The Pants vs. Shorts dilemma

Stop worrying. People here make such a fuss about this (and dressing in general). It's pretty silly. Wear what you want. You'll be surrounded by a lot of people who make you look good by comparison. Be respectful of the modest clothing policy in the relatively few places where it's an issue (Italian cethedrals, for example), otherwise forget about it and enjoy your vacation. If you're there when it's hot, you'll be surrounded by people wearing shorts and all sorts of things that might look ridiculous.

Sandals? I think I recall the guy that started the whole thing wore sandals (no, not Rick...). Wear what's comfortable, and you'll be fine.

Hmm, I think it all boils down to Style/Comfort

If you care more about being comfortable, wear shorts, if you care more about style forgo the shorts. Yes people may be wearing shorts, tourists and locals alike but it doesn't mean its a good look, especially if there are socks involved.

Sandals are great for summer travel in Europe. They are usually the only type of shoe I bring. As for shorts, no - you won't look ridiculous. And if you are are young you can get away with almost anything. My husband will wear shorts almost every day (except in Italian cities). We do make a point of going back to our hotel, however, to clean up for dinner. We like to eat in nicer places where I would feel very self-conscious if he was wearing shorts.

RD it's a matter of taste. I don't think you can wear cargo shorts without looking ridiculous anywhere LOL....but you've arrived at a propitious time...Kent has granted everyone a free pass on shorts this summer...(just kidding Kent). AS for sandals, the Europoeans were wearing them before we were...they even wear them with socks (ugh)!

Cargo shorts are fine. Whether they look ridiculous is a matter of opinion. The only opinion that matters is that of the wearer. The latest rage in Europe for men is something that I will call the "high-water pant" since I don't know the real name. It's halfway in length between the "man-pris" (which are SO 2004) and regular pants. The appearance is that of a man who can now fit into those pants he's been saving since junior high but now there's a length issue. I suppose one's ankles stay cooler than with regular pants for those days that are just too brisk for man-pris.

Kidding aside, my point is it's nearly impossible to look strange without real effort and the fact of the matter is nobody really cares what anyone else is wearing. And if they do care, why is their opinion important? Wait, I'll answer that...it's not.

Pants are not a must for churches, just shorts that reach the knee.

I do want to add that its been HOT this summer in Europe. When its in the 90's and it feels like 100+ because there's no shade and the buildings are radiating heat, nobody is going to object to shorts.

I sometimes wonder if there is a European version of this website that gives advice about traveling to the U.S. Do they insist that people should wear shorts in order to fit in with the typical American?

I really hate to weigh in on this question again, and don't mean to imply that I am the judge of all that is fashionable, but I work at San Francisco Int'l airport and walk the Domestic & Int'l terminals daily. It's prime tourist season now and I'm seeing a lot of men in shorts. I don't really know why since most days it's not that hot in S.F. yet many are in shorts -- none of them looked good, IMHO. Perhaps they were going someplace very hot, but couldn't they survive if they wore regular pants from the plane to the hotel? Middle aged and older men don't look very good in shorts. They are not appropriate to wear in a big city airport, and when traveling. The fact that many of them are not thin adds another unflattering element. You can be "comfortable", "do what you want", "not care what other people think", etc. But realize that you do not look good. My eyes aren't deceiving me. Trust me.

AND It's not just the men -- I saw 2 women today -- young, in good shape -- wearing extremely short shorts, which I think is a highly inappropriate look for anywhere but the beach, no matter what. One pair was practically as small as underwear. I've also noticed a few beyond middle-aged women, who were not thin, wearing shorts that just looked plain awful. Shorts-wearing men and women have no dignity whatsoever. What are people thinking? I guess comfort is king. Well it's just my opinion - not reflecting that of the airport - we treat all travelers well here :)

BG, your point is well taken but not really pertinent. The original question asks if one would look out of place wearing shorts as compared to other humans walking around popular European tourist destinations. The answer to that is, "no." Whether your average tourist looks poorly dressed in shorts is irrelevant. I submit that many of the inadvisedly shorts-wearing folks you've described would offend your discriminating eye even if they were wearing long pants. Or business suits. Or togas. Lots of people flying out of SFO are indeed heading for warm Pacific tourist climes and can be cut some slack for not wanting to fuss with mid-flight or skeevy airport clothes-changing.

Just the other day, I looked at a few pictures I took last summer in Paris in front of Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. I noticed more than 50% of the tourists wearing shorts and sandals or sneakers - although the European and Australian male tourists wore a variation that I call "man capris" (which, frankly, I think look even more ridiculous than shorts).

Can you wear shorts? Sure. But I gotta agree with BG on this one - unless you have the legs of David Beckham or Beyonce, they just never look good on normal people...but comfort is key, and if you feel comfortable do whatever you want.

