I'm trying to figure out what I need to wear for a nice dinner out in NYC. (ex.Le Bernardin, Le Cirque, Daniel) They said 'jacket' on the websites, but what about for women? I'm coming from Hawaii, I could probably figure it out during the summer, but we're visiting in December.
If anyone has advice, please share. Thanks!

If it were me, I'd wear wool slacks, boots and a nice sweater.

Be alluring: http://www.allure.com/howtos/2008/10...for_dinner_out

You could do nice black wool slacks with a cashmere sweater, pretty jewelry and high heel boots. Or similar with a beautiful black pencil skirt. You can substitute a nice silk scarf for the jewelry. Or you could do a nice wool dress, perhaps topped with a cut leather jacket (lightweight). If you have a a really pretty pant or skirt suit in silk that would do as well - but in any case you will need a warm wool coat and boots with non-skid soles in case of snow or sleet.

If you're thinking a "dressy" cocktail dress - they're not worn much for going out to dinner - and in that case your husband wold need a dark suit - not just a jacket and tie.

Usually when I go to that type of restaurant, it's for a special occasion and I'll wear a dressy pants suit (black), but the suggestions above are fine. You will see everything from tailored pants suits to dressy cocktail dresses, but most women do not wear dressy dresses. My point is that both are acceptable and depends on what's in your wardrobe and what you're comfortable wearing.

Know this is probably retro but we always wanted to eat at Club 21 so did. I wore nice black wool suit with a black silk shell and a pretty multi-colored scarf. DH wore a dark suit and burgundy tie.

Then we went to the opera. It was such a special night. Despite the fact that we were obviously from some small town, we were treated exquisitely. We fit right in dress-wise.

Agree that you can wear anything from nice slacks with a pretty top to a suit or dress. Concentrate of what's on top which is what will be seen when you sit at the table. Not sure I understand your comment about summer vs Dec. You won't have to worry about being cold inside. Most places are well heated.

mclaurie, I think the point is the OP is used to warm weather, including dressing up in warm weather, but probably has few, if any, clothes appropriate to NY in December.

TDudette, god bless you both. At a nice/fine restaurant, the staff has been working its collective butts off since before most people woke up in the morning to create a positively memorable experience for the diner. It is nice to respond to that commitment by dressing as if what you are doing and expecting is something special.

Thanks Ackslander. It goes both ways, eh?

I always the perfect outfit for a woman in NY winter is a fur coat with a cotton dress under -covers the cold and the overheated stores , restaurants etc . hehe

I'm surprised at all the pants recommendations--my experience fine dining in NYC is that I don't see women in pants, period. It's all dresses, and usually black dresses at that (last time at Per Se I noticed that every single woman but one was wearing a black dress). But, we usually go in spring or fall. Is it really that different in December?

Yes.

Manhattan in December can be cold to very cld. It is also often windy and damp. Pants make a lot of sense - and yes a lot of women will prefer over bar legs (even with boots/coat) in the winter.

Pants are absolutely OK as long as they are well-cut and stylish.

Thanks to everyone who shared their advice. I'm going to try to find a nice pair of pants (or it will be on top of my NY shopping list).

Women wear dresses to those places no matter how cold it is, door to door taxis help. Pants suits are nice but with a dress or nice pants, it's all about the shoes!

Agree shoes are a big part - and 4" stilettos - boot or shoes, perhaps with platforms, are all that is trendy.

I would wear nice enough shoes, but your feet will be under the table! When I'm going out to dinner at a nice place, I pay most attention to the top I'm wearing and the bag I'm carrying --- the things people will see!