savi82

hi everyone, i have this dilemma of whether to wear formal (high-heel) shoes or to wear sneakers, which as you all know , will be very comfortable to walk around. I have this dilemma because i read in many travel books that in paris' restaurants(even a simple one)they expect you to wear proper attire and particulary "no,no" to sneakers. i am not planning to go to some top class restaurants, my need is just to satisfy my appetite and run to next museum, my focus is fully on sightseeing running from place to place. So should i still wear a high heel shoes "just for the looks" or is it ok to wear sneakers to restaurants.Can anyone please share your experience on this?. Thank you.

StCirq

Why is it just a choice between high-heels and sneakers? There are literally thousands of choices in between those two.

And which travel books are you reading that say that even simple Paris restaurants will shun you for wearing sneakers?

sandi_travelnut

If you have done any searching on this forum you would know the answer. Wear what is comfortable; but of course wear what is appropriate for the setting as well. If you are going to be walking all day or sitting at a cafe, then where what you want. "They expect you to wear proper attire"..who is they? The citizens of Paris? They do not care what you wear. What I mean by appropriate is if you are visiting a church, or going to an upscale restaurant you would want to dress accordingly but on the street there is NO code.

Kate_W

I live in Paris. I never wear heels. I walk a lot. But I don't wear sneakers either. Can you say "loafer"?

bob_brown

I ceased to worry after sitting next to a man clad in shower shoes, trousers, and what I would call an undershirt.
Dressed up? Not unless it was a very formal undershirt, which it did not appear to be.

Oscar_James

Wear shoes that are comfortable. We have traveled to Paris 5 times and we have never had to pass inspection when we ate in a cafe. Of course we did not go to the most high class places, we wanted to eat with everyday Parisians. I have several agendas on our web site emilyandjim.info... on yahoo.

savi82

hey everyone thank you all for your feedbacks and i would like to tell this , i did read in one of the wellknown traveller's guide about this "sneakers" issue.I dont want to mention the name of the book and get into any kind of hassle.I have never been to paris, so i just shared what i read from the book,but after returning from paris this same question may sound absurd to me. I am not going to gain anything by making stories and i know time is valueable for everyone. All i needed is to know other traveler's experience and i thank you all for sharing your experience. By the way, in my blog "they" refers to restaurant people,they are the one who set dress code to enter their restaurants, i didnt refer to parisians. Moreover i am not here to call names like "loafer" or anything(which was mentioned in one of the replies to my blog). I dont judge people by the way they dress.

mcnyc

Savi, I think you mistook the "loafer" comment. It's a type of flat heeled shoe that goes well with slacks or jeans. Looks very chic and great walking shoes.

FWIW, I'm going to Paris at the end of the month, and am bringing my comfy shoes and a pair of sneakers.

lmlweb

Savi82,

Loafers might also known as moccasin style. Here's an example:
http://www.softmoc.com/ca/systemshow-item_I19243-117
Much better than being called a "loafer"!

Dukey

I think it is getting really bad when a shoe style which has been known as a "loafer" for decades and is still called that by many becomes a "no-no."

If that is the case, then waht do we do with the term "sneaker?"

How about "mules?"

Then there's a "blucher."

Which of the above would you rather be?

gracejoan3

As Dukey says..there have been loafers forever!!! They were usually a brown, had a slot in center..sometimes referred to as "penny loafer"..you could put a coin in the slot! Guess this shows the sign of age differences!! Can't believe that loafers won't be around forever...I have more than one pair in my closet!!

savi82

oops sorry,my bad.

lucygirl

Ballet flats--pretty, comfy and look great with jeans, capris and dressy pants.

nutjobz

The good part about dressy shoes is that they take up very little room, since they have no cushioning or support (that's the bad part for walking).
If your going in the summer, a pair of comfortable sandals and a pair of dressy ones will weigh less and take up less room than sneakers.

ira

>Then there's a "blucher."

I am greatly offended by what can only be termed a racially loaded, gender-specific, class slur.

kerouac

Those people whom you'll see wearing fancy shoes are normally going to work. Do you want to look like you're going to work when you're on vacation?

You won't see any French tourists wearing fancy shoes in New York.

Graziella5b

Savi, besides lofters, you can also buy a pair of shoes like an Ecco. They are extremely confortable and come in different models, you might not think they are le dernier crie in fashion but they will go unnoticed and you will have a great smile all the time.