Need honest opinions. About what to wear.

When we travel we always go for comfort, not to blend in. You are, after all, there as a tourist. Relax, enjoy yourself and be comfortable.

Unless you are fluent in French you will be recognized as a tourist the moment you open your mouth. Other than not donning a "Hook Em Horns" or "Go Aggies" tee shirt I'd wear whatever you please. Tres bon.

This question always gets a lot of silly and nonsense answers. The question is not whether you blend in or not. I believe you can and we do but I am not going to spend a lot of time arguing that. I think the more important aspect is that you do not want to stand out. And these is a difference between blending in and standing out. We always try to dress a bit better than the average American tourist and that is not hard to do. When the pickpocket or con artist is surveying the crowd looking for the next target, we are passed over because they are not sure who we are. Sure, we are tourist but are we American tourist with money in our pockets? Hopefully the pickpockets picks a more obvious target. And there generally is one or two so we are safe. Jeans are not going to tag you since jeans are pretty common. I would avoid jeans since they are hot, cotton, and hard to care for and heavy. White tennis shoes are common on young people so if you are young you will be OK. If you are on the down side of middle age then you might want to consider something else. It is not a big deal because you see all kinds of dress since a high percentage of the folks around you are tourists - Dutch, French, Germany, English, Canadian, etc.

When in Europe, I'm not concerned about looking like a tourist but I am concerned about looking like a sloppily dressed tourist. If I'm going to the Louvre, I don't dress like I just came from the gym(you'd be surprised how many people do look like they just finished working out)! I typically wear Dockers and a polo shirt and usually don't feel underdressed or over dressed in museums, churches, restaurants, etc. My wife typically wear light weight slacks and a blouse. Microfiber-type clothes are cooler than jeans, easier to wash and dry, and easier to pack. If we are hiking or headed to the beach, then it's shorts and tshirts.

Ken, very nicely, reinforced my point. You cannot avoid looking like a tourist. Just do not look like a stupid, American tourist. In nearly a full year of travel in Europe over the past 18 years we have never had a problem with pickpockets, etc, except for the first day on the first trip when I was being a stupid American tourist but fortunately no damage done and I am a quick learner.

Unless you buy your clothes in Paris, you will look like a tourist. Well OK, if you are under 25 and wear designer jeans and a nice blouse (not a tee shirt) you might pass if you don't speak. Middle aged women dress like I would dress to go to an upscale department store if I dressed to impress. If you want to shop or dine trendy, that is what I suggest. But you won't quite look like a native, and the natives will know. Otherwise, dress for comfort and be a well dressed tourist.

Returning to the original question now...yes, dress in your regular clothing that is comfortable and looks decent. Ragged clothing used in say multiple flag football games should rest at home. Enjoy!

You don't say what time of year you plan to travel. That will dictate to a point what you should wear. If you feel comfortable in jeans, wear them. A lot of people in Europe wear jeans. I always take one or two pair. You can wear them multiple times before you have to wash them. I also take a nicer pair of black pants, or in warm weather a skirt if i need to dress up a bit. Bring a nicer top or two to dress up your jeans. As for footwear, I go for something comfortable but more versatile than white sneakers. I choose a pair of black shoes, such as Merrill's. Whatever is comfortable to you. In cooler weather you could take your sneakers and something a little nicer to dress up a bit. In the summer I take sandals in addition to my one pair of shoes. I like to have two pairs of shoes to switch off. For my 'daybag' I use a purse (mine is a Kipling) that is just big enough to hold my daily needs such as a water bottle, guide book, etc. I wear it cross body and never take it off while we are out. I think a backpack type bag, especially for a woman, will peg you as a tourist. Besides, you don't want to wear something on your back where you can't keep an eye on it. An exception would be if you plan to do any bike riding. I have the Rick Steve's Civita day bag that can be put in my bag empty and it doesn't take up space and weighs next to nothing.

A couple of thoughts. As has been said above, jeans are common in Europe and they are going to know you are a tourist anyway for other reasons. My wife does not take jeans because they are heavier and bulkier than regular slacks for packing and they take a lot longer to dry in the avrage European laundromat dryer. As for sneakers, they are fine for a young person but if they have thin soles, you are going to find that walking on cobble stones gets pretty uncomfortable after an hour or so. My wife wears athletic shoes and I have a pair of Eccos that I can walk all day and feel fine. I think Rick's favoite shoe is a Rockport. The point is to get a really comfortable walking shoe regardless of brand and enjoy your trip. Just for chuckles, you could watch House Hunters International on HGTV and see how real people dress in Europe. It has been my observation that Parisian women for the most part look better for two reasons: 1) they coordinate what they are wearing quite well and 2) they live in a city where you have to walk and climb stairs a great deal, and as a result they do not have weight problems even though they consume lots of refined carbs. Have a great trip and enjoy the beauty of France, cobblestones and all.

