Dressing Up in Norway

I went on that tour last year and like you said, I wore black pants and black top with a nice scarf and I think I looked pretty good. I think they just don't want you wearing a long sleeve tshirt kinda top and jeans to dinner.

I don't do RS tours, but weve done quite a few others - the last just 3 months ago. With only I suitcase and a day bag. On every trip we have packed one outfit just for nicer evening wear. He packs a button down shirt and dark pants. I pack a silky black top and pants that don't wrinkle and take up minimal space. I also have a lightweight pair of leather flats, and one or 2 colored pashminas and/or large scarves to cover my arms and shoulders. No one will notice if they've been worn more than once. And unless I spill something, I can wear them more than once between washings, since I'm only wearing them for a couple of hours over dinner. If I need to wash, they get sink laundered and will be dry the next day. So don't panic. Google dining out in Oslo (or whatever) and look at Images to see what people are wearing.

We were in Norway in 2024, and while we’re generally not big shoppers while on vacation, Norway offered a chance to get fancy Dale of Norway sweaters for a fraction of what they’d cost in the USA. A Dale sweater would dress up pretty much any occasion, and would make a fabulous long-term souvenir, too. Maybe one isn’t your style, and I realize that early June isn’t the coldest dead of winter, but they are made with exceptional quality wool, and are quite snazzy, in both women’s and men’s styles. Some are heavier, some have zippers to allow some venting, and some are lighter styles.

Even on sale in Vail at the end of ski season, Dale sweaters are not cheap by any means. We found a shop in Norway where the sweaters were cheaper to begin with compared with the U.S.A., but were on sale on top of that.

Kari Traa, a former pro and Olympic moguls skier who’s now has a major (expensive) skiwear company, also has really stunning designs, for women only. Some of them are truly base layers, which I wear for cross-country skiing, but others are dressy by anyone’s standards. They have become the in-demand brand around here. I also picked up some of her tops that would’ve cost three times as much or more here in the U.S. If your guide can recommend a place for either Dale or Kari Traa on sale, you’ll more than meet the “dress up” goal, and have fantastic Norwegian sweaters that I imagine you’ll treasure as you wear them for many years to come.

I think the OP is talking about a private tour with a guide who is also a RS guide.
In that case, they may be going to somewhat dressier places than the places a RS tour goes.

I would still go with the black pants and top, a colorful scarf and maybe some jewelry—or something similar.

Don't feel compelled to dress to the nines. Norwegians can dress up more than you can because they have a whole wardrobe to choose from. You have a carry-on suitcase. I very much doubt that anyone will look askance at you if you are wearing something like what the others have described here.

If you're really worried about it, why don't you email him and tell him what you're considering wearing. Explain to him that you have a limited wardrobe while you're there. Just let him know how you would typically dress up on a Rick Steves tour, and ask him if that would be acceptable.

Are you touring with Pål? He blogs about this.

I would bring a couple dressier outfits you could change into before going out in Oslo.

Thank you all for your great thoughts and ideas. It’s definitely calmed me down. Gonna go with the black pants and top and not wear them together during the day so he’ll think I made an effort ; )

I think we can all guess all we want, but Mardee has suggested the most practical approach, which is to ask. What we think is acceptable or what I wore to dinner in Oslo or the fact that you always travel carryon - none of that has any relevance. He might well be saying don’t wear jeans and tennis shoes, but he might also be saying a bit more.

But I travel carryon size and almost always just fit in a simple dress and shoes, just in case.

Yes mnannie we are touring with Pål! So looking forward to it. Then doing a NiN trip on our own with a flight to Ålesund and finish with Geiranger fjord tour.

Actually in the blog linked above Pål answeres the question quite well. You just have to be wanting to accept it.

I'd be surprised if the advisory is anything more strident than an admonition against the typical American travel uniform consisting of a logo t-shirt, athletic pants and multi-coloured trainers. It would quite literally shock me if fitted dark-wash jeans (sans rips and holes) a compatible top and leather sandals would get you turnt away at the door of any fine-dining establishment in Oslo.