I will leave you to ponder the words of David Sedaris (American author residing in Paris): "When traveling to Europe, why do we (Americans) dress as though we've come to mow the lawn?"

Neil is wrong. Ceidleh, you are right, thank you.

I'm wrong a lot. My wife points this out. Heeey, wait a minute.....Honey, is that you?

You can walk the line with this dilemma by wearing shorts and sandals when you are surrounded by tourists (I agree, no one at the Louvre will care what you are wearing), but dressing nicer when it comes to eating in a restaurant or even shopping, if that's something you are planning on doing (because dressing nicely IS important in the eyes of French and Italian diners/restaurant workers and owners/shopkeepers).

RD
I really wouldn't worry about wearing shorts. Many Europeans wear shorts & sandals - at least in Greece & Italy. You're going to be obviously American no matter what you wear so wear what is comfortable and packs well.

Have a good trip!

Wow. I had no idea this post would take off like it did. I will take a pair of pants for the holy sites, but wear shorts to Europe.

I am a 25-year old with 9 percent bodyfat and an athletic build. I don't think I will offend in nshorts like someone who is overweight (no disrepect meant to those who are out of shape).

However, I will avoid the man capris. They are going way too far.

Thanks all

RD

Guess I am strange. I like the man capris..seen them in Italy in '06. Tried to get my husband to get a pair..He didn't care for them...each his own

They may be wearing shots and crocs, but in my opinion, they look a bit ridiculous...which was what the origional question asked

If you have a mirror, put the clothes on that you plan to wear in Europe. Then ask yourself, does this outfit look ok to wear in public. Most people in the US do not own mirrors anymore or they would never go out in public. Overall I think most Europeans always dress better than Americans. If you are with a tour group you don't have to fit in but if you are travelling on your own, leave the BAD STUFF at home and dress smart. I would much rather have a look of approval for what I wear than a laugh behind my back. That's my opinion,and everybody has one.

Tony -- I love your opinion, & especially appreciate to hear it expressed by a man.

My opinion is that as Americans we tend to
be too casual, sometimes even on clear formal occasions. I have seen people in pjs on the plane and everywhere else here in the US, and I think its a revolting habit. Extra care should be taken when you are a guest in another another country.
Having said that, it all depends on what you the individual wants to look like, or the image you want to project by the clothes you choose to wear.

Having just returned( about 24 hours ago) from 26 days in Europe, Rome, Venice, and Paris, let me assure you ,, you will fit in perfectly in shorts in those cities. It is HOT as Hades ,, sticky, nasty hot, all day and all nigtt, I swear I melted everyday by 10 am.. ,, LOL

I purposefully look at people, what they wear, ( because of constantly seeing these type of quetions on this and other boards)etc, and let me tell you, wear your jeans, your shorts , your white runners NO ONE will blink twice at you, and you WILL fit in at touristy sites. Exception is dinner in evening at restaurants, jeans will still work, but not the shorts.
One notably missing item, rarely saw baseball hats.

Personally, I wish the RS website would create a category just for clothes questions so that the rest of us who really don't care don't have to keep on seeing this stuff over and over and over and over.

All of these questions have been asked and answered many many times in previous posts. It's a shame more people don't know to use the search facility.

why am I here - because this particular thread has been insanely going since 7/27/08 and it's in our face at the top of the list everytime I go to this "General Europe" category. It's been discussed ad-nauseum both in this thread and countless other threads. Good Grief - there's so much more to experiencing a foreign culture than simply what's covering your body! (ha)

All those who are tired of clothing related questions don't have to open the link and read them!
There are plenty of other topics, why are you here?

Well Tim, let me ask you another question (and incur your wrath by popping this question back to the top of the list), why don't you post a new question and ask the group if they want to ban any further questions about the wearing of shorts in Europe? If posters want to limit their free speach and do so, I'll abide by the will of the majority.

I agree with BG. If you're tired of reading these "can I wear shorts" question, don't respond.

I came by to see what the responses would be, and as Pat said, everywhere you go (except churches) you will see tourists in shorts. Americans are not the only folks to wear shorts abroad. We saw many Brits (I thought they were Americans), and other nationalities wearing shorts...even in Paris! If it's hot, I say where shorts, dresses, skirts or whatever makes a person feel cooler and more comfortable.

Looking back at my pics, I see so many people wearing just about everything under the sun, including the Brits we saw in baseball hats, LOL

David is right. Wear what you want. Dont be concerned about what others think. Comply with requirements where they are stated.

All other times wear shorts and sandals. No one will notice. Nor remember next week what you wore yesterday. You will see all kinds of dress on men and women wherever you travel.

During warm weather Europeans wear as little as possible during the day, just as we do here.

At night you should use good judgement about what you wear and where you go.