I don't think anyone can compete with the way Parisian women dress. I'd leave the white tennis shoes at home. However, recently saw a pix of Jennifer Aniston walking down a street in Paris. What was she wearing on her feet- you guessed it -white tennis shoes. But, she is Jennifer Aniston and could get away with wearing anything. At least her shoes were cute. She was also wearing jeans.
Obviously, leave the gym clothes at home. Dress for comfort and a little bit of style - colorful scarves always make me feel a little dressier. Don't worry too much. Just think - you're going to be in Paris!

The answer is simple. Wear what you want, wear what you're comfortable in. Everyone will know you're a tourist anyway. There's nothing you can do about that, and should you really care? They don't. Wear what makes you happy, and worry about other things. Have a great trip.

Jennifer Aniston intentionally dresses down when she is out in public to screw over the paparazzi. Their pics are worth less money if she dresses like she's about to work on her garden.

I just heard a Rick Steves podcast on what Paris women wear and what Americans should not wear. Basically, it was "just don't wear jeans with white sneakers". When I was there, I wore jeans sometimes, I also had a khaki colored skirt that I wore with darker tops. I did not wear sneakers. I wore some black walking shoes that didn't really look too dorky. But yeah...still looked like a tourist. :-)

I'm going in. September. I'll be in Paris, Provence and Nice.

It will still be warm, at least in the south. How much time will you be in Paris? You never know what the weather will be like there. In the south you will probably be most comfortable in capris and/or skirts, depending on how you prefer to dress. You can still bring a pair of jeans for cooler days.

I, too, like to look nice when traveling. Sure, most people will recognize that I'm a tourist, but I feel better if I'm in the same style zone of where I am visiting. We just returned a few weeks ago from Europe and here were the bits I relayed to my style-aware friends: Jeans are everywhere, esp. fitted dark jeans for women. I saw no local women in black pants; this is one way you can spot the tourists. White pants are very popular (although completely impractical for traveling.) Lots of capri pants on men and women, and yes, a fair number of European women in shorts outside of major cities. I would never wear shorts in Paris. Sneakers of all sorts, ballet flats and sandals covered the feet. The only women I saw wearing towering heels were Japanese, trotting around in tour groups no less! Lots of nice boots in Amsterdam (it was chilly). Tops are nice blouses, layered with all sorts of sweaters. And of course, finished with the ubiquitous scarf. Buy a couple there after you see what everyone is wearing, great souvenir!
When it rained, I saw lots of short trench coats with umbrellas. Tourists wear Goretex. I wore my trench on the plane and packed a compact Goretex jacket for hiking and biking days.

I wear nothing but jeans and white sneakers, and have been doing so since years. Believe me, no one ever thinks I am a tourist, even when I travel to other countries besides Germany, (well, until I speak). Converse tennis shoes are huge over here, though they don't offer that much support for hours of walking. This does NOT mark you as a tourist. For anyone who still believes this, the next time you are in Europe, take a look at the shoe stores. They are filled with white Adidas, Nike, and Puma shoes as well as all the cheaper brands. Wear a decent messenger bag, rather than a back pack. It is safer, you can keep track of it better, you won't hit people with it, and it is easier on the shoulders. Imagine needing to remove your back pack every single time you want to take something out of it. With a messenger bag, you don't have to take it off, just open it.

Liz, since you mentioned planning to use laundry facilities I will point out that many American tourists are not prepared for the fact that most European washers and dryers are quite a bit smaller and work differently than many American machines. They take a lot longer to complete the process. They may not all be like this, but in my machine at home here in England, as well as with previous machines I had when living elsewhere in Europe, it can take an hour and a half to two hours to wash, depending on the settings I choose, and two hours to dry. Even then some items, such as jeans, might still be damp. So keep that in mind when choosing what to pack.

I'm not concerned about "passing" as a local, but I am sensitive to wearing something that locals may find offensive or inappropriate. These cultural expectations vary from place to place and undoubtedly shift over time., so it's difficult to predict what is ok in any particular place. I try to wear things that are not too "loud" or revealing or casual when going into other peoples' places of worship, revered historical places, government buildings, cemeteries, and so forth. European acquaintances have never complained to me that American tourists wear things that are "out of style" but they do sometimes note that we wear "beach clothing" or very casual attire to places that deserve more respect.

"Hook Em Horns" or "Go Aggies" t-shirt ... and what, may I ask Claudia, is so wrong with Hook Em Horns? And who would wear "Go Aggies" anyway? Hook em Horns!!!!

@ Nigel, X 2! That should get a certain someone posting. Just as I would in NYC, I dress a little better for European capitals. Nicer shoes and a good purse. I think a pair of jeans in September is a good idea, whereas in the summer it would not be; I have been chilly in Paris in September. I don't carry a day pack, either; I carry a small purse, a trendy tote or a local store bag to contain a travel wallet ( today's money only), smallish camera, guidebook, lipstick, comb, and an occasional baguette.
I always have some money somewhere else on me as well, just in case.

