Kostümverkauf Deutsche Oper Berlin: My Favourite Day (and What to Expect)
Deutsche Oper Costume Sale
Autumn 2025. I was job hunting and trying to arrange my days in a way that was both structured and full of joie de vivre. Being jobless is both a blessing and a curse, I thought: more time on my hands, but also a head full of worries about the future. Still, I managed my stress and anxiety better than I ever expected, and I think a few things helped. A trip to Romania to celebrate love at my friends’ wedding, with family and dear friends and conversations without a screen in sight, left me so energised. Back in Berlin, I gave my days a structure: six hours of job applications, a proper lunch break, a sports session to end the day. Good sleep, walks in nature, and meaningless scrolling replaced by things that actually bring me joy.
Did I mention it was an amazing autumn? And it peaked with the most beautiful day.
A cloudy Friday
It was October 17th, a rather cloudy day, and I didn’t miss the sun for a second. I woke up early and travelled to Charlottenburg for the big sale: once a year, the Deutsche Oper Berlin opens its archives and sells costumes from past productions that are no longer needed, plus accessories, everything with a little extra sparkle. Not everything is suitable for daily life, but oh, so beautiful!
I queued for hours, and then spent the most fantastic six-ish hours in the basement of a shopping mall, with no reception. I spoke with so many people, we took pictures of each other, and we shared admiring looks and mindful conversations.
What I took home
Sometime in the afternoon, I left with a big bag of clothes: about seven items, with prices between 7 and 70 euros. Some have already found a place in my life, mostly for theatre visits and a beautiful Halloween ensemble. And then there’s the corset labelled Carmen – Georges Bizet, which I’m still longing to wear. What an honour to have such a piece in my wardrobe!
The rest of the day
After all this, I went to a yoga class at my favourite studio, House of Healing. I walked so many steps that day! The evening ended with a sip of the best wines at Pointer, also in Charlottenburg. Back then I rarely went to the west of Berlin. Little did I know I would soon be travelling there daily, and loving it!
Why I'm telling you this
It was an unexpectedly beautiful day, on a random Friday. I met friends, I spoke with people I didn’t know. This year, the Deutsche Oper is selling its costumes again, same setup as last year, and I’m planning to go again, hoping to add some unforgettable pieces to my collection. Who will I meet there?
- When: 16 & 17 October, 10:00–20:00
- Where: WILMA shopping centre, Wilmersdorfer Straße 46, 10627 Berlin (lower level)
- Good to know: expect a queue (mine was a few hours) and no phone reception downstairs 🙂
Photos of costumes at the Deutsche Oper sale in 2025
