How important is a sportscoat/suit in France?
Sep 2nd, 2006, 08:39 AM
#41
lauricelli just asked if she needed to pack a suit and a sportscoat for her husband, which he doesn't, unless they go to a very high end restaurant.
If people want to bring a suit and a sportscoat, that's great. Dress to the nines. Since I travel mostly in spring and fall, I prefer a nice leather jacket that goes with virtually everything. Sorry, but a blazer reminds me a little too much of Thurston Howell III, but I know a lot of guys who like them.
Underhill, a sportscoat is not uncomfortable, just for me, not necessary for a trip.
If people want to bring a suit and a sportscoat, that's great. Dress to the nines. Since I travel mostly in spring and fall, I prefer a nice leather jacket that goes with virtually everything. Sorry, but a blazer reminds me a little too much of Thurston Howell III, but I know a lot of guys who like them.
Underhill, a sportscoat is not uncomfortable, just for me, not necessary for a trip.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 09:49 AM
#44
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I can't recall ever wearing a sport coat for the duration of a flight, but I generally have worn one onto the flight. The attendant will usually hang it up for you (yes, even in coach class) to save it from getting mangled in the overhead bin. At least they always do on American. And they always return it just before landing -- a nice service, I think. I tend to need something to wear to avoid the frostbite I might get in most airports, but find it too warm on most planes to keep it on.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 10:31 AM
#45
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I took a sports coat on our recent trip to Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The first time I carried a sportscoat on a trip in the past 25 years or so. It sat in the trunk of the car the entire trip.
There could be certain restaurants that require a sportscoat, but we didn't run across any.
There could be certain restaurants that require a sportscoat, but we didn't run across any.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 11:07 AM
#47
We're going to Paris and then northern Italy late next week after a conference in Montreal for a few days; the DH needs to wear a suit for the conference, so he will have a suit for the whole trip. We are taking advantage of that (otherwise he rarely travels with a jacket) to hit a couple of the 1-2 star restaurants in Paris; we ordinarily would stick to the brasseries/bistros.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 11:30 AM
#48
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I have followed this thread with interest because it has made me examine my own attitudes. Bottom line is: I feel more comfortable going on vacation (other than to the beach) dressed up a bit.
I come from a generation for which air travel was a luxury. The folks who flew felt that embarking on an air journey was somewhat akin to taking a sea voyage; one dressed to suit one's station. Jacket and tie were the norm.
As time passed, and I travelled frequently on business, I changed to a more comfortable mode, with jeans and open necked shirt. I still usually wore a sport coat on the plane, as I would be wearing that in my meetings the next day.
For example, I began to notice that I got treated differently with the jacket and without. Every single time I would walk into the airline lounge without the jacket, I would have my membership card checked. Most of the time when I was in a sportcoat I would be greeted by only a friendly smile, not an inspection. Same thing in restaurants.
I guess what I am saying is that one should dress in a manner that makes you comfortable -- and I don't mean just physically comfortable, like the folks that wear their PJs aboard -- For myself, I don't care if the restaurnt "requires" a coat and tie, I "require" that I feel good walking in, and that means that have my rather stunning wife on my arm, and know that I don't look too shabby either.
I'm bringing/wearing a blazer to Italy and France in October, and a silk tie will be hidden somewhere in my bag, just in case.
I come from a generation for which air travel was a luxury. The folks who flew felt that embarking on an air journey was somewhat akin to taking a sea voyage; one dressed to suit one's station. Jacket and tie were the norm.
As time passed, and I travelled frequently on business, I changed to a more comfortable mode, with jeans and open necked shirt. I still usually wore a sport coat on the plane, as I would be wearing that in my meetings the next day.
For example, I began to notice that I got treated differently with the jacket and without. Every single time I would walk into the airline lounge without the jacket, I would have my membership card checked. Most of the time when I was in a sportcoat I would be greeted by only a friendly smile, not an inspection. Same thing in restaurants.
