Hi All,

This question comes up a lot, and I almost always say "yes".

Others, however, have oft rebuked me: saying, "wearing ugly, unfashionable clothes with a jacket doesn't always make make a person presentable" - or words to that effect.

Last night, my Lady Wife and I went out to Maison Bleu (highly recommended if you are ever near Watkinsville, GA) to celebrate her birthday.

At a table near us was a male person of a certain age wearing torn blue jeans, a UGA tee shirt, a Braves baseball hat, and a tweed sportscoat.

It might have been better if he hadn't worn the jacket.

Baseball cap and tweed ! seems a fashion statement to me.

ira, as you know, I'm one of those who has finally after many years given up that "old fashioned" idea that a jacket automatically means a guy is better dressed. Here in Florida, I see too many old guys in polyester leisure suits from the 80's, or in their 10 year old raw silk sportcoats in all the colors of the rainbow, often worn with madras plaid pants. Give me a guy in current nice fashion including a really nice dressy long sleeve shirt any day.

And oddly enough last night we had dinner at the only place in town that still requires a jacket to eat in the main dining room. Both of us weren't particularly dressed up, but slipped on a blazer to wear there. Neither of us were nearly as "dressed" up as we normally are when we go out to a nice restaurant. The jacket seemed to "take care of it" rather than putting together a nice ensemble.

All private membership clubs that we have belonged to had dress codes for the various dining rooms..re : 19th Hole, Main Dining Room etc. Jackets were available for those who happened to be in the need of one.

I may be old fashioned, but I do believe that if you are going to a "nice" restaurant where the chef has prepared "fine" dining that you should be respectful enough to dress nicely.

I know what you mean about the old guys with the madras pants and/or jackets!

You see everything and anything all over the world today! A new surprise every day.

Bob Morris discusses "Slobs at the Top" in his column in the New York Times today (Sunday Styles). He thinks people are dressing like slobs today because they see a man like Mel Gibson (being interviewed by Diane Sawyer) with his shirt untucked on national television. People see this and say, "If it is OK for Mel to leave his shirt untucked, it is good enough for me."

I wonder what percentage of the population would take Mel Gibson for a role model? Not too many I hope.

So, flanneruk, have you spent much time in Italy, land of the bella figura?

"The basic rule in Europe is: if it's got a dress code, the odds are it's not worth eating in."

That's interesting considering the rather lengthy discussion on the dresscode for Gordon Ramsay's at Claridges here just a week ago. Most real gourmets would consider that a place worth eating in.

There are plenty of people who worship the ground Mel Gibson walks on. He made "The Passion of Christ," which makes him an icon among the conservative Christian set. Do you know that conservative Christians make up 20% of the U.S. population? That is 60 million people.

Le Bernadin in NYC has a dress code. Many consider it the BEST restaurant in the U.S. There are many who lie, cheat, and steal in order to get a table here.

Flanneruk, I am sure that if you had an audience with Mrs. P. Mountbatten, you would show up in dirty jeans and a t-shirt with Marmite stains down the front.

Good morning.

This question comes up a lot, and I almost always say "no."

Do I have to wear a jacket? NO

Can I wear a jacket? YES

I think the word "rebuke" is a little strong -- I think just a difference of opinion would be the case.

My guess is that 99.9% of the restaurants in Europe do not require a jacket, although you can feel free to wear one. If you happen to be going to the .1% of the restaurants in Europe that require a jacket, then wear one.

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

>people worth socialising with don't give a damn about what you're wearing. They'd rather you dress interestingly and respectfully. <

That's an interesting oxymoron. :0

>Neither of us were nearly as "dressed" up as we normally are when we go out to a nice restaurant. The jacket seemed to "take care of it" rather than putting together a nice ensemble. <

Hey Patrick,

Now, there's a thought.

I agree with the fact that some people look awful in their jackets. I've seen some appalling suits that should be dragged off and shot too, but presumably their wearers see them as 'smart' purely because of the fact that it is a jacket or a suit.
Good quality casual clothing put together with care looks a lot better, classier and dressier than some ill-fitting seen-better-days suit or jacket.
Actually, men in bad suits make me crack up. They think they look the business but they look like shit.
IT doesn't have to be an expensive suit/jacket, but clean, unwrinkled, and FITS YOU PROPERLY. Why does that seem to be so difficult?
I'm not much of a dresser-upper unless I feel like it to make the meal an 'event' - but then I'm doing it for my benefit not the restaurant's.

In 99% of places in the UK a jacket is not necessary. In fact, the old sportscoat look may well stand out as unsuitable in the trendier places.

I like a man who cares enough about the circumstances to dress himeself
nicely. A classy ensemble or a tailored jacket is fine with me. IMHO, it shows sophisication when a man dresses appropriately for the occasion, casual for a casual place, dressed up for a more elegant place.
I don't see what the problem is with wearing a jacket, women wear them all the time.

What some of you fail to realize is that many of us dress professionally for work. I wear a suit or jacket/tie to my job every day. If I go to lunch, or to dinner right after work, you will see me dressed this way. Most professionals in big cities also dress this way. These are usually the people you see at the "hot" restaurants in big cities. (The bus drivers for SEPTA don't stop off at Le Bec Fin in Philly for lunch.)

I doubt you would see Lord Archer dressed in jeans and a wooly jumper at Gordon Ramsay on a Thursday afternoon. (Not that he wouldn't wear clothes like that on the weekend.)