Where do I keep passport/credit cards when wearing a dress?

Greetings
Just do what European women do - carry a purse and just make sure it secures well and that you take normal precautions with it as you would anywhere in the world. i.e. don't leave it where it can be taken or be out of your sight, bury your wallet deep inside or in an inside pocket etc.

Contrary to what one would think from many of these posts, most places in Europe are as safe if not safer than the US. Take normal precautions as you would in the subway in NYC or Boston etc. and avoid flashing or carrying large sums of money.

If you want to use a moneybelt - fine - but this is not Africa or India or rural South America where it's really a necessity (though BTW, I used a small backpack that I could carry under one arm all through India without any issues). If you are more comfortable with a purse, pick a good, solid, unflashy purse and you should be fine.

Kate

To echo what kim said, it doesn't matter what you are wearing - you don't access a moneybelt during the day when you're out and about anyway (except perhaps in a restroom!), so wearing it under a dress is no different from anything else :)

I say wear the moneybelt. It's not about protecting from evil. I agree I feel safer in Europe than at home. It's more about keeping track of your stuff so you can relax. Especially if you are moving around a lot in your trip, it is great peace of mind to know exactly where the items you can't lose are all the time.

I wear a money belt only on travel days when I will be in a train station or airport. The rest of the time, I use a small across the shoulder bag and am just careful. I keep everything important (train tickets, passport,primary cash) in the hotel safe between travel days and use my small purse both day and evening. I've never had a problem, and hope you don't either.

Some Flight Attendants who prefer to wear the "summer dress uniform" have a thin moneybelt type pocket sewn in. This works ok as this particular dress has buttons on the front. I've also seen similar types of money belts sewn into a dress which zips down the side. Or adaptations can be made with a hidden zipper sewn into the pocket, if the dress has one. This system isn't all that practical but works best if you access it in the washroom out of sight. Isn't it best to access it out of sight, anyway?
Personally, I prefer a skirt with a hidden moneybelt sewn into the waistband for easier access to passport etc. Don't forget, you can dress up a classy skirt for evening with the right top and accessories!

Thank you all so much for your help. However, I do have another couple of related questions. Do you keep your credit card in your money belt? If so, do pay for everything by cash since you aren't supposed to access the money belt in public? I was thinking that I would pay for most things by credit card, as I do in the states. Should I rethink this decision? Also, Rick and others mention keeping cash in pockets. Some things that I'm planning on bringing don't have pockets or have pockets that are not very secure. What should I do about this situation? I am carrying a day pack. Would that work? Sorry for all these crazy questions. I guess I'd rather get things straightened out now so I don't have to worry as much when I arrive in Europe. Thanks!

Allison, your questions aren't crazy - they're smart. Before I researched for my trip this summer, I had no idea about ANY of this stuff and worried about it. Depending on where you're going, it sounds like credit cards aren't as readily accepted as here. Here I use my credit card for as much as possible but it does sound like cash is a lot more prevalent in Europe. So it's not as much a matter of decision but that you will have to pay for more in cash. Plus if you're in places were bartering is the norm, I guess it's a lot more difficult when you want to pay with credit cards (someone correct me if I am wrong please!). That said, what I am planning to do is carry a smallish messenger bag during the day and have some cash for the day and one credit card in there for any larger purchases or restaurants that will accept it. My ATM and backup credit cards will all be safe in my money belt with everything else. If your day pack is a backpack, you might want to be more careful. good luck :)

I don't think you'll find many places to barter in Europe. Maybe if you are in Eastern Europe, but not in Western Europe unless you are at a car boot sale or flea market.

There is no difference in use of credit cards in Europe and the U.S. In both places smaller stores or B&Bs may not take them, but just about everyone else will. ATMs work the same and are just as common, if not more common here. The only difference you will find is that debit cards usually won't work for purchases here because the technology here, but are still fine for use in ATMs.

Kate

Another reason to use cash for small purchases is that many banks charge a foreign transaction fee for using a credit card abroad. I bank at the Boeing Employees Credit Union, who hardly ever charges fees for ANYTHING, and even they charge a small fee per transaction. So, I'll save my credit card for large purchases, if I make any, and use my ATM to pull cash out weekly for the rest of my expenditures.