Are jeans ok for a bistro dinner?
 

We're leaving tomorrow, and now I'm worried about our attire. Are jeans acceptable in a bistro? I know they aren't for most restaurants, but we plan on eating for 40E or less, so mainly cafes/bistros. Most of my ideas came from Elaine's post, and I just want to be sure we won't be turned away, or looked down upon. I mean, we will be dressed nicely, no sneakers or sweatshirts or anything. Please let me know, I'll have to re-pack.

Hi Libbie,

Wear your jeans. If they are not acceptable, the waiter will tell you that there are no tables.

Ne vous enquietez pas. You will be fine.

-Kevin

>Ne vous enquietez pas.<

Does that translate to "Dinna fash y'sel"?

It does kind of depend on the bistro and what kind of jeans these are and how they fit and the style, I don't mean to split hairs. Accessories make a real big difference, also, and what else you are wearing. If these are nice jeans and not like farmwear or something, you will probably be okay although in some really popular, chic and trendy bistros, you might not look as good as others. In some neighborhood ordinary places, there is nothing unusual about that, though. Should be fine in a cafe.

(I think Kevin means "inquietez" not enquietez" in that sentence--I don't think enquieter is a verb, although i imagine you don't know French anyway probably)

No, you'll get arrested for crimes against fashion!

They're casual places, you're the customer, wear what you want.

One caution: when we dined at the Bistro de Breteuil last September we noticed that many of the French in the restaurant were quite well dressed--suits for the men, nice dresses or pantsuits for the women. I suspect that it was a week-night and people were having dinner after leaving the office, but we were glad we had dressed up a bit.

Husband brings a pair of pleat-front jeans, with that pressed look (crease), and wears a casual/sports coat with them. I've worn black jeans with sweater top/scarf type of outfit. No problem getting seated at good tables or with service. We usually eat a bit earlier, before 8:00 so that may contribute to our not feeling out-of-place when the Parisians start showing up.

Did M_kingdom just say to wear jeans???

I agree with m_kingdom, we ate in many neighborhood bistros and cafes with the neighborhood people and there were people who had come in from work in business attire and others in jeans.
I never wear jeans when traveling, so I would be in a pair of black trousers, but the point is, wear what you want.
Have a great time!!

Yes indeed, MK2 did say it was OK to wear jeans. But I bet MK2 is mentally begging you not to wear a black top with them - you know, that banding thing. Have a great trip!

LoveItaly: I certainly appreciate the joke, but I think poor Libbie79 might be a bit puzzled without a reference, so here it is:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/pgMessa...p;tid=34536321

There is so much wonderful advice on this forum and I can't tell you how helpful it has all been, especially for my Paris trip last February. However, based on postings here, I didn't take my jeans. Next time, they will definitely go with me! (And there will definitely be a next time.)

However, my husband was wearing his jeans when by chance we stopped in Underhill's favorite place, Le Petite Marguery, which is not a bistro, and we were most definitely underdressed, although we were seated! (A very special meal!) At this place we really would have felt more comfortable if we had been "dressier". For our lunch dining experiences, jeans would have been fine.

LoveItaly and Eloise - I must confess that I "band" on a regular basis (as do many other posters, I suspect). And most certainly because black shoes make one a "bander" as well. :)

"Are jeans ok for a bistro dinner?" You can wear what you want but jeans will be off color in most bistros. You will be looked down upon in those that accept you for an evening meal. Dress up for better service.

If you wear jeans, dress it up a little by wearing a long sleeve sweatshirt that doesn't have too many
blueberry pie stains on it.

Eloise, my apologies. Sometime ago, MK2 had post about jeans and black tops as you know. Think so many of us cringed because that is what we wore.

The "band" thing became a joke. I sure did not mean to take lightly libie 79 question as know most of us wonder if we are packing correctly and will feel alright about what clothes we have brought with us on a trip.

Libbe, wishing you a beautiful trip. Look forward to a trip report when you return. And seriously, am sure jeans will be just fine. If I hurt your feeling I truly am sorry. I did not mean too. Again, have a wonderful and happy trip.

What if they are black jeans with a French label?
Is this a compromise that wins?

Last Spring when we went to Europe I took jeans,( blue,& black) and dress pants. I wore the jeans most of the time and never felt out of place or under dressed. Just dress them up at night. Sweaters, scarves, jackets, and jewelry do wonders. I did not wear sneakers at any time. A good pair of black dress boots and a pair of comfortable brown loafers was all the shoes I needed. I also took a black leather blazer type jacket that I wore with most things. It went well with the blue and black jeans. I have not been to Rome though, but when I go in January I plan to take the same type of clothing.

You can wear jeans to all but the most formal restaurants. Just not with a sweatshirt and sneakers; as others have said, dress it up with a smart top or jacket (tweed is very popular right now), a scarf, jewellery and nice shoes or boots. I wouldn't wear them to, say, a michelin-starred restaurant, but in a bistro, definitely. I saw women in jeans in Spoon, and also in Market (the Paris restaurant of JG Vongerichten).