Absolutely she can wear pants. I've often worn plain well-fitting black jean-type pants with a "nice" top to "top" restaurants, in Paris and other urban centers.

I have also noticed jeans- shirt trend in expensive restaurants...something to do
with "60 is new 30"?

Absolutely confirm black pants for women. That has been around for eons. In fact, black top/black pants with scarf or great necklace is a no brainer.

Surprisingly, I have spotted men in Paris lately in top restaurants wearing sports jacket, no tie, collared shirt and JEANS. Really good jeans, though--perfect fit type. Not your down-on-the-farm stuff. No "rumpled" look.

I kid you not.

Although the rich guys roaming around at the markets wear sneakers now, in restaurants, their jeans are paired with high-end boots.

I found their look to be fabulous.

StCirq's suggestion to Google recent photos is certainly on target.

Yes, Cathies, it is 2014, and you can wear a hula skirt or CA slob-wear (dungarees and a tee-shirt), but I prefer to wear more appropriate clothing. As Alessandra said, black pants and top with some good accessories are a go.
Came across an article by Nina Griscom about taking her daughter to le Grand Vefour, one of our restaurants, which discussed patrons' clothing. Interesting. They did the black-on-black themselves.
My husband and SIL will wear sports jackets. That's what they're used to and with the weather will be comfortable.

You know, what you wear is all fine and good but when I think about it, if I look at other diners, it isn't really what they wear that gives me a good or bad impression.

I've seen plenty of people dressed 'to the nines' as they say who clearly have no class or style. I've seen women in jeans who clearly have class that comes as naturally as breathing to them. I recently watched an episode of Joanna Lumley's TV series on Greece. Even at 68 (this year) she looks good no matter what she wears. And that ladies is something no wardrobe can provide.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/common/imag..._1_joan_90.jpg

Even in a jean shirt she'd look like she belonged in any 'top Paris restaurant'.

The Countess de Billy thinks that matelots are the appropriate attire for children in formal Paris restaurants.

Just don't go to Les Bouquinistes looking like a John Galliano pirate.

Thin

When I lived in Paris, this wasn't a problem - closets full of clothes. But, on this trip we're having a sort of contest to see who can take the least amount of clothes. But, we'll see what happens. There are shops where one can fill in the wardrobe.
Pepper, thanks for the restaurant. It's in our neighboorhood, rue du Bac, but it's received some very bad reviews - like Laperouse - so we'll give it a miss, or not. Any others ?

Congrats on your contest! Bet you guys are going to have fun.

Yes to pants, after all what would your trousers fit over? >>

bilbo, i got flamed last time I made a remark like that.

but I still can't get used to the word "pants" meaning "trousers", however hard I try.

I see most French women dressed nicer than black jeans in the restaurants I go to in Paris and I have never been to a top restaurant. I would never wear jeans to a top restaurant, but apparently some people do. Now some nice, well-cut trouser in black, that's different. I like to wear skirts and dresses myself, at least in summer as they are cooler than pants but that's just personal.

Exactly, Christina.

Trousers is generally not used in the US - for either men or women - pants is the typical word. Underwear is called just that - or panties and boxers/briefs if you prefer.

Curious as to what Christina thinks distinguishes well-fitting black "designer" jeans from "nice, well-cut trousers?" Who can even tell that they are jeans without peering closely at the double seams? Are jeans the same as "jean cut?"

http://www.polyvore.com/helmut_lang_...ng?id=61565687


I see both men and women in blue denim jeans at many top-tier restaurant both in my home city, New York, and many other European and Asian cities. I would not wear blue jeans to those venues myself, but think it is one's sense of style that matters, rather than taking each element out of context. Hopefully people know when they look "appropriate," or just plain "good," and when not, by looking in the mirror.

You should see how the techies dress out here in San Francisco. "bad" is the new "good".

Stu Dudley

Trousers is generally not used in the US - for either men or women - pants is the typical word. Underwear is called just that - or panties and boxers/briefs if you prefer.>>

strangely enough, nyt, bilbo and I already know that, which you would know if you'd read what we wrote.

IMO smart and comfortable is the way to go. you can always dress up an outfit with a special scarf, some nice jewellery, or a very smart jacket.

On our last trip to Paris, we reserved lunch at the Grand Vefour. I packed a knee-length black pleated skirt which rolled up to nothing w/ dressy cardigan, and packed high wedge pumps in a dark gray metallic. The problem was we walked around the Louvre that morning! So, yes they looked fantastic BUT they were the only occasion I wore those shoes on that trip. I would bring a snazzy pair of ballets instead of the practical walking shoes, but that's me, and yes to the pants (please no jeans). Believe my husband had to wear a jacket & tie and that was fine. You can't get much fancier than the Grand Vefour, and everyone was very nicely dressed, which is very nice to see. Perhaps everyone kicks it up a notch at dinner but it is hard to notice shoes regardless even at Colette's favorite table.

Pants for women? Definitely! Black, slim ponte pants with espadrilles for me as I dress up or down with those shoes.

Husband wears slim jeans with V neck sweater and jacket. He wears the jacket on the plane and throughout the trip on cool days.

Alice, thought you were going to say that your feet hurt after a morning at the musee ! My orthopede has said that flat shoes are almost as bad as stilettos. Best is an inch and a half heel for both men and women. Guess I might take my Cole Haans with the Nike heel cushioning but will look for others. Ah, the pleated skirt, another great idea.
Eks, beyond the seams you can tell they're jeans just by looking at the fabric - denim.
Stu, NoCal style is nada. SF is full of fly-over people after all.

The black jeans I am talking about do not look like denim. And how close would you have to be to see to distinguish between black denim and cotton twill in any case? Would cotton twill pants with a jeans cut be ok, but denim would not be ok? So is it denim itself that is a no-no? Or the cut of the jeans?

(The jeans in the link I posted above, which happen to look pretty good, if I have to say it myself, are black cotton with black leather inserts; I think they are part of a look that would be fine in just about any restaurant I can think of)

I think all this is more a function of one's age, and personal style, as well as city or area of residence. As I said above, a look in the mirror should tell all.

Wear the sames as you would be wearing at fine dining in Boston or NYCity