Proper Attire for Dining in Paris
 

<BR>Two family members and I are planning to visit Paris in mid-May. I was recently advised that most all restaurants (even small family-run establishments) require female patrons to wear a skirt for evening dining - is this accurate?

I just returned from Paris 10 days ago. <BR>The group of mostly female students and 3 adult women generally wore pants/jeans, etc.in the evening and there was no problem. Another group from here had the same experience. We were in pretty basic restaurants - Hippopotamus, Planet Hollywood, and another more French family-run type. Other women in these establishments were also wearing a mix of skirts, pants, etc.

I just returned from Paris 10 days ago. <BR>The group of mostly female students and 3 adult women generally wore pants/jeans, etc.in the evening and there was no problem. Another group from here had the same experience. We were in pretty basic restaurants - Hippopotamus, Planet Hollywood, and another more French family-run type. Other women in these establishments were also wearing a mix of skirts, pants, etc. As for "fancy" restaurants, I don't know.

No requirement to wear skirts rather than pants. French women, however, usually dress in skirts or dresses. <BR>

Come as yourself, it'll be find.

We saw everything in Paris. Hadn't heard of the skirt rule. Pants are fine anywhere - even the opera.

The concept of "dress-code" is very American and irrelevant in France. People just try to adjust to the place's supposed clothing level. Of course, navigating between the "under-dressed" and the "over-dressed" can sometimes be tricky, but that's the whole charm of it, much more fun than just obeying a written rule !

I agree with all of the above posters, but would also add that even though there is no "dress code", you will probably feel more comfortable if you look somewhat "nice" for dinner. I have found that black (somewhat dressy) pants and a silk shirt and scarf look elegant and go absolutely anywhere. (it's also easy to pack). I have worn this to dinner, the theater, and the opera and never felt out of place.

One of the great pleasures of many of my travels has been to return to my room after a day of traipising around a great city to shed my somewhat rumpled touring togs, bathe and dress for dinner. It feels great to have the confidence of looking your best. You *know* you can go anywhere! <BR> <BR>And you don't have to pack a whole wardrobe -- one little black dress has served me all over Europe in fall, winter and spring. <BR> <BR>Forget the idea of dress code, but not the idea of celebrating yourself! -- Enjoy!

What a timely message. Last night, I saw four *loud* Americans coming out of a nice restaurant dressed in gym clothes and sneakers. I wanted to crawl under my table. Yes, there is no dress code in Paris and certainly trousers for women and even jeans are fine (depending on the place). But sweatpants and running shoes belong only in the gym.

Agree with most of the above. My favorite dressy outfit when traveling is black slacks/skirt, beautiful white/ivory blouse (or tee), nice belt, and a sweater or blazer in a color, with a bit of jewelry and a colorful scarf. My husband wears tan or black slacks with a sport jacket and tucks a tie into his pocket. Depending on the weather, we may wear the sweater and jacket and add our raincoats if necessary. At all the "touristy" places, you'll see people wearing everything imaginable. No matter what you're wearing, you're not likely to be turned away, except at the fanciest of restaurants (no one will comment on your attire, you'll be advised that they don't have a table "for you"). But, in my experience, the better you present yourselves, the better you'll be received. At the tourist attractions during the day, anything goes, and you should be as comfortable as possible. But, evenings, it really is best to wear something other than any athletic wear/sneakers. I don't know of any requirement regarding skirts for the ladies, but I did notice that French women favor slacks over skirts.

I agree with the black comment-short, long, silk cotton wool. Or is it just isn't you-then Navy is the "classique" look in Paris-but in general, the simpler the better-solid colors-classic choices are always in style and of course, something that makes you feel good-and something that you like to be out in-no matter what. But I have found over the years that black works for me-a friend just got back from 9 months travelling around the world and sent me e-mail that the most important lesson she learned is that 4 outfits is enough anywhere and I wrote her back a short reply: 2 if they are black :) <BR> <BR>Also, just a note-don;t forget the humidity in Paris if you go in the summer-layers are also smart

Never heard of, ran into, saw signs of, felt, or smelled a dress code in Paris (I've never eaten at La Tour d'Argent so maybe they have one). I like broomstick skirts (they come wrinkled, how much worse can they get?) or gathered jersey skirts (lightweight, you can wear leggings underneath if you're cold) for getting dressed up (they're fine for daywear too so you're getting double use). It seems that most French women (over the age of 25) wear skirts to dress up (they all seem to have great legs...that might be the motive) but if you wear dark pants with a nice top and jackets, no one will look twice (the postings about black are excellent; you look chic and that blob you sat in at Versailles doesn't show)

I have been to Paris several times and what I have learned of proper attire is really quite simple: You should look like you belong in the place you are trying to go. I have seen others turned away even in the States, while we have been handed very discretely a beeper and told to come when it goes off because my husband & I try to look dignified even after a full day of touring. If we are too tired to return to our hotel to change for dinner (the Euros eat later than we do ) then we go to more of a boulangerie or hit one of those Kanterbrau (beer and mussels or sausage)type places. You don't have to be dressed out of the pages of fashion magazines, but a little black dress and even costume jewelry or a scarf go a long way. Once, at a restaurant in Versailles, I overdressed and the owner came out to get a look at us! I thought she was being snobish; my husband thought she was checking US out to see if we were famous. I guess it was our "15 minutes", eh?