Had to go to court for a minor affair yesterday and of course wondered how I should dress for such a formal occasion. Since the summer had arrived (up in the 30s), I put on a white shirt, light-coloured casual kilt and sandals as usual.

Unsurprisingly, there were no other kiilts in sight (this is France), but I had imagined there would be dark suits and ties. But, no, sandals and open-necked shorts were the norm, a few bermudas, and no-one blinked an eye at my appearance.

We have come a long way from the time when a man would hardly dare venture out in public without closed shoes, jacket and tie.

The lawyers probably suffered most with their long black gowns. The judge was female and did not hesitate to throw her gown back off her bare shoulders.

Martin,
in Grenoble, France.