Men's summer attire in Budapest, Vienna, Prague
Jun 5th, 2008, 06:49 AM
#1
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Men's summer attire in Budapest, Vienna, Prague
For our upcoming trip mid June to early July to these cities, DW seems to have figured out what to take & wear. Now I am her concern!
Would I be the only, or one of a handful of guy(s) in reserved seats without a jacket at the Vienna and Prague operas? Would the absence of a tie be out of place? Is a shirt / tie without a jacket appropriate?
Obviously, I don't want to pack a jacket for a 2 week trip for just 2 nights, but we don't want to disrespect the local culture either. I noticed that it got pretty hot there last summer, but didn't know if that mattered at these venues.
Also, I was requested to ask if shorts were appropriate during the daytime, particularly if touring churches and synagogues.
Again,we're not trying to hide the fact that we're tourists (as if that were possible), but just trying not to offend.
Would I be the only, or one of a handful of guy(s) in reserved seats without a jacket at the Vienna and Prague operas? Would the absence of a tie be out of place? Is a shirt / tie without a jacket appropriate?
Obviously, I don't want to pack a jacket for a 2 week trip for just 2 nights, but we don't want to disrespect the local culture either. I noticed that it got pretty hot there last summer, but didn't know if that mattered at these venues.
Also, I was requested to ask if shorts were appropriate during the daytime, particularly if touring churches and synagogues.
Again,we're not trying to hide the fact that we're tourists (as if that were possible), but just trying not to offend.
Jun 5th, 2008, 05:06 PM
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You're allowed to wear shorts in central european cities if you want to. But - the locals adults won't. It's not just that you look like tourists - 'sno way you can avoid that - it's that you will look mildly silly - but not unexpected (to them). (It always reminds me of the Benny Hill sketches where he wore the type of shorts school uniform often worn by little kids in the UK.) If you don't mind that go right ahead.
Suit and tie are not necessary. Jacket would be nice - but not required. (Since it may be cool in the evening I wouldn;t go without some sort of light jacket anyway - why not make it a blazer instead of a golf jacket or similar?)
Suit and tie are not necessary. Jacket would be nice - but not required. (Since it may be cool in the evening I wouldn;t go without some sort of light jacket anyway - why not make it a blazer instead of a golf jacket or similar?)
Jun 5th, 2008, 05:27 PM
#3
Lederhosen are commonly worn now to formal events in Vienna. Particular care should be taken in choice of driml, the brush attached to the hat.
Budapest is less formal; often the well-dressed bon vivant can be seen casually strolling the boulevards with a pushta wrapped around his waist. Care should be focused in the choice of boots.
The well-dressed Prague visitor will note little difference from the attire worn in Berlin. More attention is focused on his Czech mate.
Budapest is less formal; often the well-dressed bon vivant can be seen casually strolling the boulevards with a pushta wrapped around his waist. Care should be focused in the choice of boots.
The well-dressed Prague visitor will note little difference from the attire worn in Berlin. More attention is focused on his Czech mate.
Jun 5th, 2008, 05:45 PM
#4
when we get these (fairly frequent) questions to the effect "<i>What do I wear to a posh restaurant/opera/theatre/concert? I don't want to drag a jacket along for just 1/2/3 nights.</i>" -- I always wonder what they plan on wearing on cool evenings. A sweatshirt??
JamesH: If one takes a sport coat/jacket, it can also be worn w/ jeans for casual so you aren't dragging it along for just the opera.
JamesH: If one takes a sport coat/jacket, it can also be worn w/ jeans for casual so you aren't dragging it along for just the opera.
Jun 6th, 2008, 12:32 AM
#5
I just spent the weekend in Budapest, and I can't imagine that every non-English speaking person (men and women) wearing shorts was a foreigner... Seems men in shorts and capris has definitely hit some European cities. In Budapest, the women seemed to lean toward the "less is more" school of dress. As in, the more skin exposed the better... So far, Budapest gets my vote for worst dressed city I've visited. Yup, shorts went right into the churches...It was very hot admittedly...
My husband had a jacket on both nights for dinner - very nice restaurants - but no other diner did in one restaurant, and the other larger and more formal restaurant, there was a smattering of jackets but very few ties. He travels to Budapest a lot and says he finds it very casual.
At the Vienna Symphony last April, most men and women were very nicely dressed. Jackets and ties in most cases. Women quite beautifully bedecked. I would imagine the opera would be at least as dressed up. Vienna in general was much more formal than Budapest.
Sorry, haven't been to Prague...
Enjoy - I think it is nice you are trying to please your wife by dressing appropriately - good way to start your trip.
gruezi
My husband had a jacket on both nights for dinner - very nice restaurants - but no other diner did in one restaurant, and the other larger and more formal restaurant, there was a smattering of jackets but very few ties. He travels to Budapest a lot and says he finds it very casual.
At the Vienna Symphony last April, most men and women were very nicely dressed. Jackets and ties in most cases. Women quite beautifully bedecked. I would imagine the opera would be at least as dressed up. Vienna in general was much more formal than Budapest.
Sorry, haven't been to Prague...
Enjoy - I think it is nice you are trying to please your wife by dressing appropriately - good way to start your trip.
gruezi
Jun 6th, 2008, 12:52 AM
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gruezi wrote: "Budapest gets my vote for worst dressed city"
Now I know why I feel so comfortable there. Informal is the new black, and I suspect that most Hungarian men do not own a tie.
Vienna strikes me as quite different, much more formal, perhaps even a bit stuffy.
In Prague it just doesn't matter. The place is so overrun with tourists that they set the tone.
