I don't understand why it's in bad form or ridiculous not to take a blazer or sport coat when you don't go to places where it's expected that you would wear one.

It is important.
Now what are you going to do?

And seeing this thread title again the thought went through my mind, it is not important to me. I could care less what people wear on trips. Except if they are sitting next to me on our wonderful " packed like sardines" airplanes. Then I do appreciate it if anyone next to me avoids tanktops, shorts etc.

It is amazing that some still think that this is about whether they can get away without wearing a jacket as opposed to being about respect for themselves and for their lady. To answer the posters question: if your lady is planning to dress up, then it is very important to have a jacket.

Look at it this way -- many restaurants may not REQUIRE a jacket, but it will give you flexibility, polish, and more respect from the restaurant proprietor and your significant other. As Mom would say, "Put a nice navy blazer over anything, and you look like something!" (Mom logic, but you get the point.)

As others have said, wear it on board the plane, and ask the attendant to hang it up for you if you don't want to stow in in the overhead.

Also: Switzerland and parts of northern Italy can still get a bit cool in the evening at this time of year. What else would you wear that would be less bulky, or less devastatingly attractive?

'Just an observation: do you notice that is mostly guys who think that they are "just fine" being under-dressed, or getting by with the minimum? But I readily commend all the male posters who want to contribute to a more attrtactive environment, and probably get better service.

For some reason I have been thinking about this thread today. And of course it is not the first time this question has come up. And then the endless debates about whether a man should take a blazer with him or not.

Here is my thought on the situation as to why this question is asked. I believe that when companies started "casual Fridays" and then the computer people really dressed down, the companies started allowing more casual dress for the entire work week etc. etc. that people just got out of the mode of "dressing up".

Restaurants of course years ago did away with the "jacket/tie" requirement thanks to court cases (at least here in CA). The computer people started making big bucks and consequently could afford to eat out a lot in very expensive and elegant restaurants but they wore their Tshirts, jeans, gym shoes etc. which then I believe caused other patrons to get very casual regarding what they wore to dinner and it more or less has gone downhill.

Women stopped dressing up for dinner and a good part of the reason IMO because the men in their life didn't anymore. Consequently a lot of people that do like to dress up for a nice evening out feel overdressed if they do thanks to the majority that make no effort at all.

It got me thinking of SF. During the holidays in beautiful restaurants it seemed (with a few exceptions of course) that designer jeans with a dressier top and strappy sandals were the norm. And most of the fellows looked like they had just come off the golf course, right down to their windbreakers.

Personally I like dressing up for an evening out. And thank goodness my DH always did too.

But times have changed.

But in saying that I still think the old adage "you only have one opportunity to make a first impression" is true. And I still believe that when one makes an effort to be dressed appropriate for the circumstances people respond better. I also think it adds to the fun and festive feeling of the evening.

And why a windbreaker or whatever is easier to wear then a well fitted blazer is beyond me.

LoveItaly--your key words were "dressed appropriate for the circumstances." If not going anyplace where a blazer/sport coat would be appropriate for the circumstances, then one wouldn't need same.

I can't remember any restaurant I've ever been in where I could discern any different treatment for men who wore sports coats or blazers compared to those who didn't--except where such dress was required. In fact, any establishment worthy of requiring a sports coat or blazer of its guests, will have loaner blazers available for those who might not have been aware of the requirement at that particular establishment.

I will make an amendment to my statement that I never take a sports coat/blazer (or suit for that matter) on a trip. Sometimes our travels have involved weddings, funerals, or other special occasions. Of course, anyone should have the appropriate clothing for such occasions.

And I agree that if you are planning to go to a restaurant or other establishment that expects its guests to dress up, then one should take the appropriate clothing along.

We don't make such plans, so normally I don't take a blazer or sports coat. Just unnecessary baggage. If I am unexpectedly invited to dine with the King of Spain or Anna Kournikova, I'll buy a blazer and a tie--most of Europe has stores now.

Rufus, yes, dress appropriately is somethig I wish more people would do. In my area I have been in nice restaurants with fellows in tanktops and shorts. Not appropriate IMO.

And I am certainly in agreement that Europe has shops now. Actually thought they always did! But the average traveller does not have time to shop for a blazer, have it tailored etc.

Again, I am past the point of worrying about what anyone wears. Life has become so casual. But I have to admit I sometimes wonder if some people ever look in the mirror at themselves. I think they show a lack or respect for their partner and the public in general. But such is life.