If you are most comfortable in jeans and sneakers, then wear them. Plenty of people in France wear jeans, and they come in all different weights, washes and lengths, so as long as it's not 90 degrees outside and you are sweating buckets, you can wear them more than once before you have to hit the laundromat. After your day of sightseeing, swap out your sneakers for a pair of sandals, flats or heels and add some interesting jewelry if you want to look a little more dressed up for dinner or drinks. I have to laugh at Irv's comment that Parisian women look better because they know how to coordinate their outfits...as if they are the only women in the world who can accessorize. When French women go away on vacation, they dress like tourists just like everyone else because they are living out of a suitcase and don't have access to their entire wardrobe. I traveled for a week through part of Southern Australia with 2 Parisian women I had met in Melbourne and every day they wore things like shorts, yoga pants, tank tops, tee shirts, sneakers and jeans to sightsee. They followed the same theory - go out at night for dinner/drinks and dress it up a little more by changing the shoes and jewelry. It's not rocket science and it's not some genetic trait that only French women can possess, Irv.

I sympathize with you regarding wanting to blend in as much as possible! That is my travel desire, also, but no matter where I go (and what year) I always seem to "miss the mark" ha. oh well. When in Moscow years ago I was wearing rounded toe shoes and everyone else wore very pointed toes. I got a lot of stares at my feet. I went to Greece one year and did not take tennis shoes and had a black skirt, only to find that everyone (including our guide) wore tennis shoes and jeans, but no black. sigh :) Its part of the fun. I have never used a laundromat when traveling. why would you? I do a nightly wash in my room and things are dry the next day. Take some concentrated soap, a stretchy rubber clothes line, a few collapsible hangars and you're set! Occasionally I have a heavier item (never jeans) that takes 2 days to dry, but that can be planned out. You only need a couple shirts/undies, 2 pants, 3 socks, etc. But take fabrics made for travel, not cotton T-shirts. Makes packing so easy. Of course, the down side is that every picture of you is in basically the same outfit! I also never have used a backpack. Travel purse that fits across the body (in front) that holds water, camera, notebook, guidebook.
I stand out as an American (for many reasons) because I have premature gray hair and do not dye it. No one in Europe has gray hair. Everyone colors their hair... BUT, the fun of traveling is to enjoy the differences that is unique to each culture.

Khakis and polo shirts scream American as well. I remember I wore pleated khakis and a polo shirt while walking around a park in Amsterdam one morning. I got stared at a bit, I guess like a guy in full Euro-style would get stared at in my hometown.

Those clever Europeans dressing as Americans to better spot tourists.

I agree with Ken and Frank in Colorado. Docker style pants and polos are better for museums, churches, etc. I also prefer a good pair of walking shoes (like rockports) over tennis shoes. I find that walking shoes are more comfortable, plus they give you a more appropriate look in churches, museums, theaters, etc.

I agree with Ken and Frank's opinions posted above. I am living in Paris this summer and have seen tourists all over of course -- the number of men in cargo shorts, t-shirts & sandals is astounding. Women generally dress a bit better. I agree, wear what you want but try to look as neat and pulled together as possible. Try to leave the worn t-shirts at home. White athletic shoes are OK if that is all you have, but go with dark shoes if you can, particularly if you are not real young. For both men and women, Converse tennis shoes in all colors are very stylish here now, as are ballerina flats and sandals for women doing a lot of walking. I ate at a cafe near the Trocadero last night and it was full of men wearing cargo shorts and t-shirts; obvious tourist women who though dressed casually made an effort to look nice; and chic, well-dressed middle-aged Parisians. All were welcomed and enjoyed the scene.

Liz, I also concur with Ken and Frank. The new micro-fiber, wrinkle/stain resistant pants are the bomb. They dry so fast when rinsed out, unlike jeans. So much lighter, too. Remember, you have to carry this stuff around. Hold three pairs of jeans in your right hand and three pairs of micro fiber pants in the other. See what I mean? Jeans just don't dry quickly, either. Get the dark colors to hide food stains, dirt. Also, my wife and I wear nice leather shoes with thick soles, and don't bring sneakers. I saw a young man in Split, Croatia once, working as a cook and he was wearing black, skin-tight, shiny, patent leather pants, Redwing black boots, and had a Mount Rapmore t-shirt, with Biggie, Tupac, Jam Master Jay, and Eazy E on it. I asked him where he was from, knowing he would be from the States, and he said no, he was born and raised in Split. Said he bought a lot of stuff off the internet. Lately, though, I have been wearing black Skecher Mariners with the squared off toes while training on the assembly line here, and the Germans call them my Frankenstein shoes, and desperately want to know how to get them. There is no accounting for taste. I think the jury is still out here when I wear my green and white Cal-Poly Mustangs jersey, especially at the tavern.
What is Hook-Em-Horns, Nigel? Texas Christian? ;)

Khakis and polo shirts "scream American"? Tell that to my friend, born, raised, and living in Spain. We traveled together every day for almost two weeks and that is what he wore every day. Shorts, even! With white athletic shoes! And I saw plenty of other Spaniards dressed the same way (I know they were Spanish, not tourists, because they were friends of my friend.) Perhaps you were stared at for some other reason.

