WIW - Opera Outfits

At the last minute my Mom took me with her to the opening of the SF Opera this year.  It was Norma by Bellini starring  Sondra Radvanovsky.  She has an amazing voice!  So powerful.  I read a review that her voice kept cracking but I noticed very few flaws.  I am, however, by no means an expert.

So this outfit is nothing compared to the colorful, Oscar-worthy gowns I saw.  I put this together at the last minute.  It's basically my one and only dress, I got it at Zara last year at the Santa Monica meet up with Angie.  Accessorized with a dramatic sliver and gemstone statement necklace belonging to Mom.  Here is the artist Samantha Grisdale, she has moved away from fine jewelry.  I like to think my outfit was understated and not a distraction to the artists as our seats are in row A.  Lol.

1 -- On the red carpet.
2 -- With Mom
3 -- The dress at home, I think I like it better without black tights.

The next night we saw an American opera from 1955 by Carlisle Floyd called Susannah.  I actually preferred the attire of others better this night.  There were less formal but more modern outfits.  I saw a woman, older than myself, in a full leather midi, leather jacket, and leather flat booties who looked amazing.  And the men!  There were some very sharp dressed gentleman.

4 -- My home picture of what I wore.  I didn't get a chance to be photographed.  I added the same silver statement necklace from the night before.
5 -- View from the side.  I got this duster to go with the long shorts.  It worked as a cover up for opening night as well.

6 -- My shopping day outfit, can you guess where I took this picture?  My white leather jacket with sleeves scrunched.

Thanks for looking and commenting!

Inguun if you are reading this you will see I am full of contradictions.  Here I am wearing high contrast booties (picture 4) plus preferring my dress without dark stockings.  Go figure, ephemeral fashion.

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This post is also published in the youlookfab forum. You can read and reply to it in either place. All replies will appear in both places.

32 Comments

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    You look killer stunning all round, Denise. How lovely to see your lovely Mama. I can see a resemblance. 

    In #1, the sheer hose and white tipped shoes make the all black look for me. (I tend to have a hard time with all black outfits). I LOVE what you did here. The necklace and cobalt clutch are gorgeous too. xo

  • annagybe replied 9 years ago

    LOVE IT ALL! 
    I need black culottes.

  • bj1111 replied 9 years ago

    Great set ,Denise. You and your mom make a great pair!

  • Beth Ann replied 9 years ago

    You look gorgeous -- modern, sophisticated and elegant.  I'm stunned by how well you wear black -- you look fresh and lovely in it!

    Norma is a bear to sing --- sometimes expert ears can hear little slips in the vocal "transmission."  If they weren't noticeable to you, and you heard a soaring voice, then the soprano would be pleased!

    Susannah is my favorite opera --- "Ain't it a Pretty Night" was a big audition aria for me, and it still feels good to sing.  So glad to hear SF is staging it this year!

  • Caro in Oz replied 9 years ago

    WOW!! Love those culottes. YLF in every outfit Denise & your mum looks lovely.

  • Thistle replied 9 years ago

    You and your mom look fabulous together, and you rock those black culottes.

  • replied 9 years ago

    You and your Mom are so beautiful. Now we see where you get that great skin! I love the Zara dress and the family jewels. I'll bet the sheer black hose looked better once it got fully dark. Bare legs might have photographed better, but sometimes you just have to go with what feels right at the time. Your other outfits are stellar too; I especially love that white moto. It's divine!

  • Aida replied 9 years ago

    Oh how wonderful, you look incredible Denise! I adore your opening night outfit, with the sheer black tights and spotty white pumps adding the perfect light touches. The second outfit is trendy and so cool! Love the last look, that white moto is fabulous. You and your mum are a stunning pair of women.

  • jackiec replied 9 years ago

    Oh my word pick me off the floor I can't get over #4. You look gorgeous and so stylish in all of your photos though! Love 'em all. Great duster too. Fab. I am gurgling I love #4 so much....

  • Deborah replied 9 years ago

    Stunning outfits!  I am with you tho, I prefer the dress and shoe without the black tights:)  The duster is just gorgeous and the perfect accompaniment for the culottes.  That necklace is just beautiful.  Mom looks lovely too. 

  • catgirl replied 9 years ago

    Beautiful outfits! Especially the culottes. My guess is the Nordie's bathroom. :)

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Oh, yes. I forgot to say how special it was fitting this dress on with you in the Zara fitting room in Santa Monica. xo

  • Janet replied 9 years ago

    Fantastic, all of it!

  • UmmLila (Lisa) replied 9 years ago

    Traditional. And not. And fab. I love the opera and I long for the city days when I had a season ticket.

