Enjoy!

    Reply
  • allenaim photography and design
    April 7, 2011 at 7:15 am

    TAKE PICTURES!!!

    Reply

  • Good for you! I agree with you that there should be someplace where you can dress up!

    I hope you and your handsome date will have a lovely time!

    Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

    Reply

  • * I think it's not only GREAT that you two are doing this together, but it ALSO serves as an "unspoken opportunity" to set a GOOD EXAMPLE!

    We were discussing this issue justrecently at a dinner party, w/ MANY of us women commenting and/or complaining about how UNDERdresssed Tusconians are here!

    What REEEEEALY bothers ME to the "nth degree" is the way people show up at Church!!! It can sometimes be absoutely APPALLING!!!!

    Good blog today!!! ~ Thanks!

    Linda in AZ *
    bellesmom1234@comcast.net

    Reply

  • I can't wait to see the photos. You are so right, standards have slipped not just for the opera and ballet but even in restaurants too. Last night I wore a beautiful Anthro top with jewellery whilst other diners were in jeans and trainers! But I think its good to dress up, and feel fabulous at the same time! Have a great weekend.

    Reply

  • Yes and yes! People way under dress these days for nice restaurants and events like theatre, symphony etc. Enjoy your time out with your little one!

    Reply

  • I agree…many people from other countries say that we Americans dress like slobs, and I agree…jeans seem to be acceptable everywhere! I recently went to an afternoon wedding reception and there were about 10 people in jeans…and the evening theater i see the same thing!…so you go girl, dress up and show your son how it should be done – enjoy!

    Reply

  • you are always over dressed compared to the rest…which is what I totally love about you:)

    Reply

  • Just read this blog and I agree totally. I, too, am usually “very dressed” for the occasion. I don’t follow the crowd. Thank you for writing this.

    Reply

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