MILAN, July 7, 2025
Opera House Bans Beach Attire
Flip-flops and tank tops are now forbidden.
- La Scala enforces stricter dress code.
- Beachwear is now prohibited.
- Kimonos are still acceptable.
Milan’s famed La Scala opera house is cracking down on inappropriate attire, meaning that a suitable dress code is now mandatory for all opera-goers.
The New Rules
Attending the opera just got a little more formal. Spectators arriving at Milan’s prestigious La Scala theatre in shorts, tank tops, or flip-flops will be denied entry. However, kimonos remain acceptable.
The management team issued this reminder regarding appropriate opera attire following complaints about patrons showing up in clothing more suited for the beach. A “rules of conduct” sign now greets guests at the entrance, urging them to “choose clothing in keeping with the decorum of the theatre.” The message is also displayed on tickets and the opera house’s website.
Why Now?
**Why is La Scala enforcing a dress code?** The anti-beachwear policy initially surfaced in 2015, coinciding with Milan’s hosting of the World Expo. La Scala remained open throughout the summer that year, and the rule aimed to prevent patrons from attending in swimwear.
While the rule existed, it wasn’t strictly enforced. Former French director Dominique Meyer, who once faced criticism for his own “worker’s look” at Paris Opera productions, advocated for more tolerance in attire. Meyer later became the general director of the opera company.
Heat Wave Spurs Action
“The rules now need to be reinforced, especially due to the heat we’ve been experiencing,” said a spokesperson for La Scala. “Some spectators were getting annoyed after seeing others not dress appropriately, for example in flip-flops, especially in a theatre where people are sitting shoulder to shoulder.”
The tank top ban does not extend to sleeveless blouses or dresses for women. According to the Corriere della Sera newspaper, the flip-flop prohibition does not apply to “Japanese spectators with kimonos and traditional footwear.”
A History of Elegance
Before 2015, La Scala tickets suggested a “jacket and tie,” though it wasn’t obligatory. However, an unspoken expectation of elegant attire has always been present.
“It is incorrect to tell people how to dress, but they do need to be dressed,” the spokesperson said.
More Than Just Clothes
This dress code reminder is part of a larger effort to refine etiquette at La Scala. Spectators cannot bring outside food or beverages, and photography and filming are prohibited during performances. Furthermore, mobile phones must not rest on the balustrade of balcony boxes after an incident where one fell and struck a patron below.
