We are heading to Zurich for six days. I have heard that the Swiss tend to dress up more than we do when going to a restaurant for dinner.
Does my husband need to bring a sport jacket? Are khakis OK? Are jeans frowned upon? I am planning to take a long skirt.
We are mostly going to be doing the normal touristy things: museums, zoo, some hiking.
I always used to advise bringing a sport coat to Europe, and still do so. But sad to say everyone of all ages now dresses like they shop at Gap or Target. Not really a criticism, just an observation. If he would feel more comfortable with a jacket, get one that won't wrinkle and just make it the top layer of packed luggage. I like having one just for the pockets. Khakis are OK everywhere (get them in microfiber so they won't wrinkle and will dry quickly if gotten wet), jeans are basically just accepted.
Read up on the places you think you might want to eat in Zurich and see if Rick mentions a dress code. You can also look at those other books that start with F, but come back to RS.
It is true that generally speaking Europeans dress more nicely than North Americans but they don't wear different clothes as much as dressier styles. Jeans for example - jeans are worn very widely on both continents but in North America they tend to run more towards worn and baggy with a t-shirt and in Europe they tend to run more towards tailored and fashionable with a button-down shirt. Another example might be shoes - in North America you see a lot of running shoes/trainers and flip flops, in Europe you see more dressy styles of sneakers (such as Vans) and strappy sandals instead of flip flops. This is all a generalization, if course.
I don't know that you need a sports jacket unless you are going to a restaurant that has a specific dress code and/or you have room for it. Khakis are definitely okay. Jeans are okay, too, especially if they are a dressier style.
