Dress code for eating out in evening

Three weeks in Italy during October 2012 -- I took along ONE skirt for days when it was too hot for pants. Nobody looked twice at pants at any of the restaurants (although few were 5-star) Don't worry.

If you are traveling in the summer, I'd suggest you do pack more dresses than slacks. You'll be much cooler. Florence in summer will melt you alive.
No dress code unless you are going to a wedding, not even at the Excelsior's roof top restaurant.

Slacks with a nice top are fine for the vast majority of restaurants. I like traveling with dresses during the summer because they can be a little cooler, but you don't need to worry about packing many (or any - it's your choice!). I typically wore skinny black pants, a casual dress or even jeans (oh my!) when I ate in Tuscany restaurants while studying there. It depended on the type of restaurant and the weather, mostly. I tend to air on the nicer side when I'm unsure, but I never felt out of place or unwanted.

Most of the ladies I spotted in Tuscany, both Italian and visitors, were dressed in lovely hand-woven silk gowns or business suits, suits with very frilly silk blouses of course. Also hose, either sheer or with striking abstract patterns, and color-coordinated shoes, all with spike heels of four inches or more. They often also carried other shoes with them, for hiking, but also color-coordinated with their gowns or suits. And beautiful large and quite ostentatious hats, always wonderful hats. It was really quite exhilarating! Of course in Rome they were dressed up a bit more, after all, Rome is Rome.

Larry, that cracks me up!

Larry... you must be describing me:))

Seriously... wear what you feel the most comfortable in. Its not about what other people think about you... it's about how you feel. I tend to like dresses/skirts and it's because that is how I want to look. Way more comfortable for me than pants. You will see people wearing literally everything from tacky to stunning.

I packed a sundress with a light sweater to wear, and ended up wearing it on the plane home because it was the only clean thing left to wear!

Omg Larry. When I first read your post, I thought you were serious and wondered what decade you were there. What a hoot!

Thanks Larry. I can do all but the 4" heels. Wearing my high tops should do the trick since they won't be seen..and... I'll take along a wrap though since my gown is strapless :-)