What Mr. E said. Smart casual or "slightly formal," whatever that means. I, too, pack very light and mostly bring hiking-type clothes that don't wrinkle, dry quickly, etc., but I always pack something "dressy." It's often a literal dress. Or a skirt. Or a pair of flowy pants. And I have some ballet flats that take up very little space in my bag. In winter, I have black ankle boots that can be worn with a dress or skirt. When traveling, I generally shift my day from "shower/dress, do stuff, come home and relax in the evening" to "get up and go do stuff, relax/lie down in the afternoon, shower/dress and go out in the evening." For this tour, I'd probably bring a dress, the ballet flats and my favorite cheap, light silver-colored necklace. I'm 6 feet tall and plus-sized, so my clothes and shoes are bigger than most women's, and I can fit two weeks worth of clothes, shoes and a dress outfit in my carryon bag with ease. Indeed, I lived out of my carryon bag for seven months, across three seasons. It's a question of priorities. And while you won't be turned away at the door of the restaurant, you don't want to feel like you don't fit in, either.

G3rryCee Its amazing. The members of this forum on a regular basis plan, research, execute month long holidays across multiple countries, sometimes even involving the unspeakable confusion of booking tickets on trains across the UK; but they cant decipher this (not the OP but the ones still arguing it once this was presented).

Norwegians like to dress up a bit when they go out. It does not mean you need to wear a full suit at a theatre play, but it can be nice to put on a pair of nice pants and a button shirt.
When going to a restaurant it’s generally advisable to dress smart-casual or slightly formal, same would go for a cocktail bar. But if you go to a regular bar or a concert there is no dress code at all. Remember, smart-casual dressing allows for some flexibility and personal style expression.
Still in doubt? Think about what you would wear in your own country to dress nicely, and you probably have the answer as to what to bring. [my recommended edit: unless you are an American]

To decipher onr could google “Smart Casual”, then in keeping with his words he is suggesting the more formal end of the “Smart Casual” spectrum. Maybe one could do less, but it's imaginable that some on the tour will be going in part because they are attracted by the guidelines. Its their style. Would one want to take their expectations away from them by doing less than what is expected? And if one is in doubt as to what is expected then then maybe onr might want to kick it up a notch just to make sure it is covered.

Yes, Edited as the OP took offense to words not directed at her.

Not sure why my post triggered you like that Mr E. Your sarcasm is duly noted and I feel admonished. I had never seen Pål’s blog entry on what to wear in Norway before I posted. I’m thankful another poster pointed it out to me. Otherwise I would have worded it differently I suppose. Basically I wanted a woman’s take on what they’d bring to “dress up” as I try to look nice each day while on a tour. I’ll hope my posts don’t come to your attention again.

Luv2Travel, sorry if I came across that way. My apologies. I think your question was logical and well written.

FWIW, I didn't read any sarcasm into Mr. E's comments.

I should have used third person so that no one would feel to be the recipient of the observations; certainly not the OP as it was a good question.

Yes mnannie we are touring with Pål! So looking forward to it. Then doing a NiN trip on our own with a flight to Ålesund and finish with Geiranger fjord tour.

That will be a wonderful tour with Pål! My grandmother was from Alesund, and I'd love to go back and spend more time there. It's a beautiful town. Enjoy your trip!

M: yes, black pants, top dressed up with a scarf or necklace is usually good most places. Don’t stress! Have a great time!

We spent several days in Ålesund in 2023. We dined one night at the wonderful Apotergata No.5. I wore black pants and a camel cashmere sweater. Husband wore nice jeans and a sweater. Most of the patrons were dressed similarly.

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you again everyone for the ideas and tips. I’ve definitely calmed down, something I’m sure especially Mr E will appreciate. :-)