We'll be in Paris next month and plan to attend some classical concerts--not sure which venues yet but in concert halls and churches. I know here in the US many people have started to dress down, but is this also the case in Paris? Typically here at home I'll wear a dress or skirt and pantyhose and that seems to be somewhat the norm though you will even sometimes see people in jeans.

We don't want to stick out like sore thumbs, nor do I want to have to haul extra clothing. (Several years ago in Krakow we attened a concert aimed at the locals and not tourists and we felt underrdressed because all the men were in suits and the women had their nicer dresses on.) Will I be okay in nice slacks and a blazer with a scarf? How about my husband? Or, should I try to dredge something else up? Normally I like to take skirts when we travel in nicer weather because they are so versatile, but I know it's going to be quite cool. Thanks.

My French freind tells me always dress up! When in doubt I would take a long black skirt instead of the slacks, can be dressed up or down for other travel adventures and will be warm. (of course I rarely ever anything but skirts and only jeans on saturdays so I'm not the best one to listen to. Have fun.

You will certainly be all right in nice slacks, a blazer and a scarf.

A few years ago I was in Paris and I forgot to pack my shoes and ended up the whole time in a pair of old running shoes. (My mistake!) In Paris, people don't look at your clothes, they look at your shoes, and I was quite self-conscious everywhere I went. One night, I had tickets to a concert on the Avenue Montaigne, and the metro ran late, and I felt really glad to have those running shoes because I found myself having to run full speed down the Ave Montainge, dodging other people -- until I noted all of whom were drinking champagne! It turned out it was the opening of fashion week in Paris, and I was in the middle of it. I turned a lot of heads!

But I made the concert.

"Blazer and Slacks" is more casual in Paris - ie Sunday afternoon dog strolling. I would recommend smart black skirt or black trousers with a black polo neck or blouse and a scarf - or a black dress. Just below the knee is fine - you don't need long skirts.

I have been to many concerts in Paris in all kinds of venues, from churches to Theatre des Champs Elysees and there is no need whatsoever to dress up. In fact, dressing up in the cheap church concerts would really be unusual and totally unnecessary. Many people often wear very casual clothes for those.

I always dress up a little when going to the theatre myself, but that means a skirt and silk blouse or something. A nice pair of slacks and stylish or pretty top would also do. In fact, I have seen people dressed in jeans in the Theatre des Champs Elysees and as with any venue, you will not be kicked out. So then it gets down to what you personally choose to wear based on what you enjoy wearing, and think appropriate.

I have never been to a concert in Paris where all the men were in suits and the women with nicer dresses on. Many people were dressed nicely at the Theatre des Champs Elysees, but a lot of women were wearing nice slacks or pantsuits, and you would not really stick out whatever you did.

You can dress however you wish at concerts. It depends mainly on whether you are going for the music, or going to show people how well you dress.

Black silk slacks and a nice top (that's just me, I never travel with skirt or pantyhose).

Well, obviously I am going for the music, but personally I like to at least somewhat fit in with what is standard attire. Maybe it's because I am middle-aged and classical music audiences here in the US seem to be primarily the threads of silver in their hair set, but I'll admit that I do tend to feel that it is somewhat inappropriate when I see people in concert halls in jeans and parkas. But, to each his own.

I may just throw in a long dark skirt I have with a pair of dark tights to wear under it to keep me warm.

Do buy yourself a Pariscope upon your arrival in Paris. The choice of classical concerts is just amazing. I am always surprise at the high quality of performance, the beautiful acoustic of the church and the small entry fee.

Since lot of the audience will be coming directly from work, you might see some gents in suits and ladies in "tailleur" but mostly people are dress somewhat casually. You could buy a nice cashemere pashmina that would double as a scarf on top of your coat and a wrap once you are sitting. It does bring instant elegance to any outfit.

Some of church concert in le Marais are free, and most of the church are well heated. Bon concert.

A skirt/dress is not necessary - but you will feel much more comfortable in something sophisticated - black dressy pants and a nice top - rather than sportswear such as trousers and blazer. And anything you can do to dress up your coat (don;t know what you're taking) will also help.

Last meeting we did in Paris we were invited to two concerts by locals - and wore a good quality leather coat or jacket over dresy black pants outfits - which fit in well with the locals.

You may also see people in jeans (lkely students) unless it's the $200 trendy jeans with a silk top and Manolo pumps. (Most europeans have fewer clothes than Americans - but go for the best quality/style/workmanship they can possibly afford.)

the first time I went to the Opera Bastille, we packed along our best clothes because I had heard all of this snobisme des Francais (whatever the h it is)

I had seats in the second most expensive seats in the house and thought we should dress appropriately.

