Preparing for trip to Rhein Valley, working on clothing to not look like an american tourist

You'll look like a tourist no matter what, just dress in what you are comfortable in.

You are a tourist, and everyone is going to know you're a tourist - there's nothing you can do to change that. And there's no reason to. It's OK. Nobody in the whole world cares what you wear, or cares that you are a tourist - really, nobody. Wear whatever you want.

Cross this off your list of things to worry about.

Bring minimal clothing and buy yourself clothes over in europe.

Almost always the locals will know you are a tourist.

working on clothing to not look like an american tourist

So what nationality of tourist do you want to look like? It will be no secret ( not for long anyway) that you are a tourist; its a loosing battle to keep your tourist status a secret-- devote your energy to enjoying your trip

Any comments on the outerwear that should be worn?

Whatever will keep you warm and dry

Carry a rucksack with a Canadian flag on it in order to not being asked questions about the GPOE (Greatest President on Earth).

Forget trying to look like a local. I lived in Germany for four years and could never achieve that.

Sorry, but be proud to be an American. Posing as a Canadian is ridiculous. Also, we travel to Europe a lot, and while our President has his detractors, you would be surprised by how many don't dislike him. In any event, who is President will not affect how people treat you.

I agree that whatever keeps you warm and dry is fine. I usually just bring my coat I wear at home.

Unless you are planning to be in an office all day, the fact that you will go to tourist attractions will give you away. Not to mention the first time you open your mouth as even if you try to speak German, the locals know your not and will speak English to you.

My advice don't worry-no one will berate you for being American or likely care. If they do, don't mind them. Americans have been in Germany since after WW2 as long as you're polite and spend money you're good.:)

Every culture has a small minority of ignorant or intolerant folks that holds feelings of prejudice toward outsiders. But that group is relatively small in today's diverse Germany, and when I visit, I choose not to alter my American style of dress or my appearance for the benefit of the ignorant or intolerant.

In the Germany of the 70's, old ladies on the bus used to stare at my Converse tennies and Levi's as though I were some sort of Martian. Nowadays they tend to wear the same (or similar.) I look at this fact as partial evidence that they basically like us. Not that they shouldn't. Along with the other Anglos (Aussies, Brits, Canucks) as well as the French and others, we Americans were part of the team that helped loosen the Nazi stranglehold on Europe and make modern Germany possible. Well, at least our parents and grandparents did so. Anyway, they'll recognize us by our monolingualism - or our accents if we know German - no matter what.

It's hard to see why anyone would wear a maple leaf. Germans have no special affection for Canadians over Americans IME. I've never been treated badly in Germany because of my birthplace. I would never wear a maple leaf, or the stars and stripes, or the Union Jack (not that I have any of those to wear in my dresser anyway) to either advertise or hide my nationality, but that is pretty much my only self-imposed apparel guideline - I just don't want to look like an idiot.

It is not totally clear from your post if you are a man or a women. If a woman (and maybe even if you are a guy), where a scarf all the time and you might fool some people.

I agree with what others have stated; you'll be seen as a tourist. But I always end up buying clothes in Europe. I travel very light, and I'd rather buy new stuff than spend time washing clothes on vacation. That being said, you'll have to put time into shopping and learning European sizes, and that may be better spent on something else. Still, it's nice to be able to wear something nice when you get back home and remember where you got it.

A lot of the bigger brands in the USA have become international, just as you see brands like Mephisto and Ecco shoes or Barbour and Burberry jackets.

Are either of the outerwear pieces you mentioned waterproof? I'd go with something that will protect you in rain or snow as well as keep you warm. You don't indicate where you are from, so no idea about cold tolerance. I can get by in N. Idaho with a fleece or puffy vest under a waterproof rain layer but I'm pretty cold tolerant. You'll definitely need a scarf, gloves and hat.

You might also consider something like waterproof hiking boots if you are going to be doing a lot of outside activity. Keen makes nice ones for guys, Ahnu for women. If your athletic shoes are waterproof and you can walk for miles in them, I'd take those. You need to get your shoes soon so you can put some miles on them to make sure they work for you. You also should make shoe choices that will work for your feet - keeping them comfortable is paramount in my opinion.

Your sweater is not going to show to anyone outside your family because when you are out and about you'll likely have your coat on at all times!

Agree with everyone else that you will not blend in but that will not be a problem at all. You'll have a wonderful time just being you!

Anyone who sees you eating off a plate will know you are not European from the way you (probably) handle your knife and fork.

