Shlould my husband take a blazer or sport coat to Paris?
May 13th, 2010, 01:53 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,392
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shlould my husband take a blazer or sport coat to Paris?
On our first summer trip to Italy my husband schlepped a navy blazer along and never took it out of his suitcase. It was just too hot and we don't eat at starred establishments. So now we are off to Paris in a month and I am wondering if he will need one there. We plan to eat at Au Bon Accueil and Cafe Constant and places like that will be as fancy as we get. I plan on bringing a casual summer dress or skirt and blouse but should I advise my husband and his brother-in-law to include jackets or are nice pants and long-sleeved shirts ok? I know Paris is dressier than Rome. Thanks! (Don't bother with any smarty pants remarks, just askin a question.)
May 13th, 2010, 02:43 PM
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,117
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here's another reason why. We were scheduled to fly out of Dublin 9/12/01. After a week's hold-up we finally got to leave. On our transfer through Heathrow, an airline clerk stepped out, beckoned us over to the First Class VIP line, (note, we were flying on coach mileage tickets), ran our tickets through and sent us upstairs.
THREE hours later the rest of the passengers showed up. They had been standing in line in the rain outside (September, remember) having cheap sodas waiting for security clearance, etc.
The only explanation we could ever figure out was my DH navy blue cashmere blazer. He's dragged it with him on every flight since! Plus it never hurts in restaurants or at hotel check-in. Hot, heavy, yes, but there is an intermitant volcano blowing you know.
THREE hours later the rest of the passengers showed up. They had been standing in line in the rain outside (September, remember) having cheap sodas waiting for security clearance, etc.
The only explanation we could ever figure out was my DH navy blue cashmere blazer. He's dragged it with him on every flight since! Plus it never hurts in restaurants or at hotel check-in. Hot, heavy, yes, but there is an intermitant volcano blowing you know.
May 13th, 2010, 03:09 PM
#4
If it's gets chilly (Paris weather can be unpredictable) he might want the jacket but otherwise I would think nice pants and long-sleeved shirts would be fine if you're not going to fancy places.
FYI, I have read that ABA isn't very good anymore. The chef and that whole team has apparently left. A shame if that's the case. I had a delicious meal there last May.
Have a great trip!
FYI, I have read that ABA isn't very good anymore. The chef and that whole team has apparently left. A shame if that's the case. I had a delicious meal there last May.
Have a great trip!
May 13th, 2010, 04:49 PM
#6
MDH always wears a nice, nonwrinkle, microfiber sportcoat on the plane. hopingtotravel is right, you do get better service if you dress nicely.
In all of our many trips to Paris, he wore it most nights to dinner, sometimes even with jeans----casual, but nice looking. When it is warmer, just a long sleeved shirt and pants will be OK. I'd say take it along.
In all of our many trips to Paris, he wore it most nights to dinner, sometimes even with jeans----casual, but nice looking. When it is warmer, just a long sleeved shirt and pants will be OK. I'd say take it along.
May 13th, 2010, 05:57 PM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
When we go to europe in summer the beau always takes at least 1 lightweight jacket - often comes in handy just for warmth in the evening unless you're in southern Spain/Italy - and is appropo in a lot of restaurants. (We don't do Mich 3* frequently but do usually have a nice dinner - versus a casulae lunch.)
May 13th, 2010, 06:04 PM
#9
rbnwdln, I hope you'll report about your trip. There were so many places I wanted to try but had neither the time nor--unfortunately--the appetite last trip. But I'm always compiling a list for "next time."
Bon voyage!
Bon voyage!
May 13th, 2010, 06:09 PM
#10
I would bring a jacket but not that traditional navy blue blazer that screams American. You never know when it might be needed, a surprise invite, a restaurant that it is required,
weather, lots of reasons why.
weather, lots of reasons why.
