Libbie says "jeans but nice". No problem, especially if it's only a bistro you are dinning at.

I confess, last summe I ate at the terrasse of Bistro de Breteuil with a pair of(nice bermuda type) short on. Dined very comfortably in the summer heat and received a very couteous service. I'm not recommending wearing shorts. It's just me.

When we were in Positano last year, we saw a young woman wearing what appeared to be "stone washed" jeans.

They were made of silk.

Silk jeans? How comfortable they would be!!

Thanks everyone for your replies. I feel comfortable now packing my jeans. I was planning on wearing them with cute sweaters and a nice pair of black heeled boots. LoveItaly, I didn't take offense to your reply, I'm familiar with the "banding" post. But with my black boots and some black tops, I guess I will be guilty of that. I'll let you all know how it went, thanks for the well wishes!

Whoa, libbie - if the taxi's not out front, unpack the jeans and substitute something nice. It is Paris, afterall, not your neighborhood Subway. The US image is bad enough, don't add to it by dressing "down" just because someone sighted someone also inappropriately dressed. Goodness, this issue has be discussed forever, and formally resolved years ago. Never take jeans for meals. Notice people who won't wear jeans (body issue?)always advise you to take them along. I look great in mine, but still manage to leave 'em at home.

>Silk jeans? How comfortable they would be!!<

Far more comfortable than denim.

If you're going to a casual venue then wear jeans, in such circumstances it's better to be underdressed than overdressed. There's nothing worse than an American going to a little cafe in a brass buttoned blazer and "best slacks".

When I talk about jeans, I'm referring to all type be it distressed or pure, unadulterated denim. Jean cut cords I feel are only suitable for daytime wear as they're far more casual than their denim cousins. Black jeans can sometimes pass for trousers, however, I can only think of one designer whose black jeans work in such circumstances: a couple of seasons ago, Helmut Lang designed a pair of black stretch-elastic jeans which look like a pair of heavy, close-cut cotton trousers, no distressing, no fading. Silk jeans sound vile, silk should always be for trousers only as it tends to hang freely which isn't the look jeans are supposed to portray.

Pronouncing ex Cathedra,

>There's nothing worse than an American going to a little cafe in a brass buttoned blazer and "best slacks".<

I can think of at least one thing.

>Silk jeans sound vile, silk should always be for trousers only as it tends to hang freely which isn't the look jeans are supposed to portray.<

Perhaps if you actually *saw* them, you might have another opinion.

You must examine the heritage of jeans - they were originally developed as workwear that was durable, practical, it's a functional item of clothing. They should be made from heavier fabrics and/or durable ones so that they still have the "right" look. Silk is a delicate material that should be reserved for fine clothes such as gowns, suits, ties, shirts, etcetera. Making workwear such as jeans in silk is wrong, it's trying to make a silk purse from a sow's ear.

Silk trousers cut in a more formal suit/evening style are fabulous, but silk jeans are wrong from both a moral and aesthetic point of view.

'Goodness, this issue has be discussed forever, and formally resolved years ago. Never take jeans for meals'

Dressforsuccess; I live in Belgium, and regularly visit France, and can assure you that women do wear jeans when going to restaurants in the evening. If you wear them at home, and if you look good in them, then why not pack them?