When we got there, I sat next to a man wearing a very formal T-shirt. I know it was formal because it was black.

After that I ceased to worry. We saw everything from jeans to long gowns.

We have been to the Opera Garnier and the Theatre des Champs Elysees. We dressed up and did not feel out of place.

We saw many people wearing formalwear (probably season ticketholders). Others wore business attire and most likely did not stop at home before attending the theatre.

The few whom we saw wearing jeans were largely college age.

We have not attended concerts at a church, but I would suspect the attire there is more relaxed.

Woody

I have just read a book by a French lady who has long been in the Paris fashion industry. I deduced from her book that it is appropriate to wear something dressy to concerts.

Several travel catalogs carry a "little black dress" that is suitable for packing. There are also black skirts, blouses, jackets, etc. that travel well. There are even pumps designed for travel comfort. If black is not good for you, navy or brown can be acceptable as well.

Even though you might see people wearing very casual clothing, this is frowned upon by Parisians. These "casuals" are possibly tourists who haven't planned properly, or students.

In my experience, it is "a propros" to try to fit in with the natives. This is part of showing respect.

One year in Paris we decided to splurge and buy the second most expensive seats at the Opera Bastille for a performance of Turandot. (It was tremendous.)

To make sure we did not look like vagabonds, I had my best suit and my wife had a longish dress -- her best one in fact. I thought we were properly dressed until we took our seats. There we found next to us a man clad in a very formal black T-shirt.

We saw all manner of dress that performance. Everything from long, formal gowns to slacks, even jeans.

After that I ceased to worry what I wore. I always take along a blue blazer, tie and a dress shirt just in case. My wife decided fancy clothes just were not worth it. For Vienna, she had her best pants suit, but no long semi formal gown!!

For Ste. Chapelle, I would say turn up in a decent outfit and you will be fine. It is so dark in there that nobody will see you anyhow!!

Wear what you wear in the US. You will be ok.

I have not had a problem in Paris, Munich, Vienna or Salzburg.

You'll see anything and everything on others no matter the venue. Don't worry about it. Best is to dress for whatever you're doing before or after, if you like.

NO WAY you're likely to "stick out" - someone else will stick out far more than you can possibly imagine.

For the both of you, black/tan bottoms, nice top/shirt, sweater/blazer/jacket, comfortable black shoes (as opposed to HUGE brand new white sneakers) will render you comfortably and attractively dressed anywhere in Paris.

In London and in Paris, I have always dressed up a bit and never felt overdressed. There will be kids with jeans (Good for them! they did not let what they wore stand in the way of hearing glorious music) and you will see people dressed to kill.
I generally always wear black, dressy trousers and a top with a pretty jacket, that sort of thing. ( High heels help with the look

"A few years ago I was in Paris and I forgot to pack my shoes and ended up the whole time in a pair of old running shoes. (My mistake!) In Paris, people don't look at your clothes, they look at your shoes, and I was quite self-conscious everywhere I went."

nessundorma, the first thing I bought as a student in Paris (ages ago) was a pair of shoes! They were cheap and pretty painful to break in, but I remember feeling so much less self-conscious. Back then, only Americans and Germans wore shorts or sneakers anywhere but the gym (you could easily spot them on the Metro). There's definitely not that much of a sharp distinction these days, but I agree that the shoes are still important (bulky and white being two American traits), and I can imagine how you must have felt!

I'm the OP. We actually ended up going to only one concert in Paris and it was in one of the lesser known churches. We fit in perfectly (and I think that we may have been the only tourists) wearing the clothes we'd been walking around in all day--decent looking outer coats, dark slacks, regular dark leather shoes, sweaters etc.

I was in Paris in April 06 and also in
London and was lucky enough to attend a concert in both Westminster Abbey and
Iglese Madeleine. Of course it was pretty cold in both cities, (frigid and raining in London) but people, with the exception of one old lady and one couple, were not dressed up beyond everyday casual clothes. And of course the young - 30 and under were wearing perennial jeans and pullovers.

I agree with most - dark shoes please (no white sneaks) nice slacks or skirt and top with blazer if needed - and top it all off with a scarf.

Most people dress down for such things in Paris. Older people will be better dressed, but I am referring to the type of old man who wears a suit and tie every day even though he has been retired for 15 years.