Luisah

<<Yes, that is a certain age
I think most travel clothes from places like travelsmith (IMHO!!!)have poor styling.>>

I agree, and I liked your description of an outfit you wore in Paris: jeans, bright top with velvet jacket and ballet flats -- tres chic!

I wore the travel jacket once and gave it away, couldn't stand looking at it in my closet. Never again.

Wow. I meet the criteria, although I'm closer to the high end, but can still remember the low end.

kntrotter

Caroline, Mid May into June in Paris. I live in Southern California, near to the beach and what we wear on a daily basis would not be appropriate in any big city, be it San Francisco or New York or Paris. I think it helps to have guidelines so one won't over pack.

RufusTFirefly

Although they won't admit it, many French people are actually aware that people in other parts of the world dress differently from they way they do.

I'd say as long as your clothing is neat, clean, and appropriate to whatever places you're visiting (e.g., no bikinis or speedos in the cathedral, or cutoffs and flipflops in a Michelin-starred restaurant), you'd be fine. Nothing wrong with khakis in the summer (and khakis has become a more generic term covering many colors--including khaki khakis).

KT

I'm reading "McCarthy's Bar" at the moment, and on the cover is a picture of the late Pete McCarthy wearing khakis, a t-shirt, and a jacket. So maybe if you dress like that people will think you're a British travel writer.

clairobscur

"un certain age" is a polite way to refer to someone who isn't young anymore.

anna_roz

Banana Republic for all travel and non-related needs. The clothes are smart looking, well fitting and well made, and if one catches a sale, even better!

Anna Roz

stokebailey

I like khakis, have the impression it was originally uniform fabric for desert area soldiers not to show dirt. (wine, yes)

Neopolitan

"un certain age" is a polite way to refer to someone who isn't young anymore."

Uh, yes. But would you care to claify?
My niece would then put anyone over 18 in that category. I have friends who are active and over 70 who would say they are still young and would reserve the term "a certain age" for those over 85 or so.

cigalechanta

But some younger people are very old with uptight attitudes, dress, and on and on.
They are of an uncertain age

kswl

Cotton Khakis, boat shoes, white button-down.

This is the right uniform for a man of any age. You would change this for colored trousers containing polyester? Mon Dieu!

Scarlett

LOL cigale! <i>&quot;Uncertain age</i>...very good.

mimosa

khakis are ok for you to wear and we saw alot of them in window displays for the spring collection.

caroline_edinburgh

kntrotter : &quot;Caroline, Mid May into June in Paris. I live in Southern California, near to the beach and what we wear on a daily basis would not be appropriate in any big city, be it San Francisco or New York or Paris. I think it helps to have guidelines so one won't over pack.&quot;

OK, fair enough : so just wear what you'd wear in SF or NYC !

nona1

Scarlett - nah, you guys are just too much fun to wind up. I see it as my civic duty to spread an awareness of British piss-taking to prospective visitors while (usually) trying to be helpful in the end. I just don't understand why anyone, of any nationality, needs to feel so stressed about clothing and some of the other stuff you USAers fret about. I have visions of a whole continent of people with stress ulcers...;-).

Actually I would love to come to the US when I have enough dosh but I have no idea where - it's a massive continent rather than a country. Too much to choose from....

DonTopaz

An opportunity to discuss language and apparel in the same topic: excellent.

<b>Apparel</b>: I would caution against considering the trousers without thinking of the whole ensemble. For example, jeans can be a great solution if they fit well and if you've also got a set of other items (blazer, sweaters, sport shirts, knit shirts, footwear) that are complementary. Same with the Haggar slacks -- they can be fine, but make sure that you've got the right other stuff, as well. When packing for travel, a major goal should be to create many different combinations with relatively few garments.

<b>Language</b>: Actually, the expression <i>d'un certain &acirc;ge</i> has an upper limit, somewhere between the late 60s and mid-70s. After that, you are <i>d'un &acirc;ge certain</i>.

Luisah

&lt;&lt;But some younger people are very old with uptight attitudes, dress, and on and on.
They are of an uncertain age&gt;&gt;

Excellent! It takes time to break away from the pack and unfortunately, some never quite make it.

Was it one of the Beatles who replied when someone repeated something he'd said years before &quot;I was old then -- I'm younger now.&quot;

stokebailey

Speaking of language, nona1 had me stumped for a minute. Google to the rescue:

a piss-take (British &amp; Australian, very informal!)
take the piss - to make a joke about someone or to make someone look silly. Have I really won or is this a piss-take?

stokebailey

Also, nona1, if you were going to Atlanta in July or Los Angeles anytime, you'd appreciate a tip not to load your suitcase with tweeds. Or if going to Santa Fe Opera in the summer, to pack something warm.

Allyce

Khakis are fine, along with collared shirts. A navy, black or charcoal jacket would give a nice look for restaurants and cathedrals.

However, it would also be good to have a pair of dark slacks to go with the above mentioned jacket, and a tie. This outfit could get you into concerts and better restaurants.

From my experience it is better to try to fit in with the natives. This is part of showing respect. From what I have read and observed, jeans are usually reserved for weekends in the country or yard work.

cigalechanta

From what I have seen BEING THERE, jeans are worn all over but of cource not for dinner unless at the local caf&eacute;.