Rubicund

Probably because like me, he didn't notice the date! :0

ribeirasacra

Way are there so many fashion police on the internet? Do they tell you what to wear at home too?

nytraveler

My bete noir is people who insists on going out to dinner in nice restaurants looking as if they had just cleaned out the garage.

People can, of course, wear whatever they want. And for touring during the day or a meal in a casual cafe yu may see anything.

But if people want to have a pleasant dinner in a nice restaurant - I do NOT want to have see strange men's hairy legs (wear big boy pants) or sweaty armpits (yes, you need a shirt with a collar - polo shirt minimum) - and real shoes. If this is too much trouble - please stick with a fast food place or the corner cafe.

Nikki

I love these discussions. Half the people say nobody will notice what you are wearing and the other half says they notice what people are wearing and please don't wear that.

Ackislander

I liked Bermuda. The authorities were stopping people who were unsuitably dressed, particularly men in tank tops, and made them return to their cruise ships to put on real shirts. Barbados did not permit women in skimpy outfits on the streets in Bridgetown.

I agree entirely with nytraveler. Of course you can wear what you want on the street or in casual cafes, but when the tablecloths go on the table, it seems to me that it is worth making an effort.

nytraveler

How much of an effort is full-length pants and a polo shirt?

I'm not suggesting a suit and tie.

Or even nice trousers, blazer and button-down shirt.

But surely every grown man owns a presentable pair of trousers (or stylish jeans) and a clean polo shirt.

Iwan2go

I love Thin's pithy comments and Nikki's observations.

A year ago my husband wanted to wear jeans in Paris (he's in his mid 60s) and I said, um, no I don't think older men wear them. Of course, we saw them all over the place on men of most every age. Nice ones, not sloppy, looked great.

This time, he took black jeans.

Pepper_von_snoot

Listen, we are all adults here and at least middle class.

Most of us know how to dress if out to dinner at a Paris restaurant that uses white tablecloths and fabric napkins.

I don't think there is anything wrong with wearing jeans, hoodies, trainers for sightseeing.

Would you really wear Chanel to ride the Bateaux Mouches or stand in line at the Eiffel Tower?

I was just at a very nice French restaurant in NYC (UES) last Wednesday and not one male diner was wearing a jacket, even though there were a lot of business meetings going on.

Thin

ribeirasacra

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...omment-8833519
Are you saying you go to eating establishments where they wear clothes like that? that post is written as if you have done. What did you do pour the broth over their heads and walk out?

sophiaallen1601

If you ask me For me i would always choose Summer casual dresses. As i feel more comfortable and confidant with it. https://www.shoppersfeed.com/womens-casual-dresses

jaicolebe

I choose all my dresses from here http://www.lowes.com.au and I am never being disappointed.

dglavin96

I think most people understand that people in Paris and elsewhere generally don't care what others wear. However, it's reasonable for visitors to aspire not to stand out as tourists or look bizarre by local standards. Visitors expect to have interactions with locals and it's reasonable to think these interactions will be more pleasant if one is dressed appropriately for the place and time. I came here looking for such guidance, and was disappointed to find that most of the commentors attack people for asking the question.

nytraveler

IMHO what is most important is how you will be spending your trip - as well as your age and physique.

If you are going to upscale restaurants and special events in the evening you definitely need smart casual at a minimum. This means actual shoes - not gigantic white clown sneakers.

If you are just going to eat in fast food places and casual cafes you can wear what you do to clean out the garage - IF you really want to wander the world that way.

kerouac

<i>Visitors expect to have interactions with locals and it's reasonable to think these interactions will be more pleasant if one is dressed appropriately for the place and time.</i>

Visitors who worry about such things invariably overdress and look like tourists for that reason.

justineparis

These threads are so funny.
I am not into fashion, but, dockers scream "over 50 and boring" to me.
We are over 50.
Hubby brings slim dark jeans and slim wheat coloured jeans. Plus shorts for hot daytime touring.

He hates polo shirts or golf shirts, but looks smart in a fitted v neck black tshirt, or a long sleeve button down shirt ( usually has sleeves rolled up to mid forearm unless we are somewhere nice) .

He wears runners or loafers. Runners however are not white, but that has nothing to do with paris, he doesnt wesr white runners at home, there are so many nice colored ones why would you wear nurses shoes lol

We take flip flops to europe but dont wear them in Paris, becasue we walk 10-15 miles a day, wearing flips for that kind of walking would cripple our old feet. They are for beach stops.

Thats how we roll, doesnt mean thats the " rules" but seriuosly i have seen everything in Paris, and i too doubt anyone but a few old snobs care what anyone else wears, as long as they are clean and somewhat activity appropriate( a bikini top and jean cut off shorts are not dinner wear , lo,)

Ps quality is better than quanity.

Cowboy1968

For anything even remotely related to fashion, simply follow Thin's advice. Period.


My personal/subjective point of view:

People who are self-confident and blessed with style, do not worry about "standing out". A good style will always stand out and reflect the person's personality. I mean, don't we want to be at least somewhat unique and distinguishable instead of 'blending in'?

The high-end places to dine are also popular for business dinners. Many guest may still wear their smart/formal outfits simply because they just come from work and not because they consider it the most appropriate outfit for that restaurant.

In between McDonalds and those high-end finest and most expensive dining option, Paris has a gazillion of restaurants from basic but good to already quite expensive where you do see tablecloths (I mean, that is not a custom reserved to restaurants charging €50 for a starter) but still no whatever fantasized dress code in action.

You will stand out as a tourist as soon as you open your mouth. If you wish to present yourself as a savvy traveler instead of a tourist, invest your money in proper language courses and not in cotton or polyester.

Parisians have that talent to put on some bland stuff for €19.90 from H&M, add something and look gorgeous. And wear it with the same air as if it was all Chanel. One of my friends told me that it is simply because all of her apartment in Paris is the size of a walk-in closet in the US. So she cannot have tons of clothes but has to think more about how to mix and match or mis-match.

Whathello

I wonder what tourists think of me when I enter a McDo wearing a suit. No tie, though.

Cowboy1968

McDo is fine. But I think Quick requires a tie

spaarne

<i>Pepper_von_snoot on Jun 28, 12 at 1:27am
1) Nobody in Paris cares what you wear.
2) Do you honestly think that people living in a large urban city even notice you?
3) They do not.
4) You will see every style of dress under the sun.
5) Anyone who says that Europeans don't wear khakis, t-shirts, or trainers are delusional and stupid.</i>

1) A maître d'hôtel cares.
2) I am a people watcher, honestly.
3) C'est la vie.
4) Snowshoes are not allowed. Thongs, maybe.
5) Do you have a recommendation for fixing delusional? I am already a genius.