Thoughts on What to Wear

What a beautiful post! Thanks so much.
I think it's wonderful to be around all walks of life.

Thanks for a great post. I've never understood why people obsess about "what to wear in _____ (insert name of city)". My philosophy is to be neat and clean, but most importantly -- be comfortable.

I have two concerns when I pack.

The first is to be dressed appropriately. In the extreme, inappropriate would be wearing shorts to a black tie event or wearing a tux to the beach. I try to be able to dress up or down within my limited set of travel clothes to fit a wide variety of circumstances.

The second concern is traveling light. I have one carry on that weighs 15 lbs. packed. I can travel for a month comfortably. Each time I pack, I ask myself if there is something I don't need or can be substituted with something lighter or less bulky.

Very well put, Jo!

Thanks for writing all that out Jo. I noticed the same thing last month. The locals look as different as the people here in the US do.

And BTW, the man capris actually look better than the shorts guys wear here in the US that come down to the same length as the man capri but the shorts are sloppy and baggy. They remind me of the old surf movies where they guys wear what my mom used to call clam diggers.

I agree that people all over the world dress differently. My concern when traveling is similar to Brad's, I want to be appropriately dressed wherever I am. So far I've only been to European cities and Tuscany, so my clothing choices are pretty much what I would wear at home -- where I dress well and not super casually. If I were travelling to India, I wouldn't wear a sari, but similar light clothing,such as a skirt & blouse that others would be wearing I'm sure -- wouldn't be in shorts or other garb that I would think inappropriate for blending in a bit more -- though I would obviously stick out somewhat because of my nationality. No one is questioning the wonderfulness of the diversity of people we see in our travels.

I think the main thing is comfortable and also to not offend. For example I lived in Mexico for awhile and it was the custom for woman in the area that i lived in not to wear shorts but either long pants or preferably long skirts that reached the ankles or dresses that met the same. No short skirts at all.

I did this not just to fit in but to show that i cared about customs around me.

I know when I travel to Europe I will take a head scarf as some churches they ask for woman to cover thier heads and at least one skirt if its needed, i would like to have it.

I dont know that i want to blend in persae but the thing is I want to see some villiages and areas off the beaten tourist paths and in that case I want to show respect for those around me.

I wont be able to know all the customs thats not possible but i can work to be sensitive.

Im not a huge fashion person so when i travel its about comfort more then fashion.

EXACTLY!!!

Jo, awesome post. I travel in what makes me comfortable and I adhere to dress requirements when asked – no shorts in Cathedrals and that sort of thing.. I have traveled around the states, Europe and Africa. I do not dress in saris, lederhosen or wear a turban. I wear a swimsuit to the beach and my shorts when it is hot and my ski clothes at the mountain. Sometimes the camera is around my neck to complete the ensemble. While in Africa I was obviously not a local so it did not matter what clothes I wore. I would also say it is fairly obvious I am not a local when I travel in much of Europe and clearly not a local as soon as I open my mouth and ask a question. Wear what is right for you because in the end we are all just visiting this planet anyway.

Wow, I did not know what kind of a response I would get to my post, so I was so surprised when I got home from work yesterday afternoon and saw all the replies. It is funny, as I stood on the street in the middle of downtown Frankfurt, I tried really hard to pick out Americans, and basically, you just can't. We are lucky to be living in a time where any kind of outfit seems to be ok and people can pick and choose whatever they want. Makes it easier on everyone. The rest is common sense as far as what to wear in a church or out to a nice restaurant, or what to wear in the winter, etc. Imagine what it used to be like, when hemlines made a difference, men always wore a hat, women wore gloves out of the house, and you needed trunks to carry all of your clothes. Whew, it must have been hot wearing all that stuff in the summer. I am glad to be living in this century in a country where I don't have to cover my head or my face.

Jo, Amen to that! I've been wanting to say that for for some time now. Thank you! Monte

Jo, really great observations.
Thought I'd share this story... I'm of Japanese ancestry and was travelling in Japan in 2003. It was winter, and I had a backpack (not normally carried by Japanese locals), a Sony camera (no comment on stereotypes!) and a big Columbia jacket. Anyhow, I'm thinking that a total tourist, taking photos all over the place and this blonde woman comes up to me and starts to speak in Japanese! I had to stop her immediately, as I don't speak Japanese - and we had a good laugh. She was in Japan to teach English - so she knew much more Japanese than I do. Anyhow, I thought I looked like a total tourist, and she thought I wasn't a tourist.

That is a pretty funny story. I cant tell you how many times Germans ask me for directions or help with the ticket machines at the subway. When my parents came over here from Ohio, they were waiting on a bus their first day in Germany, when someone asked them something in German. My mom replied,"Sorry we don't speak English". I still laugh at that one.

Jo, too funny! "We don't speak English" - haa haa! Here's another one - same trip... So when I was travelling in Japan, I was with my brother and husband. We all grew up in Southern California (in fact, right next to the border with Mexico), and know far more Spanish than Japanese. So as my husband and I are waiting outside of a restaurant for my brother, who stayed inside to pay the bill, he comes out laughing hysterically. My husband and I ask what happened and he says that he paid the bill. Then he says that the lady says "arigato" to him and then he says to her "Gracias".

one note - some people want to blend in b/c they're sick of getting stared at when they travel. or they may be fashion conscious (wearing your NY blacks in LA is depressing don't you think?) or are trying to meet guys/girls and don't want to look totally weird.

granted, that's not the average poster on these boards. ha. Most people need to do as you suggest and relax and wear what they want, but hopefully those with other agendas will clarify that when they DO post about what to wear! :P

My Belgian fiancee had this bit of wisdom for me: American tourists in Europe who think their clothes help them "blend in" would be the equivalent of a European tourist in America wearing a cowboy hat for the same purpose.

This is well said! I think it's most important not to judge people because of how they are dressed, but appreciate it. There are so many cultures and it would be nearly impossible to try to fit in to each one of them, so politeness and appreciation of differences is the best thing to do!

This is an awesome post!!!

Very well said Jo. I've always said, who really cares but you? Dress for yourself and what you feel confortable it and have a great time, but PACK LIght!!

Totally agree with Jo. Again, well said. I dress for comfort where ever I may be visiting. Although, I do not wear shorts outside of the US. Don't know why...just don't feel comfortable I suppose.

And I do not care if they know I am a visitor or from the good old USA.

Where ever you are from....be proud of your country.