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?