I was told by a friend that when you go out to dinner in Rome you have to dress "nicely". I was told NO JEANS, most women wear nice slacks or a summer dress. So is this true? We will have to change out of our "sightseeing" clothes before we eat at night?

As is the case with most cities - it all depends on where you eat. Quite acceptable to wear jeans at some places, you would be out of place in others

Hi M,

Ditto, wombat.

I don;t know about you but I always feel icky after a long day of sighseeing and want to shower before going out to dinner - and naturally put on fresh clothes.

If for a casual place I will do slacks (jeans are too heavy/hot) and a pretty top - if for an upscale place I will do a dresss or a silk pant outfit.

There are many places you can wear jeans if you want - but some that you can't. But Romans tend to dress more than many people in the US (what some of us see as casual they see as - dare I say it - for doing housework or laundry) - unless of coure, you're under 25.

With the popularity of $150+ jeans today, you would be at home in most upscale restaurants in NYC in a fashionable pair of jeans.

I have no idea if this holds true overseas, but it is certainly the case in Manhattan.

At easter, in the sorts of places we were eating [up to E150 for 4] the dress code was "come as you are".
If you were going up market, then something a bit "posh" would be nice.
I often change in the evening after a shower, and wear those clothes for sightseeing the next day - saves having anything special for the evening. I do have a very thin and light pair of evening trousers that I always pack [swapped for a velvet pair for the winter] and I don't mind if I don't wear them - it's just nice to have them in reserve!

Change out of your pink jogging suit and wear that nice Notre Dame sweatshirt.

What is it with people and what clothes to wear. It is just like where you live....if you want to go somewhere nice/elegant where something appropriate. If you are going to a pizza place or something where your sight seeing clothes.

Unlike at home where I can go to my well equipped closet and procure anything the occasion might require, traveling means I must take a few items from which to choose. I want to be careful that I am taking the clothes that can do double duty but won't leave me feeling underdressed in any sitation. Some people don't have the knowledge of what the situation might require so they are trying to think ahead. I call that smart travel planning. I believe that is what mayerfan83 is trying to accomplish.

Diane

I also believe it varies, to some degree, from city-to-city.

Per my above comment about jeans in NYC, there are some very exclusive, expensive and trendy restaurants in Manhattan in which you'd look like a stiff and be viewed as a tool-box if you showed up wearing khakis and a standard dress shirt rather than a nice pair of jeans.

the old notion of fashion is hugely different between the US and europe. fashion is now global and you'll see tons of "US" brands over there. jeans are the new khaki slacks. good jeans (designer ~$70 and up) are fine for most restaurants...short of really ritzy places. plus people are people everywhere and you'll see all kinds. fashion in europe is pretty diverse and slack...my $.02

It is true that jeans are more popular in europe than they used to be - and they always were with under 25s.

However, if 25+ there are definitely jeans and jeans. (There's a big difference between trendy designer jeans with wedges or stilettos and a flirty top - and stretched out levis with a tee shirt and white athletic shoes.)