Thanks all! I want a jumbo flap so that's out as an evening bag. I didn't think it would be a good option, just wanted to see what y'all thought.
Switzerland, those Judith Leiber bags are TDF but for that kind of money I would rather get a Louis Vuitton aumoniere, though I see elux is now out of the black ones....
It's funny that you mention the prices of the Judith Leiber. I feel as though I could feed a small village or something with that dough. I remember as a kid, my mother and I went to the Waldorf Astoria just to look at the interior. We went into a boutique that sold Leiber bags. I saw a monkey that I thought was cute. However, my mother couldn't afford it. I think it was about 1200. Maybe it could have been an investment piece sold to a musuem or collector or something for 5k now.
When I am more comfortable financially, I will invest in a piece and probably have it on display at my mansion. Maybe I will get a rotating table or something. But for the near future, my first bag of worth will probably be in the 250 range.
p.s. I agree with the others that if the flap is small enough, you can wear it with your dress. I understand what you mean by liking bags of a bigger size - so please note I am being slightly hypocritical here. Since you want to have a flap not just for the opera, then a small wrislet/clutch would be better for that one event.