May 13th, 2010, 08:16 PM
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We spend two months in France most years - and that includes about 5 weeks in Paris in the 7th within the last 2 years. I stopped taking sportscoats to France about 10 years ago. We were in Paris last Christmas for 11 nights, and also in Sept/Oct in '08 for 3 weeks - plus 3 nights there in '07. We've dined at Bon Acceuil twice and at Christian Constant restaurante 6 times. Met several Foderites at the Christian Constant places. More people in jeans & scrufty jackets than sportscoats. Sportscoast are fine - buy why lug them along ??? Usually, we are one of the the most "dressed up" couples at the restaurant. For me - dress shoes, nice slacks, dressy shirt, and my wife has a dress or formal slacks, scarf, nice top - and that's it.
We're over 60 and live near San Francisco.
Stu Dudley
We're over 60 and live near San Francisco.
Stu Dudley
May 13th, 2010, 08:33 PM
#12
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
No need for a sportcoat if only for "dress" purposes. Paris is no more "dressy" than Rome. If he likes to wear, yes, if not, don't bother. He can bring a nice sweater and be fine. Unless you are dining at need a suit places, he will not need a jacket.
May 13th, 2010, 10:05 PM
#13
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,421
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, if our husband doesn't mind being underdressed, don't bother. Or, stick to more casual dining destinations.
My husband always packs a sport coat/suit/blazer because he knows he'll get "lucky" if he's looking that appealing...
My husband always packs a sport coat/suit/blazer because he knows he'll get "lucky" if he's looking that appealing...
May 14th, 2010, 04:23 AM
#16
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had exactly the same experience as hopingtotravel: upgraded from the back of an overbooked plane to first class from CDG to BOS for absolutely no discernable reason other than the fact that I was wearing a jacket and nice shirt. No status on the airline other than having a frequent flyer number.
Same thing happened SFO to BOS on a different airline.
I keep on wearing the jacket in hopes that lightning will strike a third time!
Same thing happened SFO to BOS on a different airline.
I keep on wearing the jacket in hopes that lightning will strike a third time!
May 14th, 2010, 06:07 AM
#17
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,434
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>>We plan to eat at Au Bon Accueil and Cafe Constant and places like that<<
Good grief!! - Bon Accueil is a Michelin 1 "knife&fork" place and Cafe Constant is a cafe - both "very simple" restaurants. Lots of jeans & T-shirts at Cafe Constant. If you wear a sportscoat, you may be the only person wearing one. Same with Bon Acceuil. If I was dining at a 3 "knife&fork" place and it was a special occasion for us - I might bring a sports coast along on a trip if the trip was a "Paris only" vacation. I usually don't dine at a 4 or 5 "knife&fork" restaurants - but if I did I would probably wear a sportscoat.
Stu Dudley
Good grief!! - Bon Accueil is a Michelin 1 "knife&fork" place and Cafe Constant is a cafe - both "very simple" restaurants. Lots of jeans & T-shirts at Cafe Constant. If you wear a sportscoat, you may be the only person wearing one. Same with Bon Acceuil. If I was dining at a 3 "knife&fork" place and it was a special occasion for us - I might bring a sports coast along on a trip if the trip was a "Paris only" vacation. I usually don't dine at a 4 or 5 "knife&fork" restaurants - but if I did I would probably wear a sportscoat.
Stu Dudley
May 14th, 2010, 10:55 AM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 404
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh boy. We are trying to do carry-on so that is an issue. We also had the experience of being upgraded to first class because of our clothing (the agent told us so) on my first trip ever to Europe, in the late 1980's. Of course we were young and cute and now we are old and......not as cute! Hahaha We will see how the suitcase fills up I guess. I like the idea of bringing the suit jacket to use as a all-around cool-evening jacket, though.
May 14th, 2010, 12:28 PM
#19
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 45,322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
hello rbn, if your husband decides to take a sport jacket he can wear it on the plane, so need to pack it. In fact planes can get chilly at times and if that happens I imagine he will be glad he has the sport jacket on the plane with him.
