Athletic shoes a no-no in europe?

Yes, its because they SCREAM tourist! That and shorts and backpacks and walking around in packs. The only time you see someone in athletic shoes in Europe is if they are exercising. On the otherhand if you are walking around a lot then you might be glad you are wearing them.

Jane
http://littleeurotraveler.com

Hi Susan,
I'm living in Europe. Don't worry, you'll look fine- just enjoy yourself.

Hi Susan! I am European, I live in Denmark, and I wear athletic shoes on a very regular basis, even in Paris and Milan. Why wouldn't you?

What would you wear to a shopping day in New York City? You would probably go a little dressier than for a day at the beach. People in European cities dress as if they are in a metropolitan center, because they are. No one is going to laugh or shout at you, but you will look and feel out of place.

I'm not packing a suit and dress shoes to fit in. I tend to go "business casual" because it's a good compromise between dressy and casual.

You can go much more casual, but be able to dress for dinner out. Pack clothes that are versatile. I've seen cross trainers and trail runners that can go from casual to dressy reasonably well. I'd say avoid white athletic shoes, other than that go comfortable.

Young Europeans wear athletic shoes, a lot of the people in my class in France wear them and I even got complemented on my Addias runners and asked where I got them.. that being said, the athletic shoes here are more like a tennis or bowling shoe, and are not white.

You are not as likely to see older men and women wear them though, it tends t be flats and boots

I've seen athletic shoes worn by locals all over Ireland, England, and Spain. They don't tend to be white, but some are. For my most recent trip I chose another type of shoe because I was going to be in cities, and in local people's homes and didn't want to appear out of place. On my own, though, I almost always wear athletic shoes.

I wore a black pair of Energy by Sketchers. They are not the little European looking bowling type shoes but they were so low key that I wore them with my black slacks and was even asked directions in Italian while I was in Rome. I am sure if they would have been white, as they do have the same style in white, I would have stood out as a tourist.

I wear brown or blue Sketchers here in the states and when I go to england. They dont stand out and there very comfortable

You really don't see locals wear big, bulky, white American-style tennis shoes over there. The "trainers" that you see over there tend to be a little more sleek and rarely do you see white. You know the retro Addidas and Puma shoes? Similar to those or Privos - love Privos by Clarks! Check them out if you haven't already.
I like to blend in, but you need to do what is most comfortable for you. Europeans expect their attractions to be dripping with tourists. As long as you are well-behaved and kind, I don't think they care what you look like :)

Oh, for crying out loud! No one cares! I wore flip flops.

Everyone will know you're a tourist. The ugliest dark shoes will not let you pass as a European. Your blue guidebook and camera will give you away.

Gotta love Doug's straightforwardess! Let's face it, he has a very valid point!

I wore Puma shoes for my trip to Italy last November. I didn't stick out in a crowd, and my feet were very comfortable. I got my shoes at Nordstroms.

I'm not into fancy stuff, I'm into comfort for walking.
Wear what feels good on your feet and don't worry about what people think...

You will never see them again - so who cares!!

My point was the same as Douds.I wear what I wear here and I dont try to look "eoropean" or english. I hate whit tennis shoes no matter what country Im in

Thanks everyone! I agree that the tourist giveaway will be be the camera and map! I'll try to avoid white at all cost though! I'm going with sketchers, since they're closer to bowling shoes!

The point of going to Europe is to see the sights. I doubt you will ever be called upon to show your feet. The most important thing is to walk on comfortable shoes. If that happens to be athletic shoes, so be it. You are known as a tourist no matter what you wear. We Americans must have some kind of an aura about us. I have been just about on the point of saying Bonjour to some nice French storekeeper when he/she has come out first with a cheer "Hello Madame"
Enjoy, forget the old baloney about white shoes, nobody cares. It is a myth that keeps getting spread about. They do, however, care about your money, spend wisely.

I agree with the writers below who say wear what you want to wear. I choose my shoes for comfort and not for style. You'll see people wearing all kinds of footwear.

Why worry that the nationals will recognize you as a tourist? I am not ashamed to to be a traveler. And other travelers will recognize you and want to talk with you to ask you where to stay and where to eat.