Help me find the right gear!!

[Jennifer Mitol]

So I have tickets to the opera in three weeks and I'm quite excited!! But I need help with clothing selection:

Should I go with eVent or merino for the dress??
I'm worried a bit about the breathability when the heroine dies at the end…will the merino wet out too quickly?? Perhaps this is the time to go with a breathable cuben?

Then shoes: I'm thinking trail runners, and wow you folks really like Innov8's selection. Any good recommendations here?? Not sure if I need the stability of a high, stiff boot or if I should go minimalist all the way (say, a 0 drop?)

Then goodness me, to take trekking poles or not?? I think my seats are in the back, so there may be some climbing involved. It's the way down that worries me and my poor knees…

Perhaps I should post my gear list for some critical input….

[D S]

Why not just go with the tried and true Gatewood Cape? It breaths well, sheds moisture and can be dressed up or down depending on conditions.

[Link .]

I would say that these are a must!

[EndoftheTrail]

COTTON, OF COURSE!~! When else can you wear them without people sneering anymore?? Get a nice cotton outfit in black. So comfy. So classy. :)

[Raymond Estrella]

Well no suggestion as to what will work best, but if you go for a cuben dress maybe a picture would be nice so we can all see, I mean learn from your experience… ;-)

[Stephen M]

Don't forget Cuben fibre underwear ;-)

[Jennifer Mitol]

Ok…

So teva heels, cuben dress (breathable), with the Gatewood Cape draped over, Darn Tough socks, MLD eVent mitts (seam sealed, of course)…cause a lady should wear gloves to the opera, black rock gear hat….

As for my handbag, should I go ULA or Gossamer Gear? Maybe the Kumo, it's on sale….

[Travis Leanna]

Are you taking the poles? If not, may I suggest the titanium crampons from Suluk 46? Not as stylish as heels, but getting to those nosebleed seats requires some traction.

Plus you can use them to kick anyone who tries anything inappropriate with your cuben dress. I mean, cuben is hard not to fondle, but there's a time and place for it, and the opera is NOT one of them. I've got a restraining order to prove it.

Doug, will you ever forgive me?

[Raymond Estrella]

"Are you taking the poles?"

The heck with the Poles, take the Spaniard. ;-)

I love opera.

Do Ray Mi Fa So La Ti Doh…

[Ken Thompson]

Wait! Wait! Wait just a minute. What language is the opera? Then you can ask what to wear.

[Walter Carrington]

There is a group committed to hiking the 35 Catskill mountains over 3500':
http://gowns4greenbacks.wordpress.com/2011/06/20/how-to-hike-in-a-ballgown-an-illustrated-primer/

"The slit up the back of my dress started the day flirty and fresh – by Cornell’s summit it was twice its original length. Melissa, Danny and Judy pioneered the use of “sports mode” for skirt management. Tom left his skirt loose and flowing. I ripped a little more with each passing ledge. Ed, dapper in a tux jacket, bowtie, and Mexican wedding shirt looked fantastic all day."

[Mary D]

Definitely those trekking poles to reach those acrophobic seats at the back of the second balcony!

Seriously, I will be spending several days hiking around in Civil War era costume (including a corset, aargh!) at Gettysburg this summer. My eldest son is a reenactor and he's signed me up as a camp cook. Of course I want to see all the battle reenactments! Well, I guess if the lady Mazamas back in the 1890's century could climb Mt. Hood in corsets and long dresses,
http://www.mazamas.org/your/adventure/photo/122/
I'll survive this one. My big challenge right now is sewing!

[Nick Gatel]

"So I have tickets to the opera in three weeks and I'm quite excited!! But I need help with clothing selection…"

On any trip we need to know about conditions, timing, goals of the trip, etc. We need more information to help you.

Now, keep in mind that I think humanity is going through de-evolution; not to mention the accelerating decline of western civilization — all of this demands that only formal wear be considered for the opera. But given the poor state of affairs, let's consider some items:

Where is the trip? New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, LA?

Is it a "real" opera or something like a rock opera?

Is it Opening Night? Is it (god forbid) a matinee?

What is your goal? To be seen, to get laid, or to actually enjoy the opera?

Okay… lots of permutations here, so let's look at the "biggies."

Opening Night. Formal only. Preferably a designer gown by Dior or similar. Bob Mackie is acceptable, but Bob doesn't do a good job of sewing on buttons – so avoid any of his gowns with buttons. Your escort must wear a tuxedo.

