Appropriate dress for Paris June 1st
 

We are traveling to Paris the last of May, first of June and I was wondering what the appropriate dress will be for the weather and for dining in upscale, but not necessarily elite restaurants. What is the weather like?

Hi Susan, Thanks for this question. We are going the same exact time so I will check back. Hopefully you will get some good answers. I read about shoes for instance here and decided to try a pair of Ecco shoes. They look pretty decent and are extremely comfy. I have read no sandles, or shorts and to try and blend in. I would also like to know more about dining in upscale restaurants (La Tour d'Argent) for lunch. I suppose cocktail dress would be for evening at that type of place, but what about dress at lunch? Suggestions anyone?

Like the previous poster, I would also like to know what is expected dress at 3-star restaurants at lunch (in my case, for men). Do I need to wear a tie, or will a jacket and a nice shirt suffice? I will be having lunch at Jules Verne, Taillevent, and Pierre Gagnaire (couldn't get in for dinner - even 2 1/2 months in advance!).

I can't tell you about the weather - I'll be in France myself then, and just plan to check the weather reports right before I leave.<BR><BR>I like to dress up a bit while I'm on vacation, so I usually wear a casual skirt and flats or nice sandals (no hose) for a medium-nice restaurant.<BR><BR>For the nicest restaurants, 3-star and the like, I would wear just as dressy an outfit at lunch as I would at dinner. My husband went to Lucas Carton for lunch on a business trip, and said he wore a suit & tie. A cocktail dress isn't necessarily required; a dressy skirt & top would probably work just as well.

June can be hot!<BR><BR>I have eaten lunch at Jules Verne in the summer and most men wore jacket/ties. My mom and I had on nice slacks/skirts and lightweight silk sweater sets.<BR><BR>I have also eaten at Taillevant but for dinner. I would think the same dress would go at lunch. I found it to be more formal than JV.<BR><BR>Yummmmmmmmmmm!<BR><BR>

Thanks for the dress info. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do the suit'n'tie thing in the middle of the day on vacation, but if that's what everyone else will be wearing, then I guess it will be worth it. Do you think they would refuse me service, or just not treat me as well if I didn't wear a tie?

Hello, This message is for Neil. Not my hubby's cup of tea either but he will wear one on this trip I am sure even at lunch. Sounds like it might be required but who knows. Perhaps they have a web site that tells dress codes? Don't think they would refuse service however. I mean, think about it, they want your money. Ideas anyone else?

I will be there at the same time, and I will be on vacation and comfortable. I am packing very light so there is no way I can take all these dress up items to 'blend in'. There is no way I will blend in anyways, I definitely do not look Parisian. Wearing pants in June will make me die of heat, especially if I am walking around all day with a backpack, so unfortunately, I much as I would love to blend in and wear pants and look all sharp, I will be backpacking and will only have limited room, and choose comfort.

Tom-I don't think you will have to worry about it being too hot in Paris in early June. You might get a day in the 70's, but the times we've been there, it's more often the 60s, cool and rainy.

Really! Well if that's the case then I can bring better looking warmer cloths! Good to hear, because I didn't want to stand out in shorts! Thanks!

another question...does it really matter what color like in NY (black), or will I be okay in lighter colors?

As an American business owner who worked in Europe from 1985 - 1989 the general rule is that France is more formal than the US. DO NOT use the "tu" form for example unless you REALLY know the person with whom you are speaking! So as regards dinner, women are frowned upon by the French if they do not wear dresses for dinner and men must wear jacket and tie. I have flown into Paris unexpectedly and had to go and buy a dress for dinner. ECCO shoes are ok for days tramping the streets but NOT for dinner. Styles are more avant-garde than here and what matches is definitely different. I am assuming you don't want to broadcast "Here's an American!" of course. Sandals are VERY chic! as long as they are the cute strappy kind. For lunch at a good restaurant, a straight skirt with matching twin sweater set never goes out of style in Paris. ALso good is a pair of designer jeans with a peasant blouse and LOTS of jewelry. In first of June timeframe it should be pleasantly warm but a sweater is essential. NO shorts, running shoes, leggings, jogging suits! Even French men will notice if your manicure is poorly executed and can identify your perfume. Remember this is the capital of fashion!

great info, but as I stated earlier I am backpacking and am traveling very light (just a college student), I cannot bring a jacket and tie. I doubt that you need these items for every dinner, at least I don't think I would be able to afford those types of meals anyways. The most I'm bringing for dress up is a pair of black pants and a black shirt. Otherwise it's two pairs of cargo pants, that's all I have room for. Believe me I don't want to stick out but will no matter what, but don't have the packing room for looking stylish. I am going to at least find some comfortable shoes that aren't sandals, but that will be it for my black stylish attire. But seriously, will kakhi(?) cargo and that color scheme be okay?

ttt

Tom, for a college student you will be fine in your cargo pants. The black pants and shirt will be great for evening if you are going to clubs and such. You won't need a jacket and tie.

