What to Wear
If you have a New York Times subscription, don’t miss reading this article today. It explains why not ‘dressing up’ for dinner and so on happened. It might also explain why Tauck is out of touch with modern trends about needing sports coats on tours.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/17/style/casual-formal-dress-restaurant.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare
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Interesting that she says, "Yet if history teaches us anything, it is that what was once out comes in again. So it may be that a new generation is about to discover the fun of dressing up to go out. There is nothing better for self-expression than peacocking in finery, but if that does happen, it will be their choice, not a convention that’s forced upon them. Which is a good thing.". But of course there will be conventions. Just different ones.
As long as there's a place to carry a cell phone, nothing else matters.
Interesting article. It is interesting that the norm has become athletic wear. I enjoy taking the extra 10 minutes to put on a nicer piece of clothing when I go out to a restaurant or a grinds home in the evening. However, I am also guilty of going from gym clothes to the market. I have witnessed those that look as though they just rolled out of bed too in public places.
I’m happy to dress up for dinner at home but not on tour when space in a suitcase is at a premium. I prefer to have more practical clothing or something to wear during the day that can go straight to dinner.
I am tired of seeing athletic wear, leggings, for all different occasions. So inappropriate.
I don’t wear athletic wear on tours. There are plenty of great outfits that are suited for day and night. I’ve seen leggings in churches and mosques, I agree with you
I don't have any problem with leggings depending on what your activity is and what they are worn with. Just fine for sightseeing especially if it involves a fair amount of physical activity. I agree that dressed like you're going for a run while at a nice dinner location looks odd. But paired with a nice tunic and flats -- perfectly fine. The term "leggings" covers a range of styles.
I typically wear nicer leggings on transatlantic flights with a nice, but casual, top for the comfort. I will also wear nice “skinny” jeans while touring but never in the dining room on river cruises. I don’t care for tunics; I get swallowed up by them. I like shorter tops that are slightly fitted.
Every trip has been a little different. Some people like to dress up (why not if you enjoy that), some don't. I never felt out of place no matter what I wore. Never personally felt the need to dress up to the 9's
It is all a personal choice.
I have just finished A Week in Tuscany /Umbria and A Week in Puglia with two Gift of Times in between and only paying the Tauck insurance for one trip but that insures both. I felt it was a win win doing it that way. We were also traveling on our own for 2 weeks prior. That said, it was, for lack of better wording, the sizes of suitcases people bring for just a one week trip, up to 30”.
Gosh, I wear compression socks on long flights which is recommended to prevent DVTs, so I certainly could not wear leggings, even if it would be nice.
Nowadays there are many varieties of compression socks. I put them on over my leggings once I’m situated in my seat and remove them upon landing. They work great.
British, if you think leggings are similar to compression socks you're buying the wrong size.
British- I took your advice recently on my 2 week France trip. One pair of nice black pants with different tops for dinners. A nice black cardigan to pull it together. I focused on day dressing as you have suggested. Layered t shirts with half zips and sweaters (it was cool). Relaxed fit jeans that don't look sloppy. One pair of nicer wedge pumps and the rest sneakers. I've come to understand that being comfortable all day is far more important than a fancy outfit for a two hour dinner. Thank you!
Crumbs, I”m getting lost and confused about leggings and compression socks 😂😂😂
Anyone can wear compression socks but some should never try on leggings