To be seen. Formal still works best here, unless in LA or at a rock opera.

Getting laid. If that is NOT your goal, please get a custom gown by Jason Wu. .38 cuben might be your best bet to get laid — unusual and transparent. Make it revealing.

Okay… let's say you actually just want to enjoy the opera and comfort is paramount. There are still some guidelines, and all operas require garments with an acceptable label. All designer-labeled casual wear will work with the following exceptions:

Boston: Nothing from Eddie Bauer or LL Bean. Nautica or Tommy Hilfiger are better. No denim.

New York: Designer labels only. No outdoor company labels. Denim okay if the garment retails for over $332.18.

Chicago: No outdoor company labels. Denim NOT okay.

San Francisco: Designer denim preferred. Outdoor labels are a go especially Patagonia and the Dead Bird Company. REI, LL Bean, and Eddie Bauer are out.

LA: Anything goes. Bizarre trumps fashion.

[Richard Scruggs]

Don't have any idea what you should wear, but sure looking forward to the trip report.

[Jennifer Mitol]

I have the big three decided now, so just tweaking around the edges. Couldn't get my google doc to upload, so ill just list here.
The trip is this: opera is at 7:30 at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago. There is snow on the ground still, but will have to check the snow pack before I go. Still haven't decided on snowshoes yet, but we'll see how the melt is coming along before I leave.

I'll be gone three hours, then likely drinks and late dinner after. Thinking Hawks Vittles from my Caldera Cone and new modified Staryle stove (thanks Dans for the threads about those awesome stoves!)

As for clothing, I've got the kit just about dialed in:

Zpacks cloud kilt
Gatewood cape
Go Lite chrome dome (the formal Mary Poppins look)
Possum down gloves (a lady should wear gloves to the opera)

Patagonia cap 4 leggings
R1 hoodie vs Cap 4 hoodie vs Ibex Indie hoody (will depend on weather forecast)

Zebra light H51 in soft white for reading the playbill
GG LT4 trekking poles to get me to my nosebleed seats
(Haven't decided about crampons yet…)
Darn Tough socks
Goose feet down booties with the overboots

I had pre ordered the Big Agnes Q Core SL to sit on, but it seems Ill be sending that back as it is too narrow. Maybe I'll go ahead and get the Exped DownMat UL …. But do I go with the LW version?? Hmmm…

For the handbag I thought I'd use the Zpacks zero
I have a nice flask from Lawson to carry the whiskey

I think that's about it…anything I missed?? DEET? Should I bring Dr Bronners for anything??

Thanks again!! You guys are awesome and I can't wait to post pictures and a TR!!!

[Travis Leanna]

You're in my neighborhood, Jennifer. Relatively speaking. For a summer I studied with David Taylor, assistant concertmaster of the CSO.

[Richard Scruggs]

If your opera outing is "Rigoletto" ("this is a world where murder’s a sport and debauchery’s a way of life"), your might want to include a first aid kit.

Might want to pack heat, too.

[Richard Lyon]

Hope your seats aren't too close to the stage. The heroine of La Boheme dies of TB, which can be contagious. Maybe a face mask is in order?

On a more serious note, I can't think of a better opera for a first-timer – toe-tapping tuneful, short acts, sad story, funny, happy, sad, young love. Have a great time!

[Jennifer Mitol]

I simply love the opera! But I am dragging a friend along on his first, so I thought this would be a good one for him. And I haven't been in years, so I'm really excited.

@Travis: what do you do? The CSO is amazing…they give wonderful free concerts in Millenium park all summer long, and Orchestra Hall is also a great venue for music. What a great gig to have……

[BlackHatGuy]

"I had pre ordered the Big Agnes Q Core SL to sit on, but it seems Ill be sending that back as it is too narrow."

Well that's a shame…..

"Maybe I'll go ahead and get the Exped DownMat UL …. But do I go with the LW version?? Hmmm…"

Do you even have to ask? Of course! But are the seats really that cold? I'd just go with the Synmat UL.

[Travis Leanna]

Jennifer, I'm a violinist; mostly teaching and some gigs.

A friend from undergrad set me up with him one summer. Kind of a quirky dude, but that's true with many artists.

[Jan S]

"I'd just go with the Synmat UL."

Going to the opera does involve a bit of showing of too. And a Synmat is a bit like using a compact car. Using a Downmat mat on the other hand is like using a Mercedes. So I'd go with a Downmat, the biggest and thickest one I could get my hands on.

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