My husband did not bring one on our honeymoon in Italy. We certainly weren't eating at the fanciest restaurants in the country, and I'm sure there are many that require a jacket. But unless you plan to eat at very fancy restaurants, you'll certainly be able to find nice restaurants without formal dress required.

>...you'll certainly be able to find nice restaurants without formal dress required.<

A blazer is "formal dress"?

What about, God forbid, a tie?

I always look at it this way: I can go anywhere in style with a coat on. Maybe it makes me look less the tourist. I'm certainly not going to be out of place with one on. And wearing one allows for lots of flexibility. Warmth in cool weather, an inside pocket to put the passport or wallet, outer pockets for a ticket stub or receipt and most commonly, I can pick any restaurant without worrying if I am dressed appropriately.

What are the drawbacks to wearing one?

>What are the drawbacks to wearing one?<

I won't look cool?

"What are the drawbacks to wearing one?"
Well, in July and August in France and Italy, they're just plain too darned hot whether eating outside or even generally inside. And certainly too hot to wear for that long walk to or from the restaurant.

To make this question worse.....if my husband does get a blazer (pushing for that)...he insists loudly....


NO TIE!

Well, is her right?

Yes, he's right. In my experience, it's pretty unusual for Italians to wear ties unless dressed very formally. What you're more likely to see is a refined but understated sort of fashion statement, with a nice jacket over jeans, e.g., and a silk shirt, or a nice turtleneck with a blazer (not in summer of course). I'm sure there are a few restaurants that might demand a tie, but if he has a blazer and the rest of him is decently put together, I say no need for a tie.

Hi lois,

I agree with StCirq. In our recent visits to France and Italy, only gentlemen of a certain age wore ties outside the workplace.

I'm having difficulty with the premise. Just as there exist certain occasions in the United States that dictate a certain level of dress for a gentleman, those occasions also exist when we travel, including travel to Europe. If you believe, upon planning your itinerary, that a certain level of dress would be appropriate, PACK IT! How can this be a big deal? Gradyghost

The question is, gradyghost, that levels of dress can be interpreted differently in different countries. I can think of countless restaurants here in the DC area where a man would ba asked to don a jacket and tie if he weren't wearing one that are of the same level of quality of food and service in Italy and France where no such request would be made.

Being "formal" and "fashionable" in the USA dictates a different wardrobe in some respects from being "formal" and "fashionable" in certain European countries.

It's apples and oranges.

Maybe I am dense..but a cashmere or any material car coat or a leather "bomber"jacket is outerwear..it's removed on entering, just like the woman's coat or jacket . So if one needs a jacket or a tie, depending on where you plan to dine, wear or bring one! If you are only planning on trattoria's or bistrots, leave it at home. But in March, a nice warm sports coat or blazer might be appreciated! And who knows..you might see a place that you'd really like to go to that a nore appripriate dress would be more comfortable.

This thread makes me smile because of course there has been many threads regarding this very subject.

This is what I think jgg. What does your husband wear at home when he goes to dinner?

I would think that you will probably go to the type of places in Italy that you go to at home. Such as casual, moderate dressy or sophisticated.

I would assume that your husband dresses appropriately when he goes to whereever you dine in your area.

I would assume that you will more or less eat in the same type of establishments when you are in Italy

I would also assume that since your husband owns a cashmere black car coat that he has nice taste in clothes and the knowledge as to what the appropriate dress is in regard as to where you will be dining as well as the weather conditions.

IMHO since he is wondering whether or not he should bring a blazer I would suggest that yes he should. Obviously from what you have posted he is a gentleman that wants to be dressed appropriately.

And if the car coat is to warm on some days the blazer whether it is over a sport shirt or sweater etc. will be a nice alternative to the car coat.

> would also assume that since your husband owns a cashmere black car coat that he has nice taste in clothes and the knowledge as to what the appropriate dress is ....<

"Never assume".

StCirq wrote:

"Being "formal" and "fashionable" in the USA dictates a different wardrobe in some respects from being "formal" and "fashionable" in certain European countries."

I think we all appreciate these concepts. But we are not talking about a morning coat and striped trousers versus some other attire. We are discussing a blazer which, I have found, when accompanied by a shirt and necktie, will be well received in almost any dining venue in the world save, I understand, perhaps one of the two grills on Queen Mary 2. If one expects that such venues will be encountered on a particular trip, isn't better to be prepared rather than embarrassed. My only point.

and as the kids' might say, a beautifully fitting blazer just makes a man "look hot"... skinny guys get proportion, chubbier men look robust.

Wow, Suzie, I may never take off my Hugo Boss blazer again! But I refuse to acknowlege whether it makes me look "hot" or "robust".

My own experience is that a blazer or 'sport coat' worn with anything immediately announces "dressed up"!

Here on the West Coast of the US, I can wear a nice t-shirt and slacks to work and get no comments whatsoever. However, if I wear the same t-shirt and slacks with a sport coat, the reaction is always, "My, aren't we dressed up today!" Or: "Going to a job interview are we?"

So, my advice: take the blazer. Wear it on the flights to keep comfortable, since long flights tend to be chilly ones. Wear it on the trains between cities -- as was noted, it provides a number of places to tuck tickets and other miscellaneous documents. If you decide to dine upscale during your trip, throw it on over a t-shirt, and you'll likely get into all but the snootiest restaurants.

Fritzrl

Patrick, you're dry wit makes you "hot"! A sense of humor is an aphrodisiac.

If men would wear their jackets...ladies might put back on hose and heels.

Stockings? Well, that would require a box of candy or at least a good cheese and wine.

Suzie, if you call them "hose," I'm willing to bet you're of Southern origin.

OK, we're going to Italy in May. Still wondering about suede or leather blazer-type jacket: appropriate in restaurant? Too hot for weather?

A gentleman can wear a blazer and slacks anywhere and not look "over dressed"

In fact, I feel casual in an open necked shirt and a sport jacket.

I always wear a sport jacket on the plane, and to most restaurants in Europe.

But I suspect that I may be a gentleman of certain age, Ira

IMHO, I think a suede jacket in May would look silly