POST HERE:
Buenos Aires Dress Code:
Let's have a look to what visitors say:
sg2000 asked in August 2007: What is the dress code for dinner in nice Recoleta restaurants such as El Mirasol, Juana M, El Sanjuanimo, La Cabana etc.? Does a gentleman have to wear jacket and tie? And how about when attending a tango show? Appreciate any info. Thanks.
dr__dawggy answered: Jackets are not required but the majority of men will dress in a jacket/slacks with a tie. I usually take one blazer and wear it with slacks or jeans, depending on where I am going. Sometimes I just wear a leather blazer with slacks or jeans and this works too..... el Sanjuanimo is very informal....jeans or khakis will be fine. Same with juana M.....La Cabana and el Mirasol a bit more formal.... (August 2007)
Glbtrtr’s post is from Decembr 2005, yet I like it very much, she fitted so well in our crowded streets that was surprised because of having: “being stopped a few times on the street by perfectly respectable locals asking for directions in Spanish so I guess they assumed I was one of them - these were not tourist scam situations - they were genuine requests for information.”
In short she suggested "Just bring regular street clothes. Men in downtown during the week are very well-dressed in business suits. Women are far more casual so almost anything goes”
Going to more detail: “Night: it is far more "elegant casual" (than formal). Men in shirts with sweaters casually thrown over their shoulders, expensive but casual. Even at the opera in front row orchestra, it is far more business dress, than formal. Don't think anyone can go wrong with a nice, simple jacket for men and women, with either pants or skirts for women and a casual top or blouse.”
She included some comments about safety: “A secure, nicely tailored purse that can carry your maps, camera and folding umbrella etc is far better than a fanny pack. Some women carried their purse more securely with the strap across their chest, but most carried them over their shoulders with apparent little concern except all kept them held close. Keeping really important things in zippered or velcro-ed front pockets is probably good advice in case a purse does get snatched. But best advice is to leave those things in your hotel safe.”
On weekends, people looked like any one in the US- lots of jeans on younger people, older still would wear jackets and a bit more formal."
It seems that she visited us in mid-weather season.
Reinarubia liked very much former description and added: "there are a lot of lavanderias that do laundry by the load or by the piece". So she suggested not carrying too much clothes.
ColoradoFunMom posted interesting style comments:
"Young women: long hair. Unstructured, loose and free. No bobs or bangs. Think Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Moss...Flat sandals. Everyone wore super flat sandals. Dark, fitted jeans… Cute sundresses...Neat looking, no wrinkles and nothing old"
rarotonga58 posted:
"Argentinian men in their 30's an up seemed to wear a lot of dress shirts without ties and a pair of light wool slacks. I didn't see many in knit shirts with or without collars. I would guess 80+% in a dress shirt (mostly long sleeve and some short sleeve).
The women wore a lot of form fitting tops and sometimes without bra's. Fortunately, these women belonged in these type of tops as it highlighted a beautiful figure. Dress slacks were also typical.
Those under 30, took on a very similar appearance to U.S. dress. Knit shirts, jeans, shorts or very casual slacks."
I have to add that in the hottest months also men older than 30 are using shorts (to the knee), although not at night. No man goes to work in shorts, so you will notice differences between week days and weekends.
The following thread of July 2007 has a post at the end that was made by me. hekili98 asked: Do Portenos wear sneakers as part of casual attire or is it only an American phenomenon? Sneakers are becoming more of a casual shoe for men in the US, not just for athletics. I'm wondering if this trend has spread to Argentina. Or should I leave my Pumas and Nikes at home...?
ricardoBA posted: Especially bring your Pumas and Nikes. They are the athletic shoes of choice in Buenos Aires and worn everywhere. A favorite pastime is visiting the Puma and Nike stores here in the city. Many people will wear the leather sneakers out in the evening with jeans.
ScarlettO1's post is useful to remind everybody that we do have winter in Buenos Aires: I agree, today at our apartment closing, our realtor wore a beautiful suit and black Pumas.. I wore boots..several sweaters and a coat lol it is freezing here today
kclark9522 added: I was surprised that that trend seems to be as big, if not bigger, in BA, especially the soccer/wrestling styles of Pumas and Adidas. Also lots of Nike. Be sure to check out the Nike Soho store in Palermo Soho. The Converse Chuck Taylor's were also really big there too. Or, you can leave the Pumas at home and pick up some there. They have some pretty cool styles that I haven't seen in the US.
GAUCHORETOBADO (yes, this post is mine) Expensive brand names are not usual for people under 30
GAUCHORETOBADO
Updated: July 2007