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    Denise, you look perfectly turned out in all these outfits. My favorite is #1. The dress, jewelry, shoes all work together to make a special outfit. The duster is fab and so versatile.

  • Keturah replied 9 years ago

    You just always look so stunning!! I love your use of color and pattern to jazz up the black dress in your opera outfit. And I have forever adored the 2nd outfit since the first day I saw it on YLF forums. The shopping outfit is just pure sophisticated fun. 


    Gosh, you're just FAB! :)

    xoxoxo

  • Aubergine replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous! I especially love how you made a classic LBD look so modern.

    I think I recognize a Nordstrom ladies' room too.

  • Suz replied 9 years ago

    Denise, you look amazing in every outfit, and it is so much fun to see your city capsule in action. I know you don't get to wear these clothes as often as you might wish. No wonder you miss it when you lack the opportunity.

    I was smiling at the contradictions -- liking Ingunn's outfits one way and yours the other! I have a feeling those sheer hose were the right thing on the night in question, though I agree with you that in the photos I prefer the outfit without the hose. You and your mother both look beautiful. And what a treat to be able to do this together. 

    I'm over the moon about your culottes outfit. It is Just. So. Fab. Love the new kimono duster, too. 

    And white leather jacket! Gah!!! 

  • ironkurtin replied 9 years ago

    Smashing, both you and your mother.

  • Marley replied 9 years ago

    Denise - I can't stand the killerness of your 2nd outfit!  (Probably no surprise, huh?)  Also - you look beautiful in the first outfit and it brings back special memories of the day we all met up in Santa Monica!
    That necklace is stunning - and I think the shoes are just a stroke of genius.  I would have never thought of wearing lighter patterned shoes!
    Love the pic of you and your mother!

  • Firecracker (Sharan) replied 9 years ago

    What fun! You look stunning in your opera outfit, Denise. The necklace really sets off the dress so beautifully. The photo of you and your mother is gorgeous. (I love that your opera photos have such apt side captions: "dazzling" and "riveting"!) All the outfits are amazing. And yes, do I recognize a Nordstrom ladies' lounge?

  • Jaime replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous! I love everything you are wearing Denise, but am taking special note of your black culottes outfit. Wow to that. Love the mother/daughter picture and that you went to the opera together!

  • Adelfa replied 9 years ago

    That is the cutest picture ever of you and your mom! And I can't take my eyes off of your white leather jacket... you look wonderful in it.

  • replied 9 years ago

    Gorgeous outfits.

  • Neel replied 9 years ago

    Stunner outfits!! And you rock those culottes! Fun picture if you and your mum ^_^ love the pretty necklace too!

  • Windchime replied 9 years ago

    Perfection! You look amazing in your black dress, and I absolutely love your duster--such understated elegance! Wonderful pic of you and your Mother, too.

  • Ingunn replied 9 years ago

    Yes I'm reading and I love that you are full of contradictions, Denise. You look amazing in every one of these. What a grace! I'm out of words. Its so nice to see your lovely Mum, too, now I feel I know you a little better:) The family jewelry is so fab. Love it. 

    I think this is a dress that works really well both with and without tights. The sheer black tights are lovely with the shoes, but the bare look is also fab. I think for opera, the tights are the  better choice. It just seems a bit more formal and dressed up to me. I think you are showing your fashion muscles in this series of outfits, from refined lady to gorgeous fashionista to refined rock chic. I adore the culottes with the booties, a daring look I think. I'm taking notes here. I don' think I can pick a favorite because all three outfits are perfect for the occasion and just gorgeous. 

  • viva replied 9 years ago

    I love the picture of you and your mother, and that necklace! AMAZING.
    I, too, prefer the no-hose look, but either way you just look stunning. You are just a vision in black and white.

  • Diana replied 9 years ago

    Such fantastic outfits! I love that you got to dress up in two different ways. So fun.

  • Parsley replied 9 years ago

    The signs are so right: you DO look dazzling and riveting!
    Both of your opera outfits are fabulous, and I love how different they are from each other. 
    The necklace is stunning, and that avant garde culotte outfit is wonderful on you!

  • replied 9 years ago

    What a fantastic dresser you are - I'm in awe! Your hair is so perfect with the way you wear your clothes too...

    I love love love the culottes outfit and that long duster piece - you are officially my inspiration with that ensemble:)

  • Greyscale replied 9 years ago

    I'm sorry to be re-opening such an old thread but I just have to say that the culottes outfit with the duster is one of the best things I've seen on YLF and I want to copy every single bit of it. (Your recent post about WIWs got me scrolling back through your blog.)

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