Well, that's to say the least! We will be on and off trains, buses and planes and are packing the same way we did on our first trip to Europe - donkey years ago.
Including what I am wearing:
2 slacks, 1 skirt, 4 tops, 1 sweater, 1 windbreaker. 2 pair shoes. No more than I can carry and lift. (steps/overhead compartments)

My husband is doing the same. And worried about not taking "the jacket" for Afternoon Tea.
Also, we are meeting friends in London that are staying for 2 weeks and are taking enough clothes for a month. They are - um - shall we say in a much higher income bracket than we are, and are wanting us to join them for dinner, theatre, etc.
I'm ok - with my black skirt and nice top, but what about my husband? Should he just throw in that jacket and tie for the paltry 3 days we will be in London?
We will be in Italy for the rest of our 3 weeks, and don't anticipate the need for jacket/tie etc.
I guess this is a rather silly post, but he's anxious about it.

Carol

What about Oxfam shops? (or other charity shops - I think they call them "thrift shops" is the US, but maybe wrong).

Depending on area (and your old man's size and shape) these often have good quality second hand jackets for around a fiver (there's a very good one in Notting Hill, but they are all over). wear it on the one occasion you need it and then either re-donate it to the shop or chuck it away.

There are also shops like Primark that sell cheap clothes (and by cheap I mean ridiculously cheap) that aren't that well made but will certainly last long enough for your purposes. Then just chuck it away.

Hi Brahmama - I had afternoon tea at the Palm Court in the Sheridan two weeks ago and there wasn't a jacket to be seen. It's always nice to get dressed up for an occassion, but there are plenty of wonderful places to eat that don't demand that kind of attire these days. At the end of the day I am sure your friends would rather enjoy your company that being driven by dress code (if the worst comes to the worst you could go to an Oxfam shop somewhere posh like Mayfair. You could pick up a bargain, contribute to charity, and give it back after you've used it!)

Hi mama,

>Should he just throw in that jacket and tie for the paltry 3 days we will be in London?<

Why not wear the jacket and put the tie in a pocket?

When will you be there? If it's chilly, he won't need a sweater.

It very much depends on where you will be having tea. We travel much the same way and each have a slightly dressier skirt or pair of slacks and nice shirt that can be worn to tea or the theatre or out to a nice restaurant. If you are having tea at the Ritz or its near equivalent, you might want to consider a jacket for your husband.

mamc is right - it depends where you're going. There's hardly any place in London that still requires a jacket and tie, but the Ritz is one.

The Ritz do like to make a fuss about ties, which is quite frankly ridiculous, menswear's come a long way since then!

Skinny, dressy ties are de rigeur for the evening with super slim collared/cuffed shirts. But, back to your question. Of course it does depend on where you are choosing to take tea. I'd go to Claridge's without a tie for tea, in fact I go to Claridge's without a tie full stop. But, you must look presentable, and a slim, fitted jacket makes a t-shirt and jeans look smart, it can make it look Italianesque, or rock-chic, etc. etc.

I think that it's a question of the venue. Never been to the Ritz, but have been to Lanesborough, Savoy and Brown's.

Pretty sure that Savoy required a jacket/tie (I seem to recall putting one on). Pretty sure I showed up at Brown's pretty casually with two friends -- seated in the kids' room, as I keep joking.

Forget what happened in Lanesborough. Was with a group and I'm pretty we were relatively casual.

You should just ask the place where you plan to have tea if there's a dress code.

You might consider renting a jacket from Moss Bros.

Thanks for the replies. We'll be going in October, Ira. I'll be posting my itinerary soon and asking for suggestions.

Such a very good, and easy solution - just ask what the dress code is for tea! (duhhh)

We are intrigued by the Goring Hotel - maybe especially because of the stuffed sheep! I was expecting stuffed shirts...

Sopranoland on SlowTrav was there this summer and it sounds very nice - not quite as pricey as the Ritz, thank you very much!

m-kingdom - he liked your suggestion very much. And I expect he'll take along the jacket - it does dress up the jeans and shirts - he's done that in the past and looks sharp indeed!

