JerseySue

I was told that wearing jeans in Paris is inappropriate - what do most people wear ? Is dinner formal at most restaurants - coat & tie ??

PalenqueBob

Talking in general many young people wear jeans in paris much like in the States - not talking about formal restaurants - but wearing jeans in Paris is not inappropriate as many locals do in their daily outings.

Underhill

There are many threads on this subject--enter "jeans" in the search engine and with luck some will come up. The consensus seems to be that jeans are inappropriate for better restaurants but okay otherwise.

BATUFFOLINA

If you go at a fancy restaurant, wearing jeans might be not a good idea. In other less formal places that would ok (like if you go to a bistro). If you go to a fancy restaurant I would wear a skirt with a blouse or if you like to wear trousers, I would opt for a pair of black or brown trousers with a nice blouse with a scarf (if you like them, I have seen lots of people wearing them either around the waist as a belt or around the neck) or a sweater

richardab

Here we go again.....

1. Jeans are just as popular, if not more popular in Paris as in NYC or any other big city.

2. I sometimes switch to black, khaki or grey jeans when I go to dinner. Blue jeans are fine if you are going to a neighborhood bistro or brasserie.

Truthfully I wear what I want. After all you ARE giving them YOUR money. Be comfortable.

3. Leave your velour jogging suit at home. This is inappropriate anytime, in public, in my opinion.

Intrepid1

Why hasn't someone started a so-called "superthread" entitled "what to wear?"

Of course, it probably would be the shortest one of its kind given the short answer of "anything you feel like."

Tulips

JerseySue; whoever told you that has never been to Paris.
EVERYBODY wears jeans. They are fine for most restaurants too, except for the most formal ones, if you dress them up with a nice jacket or blouse.
Coat & tie only at very formal restaurants, such as Michelin-starred places.

JerseySue

Thanks guys - I will pack my jeans !! Better yet - just wear them on the plane !

suze

Take your jeans along for Paris, they are perfectly fine. Honestly though I prefer to wear something with a little more stretch for the long plane ride.

travelmom29

I'm in my mid-30s and travel to Paris for fun twice a year. 5-6 years ago, I would advise you to ditch the jeans and purchase a comfortable pair of black pants or skirt. For the most part, only American tourists wore jeans.

In the last few years, I've noticed a real upsurge in Parisians wearing jeans. In fact, this past February all I saw was jeans - on both men and women of all ages. My girlfriend that travelled with me chewed me out for telling her to leave her comfortable jeans at home since that was what everyone was wearing.

Of course, pick up a copy of Vogue magazine, and your see the jeans are back "in". I was at the mall the other day and couldn't believe the number of people buying $200 and up jeans (and I don't leave in an upscale area).

So, for now, you'll fit right in with jeans. However, I stick to something more dressy for a formal restaurant.

jsmith

I think that watching the background on shows such as Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa or in a foreign movie gives a pretty good idea of what people currently are wearing - both men and women. Just be sure to check the copyright. If it isn't already obvious, the styles in the wonderful "A Very Long Engagement" won't be of much help.

parisnow

Like travelmom I am in my 30's, and go to Paris a minimum of twice a year. Jeans in Paris have been "in" for the past few years or so on everyone. I don't recall seeing many older women (late 40's+)wearing jeans. I told my friend's 18 year old no to cowboy boots this past May in Paris. She had to correct my fashion style at least once a day whenever we passed a shoe store displaying cowboy boots in their window. If cowboy boots are "in" in Paris you are safe with jeans.

Cicerone

Parisnow, when you are in YOUR late 40s+, let's have a discussion about whether you like being referred to as an "older woman"!! I consider an "older woman" to be in her late 50s or maybe her early 60s. I haven't worn jeans since I was about 12, so don't avoid them now because of any mutton-dressed-as lamb fears, but please don't call me an older woman for God's sake!

richardab, I am also pretty sure that velour track suits are actually in now....

elaine

Someone says, with apparent exasperation, "Here we go again..." and says jeans are just as popular in Paris as anywhere, but no velour jogging suits.

I agree about the jogging suits, but not about the jeans. A lot of tourists, of all nationalities, will be wearing jeans and sneakers/trainers. Many young people (by which I mean, under age 30 or so) will be wearing jeans.
Some fashionable adults, will occasionally be seen wearing a great pair of jeans with boots, jackets, and scarves, showing an overall chic look, in cafes.

But, in my experience, most grown-up Parisians over 30, are not wearing jeans to dinner in the heart of town, and not that often during the day. Things do seem more casual than they used to, but many have the art of dressing casually while not relying on denim. I'm not saying that you shouldn't, but I don't see it as what most would wear to dinner, except for the casual cafes or snack bars. That is not to say that a tie is necessary.

Desert_Sue

Agree with Elaine. It's how you wear the jeans that will make them OK. I wouldn't wear them to dinner for sure (I'm 51).

JerseySue

Thanks guys ! Didn't think I would start a jean/age debate - but hey it was fun !!

Bob_C

My wife and I are in our 60s and we still wear jeans and wore them in Paris.

cigalechanta

Shoot me! So do I!!

wtggirl

How about Cords??? I love them and this would be a good thing to address since most of us own several pairs these days.

skylark

Just another voice to add to the discussion - I was in Paris in July, and while shopping in Galeries Lafayette and Printemps, saw several older very elegant women wearing jeans.I'm sure they weren't tourists like me.