Skip to content
to_frontpage
Search

OopperaLooks – Dressing up for the opera and ballet

What do people wear to the opera or ballet? Does the opera house have a dresscode? Wonder no more and get inspired by some examples of our visitors’ styles over the years. And please remember, you’re welcome to wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, whether that’s formal attire or jeans and a jumper.

Jesse, Helsinki

”This is my first time at the Opera House, and it’s just wonderful here. My expectations for the Dracula ballet include at least drama and dangerous encounters. I picked my outfit specifically for the performance. I was also inspired by the vampire TV series What We Do in the Shadows.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Sanna and Joni, Lappeenranta

”We’re attending a performance for the first time, and we believe it’ll be quite a spectacle. We know vampire stories very well and are willing to travel to see them. The colour black dominates both our wardrobes, in everyday life as well as on special occasions”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Suvi, Helsinki and Pirjo, Vantaa

”We attend performances regularly now that it’s possible again. We chose our outfits based on what felt right for us today and what we felt comfortable wearing. The Dracula ballet is the first outing for Suvi’s dress. It’s warm and comfortable, so it’s perfect for the occasion.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Timo, Helsinki

”I visit performances whenever I have time, usually around four times a year. I don’t plan what I wear. Anything smart casual always works.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Jussi and Anna, Lahti

”Ballet isn’t very familiar to us, but the story of Dracula certainly is. Jussi wore his everyday uniform, while Anna chose a dress in her own style. You can dress the same way as you would for a dinner at a restaurant.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Elina, Turku

”Today’s outfit was inspired by vampires, as befits the Dracula ballet. I wanted something red, something romantic, and something dark.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Piia and Terhi, Helsinki Metropolitan Area

”We’re experienced regulars here at the Finnish National Ballet, and we expect Dracula to be quite unlike anything we’ve seen before. Though the ballet is dark, outfits should always be colourful! Terhi found her dress by accident while cleaning out her wardrobe. Very convenient, isn’t it?”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Minerva and Eetu, Helsinki

”Minerva’s bodysuit is from last autumn, and even then, we thought it would make a great choice for a ballet. Performances are a nice opportunity to change into something a bit more formal than the usual leggings and sweaters.”

Dracula 9 March 2024

Enni, Helsinki

”I wanted to wear something even more festive for the premiere of Messa da Requiem, though I always like to dress up for the opera. It cheers you up so much!” 

Messa da Requiem 20 October 2023

Kirsikka, Helsinki

”My little blazer is a Mugler, a vintage find from Paris. It’s my finest vintage purchase ever, so it was wonderful to wear it to the opera!”

Messa da Requiem 20 October 2023

Heli and Olli, Oulu

Heli is at the Finnish National Opera for the first time today, while Olli has attended performances more often. The matching colours of their outfits are a pure coincidence.

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Marcus, Helsinki

As a season ticket holder, Marcus is a regular visitor at the Opera House. ”I do like to think about what I wear here. What I like about the Finnish National Opera and Ballet is that you can dress very casually or very formally. It’s all up to you.”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Ilona, Astrid, Anneli and Kerli, Tallinn and Pärnu

”We often attend performances together with this group. Today, we chose warm and comfortable outfits, as the weather in Helsinki is autumnal and cold.”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Angelika, Tampere

”I like to dress up a little for performances, as it lifts the mood. Even more so because the performers look so beautiful on stage!”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Johanna and Pekka, Turku

”We’re avid fans of the opera, so we often visit the Opera House. For us, dressing right means dressing in a style that makes you feel comfortable.”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Noora and Arno, Helsinki

Arno, who declares himself a fan of Mozart, is attending an opera for the first time. Noora visits the Opera House fairly often. ”We wanted to dress a little finer than we do every day.”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Pirjo and Asko, Tampere

”We come to see opera every now and then. A trouser suit, pressed trousers, and black are always a reliable choice!”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Liisa and Marjanna, Tampere

”Our family have been regulars for many generations. We always dress according to what feels right at the time.”

Don Giovanni 7 October 2023

Outi and Leon, Kuopio

”We were meant to see Swan Lake a couple of years ago, but now we’re finally here to enjoy it. We’re also very much looking forward to the ballet’s fantastic music. We picked outfits that are a little more classic in style. Does the mother resemble the child or the child resemble the mother?”

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Thorsten and Frank, Germany

”We’ve seen Swan Lake in other European opera venues, too, so it’ll be interesting to see how this version differs. We have visited the Finnish National Ballet once before. We didn’t give much thought to matching outfits, but these might be the shirts we wore to get married.”

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Päivi and Pinja, Oulu

Mother and daughter Päivi and Pinja are using ballet tickets that Pinja got as a Christmas present. For the occasion, Pinja found a dress from her grandmother’s archives, while Päivi’s outfit is from a clothes rental store where she is a regular customer.

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Kari and Sirkka, Turku

”Swan Lake is probably the most classical ballet of them all, and we really wanted to see it. We didn’t go for any particular style. Instead, we picked clothes that could be worn for many different occasions.”

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Lauri, Seinäjoki

”I am a regular ballet visitor. You can dress up a bit to respect the occasion. Gold jewellery is a great way to accent your outfit.”

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Sami and Laura, Kuopio and Helsinki

Siblings Sami and Laura have already seen The Phantom of the Opera and Salome, but this is their first time at the ballet. Sami picked the first outfit he saw in his wardrobe, while Laura always relies on wearing all black.

Swan Lake 16 September 2023

Text PAULA RANTO, TUIKE LEHKO
Photos MINNA HATINEN

#OopperaLooks

Want to share a photo of your look? Post your picture on Instagram using the hashtag #OopperaLooks, which is dedicated to our visitors’ snapshots of their outfits. Instagram is an amazing place for inspiration!

Recommended for you

Opera / Article

A beginner’s guide to opera

Opera / Article

Chorus A to Z

Other / Article

Ballet pianist Marja-Kaisa Mäkinen

Other / Article

Love in the orchestra pit

Other / Article

Seamstress Outi Riikonen