Paris Restaurant Advice
 

I will be dining at Le Grand Vefour for lunch. I would like to know if a nice wool pant suit is appropriate attire for a woman at lunch and/or dinner. Also, would this be appropriate for the ballet? And, would a 3/4 length raincoat be appropriate outerwear for all of these venues?<BR><BR>Also, is a suit preferable to a sport jacket for my husband, or does it not matter?<BR><BR>Thank you for the advice.

A wool pants suit and a 3/4 length raincoat are going to be far too hot in July. Thanks for giving us all the necessary information. But if the weather is cool enough for it, yes both are perfectly appropriate.<BR><BR>A suit in winter is more appropriate for a man, but a dark blazer would be adequate. Please no plaid or bright color sports coat.

Your outfit sounds perfect for the cooler months..As to your husband...gray slacks and a navy blazer go anywhere , anytime..Skip the suit

Yes, what you describe would be fine. Pant suits always appropriate. Obviously lighter weight for warmer months. Suit not needed at all for your husband - a sport jacket is fine. For more Paris information go to www.anamericaninparis.com

I think it depends on the style and quality of the pants suit (for the lady), as well as jewelry/accessories and shoes. All those make a big difference between a very casual or dowdy look or a sophisticated, stylish look. I have seen some elegant pants suits made out of silk or wool crepe that would be great, with good shoes with some heel. I have also seen utilitarian or boring pantsuits that look cheap, and sometimes are.<BR><BR>That would be perfectly okay for the ballet, probably anything you think fine would be okay for that. <BR><BR>Personally, I think a good skirt and blouse would be more versatile, pack better, and work better. For example, a stylish black skirt with beautiful silk blouse, heels, black stockings, and decent jewelry, would be more what I would pack. I'm not a big fan of most pants suits, though, I don't think they usually look that good on most women.

xxx, I am sorry not to have given all of the requisite information. I just assumed that a wool pant suit would not be worn during the summer months. I will be visiting the middle to end of April.<BR><BR>Christina, I have a few pant suits that fit me very well. One, in particular, is olive, and looks great with nicely heeled black shoes and bag. I don't want to look dowdy, but all I am really aiming for with this question is what is appropriate (not being turned away at the door)? I will be travelling and want to be appropriate, yet also be a bit comfortable.<BR><BR>BTW, when you say a black skirt, do you mean long or short? It seems as if short might be a bit cool if I am planning on doing a lot of walking. <BR><BR>If anyone else has something constructive to add, I would truly appreciate it. Thank you all!

I doubt you would be &quot;turned away&quot; at the door, and certainly not when clothed as you describe. Don't worry too much about your choice of attire. You sound like you have plenty of common sense and a notion of what you are comfortable in. I spent a week in Paris in May a couple of years ago with a 3/4 length &quot;rain&quot; coat which was perfect. I used the same last April and it was fine (this one had a detachable hood, which came in handy on rainy days). For dressy evenings, I had a black knit shawl/cape thing which was even better and didn't take up much space in the suitcase.

Oh, and my husband only took his navy blazer on our last three trips. It fits every occasion.

uhoh, thanks so much for your helpful reply! I do not have a cape, although I have been thinking about purchasing one. Maybe I will. If I don't find one, do you think that it matters what color the raincoat is? I know this sounds like a rediculous question, but so many people seem to stress the extreme propriety necessary when dining at the top restaurants in Paris. I have a red 3/4 coat, but have been thinking about purchasing one in black. Do you think red would do?<BR><BR>I enjoy dressing for dinner, but I am beginning to feel that there is a bit too much emphasis put on what should be worn. I would think that the great chefs want people to come relaxed and looking forward to enjoying their excellent culinary skill. It should not be so much about what a patron is wearing as long as some common sense has been used. I am not a big jewelry or accessory person other than loving beautiful shoes and handbags. I certainly would not want to be judged as dowdy or less desirable as a patron because of this.<BR><BR>

My husband and I, when visiting France last Spring, ate at quite a few Michelin-starred restaurants. I paid careful attention to what people were wearing, and there was much more variety than I expected. There were definitely women in pant suits, and not all the men were wearing suits. I doubt that the restaurants will care (or notice) what your 3/4 length coat looks like - if it's the most practical thing, take it, and if you like, you can take it off before you step into the restaurant.<BR><BR>I've found the finer Parisien restaurants to be not as stuffy as I expected, and I felt that the wait staff was always working to create an enjoyable evening, not to scare the diners because they weren't dressed properly. Enjoy your stay!

Lexma90 -Thank you so much for putting my mind at ease. I am very much looking forward to the fine dining experience in France. <BR><BR>You mentioned that you dined at several Michelin-starred restaurants. I would appreciate it if you would share your thoughts on these restaurants. It will help me to decide which restaurants my husband and I will most enjoy.<BR><BR>Thank you again!

lois,<BR>we ate lunch there on my last trip. you will and your husband will be fine. most of the other diners looked like they were on &quot;busness&quot; lunches. enjoy......it is a fantastic dining experience!!!

A suit in a worsted works all year round except in hot weather. If you have the figure for it, go for it.<BR>take a pashima shawl or cashmere/silk blend which is light, easy to pack and warm. why not buy a raincoat there if needed. I picked up a chic light weight one at sonia Rykiel.

Thank you for the continued replies. So far, it seems like a pant suit will be fine. <BR><BR>Any additional advice will be very appreciated. Also, restaurant reccommendations would be wonderful!

Don't overlook the Rants and Raves section of Fodors website. I've used it &quot;on the fly&quot; when in various cities on business and always been able to find something special!

ohoh -You are right. The Rants and Raves section is a good resource. I always like to ask for suggestions, though, because I have found that many newer restaurants are not listed in Rants and Raves.

Lois, you'll be just fine. The staff at Le Grand Vefour is not the least bit snooty. On the other hand, in my observation French ladies favor skirts over slacks, and suits are &quot;better&quot; for the most elegant of dining establishments. Though, a pants suit for yourself and a sport jacket for your husband would be okay. You'd love &quot;The Parisian Woman's Guide to Style&quot; by Virginie and Veronique Morana, especially if your goal, as it would appear, is to &quot;blend&quot;. I have a 3/4 length red raincoat which I love for casual, but wear my longer taupe one for dressier destinations (blends better).

Donna, thank you for the book reccommendation. I will try to find it. Do French women favor one length of skirt over another?

Please help. Is a short or long black skirt more fashonable in Paris in Late April? Thanks in advance.

Short and tight if you are young and slim - otherwise, just above the knee or just below, whichever is more flattering on you. Longer skirts are fine too, wider hems rather than slim.