Yes, Europeans do sometimes sport the long pants with polo type shirt, but I wager they wear khaki color far less often. In my case the pleats didn't help; they were even more out of style in Europe than they were here. In general the cut of your clothing can make you recognizable as an American even if the articles are in the same general category as what Europeans wear-- e.g Dad jeans and sneakers.

Will is correct about the cut of clothing being different for some of the men's clothing in some European countries. The Italian male relatives do wear khaki colored pants, but they aren't pleated, they aren't loose and they definitely don't say "Dockers" on the back pocket. Same with "golf shirts" - they wear Izods in all different colors, but very fitted or they will wear tees that are also cut slimmer - nothing baggy. When they come to the U.S. we tell them to leave the man-capri pants and "murse" (male shoulder bag which looks similar to a ladies leather purse) behind. Now the younger male relatives in Ireland will wear more fitted jeans with a lower rise in darker rinses for a night out and during the day they will wear cargo pants and tees with logos from Abercrombie & Fitch or Hollister, but the older Irish ones don't look much different than their American counterparts - they wear Dad jeans and sneakers with tees. None of them ever wear pleats - which are just wrong no matter where you live!

You don't want to look like tourists? Well, I'll tell you the secret to do that, and it has nothing to do with clothes, white tennis shoes or even language. Stay away from everything famous and/or touristy, don't visit the Famous Landmark(TM), don't stroll through museums, don't linger in beautiful parks, don't drink in the foreign sights, don't enjoy a cup or gelato while people watching. Instead sit for the best eight hours of the day in a little cubicle with a neck tie on (in beautiful summer weather!), after that hurry to an appointment with your tax adviser. Tourists are unmistakable because they're relaxed people with the expression of someone experiencing a new and strange place. Natives are people caught in the hamster wheel of day-to-day life. If you stand in line in the local city hall to get some permit or laying bricks at a construction site, nobody will think that you're a tourist even if you're dressed in white sneakers, a "Hook Em Horns" T-shirt, star spangled shorts, and a base cap while talking loudly in American English around your chewing gum.
When you standing in line to get on the Eiffel Tower however, everyone will think you're a tourist, no matter what you wear and how you speak.

In case it helps: even if you don't wear white sneakers, sweaters which tell everyone which university you visited, or baseball caps... you would still get recognized as an American. Europeans wear mostly the same as you, but wheras American like loose-fit Europeans simply prefer slim-fit. Shirt, polos and t-shirts are usually quite a lot tighter over here. Have a look here, this is a popular, inexpensive shop in Germany were many people buy their clothes:
http://www.esprit.de/

Aggies? Longhorns? Who cares? Go Cyclones! Liz: Seriously, just wear whatever you wish to wear and whatever makes you comfortable. This is one of those time-honored topics that brings out old urban myths from yesteryear and tons of opinions from people who, frankly, haven't a clue about how to dress anyway. There are lots of things you can do to improve your own personal safety and security while on vacation, and they have nothing to do with your fashion sense. Will you be pegged as a tourist? Maybe. Does it matter? No, not really. Some will stick out as goofy Americans, but it doesn't really matter in the end, does it? Some will fit in better because of their style...that's fine, too. Some will never be pegged as a tourist no matter where they travel. They're just too damn cool, hip, and up to date on everything. Anyway, they're all on vacation and you will be, too. So, just relax and don't worry about it. Be your own person, and enjoy the moment. BTW, of course you'll see a lot of fashion-conscious or otherwise very trendy locals when you're in very popular/trendy parts of the big European cities, but that doesn't mean their fashion sense is somehow uniquely European, and, therefore, something you should emulate when you're there just so you can fit in. If you go to the very trendy, hip areas of SF, NYC, Toronto, or Seoul, you'll see the exact same styles (okay, Asian style can be a bit out there, but you get my drift). I mean, a hipster is a hipster...it doesn't matter if he's in Berlin or Chicago...hipster fashion is the same everywhere. It's simply a matter of being in an international city and not in Austin or Des Moines. Many here confuse this whole concept.

