capris

Yes she will stick out. Lightweight breathable black pants are the best way to go for women in Germany. My wife brings a pair and wears a pair.

I guess she'll have to go shopping again! Thanks for your advice.

Tell your wife to bring her capris if she wishes, I agree black pants are a must,I took some to Paris in August,, but, I also took and wore my capris, and I did not stick out at all. They are perfect day wear when it is nice weather, but they wouldn't be my choice in the evening.

Just returned 2 weeks ago. Capris are being sold and worn everywhere. Especially, the capris with pockets, ties and gathers--cargo style. Your wife is right--capris are good for several variations in the weather. They're comfortable and breathable. Have fun!

Wife here...thanks for the replies. We leave in FIVE days, yikes! I was going to bring white athletic shoes (broken in) but I have read white athletic shoes scream American! I guess maybe I am being paranoid with the recent terrorists being arrested in Germany. I'll bring them anyway in case my feet need a break. Any suggestions on good walking shoes that might work with black pants? We will be there 2 weeks and I am trying to do it all with just my carry on so loading up with shoes is not going to work. Thanks for your help, this site is priceless.

Larissa, whatever shoes we wear, we are easily identified as, first, tourists, and, then, Americans (as soon as we open our mouths).

White sneakers do seem to be part of the sterotyped image of Americans, but I'd trade being stereotyped for sore feet and blisters any day.

Dark or black sneakers are just as comfortable, and I've always thought they are reasonably common in Europe. Spend some time looking at shoes while you're there and I think you'll see plenty of local sneakers.

When I was in Central Europe this summer, it seemed like all of the women were wearing capris. I say, "If it's warm, wear capris; if it is cooler, wear black pants."

White sneakers do scream American. Try to find something else although I did wear my sneakers when I knew I would be doing a lot of walking.

Bonjour Larissa,
Do you leave on the 12th? We leave on the 15th and will be there just over 3 weeks...Yay!

Re: shoes....I have a pair of black nubuck Rockports that are very comfortable and don't stand out as much as white sneakers/tennies. I take them when I know I might be doing more hiking such as the more strenuous trails of the Cinque Terre or if I were to hike more mountainous regions. This time they're staying home and I'm only taking 2 pair of Danskos....wearing my clogs on the flight and taking a new pair of Dansko "Raleighs" sandals to dress up a bit. (I wear a pair of black pants, take a pair of black pants and one black dress. Because the weather is so unpredictable this time I'm taking 1 long sleeve top, 1 3/4 sleeve silk sweater (very light weight) and 3 tank tops. Also silk long johns....a camilsole and capris. What I pack depends on who's going with me and where we're going but I actually pack lighter than Rick's packing list! Hope this helps! Bon voyage!

Don't worry that looking like an American is going to put a terrorist bullseye on your back. That's really not the case. Looking like a local is all about trying to blend in to the crowd so that the locals treat you like a local rather than a tourist. I love it when people come up to me in Germany and speak to me in German. It happens all the time. Even store owners and restaurant staff treat you with a little more respect when they can't label you as a tourist on first impression. The only real safety threat for looking like a tourist in Europe is the scam artists and pickpockets. They target tourists. I can't say that I've ever heard of an American tourist in Europe being hassled by terrorists.

thank you, thank you, no...danke, danke to all.

thanks especially to Darcy who gave me possible brands that would be most comfortable and a place to start with packing lightly.

I really appreciate everyone's help, I hope someday I can be answering posts and helping someone else with my experience.

Gute Reise!

Think Comfort, comfort, and more comfort. That's how I pack when travelling to Europe. This past trip, I wore my Nike walking/running shoes (very American looking). They're broken in and have lots of cushioning. My "dogs" were still barking after several days of walking in Rome. I even wore those shoes with my skirt at the Vatican. I take flip flops for breakfast in the morning. In an emergency, I can always buy another pair of shoes in Europe. Five days until you leave--how exciting!

Thanks Denise! I'm was getting so stressed about the shoes/capri thing that I was driving my husband crazy. I think I'm going to do what I was thinking of doing originally but adding a pair of black pants and nicer shirt/blouse, which means probably another pair of shoes....AAARRGH hope I have room for underwear :-)