Why This Trips People Up
"Dress nicely" means something different depending on where you are, and packing for a destination without checking local norms is one of the more common ways travelers end up feeling under- or overdressed. Here's a general read on ten places where the gap between "what I packed" and "what locals actually wear" tends to be biggest.
Italy
Italians generally dress more polished for daily life than many visitors expect — well-fitted clothing, real shoes rather than sneakers or sandals in cities, and minimal athleisure outside of actual exercise. For a nicer restaurant, that baseline moves up to genuinely dressy: think tailored trousers or a dress, not just "clean jeans."
France
Similar principle to Italy — put-together, understated, and rarely flashy. Shorts and flip-flops outside a beach town read as distinctly touristy. A nice dinner in Paris generally calls for a collared shirt or dress and real shoes.
Japan
Neat and conservative is the safe default almost everywhere, including many mid-range restaurants. Revealing clothing is uncommon even in casual settings. For a genuinely upscale restaurant, business-casual is a safe baseline — and shoes matter, since some traditional restaurants require removing them at the door.
United Arab Emirates
Modest dress (shoulders and knees covered) is expected in most public spaces, including many restaurants, even though beach and resort areas are more relaxed. A nice dinner generally calls for smart, modest clothing rather than beachwear carried over into the evening.
Thailand
Beach-casual is genuinely fine in tourist beach towns, but shifts quickly once you're at a temple or a nicer restaurant in Bangkok — covered shoulders and knees, and closed-toe shoes are the safer bet for temples specifically.