Colours in Europe

I have a mentally challenged relative who loves teddy bears. In London I thought I'd buy her a Paddington bear tshirt. Never could find one larger than a 4 yr old's size. At that point I started really paying attention to the souvenir shirts, and never saw any for adults that were at all juvenile. In the US we've got all sorts of baby stuff for adults! So don't wear the cutesy kitten sweatshirts-that will really mark you as American. Hey-do you think they have the Christmas sweaters in Europe?

France- (Daughter just returned from school in France and we're going to Paris in a month) You certainly don't need to be in all black! I'm taking mainly plain dark colors, but not even all black pants. I've got some colored tops (some brights but I'll have a black coat on most days probably), but I know they mainly wear solids, and darker more muted colors. Brights there are usually accessories (scarves, etc.).

Yes, Europeans wear colors in shirts. The idea of black is that it goes with everything, shows dirt less quickly, and is a "sophisticated" look. It just makes things easy. I wear mostly black and then dress it up with colorful scarves or a colorful sweater. Pack your favorites but remember to pack light! European ladies also love to wear a colorful pair of shoes or bag. Save your money for something fun over there.

Bonjour Karen: No need to be anxious! I would avoid plaid, polka dots and maybe stripes if they're flamboyant. I usually take a black, a red and a blue shell and wear a pink one...depending of course on what time of year. The shells work well with a black cardigan if it's cool and I always wear my black 3/4- length raincoat (that I bought in Rouen! ah, memories!) At home I have other colored pants and jeans of course, but I usually go with black because it looks clean longer.

Just have fun!

For me the main thing is the logo's. I am a Euro and I would never wear a logo on a shirt because to me it looks childish. Also to wear designer shirts with the designer's name on it looks tacky. I wear colors but I am not into the bold patterned polyester clothes. As a matter of fact - what is it with the polyester? I hate polyester. It is not cool and comfortable like the natural fabrics are. My advice is to wear good quality clothes that are made of natural fabrics with no logos. Color is fine except I would maybe stay away from pink.

Thanks everyone for your assistance. I'm a plus size woman so I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself!

Karen

Europeans wear colour, and lots of it. I feel more out of place wearing my 'heavy on the black' NYC wardrobe than when I'm in bright colours. So don't feel you need to be all black. Hot and boring.

Just back from Scandinavia, and you'd stick out like a sore thumb if you wore lots of black there. For both women and men, colour is in. And not just in solids - lots of stripes (colourful stripy socks & tights are very popular) and bold patterns. Search for Marimekko on the internet and you can see the kind of bold patterns I'm talking about.

As to logos - I see plenty here. Nike, Adidas etc. are very popular and there are lots of designer clothes with obvious logos.

Just easy mix and match Karen. Nothing you wouldn't wear wherever you were. And black would be so hot in summer.

Mono-cromatic(Sp?)colour schemes work well...Muted colours, also. Watch horizontal stripes if you are a little on the plus side. I agree with avoiding polka dots etc. Basically avoid anything that really stands out like a sore thumb...unless you personally want to do just that!
Check out the site for TLC's "What-Not-To-Wear". Take it from Stacey and Clinton;-)

Have Fun;-),

F/A

Check out the pink!

http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/2008/04/ispahan-rose.html

Honestly, I am getting the blending in part, but the thought of all black for my family of four would really look like we're heading to a funeral!

Karen, our TVs have been showing colour movies and programs since the late 60s and in recent years we've started to get away from only wearing black, white and grey scales, because we've found out that our photographs now can handle colours as well. Our blue jeans are blue now, our khakis come in olive shades, men even wear pink shirts with black or navy suits... Last Sunday I was wearing a blue t-shirt and brown sweater...

Too funny, thanks Andreas! :)

We were in northern Italy (Rovereto) a few weeks ago. At the weekly street market I noticed bright yellow and lilac purple seemed to be the trendy colors in clothing. I saw local people (whom I met at church, not just folks on the street) wearing orange pants, white jeans, hot pink sweaters, lime green sweaters, etc.

I agree about the logos...take plain t-shirts.

I would agree that black generally looks nice, and keeps you looking a little cleaner (even when you arent!), but dont be afraid of some color. I work for a European clothing company (boutiques in the states) and our main focus is great colors and prints. Because of this, most of our clients in the states are European. They are used to this look and appreciate it more than Chicagoans do. But either way, wear what makes YOU feel good, and dont worry so much about what others think of you.

If you're trying to stay "clean" use natural earthy colors mixed in with black. Khakis, browns, beige all goes with black.

Thank you all so much for your replies. I feel so much better about what I am bringing. I really didn't want to stick out like a sore thumb. Much better to enjoy what I am doing on my trip, than to feel like I'm a blight on the landscape!!! :)

I agree with everyones post here.
Plus try not to look like a rainbow.I mean match colors, but not too many.I would say not more than 2 at the time.Pants should be comon colors like black, white, browns. No yellow or pink.

Having just returned from Italy, I was expecting a lot of black, too. However, I was surprised with how many people were wearing colorful jackets (I saw yellows, purples, reds, etc.), shirts, bags, etc. As others have said, dress in what makes you feel comfortable.

My wife and I don't do black. We do neutral tones that can mix and match (shades of blue, khaki, green, brown, rust, etc.). Even bright colors aren't as out of place as giant team or school logos on all your clothes.

From a pack light perspective - take three to five tops that can be worn or layered with each other as well as with any of three or so bottoms. Black may be the easiest color to mix and match, it travels well because it doesn't show dirt, but it's not the only color to pack.

I don't 'do' black, either, because it would depress me. I am so American-looking, it's as tho I have "Yankee Doodle" on my forehead! :)
Last trip, just weeks ago, I took 2 prs. of slacks, 2 t-shirts, 2 corduroy shirt-jacs in both light blue and beige, plus a shirt striped in those colors. Mixing and matching gave me a new outfit every day for the 11 days I was gone and I didn't get sick of it. Oh, also a scarf in blue-and-brown to 'dress' up things when needed.