Oh I do love this topic! Philosophically I agree with Frank. It's probably impossible to look "Parsian" if you're not from Paris but you can take significant steps to a) not stand out as a clueless tourist, and thus not be an obvious target for pickpockets and scam artists and b) to feel comfortable, both physically since city travel is demanding and psychologically, since feeling like you look good and not like a rube will help you enjoy your trip more. The variety of responses I think is partially generational. Yes, you will see american clothes and styles on people in Europe, but it's always YOUTHS wearing hip-hop style clothing and big athletic sneakers. You won't see someone older than 30 wearing that. (Note that "big athletic sneakers" is not the same as ALL sneakers). That said, Parsians do wear jeans, in fact they love jeans, but they are often slim cut and tend to be of a dark wash. In September it might be too hot for jeans, particularly in the south. I bought some linen trousers at H&M that look nice, pack light, and are super comfortable. They look great with sandals or ballet flats. Capris are also a life-saver in warm weather. French women wear them, too. What you don't often see is European women wearing shorts without tights/leggings, even if it's hot. To me this completely defeats the purpose of wearing shorts, but it's something to keep in mind. I'd bring a purse, tote, or best of all, messenger bag instead of a backpack/daypack. I think a couple of lightweight, gauzy scarves are great for "dressing up" an outfit, keeping you warm if a breeze comes up at night, or for covering bare shoulders if visiting a church. The hardest part for me is finding shoes that look nice and are comfortable for hours of walking. But stylish sneakers that aren't athletic shoes are a fine compromise.

No matter what you decide to wear, once you are having fun in France, you are going to wonder why you spent so much energy thinking about about clothing. For what it is worth, I wear jeans and white sports shoes. I am comfortable and no one has ever recoiled in horror because of my clothing.

I agree with Jo and Denise. I wear jeans and white tennis shoes. I've spent years in Paris and I wear what is comfortable for me without any negative reaction from anyone. I am polite, respectful, and not loud. That's more important imo. And btw, I've used laundromats in Paris and throughout France more times than I can count, and it never took any longer than here.

Great point about those European sneaker brands! I wonder what to make of all those Europeans you see wearing American Converse and Vans.

Been to France many times over the years. From Brittany to Nice and places in between. Paris and Provence also. Ditch the white tennis shoes. Nothing says tourist more than the bright white clunky tennis shoes. But I think that is somewhat universal in big cities. I would never think to wear big white tennies walking down Michigan Avenue in Chicago or shopping in New York City. My observation is that French women and men wear the big white tennis shoes when actually doing something athletic. They do wear Pumas, Nike etc shoes for daywear but they are the sleek often stylish colors but less supportive type. I would recommend a nice Teva or Keen closed toe sandal. Either brand has decent support, great for walking, and stylish too. They are lightweight and easy to get on and off when going through airport security.
Regarding jeans: if you can get some of the tencel or lighter weight jeans that are comfortable, you will be saving some room in your suitcase and some time at the laundry. Throw on a scarf and you're all set. Bon voyage!

The pro-athletic shoe brigade makes me wonder if y'all have ever discussed shoes with actual europeans? because i have several friends who REGULARLY mock us Americans for wearing athletic shoes around town. yes some major athletic shoe companies are from europe, and yes europeans wear them - but at different times and age groups than we do in the US. for starters, most europeans over the age of 30 wear athletic shoes when exercising or doing 'sport' and not say, out to a bar like most of us americans would. my friend from the states visited last week and met some of my euro friends, and they INSTANTLY started in on him for wearing his hiking sneakers around town. now, to be fair, one of these guys who hates american shoe fashion is a straight man who wears pointy toed suede purple shoes. so i'm not saying the europeans have a better fashion sense than us, those shoes are hideous, i'm just saying it's different. if you don't think it's different you're not paying attention and are probably someone who doesn't care much about fashion to begin with, which is fine. BUT Liz apparently does care a little bit or she wouldn't be asking, so it's reasonable to provide her with accurate advice. Anyone has the right to say "screw it" and not bother to try to look "euro". I certainly wouldn't recommend American men wear dark socks and birkenstocks like so many older German men tend to! but that would be one way to fit in!

When my daughter spent a year in Strasbourg, she played basketball at the university gym-a short walk from her dorm. She reported that she was the ONLY player who would show up to the gym in gym clothes. The others would come in "normal" attire and change. She said she was also shocked at the number of American girls who thought that pajama bottoms and sweatshirts were appropriate dress when going to the airport for a flight. Bottom line is that even my non-girly daughter felt that she needed or rather wanted to dress just a little nicer than she would at home. I'm not sure whether OP is looking for advice on what to wear so she doesn't feel like a slob or if she's looking for confirmation that she can wear what she wants to wear. Both attitudes are valid-my well traveled husband could care less what others think of his attire as long as it is neat and clean. He often wears regular white athletic shoes and shorts and looks like the middle aged engineer that he is. I would prefer to look just a little more fashionable but I am never uncomfortable. I've found sandals that I can walk in for miles that can pair with a cute skirt and dark shoes that look like boots (but are not) that I wear with my dark jeans, black sweater and scarf. I wish I could figure out exactly what makes even the more mature european women look so chic, but at least I don't feel completely out of place. As others have said, I would and have worn my "European" clothes in Chicago and New York. I wear my shorts and running shoes when I am running.

