Business
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Tenue De Ville?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tenue is a set of clothing, ensemble or outfit, and de ville is French for "of the city." When combined, the term means dressy and usually business attire — those clothes that an individual would wear in a business setting. As translated by native speakers of French, the term can refer to any type of semi-dressy but not formal clothing. A sweater vest or slacks with a sports coat might make up part of tenue de ville, or a skirt and blouse worn by a woman.

In some cases, dress code for businesses is defined in this way, and it generally means business clothing. This tends to refer to suits for men, or at the very least, slacks, coordinating jackets, and a formal shirt and shoes. For women, tenue de ville is a bit more loosely constructed. It can mean dresses suitable for business, skirts and tops, or women’s business suits. People who are unsure about what business clothing is appropriate for a particular event can ask others or, for work-related events, take a look at what other employees are wearing. It's best for individuals to keep to more conservative clothing like suits until they see how relaxed or formal the standard is.

Tenue de Ville usually includes wearing dress shoes.
Tenue de Ville usually includes wearing dress shoes.

This term does not refer to formal clothing, such as tuxedos, full-length ball gowns, or morning coats. Instead, it is the normal clothing that someone would wear to the office or to a semi-dressy gathering, perhaps to a friend’s home for dinner or out to a mid-priced restaurant.

People are likely to see the term used in Europe, parts of Canada, and very occasionally in the larger cities in the US. It might be added to an invitation for an event when describing dress code, or places that someone visits may use it to refer to the dress code. For instance, a nightclub or a restaurant could specify that dress is tenue de ville.

Tenue de Ville may refer to suits for men, along with a formal shirt and shoes.
Tenue de Ville may refer to suits for men, along with a formal shirt and shoes.

Some historical sites or churches make similar recommendations, though not always in the same words. For instance, if a traveler went to visit a Russian Orthodox Church, he or she should dress conservatively, and women are asked to wear skirts and nylons or tights. Some places are very particular when it comes to women’s dress, and request skirts, tights and modest blouses. Both men and women may be asked not to wear shorts.

As much as this designation does not imply overdressing, it also means not under-dressing and avoiding the following:

  • Jogging suits
  • Sweatsuits
  • Shorts
  • Flip-flop shoes
  • Bare legs
  • Revealing tops
  • Mini skirts
  • Swimwear
  • Tee shirts
  • Highly stylized clothing like extreme low-waist pants or tops that don’t cover the midriff
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon41546

Tenue de ville is also not really a blazer with dress pants and it most certainly shows a substantial lack of education if the man wears a sweater vest or slacks with a sports coat. Tdv has nothing to do with business attire; it is a darker suit with a preferably white shirt and a not too loud tie. For women it never is a pants suit.

anon18164

Tenue de Ville: city clothing

In Europe this does certainly not mean business attire. Telling especially women that this would suffice is a mistake.

Tenue de ville for ladies does entail skirt suits, tea length dresses with jackets. Depending on the occasion (e.g. wedding) this includes hats and maybe even short gloves.

Gentlemen wear suits with ties. If you must an american 'navy blue blazer and dress pants' combination. Always with tie.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Tenue de Ville usually includes wearing dress shoes.
      By: winston
      Tenue de Ville usually includes wearing dress shoes.
    • Tenue de Ville may refer to suits for men, along with a formal shirt and shoes.
      By: Syda Productions
      Tenue de Ville may refer to suits for men, along with a formal shirt and shoes.
    • Some restaurants require that proper dress for customers is tenue de ville.
      By: Andres Rodriguez
      Some restaurants require that proper dress for customers is tenue de ville.