Sarah this is excellent advice - "For lunch at a good restaurant, a straight skirt with matching twin sweater set never goes out of style in Paris." I'm going to take this with me. You can always throw the cardigan over your shoulders.

I think Susan, Ize's and Tom's questions are all very different. Tom is talking about casual dinners and backpacking whereas Susan and Ize are talking about dining in more upscale establishments.<BR><BR>I will say to Ize that in my experience the French would rather not have your money if it means hosting unappropriately dressed customers. Your husband needs a tie only in the M-starred restaurants. <BR><BR>I absolutely agree with Sarah's post.

Neil, do you really want to look different than everyone else? Do you wear shorts to your cousins' weddings? Then you know that you should dress appropriately in most situations (I learned this when my parents gave me my first pair of long pants and I wanted to keep wearing the older shorts).

Sarah:<BR>Since you spent time in France--do you know about Provence? Would a jacket & tie be necessary for dinneer in Avignon, Aix or Marseille?

Of course I don't want to dress innapropriately (I'm not even packing shorts), but I do want to find a ballance between a very formal suit and tie for dining and being comfortable when walking around siteseeing (as well as packing light - no more than one bag for two weeks). I'm taking a nice jacket and not wearing jeans, but if I don't *have* to wear a tie on vacation, I'm not going to - that's why they call it a vacation. I don't even wear a tie to the office.

I have actually never been to that expensive a restaurant, but I think they could well refuse to serve you if you show up dressed poorly or too casually in a restaurant like Taillevent (3 star is the highest rating and there are not very many of them, about 20 in all of France). I would say a jacket and tie are essential at Taillevent or restaurant in that category. Jules Verne is not a 3-star restaurant. I think it may be a 1-star and might be the only one where you could try that as it's full of tourists. I think I've read that upscale French restaurants do have an enforced dress code, although I can't sweat to it; some in the US even do, don't they? I think a restaurant like that has standards and won't just accept anyone because they want your money (where is the line drawn? surely you think they would refuse you in sneakers and shorts and baseball cap, don't you? )Generally, I think they presume if you're going there, you will dress appropriately.<BR><BR>Tom doesn't need to worry as everyone says if he's going to casual places--I think he overlooked the point that Neal was going to 3* restaurants. Black and khaki colors will be good. Why don't you try a different kind of pants than cargo for one pair. Those inherently look too casual for most things just because of the style; you can easily get a pair of casual cotton twill (called "chino" by some makers) comfortable pants without those big pockets on the side. If you want to wear lighter colors, a pair of khaki shorts will be ok because they are casual anyway; I'd pack darker color long pants.

Tom, as long as the cargo pants are dark and not denim, I think they will be tres chic. My boyfriend bought some great dark gray cargos when we were in Paris last summer, and they look so good! I think they were a cotton blend, which made them a little dressier, but not fancy. Wear them with a dark fitted t-shirt of a ribbed v-neck--a very cool look. While in Paris, we ate at some pretty nice restaurants with him wearing those and never felt out of place or were sneered at. I think chinos would be lower down on my list than the cargo pants, as they don't really have style. I do think dressing dark is a good idea, especially if you're backpacking it--you don't want things to look dirty.

Good advise Sue, Christina, and Jess, thank you very much. Now I have a good plan of what to pack! I cannot wait to be sitting at a cafe watching the people stroll by, just a few weeks away!!

Well, it's been awhile since I had check my post and was happy to see a lot of great advice. I am taking my two daughters ages 15 and 17 on this trip, it seems what I am hearing is dressier is better in Paris if you want to blend in. I am thinking a very simple back dress that packs well would be appropriate for dinner. What would the atire be for day for my daughters and I, we want to do some shopping mixed with site seeing? Shoes for day?

I guarantee that my husband NEVER did the suit and tie thing in the middle of the day for lunch....nice slacks and a polo shirt, yes but never a suit and tie for lunch. For more formal dinners with his company at night, he did have to do the suit and tie thing which was no problem. For a women, a nice skirt with sandles etc., or a nice pantsuit is fine. Remember, you're on vacation too!

Denise, McDonalds does not have a dress code so it is natural that your husband "never did the suit and tie thing" what ever that is.

forgive triviality please, but:<BR><BR>I plan to wear a sleeveless black silk sheeth dress to a couple of 3 stars in Mid-May. I will take a evening wrap or silk cardigan along. I am working under the assumption that, as in the US, bare shoulders are always appropriate for more formal occasions, even if the weather is not balmy.<BR><BR>Any comments?

I am taking a quick tourist trip to Paris at the end of May and will be visiting no 3* restaurants. I will be wearing jeans or black pants with crocheted or knitted dusters over tanks. Birkenstock sandals as I will be walking as much as possible. I don't mind being seen as an American, but I sure as hell don't want to look like an American trying to look French. Not to mention, the first time I open my mouth it will be pretty obvious where I come from.

I go to paris often and eat at top restaurants I wear a smart pant suit with pretty belt and jersey. Husband wears a suit and tie. I usually say a week and bring two pant suit with different tops for evening, and a smaller pocketbook for nighttime.