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Wearing soccer jerseys in Greece?

Posted by (Albany, NY, USA) on

I will be spending two weeks in Greece in July (read: hot and crowded). My time will be split between Athens and two islands. I have several soccer jerseys (of various European clubs and countries, plus the US) which are fantastic in hot weather (extremely light, keep you dry, etc), however I'm wondering if I would be too dressed-down. We won't be going to any fancy events -- usually we walk around town during the day, and find some place interesting for dinner. I may bring one or two polo shirts, possibly just for the evenings.

Any suggestions/warnings?

Posted by
9100 posts

I wouldn't wear the US Soccer Jersey. On days I wore mine last summer in Germany, the locals confused me with Conaleca Rice and George W Bush. As long as the other jerseys aren't of rival Greek clubs you should be okay. Having said that, the fabric used in the jerseys will be smell pretty bad in the hot muggy climate. after a few days.

Posted by
9100 posts

The fabric used in the jerseys is designed to take your body sweat and move it to the outside of garment. It won't take long for in hot outdoor temperatures for that smell to permeate. In contrast, a cotton shirt simply absorbs the moisture; it "breathes". In terms of washing, if the jersey isn't put in a machine after each use the smell will become permanent. Washing this kind of fabric in a sink doesn't cut it.

Posted by
7554 posts

You have hit on two issues, 1. Would it be too casual? In Athens, maybe, some other light cotton shirt may be better. In the Islands, for beach resorts, anything goes, but for a good sit down dinner, opt for something dressier.
2. Team Bias: Europeans certainly love their football and have strong emotions about it, but you should be OK in a rivals home turf, unless they happen to be playing that day.

Posted by
769 posts

Craig -I think you'll be better off with a couple of the newer cotton-blend fast dry t-shirts from REI, RoyalRobbins, Prana etc... hiking/travel/adventure stuff. They often have some anti-microbial stuff built in as well as being "breathable/moisture whicking" etc. And they wash out in a sink and dry fast! They are not cheap - but people pay 30-50$ for concert T-shirts and soccer jersey isnt cheap either!

Posted by
59 posts

Bad idea.

Riots this spring cancelled all sports in Greece for 2 weeks in April. The rioters beatup someone because they were wearing the colors of the rival team. The person had nothing to do with the actual sporting event.

Stay away from teams jerseys. Go with neutral clothing.

It might be fine in Italy or France but Greece has a long rivalty between the 2 local teams and against any team not greek.

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