Regarding a blazer. If a person ask if they should take one or not I get the impression that they know they should but want everyone to assure them it is not necessary. Otherwise why would they take the time to post the question. Asking a question I assume means they want some honest opinions. If one prefers not to, again that is their decision. To each their own.

" unexpectedly invited to dine with the King of Spain or Anna Kournikova, I'll buy a blazer and a tie.."

Rufus, if I get to unexpectedly dine with Anna Kournikova, we're dining in.

For LoveItaly --

re: dress casual policies at work. More than a few offices are reverting to more formal attire, i.e. definitely NOT T-shirts or jeans, must wear a collared shirt, some offices even went back to jacket/tie, etc. They began to sense that employees began to treat their work and each other too casually, not attentively, etc. The idea is that how you dress affects how you carry yourself and interact with others, i.e. things got a little too unprofessional and "the rules" were upgraded.

Hello MadamX, yes, I think employers found that how one dresses does seem to affect how they coduct themselves.
In my city (which is not sophisticated) I have noticed this last year more business men are again wearing suits, or blazers with a dress shirt and tie.

IMO the quality of education in our public schools went downhill when dress codes were more or less waived. Some school districts are trying to get back to an acceptable code again.

I think the thing that shocked me the most was when the Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner went from black tie to business suits (that was fine of course) but within three years there were people showing up in jeans and golf shirts. For a formal dinner dance.

Even the Officers Club at Mare Island Naval Shipyard finally eliminated their dress clothes years ago. Within two years or so the Club was closed due to lack of patrons. We stopped going as the whole atmosphere changed.

Take care.

These sorts of restaurant posts are really interesting to me, especially when responses are overlaid with the "appropriate attire for entering a church" questions.

Priorities, mine being askew from what's probably norm for this board, would be to opt out of carrying a jacket along. To tie to the two points I thought I was making together, I'd try to give more dress consideration to visits to ancient churches representing a couple of millenia of local belief systems over what I'd consider providing for the presence of good quality veal.

Ok, I'll admit I'm messing around a bit but true that I'd not bring a jacket along.

Hello Clifton, I always enjoy your sense of humor.

But seriously, there is something I do not understand. Forgive my ignorance but what do you wear when the weather gets chilly, or a restaurat etc. is to airconditioned? That is what I do not understand. Even airplanes can get chilly. I tend to wear a pantsuit on planes when travelling so I have a jacket on.

My late husband always wore his blazer on the plane so he had something to keep him warm. And even when we would be places in summertime there is the occasional cool day, or the chilly restaurant etc. So he found a blazer was the easiest thing to bring. It could top a polo shirt, a long sleeve casual collared shirt and of course a dress shirt and tie when the occassion called for that. It would work with linen pants, with dress slacks etc. A blazer was a staple in his travel wardrobe. He had a linen blazer he took when we would go to Mexico or Hawaii for the same reason.

I am not trying to be argumentive. I just truly do not understand what fellows do for those times when it is cold. And why would a blazer be more of a problem to take then any other kind of jacket? I really do not understand. Take good care.

Hi LoveItaly,

Well on the last trip it was a bit nippy actually. I wore a couple of layers and on the outermost layer was a suede jacket. Not wonderful for fine dining (and I have dressed for dinner near home), but since we travel light and were hiking in the mountains, it made more sense to chose that layer as protection over impressions. Hope that makes sense.

OK Clifton, so you DID bring a jacket, a suede one. It sounds lovely. You had said "but true I would not bring a jacket along". But you did, LOL. So the mystery, at least regarding you, is solved. Have a relaxing Sunday.

Thanks for the comments! The "sport coat/blazer police" have won! I decided to take a blazer. I am also taking a "wind breaker type jacket as the long range forecast for the area where we will be is for cool temperatures. I will probably wear one and carry the other on the flights to Geneva.

Hi buckeye, you will have to let us know when you return if you used the blazer! Inquiring minds want to know :. Have a beautiful trip, not many days now until you leave. Enjoy every moment!

We're getting excited! Its only our second trip to Europe. I have sworn off checking the weather forecasts as they indicate less than ideal weather-but a lot can happen until we get there and during the 11 days we are there. I will report on the use/non-use of the blazer.

Buckeye1-you'll be glad you did, even as I'm sure Budman will be very disappointed with the news...

spygirl1, disappointed? I could care less. Doesn't bother me. Buckeye1 asked a question, and I gave my opinion. I've never been anywhere in Europe where I've needed a sport coat/blazer. Take a Tux if it makes one feel warm & fuzzy.