OK, I know this is a pretty superficial concern, but we have just been invited to dine at the parents' home of a former exchange student who stayed with my sister-in-law and I haven't a clue what to wear (I'm female, late 30s). A dress? Nice pants or capris? As for hubby, is he okay in Dockers-type khakis and a golf-type shirt? We'll be there in 10 days!

> A dress, Nice pants or capris? Dockers-type khakis and a golf-type shirt?

Hi, I am a Japanese. I don't know about the particular family you are visiting but people are usually dressed casually at home so any of above seems perfectly fine. Wear whatever is comfortable for you. They would not mind jeans neither. You might want to askyour SIL beforehand, however, whether you will be sitting on a chair as you do at home
(many japanese houses have such dining room but not all of them) or on tatami mat.

You haven't given us any information on the people you will be visiting, but I think casual wear, or anything you may feel comfortable wearing to an informal dinner at a friend's house would be perfectly fine. I agree with Kappa about asking in advance about the dining room situation. I personally do not last 15 minutes sitting on a tatami mat wearing pants in any position, and women don't sit cross-legged on the floor in Japan unless they are doing yoga. If unsure, I would wear a skirt.

Sorry - a long, full skirt so you can cover your legs.
Relax, hope you have a good time!

That's just the problem - I don't know the family at all, so I want to be as polite as possible without having to tote an outfit for one dinner (we're backpackers, so every ounce counts). I suspect that they will want to give us a most authentic Japanese experience, meaning zabuton, not chairs. Thanks for the advice on the long skirt; I've got one of those "broomstick" kinds that ties in a knot & packs small. Thanks again!