So for those of you who go out of your way to "look European" with respect to clothing and accessories when on vacation in Europe, what would you do if you were ever inquisitive enough to expand your horizons beyond Europe to, say, Tokyo, Seoul, or Singapore? What would you do to fit in with trendy, street fashion-conscious folks there – dye your hair purple or fire red, wear super short skirts and black socks up to your knees, slap on a pair of red high-top Chuck Taylor shoes with green laces, put on your horn-rimmed glasses, etc., etc., etc.? Why not spend two weeks in traditional Bedouin garb while visiting the pyramids for that matter just so you can fit in there and not be mocked by Egyptian kids? Sorry, but intentionally dressing differently than you do at home just to fit in and avoid perceived ridicule is an absurd idea. And no offense intended, Sarah, but who cares if some Germans you know regularly mock Americans? Why should any American here care? Maybe your friends are just mean people. I wonder how this myth that Europe somehow has a corner on the fashion market began anyway. Some of you need to get out more...go see some other part of the world. Then, come back and tell us all about European superiority as it relates to fashion sense. Goofy! BTW, what the hell do you wear when you visit NYC, LA, SF, Seattle, Toronto, or any other big, cool North American city? Do you seriously dress differently on purpose – why? Or is it just when you're in Europe?

Michael-I think Sarah, like me, was trying to talk to people who DO care about what they wear and it is not a matter of impressing anyone or acting/dressing differently, but feeling comfortable in your surrounding. And yes, I did dress differently for our very hot India trip than for our very hot Fort Lauderdale trip. One was cool but modest clothing, one was bathing suit with coverup. As I posted, my husband, like many men, doesn't seem to care a bit if he looks a little "nerdy" or old fashioned. But there are plenty of women who call each other to see what they're wearing to a local party. We appreciate good advice on what to wear for a vacation so as to not look completely clueless. Again, if OP is looking for comfort that she will not be thrown out of the country for not looking European, she has gotten that message (especially from the male posters). But for those of us who have a variety of clothes and not a single uniform look, some of this advice may be helpful.

Fair enough. Of course, it's normal to dress for the climate (India), the location (the beach), or the occasion (a dinner party). And there's certainly nothing wrong with being concerned about having a great wardrobe that suits your sense of style. But I'm referring specifically to those who intentionally try to "dress like a local" when in Europe. Why not just be yourself and dress like you do the other 364 days of the year? If you normally look nerdy, old-fashioned, tailored, chic, hipster, or anything else, why change your whole vacation wardrobe to better "fit in" with the locals? Take a look around the next time you're in Europe. Outside of the big international cities (and even in them), regular people dress very much like regular people dress here. That's a fact. If you're going to compare what you see in a trendy area of Paris to something here, then compare it to a trendy area in one of our big, international cities, such as New York. I think you'll find that this notion of European superiority as it relates to fashion is a serious myth. That thread about fat travelers in the Transportation forum reminded me that 66% of all Americans are overweight or obese. If people really want to fit in, maybe they should change their diet, hit the gym more often, and not worry so much about the wardrobe. Liz's question is pretty straightforward. She is simply looking for validation that it's okay to wear what makes her most comfortable (jeans and sneakers) while touring France. Of course it's okay!

I agree with Michael, 100%. As I said, I wear jeans and white tennis shoes in Paris and everywhere else. Including NYC and SF, where I live a few miles north of. The way you behave is far more important than how you are dressed.

Karen, I was eating breakfast at a hostel in Paris, and a big group of American girls from Ohio or thereabouts came down to eat, most of them in hooded sweatshirts. A Spaniard sitting near me said to his wife, "These American girls, they have no culture or elegance." I could sympathize with his point of view, but I stared daggers at him because, you know, you got to stand up for the home team.

"Outside of the big international cities (and even in them), regular people dress very much like regular people dress here." Yup, pretty much. Today in the greater Rhine-Neckar area, the temperature topped off over 35°. I can assure you, a whole lot of Germans were wearing clothes that the fascionistas on this website insist Europeans don't wear.

