Sport coat or not?

I wouldn't bother,does anyone in Europe wear sports jackets these days,I certainly have not for over 20 years.

You can leave it at home; totally unnecessary. Enjoy your trip!

I don't own one anymore

Not needed unless you are planning something pretty fancy (Michelin restaurant, opera). A button up shirt and slacks will be fine in nice restaurants. General touring or regular cafes are more casual than that.

I've often wondered how to travel light AND attend opera in Venice.

I have brought one twice (wearing it on the plane to save space), but only when I was going to: (1) a Michelin-starred restaurant in Copenhagen; and (2) the opera in Budapest. And on both occasions, it turned out to be unnecessary.

Nope, it's not needed.

For Silas Marner and anyone else, this is the dress code for the Teatro la Fenice in Venice. It looks like it depends on when you go.

If I were really concerned, I'd ask what casual elegant and smart casual mean. Obviously, something less than shirt, jacket, tie (no pants?) and more than shorts or sleeveless T-shirts. Note that the cartoon has a short sleeved, not a sleeveless, T-shirt in the KO group.

No need.
Plenty of upscale places to eat and grab a drink and they're not going to turn up their noses, if they insist, they'll loan you a jacket to wear. If you want to look or, appear, professional, a button down collard shirt or, nice polo is fine. If your standard evening, dinner, attire is wearing a coat, then by all means, bring that linen, camel or, navy sport coat.

Lo, I'm already aware of Teatro La Fenice's dress code but thanks! I find the idea of stuffing a jacket or "elegant" casual into my backpack hilarious....especially with a 17 lb. weight limit and 18 days of travel!

Agreed, SM.

I find a sportcoat to very functional travel gear that time of year. Warmth and pockets, and fashion too! But if you'd only bring it in case you wanted to eat at a nice place, it's not worth it.

Thank you everyone for the quick and direct answers. Very easy now to leave it home on this trip. Thank again!

In April, forget the sports coat and bring a waterproof rain shell that has a slim fit, gray or black color, and looks nice on. Add a non-bulky wool sweater, or similar warm layer under it. That's what I'd expect most people to be wearing.

Sports jacket? To me that brings to mind a nylon/polyester jacket worn when playing sports, clearly that's not what the OP is referring to. Perhaps I'm too young to know what a sports jacket in this case is.

Michelin restaurants? I've eaten in many and on every occasion I've worn a casual shirt and jeans, sometimes even trainers! Never an eyelid batted. This whole concept about having to dress up to eat in Michelin starred (or equally esteemed) restaurants is outdated. A jacket and trousers is now seen as old fashioned and certainly not considered a requirement. You wear what you want as long as it's not dirty, scruffy or outlandish. Wear a jacket by all means if you want but don't feel that you have to.

I am 65. My wife and I go to Europe frequently. I do not favor the crass American dress of printed t-shirts, and jeans. I wear a sport coat in all situations. It is appropriate to my age and self-perception. I want to look good. That's a battle I lost 30 years ago, in many ways, but the sport coat can conceal a multitude of other problems. Plus I can put my wallet and phone in convenient places.

In restaurants, I want to set the style, not look like the rabble. I wear a sport coat.

I don't own one anymore

I can't fit into mine anymore.
I did stop bringing one to France about 20 years ago. I never had any need for it unless it was for warmth.

to Paul. Yes, I think a sports coat on a guy looks great! It also sends a message that you are not that ultra casual cheap guy in a T. I think a solid T shirt with a mens sports coat can walk in almost anywhere. I also like the new RS look of wearing a scarf with the sports coat for fancier restaurants.
Young men wear their suits way WAY WAY to tight, to the point of looking foolish, especially in Europe.
If your companion is going to the bother of wearing a dress to dinner, I think the least you could do is have a lovely sports coat to put on. Plus in April you will probably want something warmer.
I have always told my children (now in grad schools) to dress a bit better than they think the event calls for. My son was thrown into an interview (with no warning) and he was concerned as he was wearing was a T and jeans.
I do costuming for theatre and also have had many compliments for my travel clothes while on a 4 week holiday with only a carry on.
Wear your sports coat on the plane. Make sure it goes with all your slacks... and feel good when you go out at night! (I think you may find you get better seats at any restaurant if you don't look like the dish washer.
Just my opinion!

I wouldn't bring one unless you're absolutely certain you'll need it. And, I'm not a carry on only type of traveler. Even if you were to use it once or twice, that's a pretty bulky item to haul around unless it is absolutely necessary for business or a conference.

I've taken a sport coat for the past five years or so but we don't stick to just a carry-on bag. We were having dinner at a nice restaurant in the Eiffel Tower and they had a dress code the first year I took it. The photos of us (taken by a waiter) look a little nicer because we were dressed up. I can't confirm that the sport coat made a difference, but we've mostly had pretty nice table locations at restaurants when I've worn it. It's also nice to dress up a little when we go to a play.

But if I went from more luggage to just a carry-on, the sport coat would be the first thing to leave home.

tgreen: We all have to find a style that we are comfortable in, and that does the best it can with the underlying corpus.

I remember when I was a kid wondering why my dad wore a sport coat most of the time. Now, I wonder why he DID NOT wear it some of the time. It's a convenient form of attire, has pockets, and makes my tummy less obvious. At least I think it does, although my wife sometimes tells me to suck it in.

I hear you Paul. Not only does my husband have one in his carry-on most trips over to France 2X a year, but he even bought a new summer sports jacket in Paris a couple years ago. It's a question of style and age. In my opinion, my nearly 70 year-old husband looks great and appropriate every day.

If you don't want to look like the average RS forum poster, than obviously take the sport coat.

If you don't want to look like the average RS forum poster, than obviously take the sport coat.

But we all are the average RS forum poster.

Having run into several RS tour groups....... my impression is Tilley Hat, Teva sandals and zip off leg pants/shorts. I always pack a black unconstructed sport coat and I wear a hat (Fedora or flat cap) and I think it's why people always seem to ask me for directions in the local language.

A sport coat can be a good alternative to any other kind of jacket, if you are taking one. Worn on the plane - no impact on packing.

I never wear a "Tilley Hat, Teva sandals and zip off leg pants/shorts" when traveling either independently or on one of Rick's tours.. Am I an outcast? Is there some sort of therapy to conform my behavior?

Richard, you are so funny! and truthful!
On our one RS tour I was unbelievably board of the constant talk about zip off pants!

Thanks tgreen! ...did anyone have a vest with 18 hidden compartments?