We're heading to Switzerland in two weeks and really fighting to get everything into a carry on suitcase. How dressed up do I want to be in Zermatt and/or Murren for a nice meal? Are we talking dark jeans and a polo or dressier chinos with a button down shirt? My pants selection also influences my shoes as well. How dressed up will my wife want to be? Dress or pants?
Thx!
For you, how about dark jeans and a button-down shirt? Are you taking just one pair of shoes? Or tennis/trail running shoes plus dressy-casual leather slip-ons? The fancier shirt will dress up the rest.
I travel with a couple of fashion scarves. Your wife can instantly dress up whatever she’s wearing with a scarf, plus it provides a tiny bit of extra warmth if the mornings or evenings get cooler.
Unless it’s a really upscale place, you will be fine with nice jeans or chinos depending on your preference and a polo shirt. Button down shirt works too but in the summer, a nice polo shirt is fine. Your wife doesn’t need a dress unless she prefers that to pants. Of course some people dress up more and others less, but generally most places in the mountains are a bit more relaxed than in the cities, since many people are there for hiking or mountain biking…sporty/smart casual is more the vibe. I’ve had a 200 franc dinner in Wengen while wearing hiking boots :)
I think one polo shirt or one button down oxford for guy and chino or docker like khaki. Then you can where whatever shoes.
Jeans and a polo are fine. We went to a very nice restaurant in Wengen a couple of nights ago.My husband wore black jeans and a button down travel shirt, that is a synthetic no-wrinkle one in a muted dark plaid. I wore slacks and a merino pullover. We were the best dressed in the place. Hubby trades hiking shoes for clean, dark trainers as his “dress shoes” and I trade my hiking shoes for leather ankle boots with an athletic sole.
Even shorts, a T-shirt and flip flops are fine in most restaurants. You are not expected to change to go to dinner. Whatever you have been wearing during the day you can wear in the evening as well. Swiss are very casual when it comes to dress.
I was just in both towns and you are totally fine with jeans and a decent shirt (polo is OK). Both are pretty informal towns, including in the nicer restaurants (which are definitely not fancy). Don't overpack. Your wife would be totally fine with pants, especially if that helps with not overpacking.
Nice, casual clothes are fine. No need for a sport coat or fancy shoes. In Mürren you can pretty much come-as-you-are in all restaurants.