Michael - Again, this is not about looking like a local. There's an important distinction to be made between costume and clothing. You could even say it's between costume and camouflage. My wife and I spend the entire year bouncing around Europe and we've spent uncountable hours observing the way locals dress and watching the very obvious non-tourists get harangued. The fact is that there is a way to go through Europe in a way that protects you from pickpockets and and scammers. A money belt may keep your cash and passport firmly strapped to you the whole time, but that doesn't mean you won't be accosted at train stations and street corners or see your Jansport backpack get plundered on the Metro. Ditching the American sports jerseys and clunky sneakers is part of it. You can look good, avoid the unnecessary hassles of being spotted as an American from blocks away, and move safely and comfortably across the Continent. It really isn't hard to do. Wear clothes that fit. Tailors are your friends. Ditch the backpack and fanny pack. Don't dress like you're tailgating a college football game. Bring scarves. They pack light, add variety, and can keep you warmer when the temps shift. Gore-tex in serious moderation if at all. The weather report may say 20% chance of rain, but it won't say 100% chance of scaling K2. Messenger bags. I can now say I've walked through the streets of Europe's financial capital with Jo and didn't gather a single side glance. We didn't look like fashion plates. We just didn't look obviously touristy. Tom - Funny, I've spent the last week in the area too, and the only ones I've seen who look like American tourists have been American tourists. There's a difference between how people look in Paris and how the look in Karlsruhe and there's an even greater difference between how they look in Karlsruhe and how they look in Cincinnati.

Watch a RS show (dvd or on TV) about Paris/France to see what others as well as he is wearing. I go to Europe every summer for a month for the last 10 years (soon to be 11) and take one 21" roller bag that is not over packed. Three sets of ExOfficio shirts, pants, under ware, socks is all that is needed as we do laundry in our room sink when needed and that stuff dries quickly and is ready to go in the morning. I wear Clarks Air Movers shoes that are really form fitting and I can walk all day and not get tired feet. I also take a pair of sandals. We are much more concerned about comfort and convenience than we are looking to fit in.

James, you've been crankier than normal since you were headed back to the states. Do you miss the socialist paradise of Europe that much? Ultimate point being: if you don't care about blending in, fine! Don't! And ignore this thread! Why the people who don't care are so offended by the subject, repeatedly, as if the concept of people who want to look nice is inherently offensive. It comes across as just slightly defensive. If you're a red blooded 'merican who doesn't give a crap what euros think then why even bother posting here? Some of us believe there are good reasons for trying not to stick out, or just like the confidence boost that comes with looking nice and unoffensive to locals. And yeah, I do dress differently no matter where I go. I do not dress the same to go to Walmart in my hometown in rural California as I would to go to San Francisco or New York. I respect local cultural and religious customs and wear modest clothing when visiting places where that is appropriate. It's not about "Europe vs US". I remember visiting a beautiful cathedral in Valladolid, Mexico, next to obnoxious Italian tourists in short-shorts and tank tops. That behavior and dress was inappropriate for the situation. This is all common sense and it's a common sense question to ask "How should I dress for a place I haven't been to?" If the idea of dressing appropriate doesn't bother you, by all means, carry on. But why get so offended that some of us care about wanting to not peg ourselves from 2 blocks away as clueless tourists? Do you need the validation that your clothing choices are OK so badly you'll crap on people who care a little bit?

Also I'd like to point out, I was out and about today in Stuttgart in the hot weather and guess what? Most people were wearing pants. And most of the ladies who did wear shorts were wearing leggings or tights underneath them. I'm not saying it's sane or logical - I was wearing shorts without leggings, I don't buy into this European thing of not showing your leg meat - I'm not TRYING to be a Euro. And Stuttgart is a backwater city with a horrible fashion sense so even at my worst I don't necessarily stand out here. It's not Paris, or Rome, or London, or New York. But people are confusing two issues:
1) Do Europeans, on the whole, dress differently than North Americans? The answer, if you're not oblivious/stupid, is yes. 2) Is there a benefit to be gained, as a tourist, to trying to not look "obviously" American or touristy, or is that even possible? That is more of a matter of philosophy and opinion. 3) If you say yes to number 2, then how does one go about doing so? But all issues are being conflated in the responses to this post, and again, with a lot of defensiveness. If you're totally cool with looking like a North American and being spotted as one from yards away than why do you even have a stake in this discussion? Except to pass judgement on people you view as wannabe Euro assimilationists who hate America and the 4th of July and baby Jesus. Because damn if people don't get worked up over this topic.

Sarah-your last post just made me laugh! I do wish however that Liz from Round Rock Texas would chime back in. Have we helped you or made you more anxious? Hopefully not the latter. My fashionably clueless husband has just as good a time on our trips as I do. And as James has so helpfully pointed out- I am obviously a terribly shallow person because I think twice about the clothes I choose to travel with...Hope everyone who is traveling this summer is enjoying their trips and believe me, I'm extremely envious of those with an upcoming trip planned-no matter how you dress!!

Geez... All Liz wanted to know is if she can wear jeans and sneakers, as that is how she is the most comfortable. Yes Liz, wear them and be comfortable.

To really fit in, add a beret like Audrey from the movie European Vacation.

