If it were 70 odd degrees here every night during the summer I'm sure we'd all get used to our men wearing 3/4 length trousers. Simply because they are not full length does not mean they are not smart or disrespectful. My husband has purchased some very smart, expensive 3/4 trews which he will wear with smart, short sleeved shirts.

I have witnessed many Spaniards holidaying in their own country wearing such attire.

Scruffiness is another subject.

I agree that some 3/4 trousers can be smart - especially worn with a short sleeved shirt rather than a tee shirt. It also means that the men can wear sandals which can only be more healthy for the feet. I could not face having to put a pair of shoes on at the moment - preferring my feet to be open to the air. Somehow sandals with long trousers don't quite look right!

Pippa

My Husband always wears 3/4 trousers when we are away on hols with a shirt and I would'nt say he looks scruffy at all.

The trouble is my hubby doesnt own any long trousers apart from jeans and his work trousers.We cant afford to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for him,but apart from that we are going to turky this year in august and it really will be too hot for long trousers.I was talking to hubby last night about this and we remembered a maitre d in ibiza a couple of years ago who had to wear a jacket and tie in the dinning room,it was very hot with no aircon.Everyone felt really sorry for him and non of us would have minded if he was in a t shirt,at least he would have been more comfy and happier....nicole

Personally I like to go on holiday to relax and not worry about what to wear or how others are judging me by my dress, that said myself and my family don't go around scruffy and I agree with ndshelton, it's expensive to have to go out and buy clothes as I would see it just to suit others, holidays are expensive enough

I must admit to finding it hard to believe that men do not own any trousers apart from jeans and work trousers or any short sleeved shirts.

There are many places in this country where you can't go with jeans and a t-shirt what do they do then?

A trip to the likes of Matalan will supply you with a couple of pairs of cotton chinos and a few shirts for very little money.

Personally if the hotel has a dress code then you should abide by it - when in Rome as they say.

Pippa

Yes I agree Pippa if the hotel you're staying at has a dress code then it's courtesy to stick by it as we have always done. As yet I've never stayed at a hotel where men have to wear long trousers only for dinner, 3/4 length have also been accepted. It won't matter to us this year as we are self catering but we still make an effort to look presentable of an evening. To be honest I don't go around looking at what others are wearing on the table opposite me or whatever, it doesn't affect my enjoyment of my holiday

There are many places in this country where you can't go with jeans and a t-shirt what do they do then?

Maybe they choose not to go to such places.

Thats right shell...i cant think of anywhere we need to go to be dressed like that..my hubby has to wear a shirt and tie all the time at work so doesnt want to be like that on hols,and yes he does have casual short sleeved shirts,its just the trousers that are an issue..although he does have a nice pair of cotton trousers that are orange,do u think they will do..ha ha.The last formal thing we went to was a wedding..13 years ago..we dont have any family u see....nicole

Since the 1970`s, I've stayed in accommodation ranging from dives to 5* hotels, however, they have been mostly in mainland Spain and the Canary Islands during the last 10 years therefore I'm referring to Spain with the following
There have been a lot of points raised so far, but the major factor in bringing a dress code in, was for health & safety reasons, then decorum.
Even today, there are people who want to stay sun bathing until the sun has set, and would walk into the hotels dinning-room dressed scantily from the beach.
Bare bodies, bare feet and hot food/glass do not go together, it is as simple as that.
Whilst wearing clothes will not stop you from being scalded by hot soup, they certainly will reduce the severity of the scald, if action is taken to prevent the hot clothes holding the heat in
Wearing some form of footwear will prevent you stepping on the shards of glass left on the floor and this is one of my pet hates where parents let children roam around in bare feet particularly in the dinning-room.