Now I know why I feel so comfortable there. Informal is the new black, and I suspect that most Hungarian men do not own a tie.
Vienna strikes me as quite different, much more formal, perhaps even a bit stuffy.
In Prague it just doesn't matter. The place is so overrun with tourists that they set the tone.
Jun 6th, 2008, 01:21 AM
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Dress for comfort. Leave the tie and blazer at home.
And I have seen plenty of shorts in Berlin, London, and (especially) Copenhagen in the past month. I don't think many of them were Americans. Besides, Prague will be filled with people getting loaded on the (relatively) cheap beer. And if you will be in Vienna while Euro 2008 is in town, then it will just be folks getting drunk, as well. Indeed, after watching their country be overrun by drunkards wearing jerseys and face paint, shorts will look downright civilized.
If you want to look like a European, get some capri pants (affectionately called cabros when on a man) and everyone will assume you are Scandinavian. Just make sure to accompany them with pasty, white legs.
And I have seen plenty of shorts in Berlin, London, and (especially) Copenhagen in the past month. I don't think many of them were Americans. Besides, Prague will be filled with people getting loaded on the (relatively) cheap beer. And if you will be in Vienna while Euro 2008 is in town, then it will just be folks getting drunk, as well. Indeed, after watching their country be overrun by drunkards wearing jerseys and face paint, shorts will look downright civilized.
If you want to look like a European, get some capri pants (affectionately called cabros when on a man) and everyone will assume you are Scandinavian. Just make sure to accompany them with pasty, white legs.
Jun 6th, 2008, 04:21 AM
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Here's what I take:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268
I can go from very casual to business casual easily. I usually add a blazer or sports jacket and tie if there is some business included in my trip. I then take button up shirts of the same fabrics in solid colors.
During tourist season, business casual will work for everything from a nice restaurant to the opera.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268
I can go from very casual to business casual easily. I usually add a blazer or sports jacket and tie if there is some business included in my trip. I then take button up shirts of the same fabrics in solid colors.
During tourist season, business casual will work for everything from a nice restaurant to the opera.
Jun 6th, 2008, 06:01 AM
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Thanks to all for your replies. I especially appreciated yours, Tomboy.
I'm a little too late on the "curve" to go with men's capris, couldn't care less about eating in posh restaurants with other tourists, will be in Vienna for the World Cup semi-finals, and, on other trips usually take a waterproof golf jacket, the exception being London (sportcoat) almost 20 years ago.
Sounds like a blazer and a pair of shorts. Hope the back holds up lifting the suitcase to the overhead racks on the trains!
I'm a little too late on the "curve" to go with men's capris, couldn't care less about eating in posh restaurants with other tourists, will be in Vienna for the World Cup semi-finals, and, on other trips usually take a waterproof golf jacket, the exception being London (sportcoat) almost 20 years ago.
Sounds like a blazer and a pair of shorts. Hope the back holds up lifting the suitcase to the overhead racks on the trains!
Jun 6th, 2008, 08:42 AM
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I've been to the Opera in Prague. Most seats at any opera are reserved, so that doesn't mean much (not sure the distinction you are making, do you mean compared to standing tickets? I don't think they even have that in Prague).
These places may not be as stylish as some other cities (Budapest, Prague), so I suppose you could wear anything decent. Some men can look stylish and good without a jacket and tie but many cannot, they don't buy the right clothes. I don't understand why men make such a big deal about a tie, it hardly takes up that much room in the luggage, why wouldn't you take one. I would think a tie and jacket would be appropriate at the opera in Prague, but you will not get kicked out without one, obviously.
of course you can wear shorts in PRague in summer. Unlike some places in Italy, you can wear pretty much whatever you want as a tourist visiting old churches or synagogues in most of Europe, including Prague.
These places may not be as stylish as some other cities (Budapest, Prague), so I suppose you could wear anything decent. Some men can look stylish and good without a jacket and tie but many cannot, they don't buy the right clothes. I don't understand why men make such a big deal about a tie, it hardly takes up that much room in the luggage, why wouldn't you take one. I would think a tie and jacket would be appropriate at the opera in Prague, but you will not get kicked out without one, obviously.
of course you can wear shorts in PRague in summer. Unlike some places in Italy, you can wear pretty much whatever you want as a tourist visiting old churches or synagogues in most of Europe, including Prague.
Jun 7th, 2008, 02:41 AM
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<i>I don't understand why men make such a big deal about a tie, it hardly takes up that much room in the luggage, why wouldn't you take one.</i>
Because it is uncomfortable. I don't wear one at work, I am not going to wear one at leisure.
Because it is uncomfortable. I don't wear one at work, I am not going to wear one at leisure.
Jun 7th, 2008, 02:58 AM
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We spent five hours in the mall yesterday because I insisted that my DH take a jacket, we found a really nice linen one at Tommy Bahamas, it looks nice with linen pants, or jeans. That is a compromise for us, he gets jeans, and I get him wearing a jacket to dinner...I just checked the weather for Europe and this next week looks a bit cold for me. Don't be a concern for her, wear that jacket.
Jun 7th, 2008, 03:59 AM
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Don't pack linen unless you're going for a permawrinkle look.
A tropical weight worsted wool will pack better and lose the wrinkles when you hang it up.
I just bought a microfiber blazer for travel. It seems to do great on the wrinkles but I'm not sure I prefer it to wool.
A tropical weight worsted wool will pack better and lose the wrinkles when you hang it up.
I just bought a microfiber blazer for travel. It seems to do great on the wrinkles but I'm not sure I prefer it to wool.
