We will be in Paris in April and don't want to take too many clothes with us. Do we need to bring dressy clothes for restaurants? We're not planning on eating in any fancy places, just moderate neighborhood restaurants, bistros, etc.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
There are 3 types of eating establishments in Paris:
cafe
brasserie
restaurants
As a general rule of thumb only, dress expectations are less in the first two types, more in restaurants.
Restaurants don't open until 7 or 7:30 pm.
Higher end restaurants would want to see men in collared shirts and sports jacket, but you probably won't be going in those.
In all types, you probably want to avoid shorts, flip-flops, and for dinner maybe something a little more upscale than a t-shirt (unless it's a t-shirt that says "J'aime Paris.")
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
Easy dress code for Paris: black pants, black shirt (well-fitting), scarf. That should get you in almost anywhere. If you get bored with the look, buy another scarf or try re-tying the first scarf like the Parisians do.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4853 posts
As I noted in another post, folks in Europe dress a little better than us most of the time but it's not like they walk around in suits and dresses. You should always dress up a bit if it's an above-average restaurant, as in mens shirts with collars with perhaps a sweater, no sneakers, jeans if they are dressy.
We ate in a one-star restaurant and I believe I was the only one in a sport coat. Oh well, I felt better.
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
jane,, you may wear jeans in almost any but the most fancy restaurants in Paris.. really.. of course not cleaning out the barn jeans.. but a nice dark fitted jean is COMMON attire for many Parisians for dinner.. with a blouse and nice shoes for ladies.. and a button up shirt for men.
No need to go over the top.. really. If you don't believe me wait till you get there,. you'll see.
Just go to dinner looking decent as you would at home.
Posted by
Chicago
8550 posts
There was a time when old women wore lovely old carefully tended knit suits and you rarely saw anyone over the age of 20 in jeans in Paris. That time is not now when about half the people on the streets of Paris most of the time will be in jeans.
My black pants and top with a nice overtop that is fancier or even just necklace and /or scarf work for nice restaurants and the opera. My husband always travels in a dark jacket and can thus go anywhere. Sometimes his jacket is paired with dark jeans and he would look like a Parisian if he were built like one.