Womens' Attire

Shorts are ok on the beach, in your own backyard, biking, hiking or on kids. Capris are fine and mostly look great. Beaches are often topless. Tees and tanks are fine; tanks in cities if you have a cover-up for churches and cool weather.

I wouldn't take shorts, you would be fine with capris or cropped pants. As for tops tees, blouses and tanks. If you are wearing a lot of tanks and planning on visiting churches I would take something along with you so you can cover up.

Personally I do not find shorts comfortable to walk around in. I find lightweight pants much more comfortable, and more appropriate. I think ultimately you should wear what you are most comfortable with - you will be recognized as a tourist no matter what - but, your exchange student is correct. I wouldn't say it is "inappropriate" since every city in Europe is full of tourists from all over the world, but it is definitely out of place. If you plan to go into any churches, especially in Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, etc), shorts will not work and you will be either turned away or given something to cover you up. Same for tank tops that show your shoulders. Tank tops are easier to get around because you can pack a light shawl or scarf in your daybag. But I would personally forgo the shorts, unless you really can't stand walking around in pants. Invest in some good lightweight, quick-drying pants (aka, not jeans, not 100% cotton), and you should be Ok.

A good read of Rick's Europe through the Back Door book is a great help for those tips and tricks that can make you stand out the most.

I sometimes take one pair of longer length city shorts, if I think I may be in country or hiking. In cities ( London, Paris, Rome etc) I do not wear shorts, I wear skirts or sundresses, they are cooler and easy care types and I think a better choice then shorts for city visits.

Some relatives of mine went to Germany & Austria in the summer and wore shorts. They felt totally out of place, and wished someone had warned them. (Duh, Rick did!) They're both heavy, and even said two men pointed and laughed at them!

Oh boy, here we go again. "Let's get ready to rumble!"

Even on my very first trip to Europe, in 1976, I only wore shorts at the beach or when we were hiking in Switzerland (it was HOT)

Now at 56 years old, I take capri pants to wear. I also pack one skirt...it's fun to wear a loose skirt on hot days, and nice to have something to change into for dinner out.

I've taken 2 pairs of capri pants for a 2 week trip. I wear nice t-shirts that I've collected from JCrew, Banana Republic, with cute patterns/designs on them, as well as a few solid colored ones. I don't wear tank tops personally. I bring 1-2 light cotton sweaters to layer and change the look. (you'll see women with sweaters over their shoulders worn to accent their outfit, like a scarf)

Thinking back on my trips, I tend to wear the clothing I use for casual business. My foot wear is sleek Puma shoes that have arch support and one pair of Chaco sandals with black webbing.

I've also heard leggins are back in style in Europe (as I see they are here, too). What does everyone think about capri leggins with a long tunic tee (almost short dress length)? I saw this outfit at J Jills and it looked really easy to pack and comfy.

I wore bermuda shorts several days in Vienna last summer and never felt out of place.

Thanks Laurie! I have had that question floating around here.....my twenty somethings think Rick's suggestions are mostly for the older (35 up) crowd....I need some quidance on what IS acceptable. They were told leggings and capris are OK? With a skirt (say, black or beige) as a dress up if a shift is not available. They wear long tops or fancy T-shirt/blouses and scarves. What kind of sweater or jacket do you ladies bring in late Spring?

I wore shorts in July in Provence a few years ago and did not feel out of place. I didn't wear them visiting churches and wouldn't wear them in Paris but for small town touring in hot weather, they were fine. And it was hot!

no one over the age of 22 looks good in shorts. no one. in any country. why wear them? skirts are so much cooler, more comfortable, and look better. dresses are even better--no need to coordinate tops and bottoms. perfect for the light packer! and perfect for the budget traveler--stores like tj max, ross, marshalls etc. have lovely summer dresses for under $25.

Susan - the 20-somethings can get away with more than the older crowd. Really, if you follow Rick's guidelines and have them wear khakis and collared shirts (for the men) they would look somewhat odd, unless that is the kind of person they are in general. Young people world wide wear jeans, teeshirts of varying casualness & flipflops.

Having said that, the European 20 somethings tend to be slightly more dressed up under certain circumstances. If they intend to go "clubbling" they may not be let in with flip flops and torn jeans. And they won't be wearing pajama pants in the airports (like I often see large groups of American teens doing).

And the church "dress code" thing depends on what country you are in. I am only aware that a dress code exists in Italian churches - knees and shoulders must be covered for BOTH men and women (including all but the youngest children). My young adult children wore jeans, capris, knee length skirts. The girls carried sweaters/scarves to put on top when they entered.

Skimpier clothing can be an attention getter, though you'll see LOTS of shorts at the beach, hiking - in other words, places where you'd usually wear shorts. I always ask my kids to bring their somewhat nicer clothes because we do like to go to nicer restaurants and they wear pretty much the same thing to go to dinner in Paris as they would dinner in NYC. Dinner on the coast of Sicily was much more casual.