Calling all Fashionistas. Help! 2 star restaurant dinner in Florence

If this post is even serious I have a few thoughts. 2-star? If that's a Michelin Restaurant Guide then it should be nice but on a scale of 1-3 it's in the middle. Granted they don't rate bad restaurants but you may be over thinking this. As for fashion, you'll find the same clothes in Florence as you would in L.A. and I'm talking about Rodeo Dr. to H&M. The Missoni sound's a little slutty so, I vote for that. Besides it'll be the easiest to pack.

Thanks. Sounds like I'll have to find out more about this restaurant. You'd probably like the Missoni- it did work well in L.A.

"If that's a Michelin Restaurant Guide then it should be nice but on a scale of 1-3 it's in the middle. Granted they don't rate bad restaurants but you may be over thinking this." I'm not going to comment on fashion (much), but let me correct what might be a misunderstanding here. The Michelin Red Guides for each country contain thousands of restaurant recommendations, but only a small handful fall into the much coveted "star" category. A one or two star rating from Michelin doesn't put your restaurant in the middle of the pack, it places the restaurant in a very, VERY elite club. I'm usually of the "wear what you want and don't bother what others think" mindset, but for a Michelin starred restaurant... wear your best. As a man in the same situation, I would be uncomfortable wearing anything less formal than a suit, collared shirt and tie. So yes, Teresa, you are correct that a restaurant with 2 Michelin stars is a "big deal". As for specifics of what to wear, I probably couldn't be a worse source of advice, so I'll let others continue.

If she's looking for female responses on fashion help, she came to the wrong forum. I have learned a lot about fashion from my wife who is a buyer for some very high profile fashion oriented television shows. While in Europe I made a point of photographing her in front of every H&M store we saw, and we saw plenty. Based on her comments on the stores and what people were wearing I'm confident in what I posted to Teresa. These days fashion is pretty universal, especially in major metropolitan areas. I would take one nice outfit that is versatile when traveling because unlike our host, I think it's important to sometimes look a little better than the average American tourist. For me it's a black un-constructed sport coat that packs easily and gets me seated faster in a nice restaurant. I've also had more people talk to me in the native language, assuming I was a local I suppose, when wearing it.

Give me the name of the restaurant and I'll tell u. Short dresses are fine. You are not in a Sicilian country village for God's sakes! What's important is not wear your dirty gym clothes or your sweats. Dressing with nice spiffy clothes is always appropriate regardless of length. Just don't go inside the Duomo with a Lady Gaga outfit.

Richard gets his fashion sene from H&M? Nuff said. You can't go wrong with the Missoni. there is nothing wrong with "short" and if you feel it is too late in the season, maybe leggings? Add a scarf or cashmere cardigan. Pwesonally I like long sleeves and feel they look more elegant. I'll bet the Custo Barcelona dress would be fine too. Italians seem to be more cautios when it comes to colors, so you might consider that too. Mblackmis always good.

I'm watching Italian news on RAI as I write. It's getting cool in northern and central Italy, and staying hot down south. So check weather.com or wunderground.com for Florence forecast on your days of travel. It may not be that hot after all next week.

to reinforce Tom's point. Michelin online lists over 200 restaurants in the Florence area. Of those there are only 9 that have been awarded stars. there are seven one stars and one two star plus a three star to round out the lot. In reality there are only three in central Florence, the rest are a bit out in the country. http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurants/Restaurants-Florence-_-Firenze-Italy?strLocid=31NDFoOTAxMGNORE11TnpZNE56TT1jTVRFdU1qVTJPUT09#resultSearch@address=&merge=Firenze&sK=612&sejour=&michelin=false&arrivaldate=&nights=&people=

Tom, thank you! This IS the type of restaurant that we will be going to. Thank you for the clarification. My husband makes the reservations, and we have been to Alain Ducasse in Paris, so YES we are talking about a very exclusive group of restaurants. We will be going to a restaurant in the greater Florence area that has two Michelin stars. If that does not work out, we will go to a one-star.

Ralph, you're right! This would be easier if I knew the name of the restaurant. My husband is handling this, and he is currently trying to find a two-star restaurant, but if this doesn't work we'll go to a one-star? Regardless, given his and our friends' preferences, we will go to someplace very "special." Our friends will be staying at the Relais Sante Croce and we would have gone to the 3-star restaurant there, but it closed. Regardless- dressing for this would not be the same as dressing to go to The French Laundry in Yountville. I'm much more familiar with Yountville!

I have a vintage 1970's Chanel dress and some fancy shoes with red soles I use exclusively for these things. It's short and sleeveless and has worked for the past 10 years for exactly these kinds of situations. While it isn't totally necessary, if you have it, use it! I went to a 2 star in London around Christmas and wore hose and am wearing the same this week without the hose in the Caribbean. It sounds like a great opportunity so I'd definitely go for the Missoni dress. Just my 2 cents. Hope it's great!

Leslie, Can I borrow it? It sounds perfect. Elegant and classic, great for Europe. Now, those shoes with the red soles wouldn't be Louboutin would they? My wardrobe is more modest. I think that I will have to go with the Missoni-- it's golden, a bit glittery, with metallic Michael Kors heels. I'm just afraid that the look is too "sexy" with high heels and shortish dress. However, I think that the Custo wouldn't be right because it's bright and multicolored? Do you wear anything with the dress, like a sweater or jacket at night?

I do the classic dress/ hot shoes ( as that's more affordable!) but it is easy to switch in Italy. I'm from LA originally so I think I know where you are coming from. Maybe do something simple on the shoes.? I question that as most Italian women don't. I'm not sure which dress you are speaking of (love Missoni!) but if it is the one I'm thinking of with the gold threads, I'd do a black flat. If you haven't been there before, you will be shocked you can't buy anything that isn't metallic:). Italy is one of the few places I have walked out feeling ridiculous and over dressed for two seconds and then realized Wow...not even close. I bring a scarf to cover the imagined carnage just in case :)

Look Teresa, There is only a restaurant in Florence where proper attire may be advised, and that's the Enoteca Pinchiorri (which is the only 3 star in town).
It's the most famous pretentious restaurant in town where you'll be served the smallest imaginable portions in fancy compositions that have nothing to do with traditional Italian cuisine. It's basically a "nouvelle cuisine" restaurant that mixes French/Italian/and "whatever the chef dreams at night" junk. If you go there, when you come out of it, you and your husband will be at least 700 Euros lighter (if you choose a cheap wine) and you will need a pair of walking shoes because the street where it's located is full of cobblestones and you'll need to walk to the next pizzeria because you'll be hungry. There are no 2 stars in Florence and, at the only 1 star (Ora d'Aria, near the Uffizi), you can easily go with any of the nice business casual dress you've described. Your husband will do fine (in both restaurants) with a pair of slacks, a shirt and tie, and a jacket (no tuxedo necessary). There are more 1 star restaurants in Florence area, but they are all out of town and you'll need a car. The only 2 star restaurant in the area, is Arnolfo, in Colle Val d'Elsa on the way to Siena. Buon viaggio.