Originally Posted by
EuropeanPete
In fact, it's really only a handful of the more Parisian style restaurants in London which still have jacket requirements. Markus Wareing used to (this might have changed with the relaunch?), and Le Gavroche does, but I actually can't think of any others that I've come across. The last public bar with a jacket code (the Ritz) ditched theirs a while ago - even the bar at Dukes now just requires a collar.
I have been following this conversation about suits with some amusement - nowadays many Americans both East and West coast dress very well, but as a European it's a rare thing to find an American in a suit which doesn't look like it's from 1980s Wall Street.
Even if a restaurant doesn't have a dress code or require jackets/ties - it is pretty much IMO an issue of "fitting in". One doesn't want to be overdressed for a particular place - or underdressed either. On our last trip to Los Angeles - men weren't wearing suits and ties for the most part - even in higher end restaurants. On our last trips to Paris and New York - they were.
Note that some restaurants on bhrubin's list - like Le Bernardin - still require jackets:
DRESS CODE
Jackets are required for gentlemen in the main dining room during both lunch and dinner. Ties are optional.
In the lounge, jackets are recommended but not required.
http://le-bernardin.com/reservations/
Jean-Georges too:
Gentleman are required to wear a jacket. No jeans, sweatshirts or sneakers allowed.
http://www.jean-georges.com/restaura.../jean-georges/
IOW - it's always best to check if there is a dress code before showing up. I also check what most people do wear - regardless of any dress code. So we more or less "fit in". At a place like Le Bernardin - even though suits and ties aren't required - most men wear them.
A lot of our meals are lunches. So perhaps some of what I see is a function of what men are wearing to work (they're not going to change clothes when they go out to lunch). IIRC - the place where I saw the most jackets/suits in Los Angeles was at Drago Centro. Downtown. I assume a lot of those men are working in those nearby tall office buildings at law firms - banks/other financial services firms - etc. And that they "dress up" for work more than men who work - for example - in the entertainment industry.
BTW - I mention men more than women because there are few absolute dress codes specific to women. As opposed to general dress codes that specify - for example - no jeans for people regardless of gender. But even women have to be a little careful. Especially if they're tourists. For example - I'll usually wear some type of athletic shoe for sightseeing in a big city. They're not allowed in many restaurants - so I have to carry an extra pair of shoes if I'm planning to dine at a restaurant with a "no sneakers" requirement.
FWIW - I've always thought that a specific dress code (like jackets required) is easier to interpret than something non-specific (like "smart casual" - a phrase I hear a lot today).
In terms of shopping for suits - it's good to buy a new one more than every 25 years or so
. Robyn