I am flummoxed as to who Chris is. It has been a while since I gallivanted anywhere here in Frankfurt, and if so, usually with my husband or with close friends, though I have strolled through the city with a few RS Helpline folks. Is it my old age and I just can't remember? Fashion notes for this summer in Frankfurt, whether Germans or any other student group traveling through, like from Spain, Italy, Sweden, Holland, France, etc. Hot pants, really short, shorts are in, especially denim ones, as well as odd little sandal, bootie shoes and wedge shoes. Hollister is a hit as well as Ed Hardy. I don't know about other cities, but Frankfurters like wearing shirts, bags, etc. with Frankfurt emblazoned on them. Summer dresses are always popular, with jean skirts appearing a lot though too. (I am downtown a lot and hear the different languages as they pour off the buses) For the older set, they pretty much wear blouses, jeans, and sensible shoes, the men wear jeans or slacks and short sleeved button shirts. For travel, I think these kind of shirts are ideal, as they look nice, and are a loose cotton which is cooler than a polo or tee-shirt, and dry in a jiffy.

Wow, two pages, heard from a lot of you. I will leave the Hook em horns tshirt at home! Still over thinking it. I guess I'm what you call " middle aged" so keeping that in mind, i usually don't dress trendy . I have no fashion sense to speak of. My daughter has to help me-ha. I will be doing a lot of walking this trip. I am most comfortable in my sneakers. I wear the same style both for play and for work (12 hour shifts where I am on my feet most of the night). I have not found any other type of shoes that I like the look of yet . So I am open to suggestions. Have read the other thread about shoes. So I will keep looking around for suitable clothing for this trip, keeping local customs, culture, age and weather in mind. Thanks for all the replies.

"Gore-tex in serious moderation if at all." Umm... does the name "Jack Wolfskin" ring a bell? It seems that about half the population of Germany wears this stuff when the temperature starts to cool off. Sarah, perhaps we are describing the differences between living in a small village (Hüttenfeld) versus a fairly large city (Stuttgart)... although even in Heidelberg, all but the people who's jobs require more formal dress seemed to be wearing shorts and light shirts yesterday.

Re: Goretex-- I wore my green Goretex jacket while walking through the medina in Tunis. At one point a young boy threw a rock at me (a general anti-American/anti-Westerner gesture I gathered). In retrospect I wish I had worn something more subdued and inconspicuous. In Europe itself, unless you're going for Paris chic, no biggie. Although the color patterns of North Face for instance will make you identifiable as North American to some people if that matters.

I'm about as far away from fashion conscious as a person can get, but I do try to avoid looking like a dufus. My shirts NEVER have anything printed on them, for example. We just returned from five weeks in and around Italy. I pack light, so I consider things carefully. I had read so much about how Italians don't wear shorts that I went to the trouble to buy some microfiber pants that were supposed to be comfortable in the heat. I brought those along with another pair of pants and two pairs of long-ish shorts. I wore the pants on both plane trips because I hate being chilly on the plane. And I wore pants for the three days in Paris because it was wet and gloomy with temps in the low 60's. But every other day it was near or well-past 90 degrees and sunny and I didn't even bother considering the pants on any of those days. I wore the shorts (and washed them frequently). Although I'll admit I spend very little attention to what other people are wearing (and usually have no idea if the person I'm looking at is local or a tourist - mostly because I don't really care), I never once felt out of place. LOTS of people were wearing shorts. NOT a lot of people wore glaring white clunky athletic shoes. If you favor athletic-style shoes, you would fit in better choosing a more subdued color. My wife wore sandals designed for moderate hiking and loved them. Being comfortable is the most important thing.

Jo - Chris is my husband. Perhaps "gallivanting" was a bit of an overstatement, but we ended up drinking a lot of appelwoi after you left so we did indeed gallivant all over Frankfurt and I praise the lord for the messenger bag, because it means I don't have to carry his crap in my purse as so many other wives are left to do. Another reason the messenger bag gospel should be spread!

Tom, Jack Wolfskin is practically a uniform in Germany. The question was about traveling to France. If Liz wants to look like a German tourist, she needs only Jack Wolfskin outwear, black socks, and G Star Raw jeans. Then again, best not to remind the Parisians of previous German "visits" to their capital.

I'm in Paris for a week and these are my observations. Paris is about stylish, form-fitting clothes and shoes that fit the occasion. To begin, the best way to fit in is to have a "French" body. The tailored look is "in", and most Frenh people appear to have a BMI that is well within the normal range. Stylish - Men: I see nothing that is old, torn, faded, baggy, or inappropriate for one's age. Women: I see more fashionable shoes than "sensible" shoes. Form-fitting - I haven't seen baggy or saggy. Skinny legs are "in" for those under 30. Even t-shirts are fitted for all ages.
Fit occasion - As others have said, I haven't seen any locals wearing running shoes unless they were running. Same for shorts after 6pm. Men over 30 almost always wear shirts with a collar, and when out in the evening, almost always wear sport coats. FYI: The best seats and service in cafes go to people who are dressed appropriately; especially true in the evening. Bottom line - I don't think what we American tourists wear matters, in general. However, if you want to have a little European flair, and get a little better service, then think stylish and make sure what you are wearing fits the occasion.