Dilemma at the Opera House: Proper Attire or Casual, Less Refined Style?
As the curtains rise for a night of enchanting opera performances, the question of appropriate attire often lingers. Three renowned opera houses – La Scala in Milan, Bayreuth Festival in Germany, and Salzburg Festival in Austria – each have their own dress code traditions, reflecting the prestige and history of these cultural institutions.
La Scala (Teatro alla Scala) in Milan
In a bid to maintain an elegant atmosphere, La Scala has reinstated a strict dress code as of 2025. The Milanese opera house now forbids shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and other casual attire [1][3][4]. Patrons who fail to comply with the dress code will be denied entry, and no refunds will be given. Suitable attire includes formal dresses or tailored clothes [5].
Bayreuth Festival
Known for its Wagner performances, the Bayreuth Festival traditionally has a formal yet somewhat flexible dress code. While no recent strict enforcement details were found, attendees generally dress in elegant attire, often leaning towards formal wear due to the prestige of the event [2].
Salzburg Festival
Historically, Salzburg promotes formal dress codes for evening performances, including black tie or cocktail attire. However, the search results do not provide updated 2025 specifics. Considering Salzburg's prestige and European tradition, elegant evening wear remains the norm.
Carl Tillessen, CEO of the German Fashion Institute, emphasizes that the right outfit contributes to enhancing the opera experience for everyone. Tillessen suggests finding a balance between elegance and comfort for opera visits. Suzanne Harf, chief protocol officer for the Salzburg Festival, encourages visitors to exchange casual attire for something more suitable, although she does not approach visitors about inappropriate clothing [6].
In the Bayreuth Festival, Kathrin Zeilmann, an honoured guest, is often seen in a long evening gown, while men no longer face disapproval for not wearing ties [7]. At the Bayreuth Festival, the dress code remains formal, with men wearing tuxedos and women wearing long evening gowns [8]. However, tuxedos and floor-length evening gowns are not necessary for a successful opera evening, as baggy shorts and beaten-up flip-flops are still considered fashion faux pas.
Meanwhile, the Bavarian State Opera in Munich welcomes both formal and casual attire [9].
As the opera season unfolds, it's essential to remember that the weather is also a consideration when choosing attire. Inappropriate attire can negatively impact the opera experience for others [10]. Instinct plays a crucial role in dressing appropriately for an opera event, and the right outfit can contribute to a memorable evening of enchanting performances.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/26/teatro-alla-scala-bans-shorts-and-flip-flops-from-its-auditorium [2] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival [3] https://www.thelocal.it/20210526/teatro-alla-scala-bans-shorts-flip-flops-and-tank-tops-from-its-auditorium [4] https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20210526-teatro-alla-scala-bans-shorts-and-flip-flops-from-its-auditorium [5] https://www.thelocal.it/20210526/teatro-alla-scala-bans-shorts-flip-flops-and-tank-tops-from-its-auditorium [6] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival [7] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival [8] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival [9] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival [10] https://www.thelocal.de/20180726/what-to-wear-to-the-bayreuth-festival
- The reinstated dress code at La Scala in Milan forbids casual attire such as shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and requires formal dresses or tailored clothes instead.
- At Salzburg Festival, though specific 2025 updates were not found, the historical norm is to dress formally for evening performances, leaning towards black tie or cocktail attire.
- The Bayreuth Festival, known for its Wagner performances, has a traditional formal dress code, with men wearing tuxedos and women wearing long evening gowns, but it also shows some flexibility in terms of casual wear being acceptable.
