With the summer holidays well underway, people up and down the country will be jetting off to Europe. However, your holidays could meet with a setback if you don’t pack appropriate clothing and footwear. Across the continent, tourists are being turned away from bars and restaurants thanks to the venues’ dress codes.
That’s the warning from Julian Nelson, footwear expert at A Fine Pair of Shoes, who says many Brits are having holiday nights out ruined by poor packing decisions. She explains: “You’ve got your trainers and your slides, but you’ve forgotten a smart-casual option.
“Restaurants and rooftop bars in places like Barcelona, Dubai, or even the Greek Islands often have strict dress codes, and they’re not letting men in wearing gym shoes or beach sandals.”
He highlights the famous Mykonos restaurant Noema as somewhere that men in particular have been turned away at the door due to the clothing, despite even having reservations.
Similarly, in destinations like Dubai and Turkey, bars and restaurants are notorious for requiring “closed-toe shoes” for men.
And it’s not just in cities, Julian adds that cruise ships have also been known to have dress codes in their restaurants and bars.
He said: “Cruise lines often have dress policies buried in their websites. Many specify that trainers aren’t allowed in the evenings, even just walking around the ship or dining in restaurants.”
Julian points out that P&O, Royal Caribbean, and MSC Cruises all have formal night or “smart evening” rules, which commonly exclude sandals and trainers for men.
To avoid missing out due to not having the correct attire, Julian recommends using a “three-shoe rule” when it comes to packing for holidays, which includes:
- One pair for walking around and exploring during the day
- A smart option for the evenings
- A lightweight pair for relaxing around the pool or at the beach
Sticking to this rule ensures you’ll have appropriate footwear for whatever your activity without taking up too much room in your bags or suitcases.