I did love the Oxfam info that several of you mentioned. What a nifty idea - but he's big and tall and hard to fit. I still want to visit the one in Mayfair.

Carol

We stayed at The Goring one Christmas and thought it very, very comfortable. The breakfasts were excellent--didn't try any other meals because we were out and about.

Hi Carol, my late husband always wore a jacket on the plane. Took it off of course if it got hot or stuffy on the flight.

He consequently had the jacket if there was a cool day/evening or if we went to a restaurant or to an event where he felt he wanted to wear it. The rest of time the jacket was in the hotel room.

Have a fun trip!!! Lucky you. Take care.

Higly recommend the Dorchester for a traditional and remarkable tea. After searching for the 'perfect' place for afternoon tea I opted for the Dorchester after the Ritz. My husband and I went all dressed up - me in a dress and him in a suit. I think we were the nicest dressed couple there. Just wear a nice top and skirt, perhaps you husband could wear pants and a nice long sleeve shirt. Go and enjoy! It's quite a wonderful and dignified experience - but dignifying with a jacket for him is really not required!

Hi LoveItaly
>....my late husband always wore a jacket on the plane.<

A discerning and proper gentleman, and not just because he married you.

>...dignifying with a jacket for him is really not required [at the Dorchester]<

Another example of the general lessening of standards.

>...We'll be going in October, ..<

Then he'll need a jacket anyway.

Do all of these guys who have such difficulty with wearing a sports jacket also have to be forced to shave once a week?

Asking for the dress code is always a good idea, I think. I always do when I'm unsure.

But in my limited experience, if jacket/tie is required, you'll be told when you make a reservation.

And Gordon Ramsay even told me that no trainers are allowed, and I had to ask about my mom's shoes.

But of course, what actually happened is another story. When I went for lunch, I was one of the few men who was wearing a jacket.

Enjoy your tea.

It wouldn't surprise me at all, Ira. We continue to forge ahead into the no-distinction-between-public-and-at-home wear--and sometimes behavior, for that matter.

We've had this sort of discussion before, and I belong to the jacket optional camp.

Unless the restaurant is truly special, I don't see why I need to dress up specially for it. If I think that the restaurant isn't worth my time and wants me to dress up, I'll just go to another restaurant.

It's not like I dress sloppily.

The same applies to concerts. Should people who don't wear jackets not go to concerts? It's not a question of dress code sometimes. Some of these can be poor students who don't own a jacket. And I'm sure that many of them appreciate the concerts better than the people who've shown up with all their finery.

>It's not a question of dress code sometimes. Some of these can be poor students who don't own a jacket.<

Then they should sit in the top balcony, where they have always sat, so the rest of us don't have to see them.



A former poor student, who somehow managed to have one jacket to his name.

I'm glad that you used three smiley faces, ira.

As you probably know, a lot of the major concert halls in the US have student-rush tickets that will seat students in the best seats as long as tickets are still available.

I know that this applies for concerts in Carnegie Hall and in Symphony Hall in Chicago. Carnegie Hall, for example, has $10 rush tickets. And I still remember a concert I heard in Symphony Hall with Tennstedt and CSO (Mahler 1). I sat in Orchestra, and I was a student.

Also, the Philadelphia Orchestra has rush-hour tickets that everyone can buy.

Since this is taking us too far from the original poster's questions, I'll refrain from posting about this subject on this thread. We'll just agree to disagree.

But I find the idea that students should be confined to balconies because they lack a jacket completely preposterous. There's a certain egalitarian aspect to music that should not be neglected.

Hi ...

I'm amazed at this topic ??? Wouldn't even occur to me to wear a jacket & tie to the theatre or resturant !! Just smart casual .... you know trousers/shirt or teeshirt with collar etc, any kind of smart shoes.

I live in England & regualrly go to London ... never ever been turned away - you money is as good as the next person's - mind you never been to the Ritz ... far to expensive for my liking.

Mark