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The wardrobe wars are over

I've taken 3 trips to Europe recently (not a humble brag) and people are wearing whatever they want. Within reason of course, you're not seeing halter tops or hot pants (from either gender). Just watch a few of those "a walking tour of ..." insert city name here videos and you'll see. Every city has multiple outlets of Zara and H&M and sometimes Benneton, so if they sell it you'll see it being worn. Everyone young and old and local and tourist wears jeans, so it's not a major concern unless you're planning an upscale trip in which case dark colored chino type pants and a sweater will work. I'm old enough to remember feeling somewhat naked without a sport coat, believe me those days are ancient history. The only reason to do that now is for the pockets.

The one suggestion I would make is lay off the clothing that is covered in logos or has very large logos. If that was "in" for a time, it's "out" now. Apparently this is partly due to the show "Succession" where people noticed that the rich were not flaunting their richness with outrageous branding, even though their outfits sometimes cost more than small cars.

Also go easy on the branded baseball caps, they are not nearly as prevalent as over here. I found a logoless cap at H&M that did the trick for me.

Posted by
7982 posts

As for the baseball caps, phred, the last 2 years have had tons of locals, mostly young women, wearing caps with NY Yankee logos. Problem is, they’re never Yankee dark blue. Red, pink, whatever, but not authentic or accurate colors. Italy and Norway were awash in them.

No New York Mets caps to be found, anywhere in Europe.

Posted by
5550 posts

No New York Mets caps to be found, anywhere in Europe.

Europeans aren't wearing Yankee caps because they support the team, they're wearing them because the logo has become iconic when it comes to baseball caps. Hardly anyone in Europe has any interest in baseball and I suspect many of those wearing Yankee caps will have no idea about the team or the sport. It's therefore no surprise not to see any NY Met caps or other baseball teams. Baseball caps in Europe are worn simply as an accessory rather than to show support for a team.

Posted by
205 posts

Was in Barcelona 2 weeks ago, plenty halter tops and hot pants. Not that there is anything wrong with that....

Posted by
4624 posts

Also go easy on the branded baseball caps, they are not nearly as
prevalent as over here.

??, But you said:

I've taken 3 trips to Europe recently (not a humble brag) and people
are wearing whatever they want.

Out of curiosity, I went to the Team stores for 3 soccer teams, Lazio in Rome, Paris St Germain in Paris and Arsenal in London. All 3 have logoed ball caps.

Posted by
4871 posts

Allan you're right, I passed by several Foot Locker stores and they were selling branded caps. Especially Yankees caps in non-standard colors as others have noted, but I saw few of them being used in the wild. Just my observation.

I do find it odd that for short-term gains a team will willingly give up its brand equity in its team color, which they only spend years and millions of dollars establishing. The first time I saw a red Yankees cap I went wait a minute, that is the color of their arch rivals in Bahston.

Posted by
4624 posts

The first time I saw a red Yankees cap I went wait a minute, that is
the color of their arch rivals in Bahston.

I never thought of that, but you're right. It will be a cold day in Heck before I wear the orange and blue combo of the Edmonton Oilers, and hopefully a colder day that the Calgary Flames would actually put their logo on those colours.

Posted by
259 posts

Regarding sports coats, I think a lot of your decision depends on your plans and time of year and what location/events might dictate. I wouldn't bring one on a trip to Greece in the summer, but would certainly bring one or even a suit to Munich or Vienna if I was going to the opera, any time of the year. The crowds are dressy there, though you'll see more casual attire too. I'd bring a sports coat to NYC if I was there in the fall and seeing some theater.

Posted by
1018 posts

I agree with Todd. Just got back from France. DH took sports coat and wore it a few time in Paris for dinner. Wore it twice in Nice. But weather was cool in the evening. Went to Italy in May 2022 and
Wore it once. Wouldn’t have taken it in the summer.

Posted by
2689 posts

We are in our mid 50's and the last time my husband took a sport coat with him for vacation was in 2001. It is funny, he absolutely hates wearing anything branded even here at home. He recently needed new shoes for when he is in clinic and he refused to wear anything with a brand, so found something on Amazon and he said they are super comfy etc and there is no name on them anywhere. Ok, I take it back, his jeans are all Levi's, but that is all he has ever worn, lol. The only time you will fine us in a ball cap is at a ball game, or sometimes hiking, but we usually just stick to sunglasses. No brands on those either.

I often will look, and giggle at my clothes. Not bragging, but I often get compliments on what I wear, but do a mesh mash of where it all comes from and often times it is Costco. My bra's are the most expensive thing on me. The one item I have that is branded and that I swear by though is my Longchamp totes. Those are my daily purses and I have home in many colors. I like that the branding on it is very small and you pretty much have to know what it is. I just like how functional they are, and durable.

Posted by
5235 posts

If an event is casual enough to not require a suit, either a sports coat or blazer would suffice. Oddly enough, most blazers look a little more sporty than a regular sports coat.

Posted by
741 posts

So what is a sports coat then please?
And have never thought of a blazer as remotely 'sporty'....
Very confussed

Posted by
741 posts

Ahh ok, that makes sence. This side of the pond I think I would just say a jacket, a tweed jacket for example. Dont really hear people saying a sports coat

Posted by
4871 posts

i think these days a classy cardigan or pullover in a dark color can substitute for a sport coat.

Posted by
1531 posts

Caro, to add more confusion, we also use the word blazer in women's fashion, especially if the skirt or slacks worn w it are not an exact match

Posted by
5550 posts

The first time I heard of a sport coat was via this forum. I had never heard the phrase before and the term conjures up images of a sports jacket, i.e. something to wear whilst playing sport rather than a smart jacket. No idea why the word sport is used because no-one would be playing any sport whilst wearing one.

Posted by
1305 posts

something to wear whilst playing sport rather than a smart jacket.

I think it would refer to a tweed jacket you might wear shooting. That sort of thing.

Posted by
114 posts

Fun fact: the New York Yankees logo was designed at Tiffany and Co!

Posted by
510 posts

Mikliz97 "often times it is Costco"

Me, too. My new favorite travel sweaters---merino wool at $20 each. Took 2 on the last trip, bought the 3rd color when I got home---less than a quarter of the cost of the unused REI one that I just returned. Last week on my trip to myhomeandnativeland, I found 3 different colors to add to my travel stash. We always visit Costco when we go to Vancouver area, and this time we hit 3. I also love the Made in Canada supima cotton t-shirts, and travel pants.

Thanks for the post, Phred.