Nobody cares if you look like a tourist. Nobody will charge you extra because you look like a tourist. Nobody will pay any attention to you. I'm a little concerned that you chose this topic for your very first post on this newsboard. Do you need any advice about getting around the Rhein valley?

In the 80's, I was riding a tram in Munich, and an elderly lady asked me to uncross my (fully trousered) legs, because she could see the sole of my (perfectly presentable) men's shoe. "Das ist so schmutzigste ... " is how I remember what she said as she pointed to the shoe. I thought it was ironic, because she was accompanied by a leashed little dog, which is prohibited on most American public transit. And I'm not a pet-person.

Ok. Thanks for the advice. Just don't want to look like an idiot. Sounds like I'm on the right track...now on to other preps.

Unless your wearing a Mickey Mouse jacket and a certain red baseball cap-you won't look like an idiot.

Whether I travel in U.S. or Europe, I try to stay low key so as to not attract too much attention. I wouldn’t wear a MN Vikings T-shirt in Philadelphia and I wouldn’t wear anything obviously “U.S.” In Europe. My kids avoided soccer (football) jerseys and college T-shirts/sweatshirts. However, in the end, they will know you are a tourist and unless you have bad manners they won’t care. In fact, they just might offer assistance or recommendations. I typically have had very friendly interactions with locals at worst, a few times people will be indifferent.

And here’s a hot tip. Along with the raincoat bring a cap with a visor. Wear it with the raincoat. Keeps the rain off your face and it keeps the hood from falling in my face and blocking my vision.

Personally, I think it's way more important that you pack light and dress comfortably. I don't take tennis shoes because the colors of mine (hot pink or white) don't match my travel clothes.

Yes, it sounds like you are on the right track. Gray or black go anywhere, don’t show much dirt, and can be combined with any color scarf. Pam’s advice, to wear the warmest and to pay attention to waterproofing, is right. If you find the wind really ripping along the Rhine, you may choose to buy a hat there. Don’t forget wool socks and wool flatknit sweater, not acrylic.

We always look like tourists. I carry a big camera and lenses. There's no way I'd be mistaken for a local.

We try to act respectful and friendly. We always ask "Sprechen Sie etwas English, bitte?" rather than assume. We have always been treated well and in a friendly manner.

We do have German friends. We went with them to a tapas restaurant where my friend ordered a picture of margaritas. We got it, and it was clearly mostly ice, little drink, and she became irate. She yelled at the server and he brought the next pitcher with much less ice. This was a German woman being ripped off by German servers. It was quite helpful to have her there to dress them down as a local.

Please explain why you don't want to wear tennis shoes when that is what the majority of people all over Europe wear? Jeans too. These are normal clothes as are t-shirts and sweat shirts. People do wear colors here too. Where have you gotten this fashion information? Look at some H&M ads or Zara ads to see what is common.

No problem with wearing white tennis shoes. I wear exactly that, white Nikes.

I would not wear tennis shoes, shorts, or colorful t-shirts in a theatre or a fancy restaurant, but for the usual tourist acitivities, it is fine to look like a tourist...

Chris, these are not tourist clothes. This is how people dress here. Normal Germans, unless they are going to work in an office.

Everyone in Europe wears tennis shoes and jeans.

Tennis shoes might be too cold on the Rhine in December, at least for me. That cold penetrates those rubber soles as you stand on a concrete platform waiting for a train—not practical in winter. And you may end up putting a wool or fur liner in your shoes once you get there. I don’t see them for sale in the States in stores but do in Europe.

As was said by some wise person: "You can always tell Americans. They are bigger than everyone else".

As Rick said: Do you really want to look like a local?

Chris, these are not tourist clothes. This is how people dress here. Normal Germans, unless they are going to work in an office.

Yeah, you are right - poor wording on my end. Though I'd never wear tennis shoes myself :-) But that is a matter of personal taste.

Preparing for trip to Rhein Valley, working on clothing to not look
like an american tourist

I will be wearing neutral colors and no tennis shoes! I have a grey
wool sweater (its actually German, not sure where I got it?) and
buying some walking shoes/boots (dark brown or black) that look more
dressed up with.

Tennis sneakers? Unless you're heading to play on the wonderful clay courts that permeate Germany, why even mention them? I assume you'e not packing a tennis skirt either. :-)

Since you ARE a tourist, from which nation do you prefer to look like? Dress in layers for December in the Rhine valley. Have a warm scarf, lined gloves and a warm coat. Enjoy the Christmas markets.