What to wear at Per Se?

[GPSJane]

I know the dress code is fairly smart and men should wear jackets but what exactly do men and women wear to Per Se?

Our booking is for a Friday evening in October at 6pm.

My husband is thinking dressy jeans and smart shirt but perhaps jeans (even very nice ones) are not a good idea? Should I wear business smart or more dressy clothes?

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[bododavid]

If he is going to wear the outfit you posted on the board plus a jacket, I would pack a tie. It will dress up the chinos, and a lot of other men in the restaurant will be wearing ties. I know I wore a blazer, khakis, a dress shirt, and a tie and felt comfortable and formal at the same time.

But no matter what either of you are wearing, I'm sure you will have a fantastic meal in one of the greatest cities ever. Enjoy it, I guarantee you wont be worrying about what you are wearing once you taste the first bite of the first dish.

[ipsedixit]

Something comfortable. You're going to be there for a while.

Enjoy.

[gutsofsteel]

I was once at Per Se for close to 5 hours. I thought I was going to commit suicide by the end.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[Littleman]

Me too but it was after 3 hours................

[GPSJane]

Wow, so why did you go?

[gutsofsteel]

I have a real question - what do you mean he's not comfortable in a suit? It's just pants and a jacket and a tie, just like he's going to wear. If the suit fits nicely and isn't snug, what is the difference in physical comfort between a suit, and a jacket/pants/tie that don't match?

[GPSJane]

That's a very good question. I will ask him and let you know.

I can tell you though that if I make him wear a tie he will frown but do it anyway because my parents are taking us to the most expensive restaurant he will EVER eat at.

It's mostly about packing space. My husband's shoes are just so bloody big.

[gutsofsteel]

Pack stuff inside the shoes too :-)

[GPSJane]

haha good idea.

[donovt]

I'm not really comfortable in a suit. It has nothing to do with physical comfort. Well, maybe the tie has to do with physical comfort. Just don't feel like myself when I have one on. That being said, I wore suits both times i've been to Per Se.

-----
Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[ipsedixit]

"Wow, so why did you go?"
__________________________

I think you misunderstand. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Per Se (although I preferred French Laundry). I just think that a 6 hour meal is, well, a bit over the top.

[gutsofsteel]

I didn't know it was going to be 5 hours when we sat down...

[GPSJane]

Now you see that's exactly our point. While a black suit would be great and all my husband really is not comfortable in that sort of attire. So now he will be comfortable and look good :)

[gutsofsteel]

oops double post

[Littleman]

You are going to one of the finest restaurants in America. That should answer your question. Enjoy your dinner. Good luck.

[GPSJane]

This is all true but can you imagine traveling around a foreign country with a suit just for one dinner at the end?

We're thinking about this (attached) for him. The problem is that most of his clothes are brown so the black suit, shoes etc are just very spacious. (Excuse the un-ironed trousers - it will be done before we go to dinner!)

[Jane A.]

The above photo is definitely not dressed enough for Per Se. If not a suit, then good, well-tailored slacks (not jeans or chinos, not droopy), a nice dress shirt, and a good blazer. "Nice" and "good" refer to properly clean, ironed, and fitted rather than to price. Well polished, not run-down, shoes can be brown if the whole outfit co-ordinates to brown. The NY look leans more to dark pants and lighter color shirt, with a dark blazer/jacket.

Yes, I can imagine traveling around Europe with a dress outfit complete with shoes, handbag, and wrap, for just one fancy event. Did it for years. If you're staying at a major hotel, you can send a FedEx box with what you need and either take it home with you if this is your last stop or mail it back. I've done that too.

A special evening at Per Se is really worth the effort.

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Per Se
10 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10019

[GPSJane]

I find it easier to travel with a dress outfit - my clothes and shoes are smaller than his! We're not staying at a major hotel.

But point taken. I just have to go buy him a jacket quickly (he really is not a formal dresser) and we will try again.

[gutsofsteel]

Can't he pack a jacket and a tie? He can wear the jacket on other evenings...

[3crazydogs]

Agreed with gutsofsteel - a jacket at the minimum. One of the best restaurants in the world, jacket is definitely called for.

[GPSJane]

Oh I totally forgot to mention that we will buy him a jacket for that outfit in the photo.

Packing a jacket is not the problem; it's the whole outfit. Normally he would not pack black shoes, pants etc, so now he also has to pack those extra, plus a suit is bulky. So we're trying to rather do it with the things he would normally wear anyway plus a nice jacket.

[gutsofsteel]

Pressed khakis, a pressed shirt (white would be nice), and a jacket would be fine. A tie even better.

[GPSJane]

Exactly what I was just thinking. They're smart pants, those in the picture, with a white shirt and tie and a very nice blazer which I am going to go find.

[gutsofsteel]

Sounds good! Plus he can wear the blazer multiple evenings. Never hurts to look nice :-)

[3crazydogs]

Perfect.

[Heeney]

I would definitely skip jeans. No matter how tasteful. The restaurant is gorgeous and it's nice to think of it as a very special event and dress the part.
When I took my wife there for dinner last year I wore a suit (no tie), and my wife wore a nice skirt with a sweater and a necklace.
Enjoy!

[KateMW]

This is what we wore as well on our trip. There is no way to make jeans dressy for men, imo.

[AubWah]

business smart