Jeans in Paris ?
 

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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."

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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....

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.

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).

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

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

Shoot me! So do I!!

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

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.

Ok, I'll probably take some hear for this one, but.....For the most part, when an AMerican wears jeans, they're the baggy in the rear type that just don't look so nice. Most europeans wear jeans look nicer becuase the jeans fit better. Face it, "black pants" can mean a very wide spectrum of pants- from double knit to tailoredwool.
The jeans I might wear out to dinner look very different to the jeans I wear on a saturday morning.

Ok, well I'll probably get heat for THIS then: it's not always the jeans. Sometimes it's the rear end that's just not so nice.

Personally, buying jeans for me is harder than shopping for a bikini. I want them to make me look narrow-waisted and -hipped, but also showcase a nice perky bum. Oh, and they should make my legs look long too. ;)

As stated above, there are now many very pricey jeans (don't know if they're available everywhere), but even some of these don't fit the bill.

That said, I still think you should wear whatever you want provided it's not too-too inappropriate for the venue.

Well, I am an "older woman" (57 going on 58) and I still wear jeans - even in Paris and London! I wear nice, well fitted stretch, stylish jeans (Brazilian jeans are beautiful), with high boots, silk shirts, silk scarfs, and tailored blazers. Very chic!

Cicerone--What comes around goes around, you got your revenge. I watch my 20 month old niece two days a week. 99.99% of people assume she is mine. Was in the mall the other day and a 20 something ask if I was her grandma!

Hi,
I have been to Paris several times and most recently this past Mar(05). The dress has really changed and lots of people (older, younger) are wearing jeans (especially during the day for traveling & sightseeing). I wish I had brought mine!

I'm curious about what jean brands do most of you wear to Paris/Europe that look chic? I've heard Levi's are big there, but they certainly are not chic.

My cousin (male, early 30's)lives in Holland and always wants Levi 501's because I can get several pairs here for what he pays for one pair there.

Levi's are ok for daywear, they're not chic. Quite right.

A.P.C. are super skinny, chic jeans. Lots of designers wear them themselves. Also PPQ are the rockstar's super super skinny jean of choice. Dior Homme are the most luxurious ones, they have a lot of hand finished details, and some have lurex interwoven, making them perfect for the evening.

I'd turn up to a smart place (but it has to be modern smart, old fashioned smart won't want jeans in any shape or form) with a black jacket, shirt and skinny jeans. It looks smart, it looks sharp.

Barb,

I'd hate to name my jeans because I'm sure they're probably all "so last year" (or worse!). But basically I'll wear any brand as long as I think they look good--see my post above. :)

I live in a city with a big Levi's flagship store; if I spend enough time in there I can usually find something. For a city, European or otherwise, I do prefer a darker wash.

I've had some Tsubi Lean Beans for a while now that I only wear when I'm feeling really thin. A. Goldsmith are more forgiving. A pair of Edwin jeans that make ME look skinny. And Levi's. A friend in Copenhagen talked me into a pair of the "revamped" Lee's but I'm not really sold on them.

As I get older, buying jeans is getting harder. But, hey, I'll keep trying.

Jeans are popular in Europe, especially on younger people. But they are more tailored well-fitting jeans, worn with maybe a jacket or sweater.

The other big argument against jeans is they're heavy and take forever to dry. Somehow dryers don't seen quite so efficient in Europe.

just got back from paris - ended up posting a trip report under vacation03 so check it out if anyone wants more info - but honestly i saw so many people dressed in jeans! And the Italians are way more chicly dressed for you to feel out of place as a tourist.

The in thing now are those indian skirts, indian jewelry, funky colored shoes, short skirts, boots...anything and everything!

If you go to a posh restaurant - I agree wear black pants or something, a skirt perhaps. But as a tourist just be comfortable and take a few semi dressy layers. I wore long comfy skirts, scarves, earrings and didn't feel out of place at all. Europeans sure love accesorizing!

Never, ever wash skinny jeans or ones with a complex treated finish. Always best to dry clean them. Or wear them lightly and just hang them to air.

I suppose you can get away with washing a regular pair of blue jeans, but I just feel they're never quite the same after a wash.

Oh my God. I'm glad I live in the real world Kingdom person.

I do not favor any particular brand of jeans, but I certainly never wear Levi's - they do not fit well on me. As I said, I like our Brazilian made jeans (they have a much better fit), and look for the darker, stretchy ones, below the waist but not too low (I hate the real low ones!).

We just returned from 3 weeks in Paris with our 16 and 24 year old kids. Jeans on a daily basis are fine and common, especially amongst the younger set. If you go to a nicer restaurant, we think that the fact that we were not wearing jeans at that time (although tie and jacket is not needed and we wore skirts and nice casual)afforded us the excellent attention and service we received.

I agree with Leely, it's getting harder and harder to find a good fitting pair of jeans and doesn't seem to matter the brand or the price. Skin tight is good if you are 6' and 20 yrs. old, but for me it's not a good look. So, I continue on my constant quest to find just the right pair. I'm packing my new 515 Nouveau style Levi's. They have a little stretch, fit great, darker wash and look really smart with a white blouse, red cardigan and Ecco loafers. I say that now. I will get to Rome and say to myself "what was I thinking" once I see all the beautiful Italian women sporting their low cut, skinny jeans. But I will be in Rome, so who cares!!

Barb, sounds cute! And yes, you will be in Rome, so definitely "who cares"?

Buon viaggi!

Jeans or better 'Levis' are/were male garments designed for wear while doing manual labor. They were never considered leisure wear. Do a bit of, environmental scanning; who are wearing jeans and what is their activity?

mkingdom2 said a black jacket, shirt and skinny jeans. It looks smart, it looks sharp.

aren't you that banding fellow? what happened to that, is the black and jeans combo okay now?