Audience members who have flouted the house’s dress code have been offered a unique solution.

Ushers at La Scala, one of the most respected opera houses in the world, have advised audience members in casual attire to nab more suitable clothing from a nearby H&M in order to be allowed into the theatre.

La Scala’s dress code is clearly stated on its website, with visitors “kindly requested to dress in keeping with the decorum of the Theatre, out of respect for the Theatre and other viewers. People wearing shorts or sleeveless T-shirts will not be allowed inside the auditorium; in this case, tickets will not be reimbursed.” To avoid turning away guests who have paid to see a show, ushers are instead directing them to the closest store.

“We’re seeing this every day”, an usher told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, according to the UK’s The Telegraph. “Often we are forced to refuse entry to people who haven’t respected the rules, especially if they are wearing shorts or singlets.”

“We advise them to go to H&M, which is not far away, to buy a pair of long trousers or whatever is required,” he said. “The foreigners mostly rush off to the shop. But the Italians often get really angry.”

Speaking to the Telegraph, La Scala’s spokesman Paolo Besana explained that “most people respect the rules but it’s summer, and of course we have global warming, and so some come in t-shirts and shorts.”

“Our audience is quite traditional and it’s important for them to see other people being well-dressed. It is to do with respect for the place and respect for others. Just because it’s hot doesn’t mean you can’t be elegant.”

It is understood that the offenders are made up of both tourists and locals trying to find some relief from one of Italy’s hottest summers in recent years.