There are some 5* hotels that will just not relax the rules, but many 5* and lower rated hotels will compromise by allowing ¾ trousers during the summer months for evening dinner....during other meal times they are quite accommodating, by taking into consideration the temperature/heat.
Their logic is, that not many men will sunbathe in trousers, so they will have had to get changed and hopefully, that they will have had a shower etc etc.
Meal times are very important to the Spanish, whilst the younger generation has succumbed to the fast food outlets, the tradition of dressing up and "making an effort" to go to a restaurant to meet friends and family is still a way of life.
Whether we like it or not, this is their way of life and they would like their guests to at least make an effort.

Apart from the health & safety issues, they just do not want people walking around the dinning-room with hairy bare chests, shorts and flip flops

My hubby hates wearing long trousers on holiday, having spent all his working life in a suit and tie, but he would never dream of wearing shorts for dinner regardless of the hotel rating, and he wore ¾ trousers during our last visit, but he knows that in September when we go to a 4* hotel on the CDS, that he will have to wear long trousers, end of.!
Therefore, I will pack 1 or maybe 2 max, pair of light coloured chinos, that immediately after the meal, he will go back into the room to clean his teeth and get changed back into shorts .now what hardship is that.?

You can buy a couple of good quality summer trousers for less than I paid for 1 well known branded sport label ¾ trouser.
He won't wear a shirt, only during the xmas/new year gala, and has managed quite well with cotton T-shirts and "polo" shirts, plus a pair of chinos"¦and he has never been refused into any dinning-room.
Vest type tops are frowned upon and are a no no....they like something with a sleeve to be worn, but not necessarily a long sleeve .a longish short sleeved, even if that is a decent T-shirt.

We go on holiday to relax and feel comfortable, not to appear in a fashion parade.
Therefore, find the acceptable level that is comfortable to you and your host country.

SanJi x

well said and information packed (as usual)
my hub is totally a work trews and jeans man,,,we dont go to many places at all that require trousers unless its a funeral or wedding and we are all married now and hopefully a long time before the other!! he may have a pair or cords up the loft but he wont be wearing them,,,, i shall now be scouring the shops for light weight trousers whaich as you say, can be got for a relatively low price, i hope that smart t shirts will do enough for the evenings, he hates collars! i think he has a couple of silk shirts too that wiill suffice!!
tho why the hell i should be worrying about HIS wardrobe??? i got mine to shop for yet!!!
thanks for the input on this thread!

What about the kids then...surely no one would dream of putting young boys in trousers when the night time temperature only goes down to the 30's.God....just glad im a female...nicole

I've worn suits for most of my working life but now as i'm self employed and work in a hot environment choose to wear shorts from about May onwards, making allowances for weddings, funerals and fancy restaurants!

Whilst I agree with the policy of a smart dining area, with ironed knee length chino shorts, a collared shirt and clean trainers/sandals i'm prepared to argue my corner with any hotel manager that has a beef with the way I look.

I'll also demand equality with the ladies But then, again could I wear a dress?

Scaramooch wrote:

But then, again could I wear a dress?

Only if it fits.

What about the kids then...surely no one would dream of putting young boys in trousers

It does not apply to kids, and I would imagine not until they are well into their teens...infact young men.
I have witnessed men being refused entry into the dinning-room, but to be fair, this has only happened when they have presented themselves for evening dinner with shorts above the knees.

I'll also demand equality with the ladies

I actually think you have a very good point there, but what is more attractive, a mans bare chest or a womans ?
Well, I guess that depends which side your wind blows

SanJi

Sanji your one liners make me laugh.

I actually think you have a very good point there, but what is more attractive, a mans bare chest or a womans

There's no difference with mine unless the mans is exceptionally hairy

As a guy I see no problem with wearing long trousers in the evening provided they are thin and made of natural fibres...actually find them more comfortable than wearing shorts in the evening to be honest - and definatly preferable for when you go into an airconditioned environment.

It all boils down to personal preference as long as the hotel dress code allows

It all boils down to personal preference as long as the hotel dress code allows

Shell, I nominate you as the thread killer
Sanji x