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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.

Juha and Eija, Vihti

We attend performances perhaps three or four times a year. I choose my outfit based on the weather and the theme. What’s most important is that it’s comfortable to wear.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Hannele and Hannele

These namesakes are regular patrons who attend performances frequently. This time, they opted for wool. 

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Kaisa and Eelis

We go to performances a few times a year. The last one we saw was Götterdämmerung in the spring.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Eero and Aila, Kankaanpää

Eero usually wears a suit, but for a matinee he’s happy to dress more casually. As season-ticket holders, Eero and Aila have noticed that nowadays people tend to dress more casually for performances. Eero’s scarf is a souvenir from London. 

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Heikki and Roope, Helsinki

Season-ticket holder Heikki has brought his son along to see The Ostrobothnians.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Tuula and Heikki, Kauhajoki

The red cardigan was a gift for my 60th birthday, and it’s now 20 years old! Since we’re from Ostrobothnia ourselves, we’ve seen this opera many times in different parts of Finland. I’m curious to see this new version.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Maria

I have a season ticket, so I’m here several times a year. I enjoy wearing Lolita fashion, and I bought this dress at Atelier Pierrot in Tokyo. This is the first time I have it on.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Anu and Elmo, Helsinki

I come to opera and ballet performances every now and then. Today, I’m here with my son Elmo. Last time, I saw the ballet Death in Venice.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Mirja and Pirjo, Pieksämäki and Mikkeli

We travelled all the way from Mikkeli and Pieksämäki to see The Ostrobothnians. We left first thing in the morning, and we’ll be heading back home tonight.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Jani and Antti

We’re spending the evening with our friends after the performance, so I chose an outfit that works for going out, too. It was exactly a year ago today that we were here to see A Christmas Carol.

The Ostrobothnians 14 December 2024
Photo: Emma Suominen

Mikko, Helsinki

I wanted the choice of clothes to reflect the Ostrobothnians opera.

The Ostrobothnians 29 November 2024
Photo: Mikko Toiviainen

Soili, Helsinki

I’m here to see The Phantom of the Opera for the third time now. While you can come to the Opera in more casual clothes, I enjoy dressing up a little. Flowing skirts create such a festive feel.

Phantom of the Opera 2 September 2024.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Lalli, Helsinki

Ville Rusanen is a good friend of mine, and I came to the performance specifically to see him. This outfit was just finished last week, so I decided to wear it straight away.

Phantom of the Opera 2 September 2024.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Kristiina, Marianne and Emmi, Järvenpää and Helsinki

This is the first performance in a while that these friends have attended together. Kristiina picked out her top the day before, with the ballet in mind, and today she chose the first pair of trousers she came across. Marianne and Emmi also thought about the ballet when choosing their outfits – for Emmi, ballet always means pink.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Ella and Mia, Helsinki

Mia has seen performances before, but for Ella, it’s her first time at the ballet. Ella chose her outfit herself.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Kirsi and Viivi, Espoo

We come to see all the ballet classics in the repertoire. Viivi was six years old when she saw her first ballet, and it was this very same Sleeping Beauty. It’s amazing to experience the production again. We rushed to the Opera House straight from our work and studies, but thankfully, you can come here just as you are.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Seppo, Aura and Leena, Helsinki

Seppo and Leena are regulars at the Opera House. Their granddaughter Aura, who has joined them today, is also a seasoned ballet-goer and a big fan of principal dancer Violetta Keller. “I kind of chose my outfit myself, and kind of with my mum,” Aura says.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Jari, Niina and Maire, Helsinki and Seinäjoki

Niina is attending her first performance, but Jari and Maire have been before. Their outfit choices were influenced by the summer weather. “Lighter colours and a little bit of bling for the occasion,” Maire sums up her style.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Marja (left), Klaara, Ellen, Vili, Annukka, Otto, Hannele and Anni, Helsinki

Otto and Anni are here for the first time, while the rest of the party are seasoned visitors. They all picked out the finest clothes they could find from their wardrobes.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

Jenni and Chanh, Helsinki

We saw the Dracula ballet last spring and wanted to return to enjoy it again. Chanh is wearing a suit he bought just yesterday, and Jenni chose clothes from her wardrobe that go together nicely.

Sleeping Beauty 27 August 2024,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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,
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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.
Photo: Minna Hatinen

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!

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