Carol

Are tennins shoes & jeans acceptable in London? We are women in our 40's.

Beth Anderson

of course. now, if you are talking about going out to a nice resto, that may be a different story. but you can wear jeans anywhere. London is a lot like any big city - anything goes.

Lori

Carol, <BR>I think the answer depends on how well one looks in jeans and whether or not they are not the ragged, beat up kind. I just came back from London and often wore jeans (as well as black or gray pants) and no one looked twice at me. I did not wear white tennis shoes tho (altho we did see people wearing them). Black Easy Spirits do the trick for me. <BR>With my jeans I wore a nice blazer and top. I would not wear them to the theater or nice restuarant however. As for tennis shoes, they get dirty mighty fast - remember it rains a lot. Black just is more practical all the way around. The people that actually live/work in London seem to wear darker colors and dress more formally for work but on weekends we saw all modes of dress. As long as you look neat and well put together I don't think jeans are a problem.

Emily

I, too, am a woman in my 40's. When I have doubts about whether an outfit of jeans and tennis shoes is appropriate, I switch to chinos and a comfortable pair of leather walking shoes (EZ-Spirit, Mephisto, etc.)

elaine

Carol <BR>They are "acceptable" in the sense of not being illegal, but why limit yourself that way? There's nothing that jeans can do for you in London that other items can't do as well or better. <BR>The question of clothing has been very popular in the past week for some reason, so I'm being a bit redundant, but the following is my opinion. <BR>Regarding that controversial topic of appropriate dress for tourists, I will say that I always see many many people of all ages and nationalities (Australian senior citizens, German teens, for example) dressed in jeans, large white sneakers, fanny packs, etc. Do I dress that way myself, no. I am not 17, nor am I going on a mountain hike. Do I manage to dress up just a bit while comfortably walking miles and still feeling that I'm on vacation, yes. In my opinion jeans are heavy, impossible to wash out, and can be replaced by a couple of pairs of cotton or wool pants, depending on the season.They needn't be expensive, you can get them in the Gap, Banana Republic,etc. One silk scarf or necklace can add a little fashion even to a tee shirt, as can a nice cardigan or blazer. Add a comfortable, pair or two of flat or low-heeled shoes, and I'm all set for all but the most formal occasions. That pair of "driving shoes" that you think you want to throw out at home can be perfect for long walks while traveling and getting rained on. You can throw them out if you want to before returning home and save the weight in your suitcase. Again, to each her/his own. Cities like London are cosmopolitan places full of grown-ups who are going to work or otherwise going about their daily business. Not everyone who lives there is "well dressed", but many are, especially in the center of town. You are on vacation and have a right to dress comfortably and more casually than they, but in my way of thinking a little sophistication and respect are not out of place, especially for visitors who will be stopping at churches, restaurants, shops, and museums. You will certainly be treated better if you dress a bit. And in my opinion, sneakers, fanny packs and backpacks single you out even more as a tourist, and therefore a possible target for crime. Yes, people will still know you're a tourist, but you needn't look like an unsophisticated victim.

kelle

Carol, <BR>We just got back from London and saw tons of jeans and tennis shoes. I mean tons! You are, i am assuming, going to be sight seeing. The first to go, are the feet! If you have comfortable shoes, go for it!! You can always go back to your hotel room and change if you want to go out to a fine restaurant for dinner, etc.,. Enjoy yourself, and be comfortable.

colleen

Hi Carol. I had an odd experience wearing jeans in London. I was on the train platform walking up to the 1st class car for a trip to Edinborough. I was stopped by the ticket agent, and without looking at my ticket told me that the 2nd class cars were the other way. He was quite ashamed when he realized that I was a FIRST class passenger, but I feel this gives you some insight as to how jeans are "classed" in London. In my defense, I was 32 yr old wearing a blazer and NEW jeans with black boots. <BR>Food for thought, anyways...

Caitlin

If you plan to go to Harrod's, don't wear jeans. They won't let you in. No kidding--I have an English friend who was turned away for wearing jeans, so it's not a tourist thing. I'm not talking just about the tearoom or restaurants, but about the store itself.

Bob

My wife and I still laugh about the time we were in London with another couple. I walked up to a bouncer at a club to see about getting inside. He looked at our group and said "No jeans,no trainers." My friend asked what were "trainers?". The bouncer pointed at his white tennis shoes. We did not get in. Are tennis shoes acceptable? Everyone knows you are a tourist, so wear what you want to. Have fun.

Lori

I am not sticking up for jeans even tho I wear them on occasion in London - fashionably cut jeans and I am a small person - but I wore them into Harrods and no one looked twice at me. I did have on a nice blazer, sweater,scarf and black raincoat & shoes .. I would imagine if you look like a beat up bum you could be turned away, but if you look respectable no one is going to look twice. Again, if you feel they are not "the thing to do" wear black slacks, I wear them plenty of times as well and that certainly presents no problem. Fanny packs and white tennis shoes are a BIG no-no. There is nothing uglier than a fanny pack - no matter what nationality of tourist wearing it in my opinion. Go, be comfortable, but not sloppy - show respect for where you are, who you are with, etc. If you are polite and show respect it is more important than whether you wear jeans or black pants in the long run. If you really have doubts about how you should dress for a certain place call them ahead of time and ask, i.e. tea at the Ritz. I would not wear jeans to the theater, but have seen people do it, I think common sense is the most practical approach to this question and if you have doubts don't do it. As for those white tennies, like I said before it rains alot in England - they get dirty fast, why bother with them.