Gabe

Taking our parents to the UK plus Ireland, we are not sure about shoes for the Fall(Aug-Sept).. We are not the Doc Marten type [ I like Teva leather sandal-types, but the weather?} Tell us what would be okay for any age group, any weather, we hear tennis shoes are not appropiate, but we hear sandals are not either. None of us can wear "funky three inch heels" but we do want to be comfortbble and "classy"

robbie

Gabe <BR> <BR> I suppose the answer to your shoe dilema depends how much you will be walking. My husband and I went to England, Wales, Republic of Ireland and Scotland. We did miles of walking enjoying sightseeing and enjoying each place for its history, people, food and architecture. The fashionable color in London is black and yes the heels are 3 inches at least. We wore tennis shoes which were comfortable and neat in appearance. There is no way we could have covered the territory we covered without them. It does not matter what you wear as long as your neat and clean. We were in Straford upon the Avon in May and it was a beautiful sunny day and we were dressed no different than the locals who were out enjoying a day by the Avon. Enjoy your vacation wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Your feet will feel much better at the end of the day. <BR> <BR> Robbie

anne

I always wear Aerosoles - great for walking but good-looking also.

Tom Fortin

I just spent several weeks in Ireland and in an earlier life lived in London for over three years. You will need several pair of shoes. At least one set should be waterproof or be able to be treated to repel moisture. In Ireland i had one set of Timberland ACT Prefromance boots, which i waterproofed with nix wax plus a pair of Good jogging shoes. In the winter months a warm shoe is necessary. I used fur lined chucca boots for commuting in London and changed into dress shoes in the office.

jenny

hiking boots or loafers with platform heels are the thing at the moment in glasgow. they're rather comfy once broken in and you'll be fashionable as well.

Kate Woodward

I spent seven months walking in the UK and learned one thing: I should have worn my Nikes. Wear the most comfortable shoes you have (usually athletic shoes) if you plan on walking a lot. I usually wore a trendy looking pair of hiking boots, but my feet ached after 5 - 10 miles of walking each day. The Nikes would have saved me. <BR> <BR>Besides, who cares if you look American in your Nikes? Just be polite, follow the customs of the country, and dress neatly otherwise. People will likely overlook the shoes if you follow those simple rules.

Janis

We spent the month of June in Great Britian and Ireland. Before we left I read losts of posts about dress and how no one worn jeans or tennis shoes. I did take jeans and lots of locals everywhere were in jeans. I took Rockport nubuck hiking/walking shoes. They looked better than althletic shoes and were very comfortable! I walked all over the cobbled streets and hills and felt great at the end of the day. For dressier outfits I took Rockport flats. They are very comfortable and looked good with slacks and a blazer. Easy Spirit has good flats too. I agree with another person that suggested you dress to suit yourself. We saw some of everything. I hope you have a great time, we can't wait to go back next summer.