I guess what I am saying is that one should dress in a manner that makes you comfortable -- and I don't mean just physically comfortable, like the folks that wear their PJs aboard -- For myself, I don't care if the restaurnt "requires" a coat and tie, I "require" that I feel good walking in, and that means that have my rather stunning wife on my arm, and know that I don't look too shabby either.
I'm bringing/wearing a blazer to Italy and France in October, and a silk tie will be hidden somewhere in my bag, just in case.
Sep 2nd, 2006, 02:42 PM
#49
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Speaking of dressing up for air travel, I'm reminded of the time in the early 70's when my partner and I flew to Florida (living in Ohio then) to spend a week with his parents. They met us at the airport and for the entire week we listened to his father read us the riot act for not wearing a coat and tie on the plane. We were simply wearing dress slacks and long sleeved dress shirts. What were we thinking? He was truly angry and disappointed in us.
The point is that times change. I still believe in being rather dressed up -- more so than many of the others around me. The difference is I no longer believe that wearing a coat and tie is the same as being "better" or "more fashionably" dressed for many things.
The point is that times change. I still believe in being rather dressed up -- more so than many of the others around me. The difference is I no longer believe that wearing a coat and tie is the same as being "better" or "more fashionably" dressed for many things.
Sep 4th, 2006, 08:40 AM
#50
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Just to let you know, in addition to what you asked, one of our daughters is in Paris right now. She's been there for a month and has been cold the entire time. She said it's been rainy, too and the weather is expected to keep up. Make sure you check out the forcasts before you pack.
Sep 4th, 2006, 10:20 AM
#51
TravelTess -- the weather just flipflopped again the moment August ended (coldest August in 20 years). Now we are back up to 26°C in Paris with 29° expected tomorrow and the next day. Indian summer.
Sep 4th, 2006, 02:11 PM
#52
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Cato, maybe you should read through the posts. I explained why I pack for him.
TravelTess thanks for posting that. I've been checking the weather websites. I swear though, I was freezing in Italy in May because we had a cold snap but the websites had predicted warm weather. Layers always seem to be the ticket.
TravelTess thanks for posting that. I've been checking the weather websites. I swear though, I was freezing in Italy in May because we had a cold snap but the websites had predicted warm weather. Layers always seem to be the ticket.
Sep 5th, 2006, 04:37 AM
#56
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Please PLEASE tell your husband to pack a sportscoat! We were unable to have dinner at the 5-star hotel du Palais in Biarritz because my husband did not have any. They were offering a menu degustation for a reasonable 50 euros and we missed it!
As Europeans we travel up and down mainland Europe 99% of the time and always make a point of changing before dinner time into something more dressy, also when eating out in our country. Eating out is a feast, and if you look better you get better treatment. At least that is my experience.
As Europeans we travel up and down mainland Europe 99% of the time and always make a point of changing before dinner time into something more dressy, also when eating out in our country. Eating out is a feast, and if you look better you get better treatment. At least that is my experience.
Sep 5th, 2006, 06:53 AM
#58
I am wondering how many people have gone to the same restaurant twice, with and without 'fancy' clothes, to test whether they really got better service or not when well dressed. And if they did get better service in fancy clothes, it certainly doesn't speak well of the restaurant -- they could be sued for discrimination.
Sep 5th, 2006, 07:20 AM
#60
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Kerouac, none of them know what they are talking about when they say you get better service if you appear in their definition of "dressed up". There is no need to schlep excess baggage in the form of a sport coat/suit or evening gown to go to Europe.
Even if you are having tea with The Queen at Buckingham Palace, you don't need that stuff. For The Queen, you can always rent attire.
Remember you are on vacation. On vacation you do not have to dress as you do for work. Every ounce of baggage you bring, you will be schlepping.
Even if you are having tea with The Queen at Buckingham Palace, you don't need that stuff. For The Queen, you can always rent attire.
Remember you are on vacation. On vacation you do not have to dress as you do for work. Every ounce of baggage you bring, you will be schlepping.
