appropriate clothing in western europe

Emma,
I'm glad you're still talking to us, after those remarks on another thread about the Queen's English.
:-)

Thank gosh, I feared that we might have lost you after some American Renegade Revolutionists here (who shall remain un-named), made intemperate remarks about the Queen's English.
After all, if their families had any prospects, they wouldn't have left the Mother Country in the first place, so perhaps they can be forgiven.
I hope you know that at least some of us here really appreciate the efforts you Mother Country folks go through to accommodate those of us who, although we attempt to speak the Queen's English, do so with unfortunate accents.

Have no idea what "queens english" are refering to. Must have me confused with someone else. Only concern is to not wear a symbol a rosie de lis emblem in a country that may find it offensive.

It was another thread. You are not implicated.
Emma will know to what I'm referring. Although she's probably asleep by now.

My wife and I go to Europe every year and we both wear what is comfortable for US.

As long as you wear it with jeans and White running shoes you will be fine.

You should wear the fleur de lis outside France, rather than in France. The original people who touted that emblem ended up in two pieces. It's ok to look at in a museum, admire it in jewelry from before 1789, even printed on scarves made in China that are sold to tourists, but it's no longer part of French culture--unless you are still waiting for the royals to return. And, believe it or not, there is still a small group of people who dream of the good old days, even had a royalist political party.

I agree with Bets' advice, plus I would avoid the made-in-China scarves.

What a difference a body of water makes. On the other side of the Channel where one wouldn't need to consult Wikipedia, the symbol is well known for its royal meaning. It makes a good design device outside France. Inside, it sells an image to tourists. Very pretty in a snow globe. Wonderful in New Orleans where it has taken on a whole different meaning.

So you are saying I shouldn't wear my New Orleans Saints football jersey in Paris?

You do realise that France is a Republic and citizens of a Republic do not bow to a monarch (even a foreign one)... so I'd expect if you are going to offend anyone it would be the French, since it is associated strongly with the former French royal house! But joking aside I doubt it will make a difference to anyone... although I can say I've every seen anyone wearing it as part of their daily outfit...

I'm intimidated by the thought of training in France wearing my Boy Scout uniform while greeting everyone Bonjour Madame. I've learned so much on this forum lately!

Can I wear a shirt with the coat of arms of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha in the former territory of the Duchy of Anhalt? I know these two petty monarchies had some disputes back in the day...

Save the blouse with the fleur de lys pattern until you come to Quebec. Our provincial flag bears the fleur de lys as does anything having to do with the province officially. It is, you could say, omnipresent so we would welcome your blouse. Maybe it was even made in Quebec.

I was waiting for the right time to say you should wear your blouse to Calgary to see if its appropriate.

Scouting has a totally different connotation in France than in the U.S. I don't know where it stands in the UK, but I won't go into politics and religion on the Forum. I was very surprised when I learned how it is viewed in France. Again a body of water has carved out a difference. How do I know? The difference has come up many times in conversation with my French husband here in Bloomington and when living in France.

Go New Orleans Saints! Or, it's perfect in Quebec. We certainly wore our quebec grenouille sweatshirts to bare threads--but I would have kept them in the closet in Toronto. However, what I was trying to say in more subtle terms, before the citizens of a pesky island off the French coast chimed in, is the symbol is not only a remnant of the old but it is also being used in modern politics.

Thank you to all for your input. My only concern was that as a guest in another country, I would not want to do anything that offended their culture.

Bets...All kidding aside...Are you saying your husband and many French people are offended by someone displaying the symbol? It is a political statement when displayed in France?

Reading responses to another forum topic...
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/minority/african-american-traveling-to-italy-next-month
...it appears to be advantageous to dress like an American tourist.

Edgar, Saw that and thought it was good advice for that person. Interesting twist.

Richard, Offended is a strong word and I can't account for 70 million people of all social classes, religious and ethnic origins, and political parties. However, the original question was whether she could wear the "emblem in countries other than France." My advice was to do the opposite: wear the blouse outside France because it is still more than a design device, lovely and graceful as it is, inside France. For example, it has been co-opted by a political party. No one would be Offended by a tourist wearing the fleur de lys, but it would be noticed--heck, may even open up conversations--asking her if she's waiting for the return of the monarchy--so she should know the background of what's going on. She could even vamp being the reincarnation of Marie Antoinette.

So let me revise my original answer to say that it's fine outside France, whereas now that she has an idea of the modern history of the symbol she can run with it. Thoughtful to have even asked the question.

And thanks Richard for getting me to think this out with more nuance.

What a reasonable person you are, Bets!

This thread!!!! Lol! Some say it began with King Clovis, who while trapped in battle, prayed for a way out and saw a stag run through a Lilly field and knew it was shallow. Some say its a couple of thousand years old and represents the holy trinity.
Then ya got the last Bourbon King of France still using it.
We know how that ended.
Joan of Arc used it and is the patron Saint of New Orleans-where I was born and raised. I do laugh when a visitor here has no idea what it is when they're from the US!
Ive had it as a six inch tattoo on the back of my head for 10 years.
Ive never had any negative comments on my travels and im sure to sport my Saints shirts or jackets.
When I get home, I have wonderful pics of me in my LSU or Saints attire having a blast, from pubs to abbey ruins.
Personally, I never cared if I look like a tourist. Most people seem to be tourist anywhere you go anyway.