I vote no to jeans!

Hiho yourself back in your hole.

Hiho yourself back in your hole.

Are you a man or woman? Here's my advice. My husband brought his jeans and was comfortable and at ease in them, it was a good decision. I did not bring jeans, but favored long comfortable skirts that could go from daytripping into a nice restaurant. I think it's easier for women to do without, but if you are a woman and are most comfortable in jeans than bring them. Parisians wear jeans, the difference is that most Europeans look good in whatever they are wearing, manage to make it look stylish always. Skip sweatshirts, tennis shoes and baseball caps.

Wear a thong, a baseball cap, and a big pair of white sneakers!

I'm in the no jeans camp, but not because they're some sort of horrifying fashion statement (because they're not) and not because it's somehow insulting to Europeans if somebody wears them (because it's not), and not because only skinny people should be allowed to wear them (because that's just ridiculous).

I don't take jeans because they are heavy and bulky, so a thrash to pack. And they're also a thrash if you need to dry them (got caught in the rain) or wash them.

Therese you go girl! My opinion exactly.

Don't wear jeans. They fit so tightly that you will have trouble stuffing food from the breakfast buffet into the pockets.

The problem (for me) with jeans is: 1)they are made from cotten and are hard to dry "over the hotel towel rack", 2) I am trying to pack light so I just take the dress up stuff, and 3) I don't wear my jeans outside of yard work or just being around the house even at home.
Having said that, I don't feel offended by seeing my Am. peers wearing whatever they feel like wearing in Europe (or Asia). But PLEASE take off your baseball caps when sitting down to dine in a rist. Thanks much, M.

Why doesn't anyone want to wear silk pants in Spring and Summer? They look nice, dry quickly, and are not bulky.
I bring washable silk pants and blouses and wear them over silk/cotton sleevless tops. Not good for hiking, but I am usually in cities and small towns anyway.

I wear black denims at home for grocery shopping, errand running, etc. in the colder 7-8 months of the year. As soon as it's mild enough, my off-duty time is spent in shorts and shorter skirts. When we travel, we're going someplace with a shorts-able climate/weather pattern. I wear convertible pants on the flight, take a pair of somewhat dressier lightweight cotton blend slacks if I'm anticipating the need for them, and maybe a lightweight, low-wrinkle skirt or two, along with some shorts. I don't travel with jeans because they weigh too much, take forever to dry, and are way too warm for me in a "vacation" locale.
ja

I invented Jeans

I'm so embarrassed to participate in this that I won't even use my initials. What about skirt lengths for adult women? I'm still wearing mid-calf length. Will I appear to be gauche in Paris or Milan? (Well actually I will even with the correct length, but answer anyway.) and, is there the slightest chance that European women might still be wearing denim skirts? I own six. Thanks.

All skirt lenghths are ok. I bought one ankle lenthgh. Alot of longer denim skirts were in all the shops with many styles. Short pants(capri, flared, whatever) were everywhere. I bought a floral. The important thing is quality and a put together look. Linin is what I like for pants in the warmer climates. You can drip dry them lay them flat with no wrinkles. You will be out of place in hot climates in black
as you know it will draw the sunner and be uncomfortable.

Jeans are acceptable all over the world. But if you are really adventurous, you can do what I did last year when I was in Paris....you can wear pink dungarees, a Hawaiian shirt, keds sneakers, and a gilligan hat! I thought I would stick out like a sore thumb, but nobody gave me a second look! So much for Paris and fashion!


http://hometown.aol.com/brooklynboy59/index.html
http://hometown.aol.com/brooklynboy59/myhomepage/poetry.html

Oh no, not this again!

fashion, are you sure? I'm thrilled. When were you there and in which cities did you see long denim skirts?

The poster is correct. All the boutiques are showing longer stylish denim skirts.

Jeans are thick and heavy to pack. They are also not the most comfortable thing to wear. Europeans do wear jeans, including Parisians. However, they are often not travelling - they are natives.

Comfortable pants made of thin fabric or comfortable skirts made of thin fabric. Microfleece hooded jacket that is light to keep you warm in case it is cold.

Try to pack some microfiber pants. Jeans take forever to dry.

Thanks Frosty for digging this old post up. We needed another go around on apparel. Yuk!

Jeans are an essential in anyone's wardrobe, virtually every designer does jeans, just goes to show how ignorant you really are about European trends!

Americans will always look like, er, Americans, wonder why that is! Stop being ashamed, you can never look anything but, so get used to it.

Besides, dear, who the hell is looking at "Hiho"? Not one single person, wear a black binliner, Raf Simons has used them to make blouson jackets, I suggest you forgo the tailoring, and just pop one on, yashmak style. You can be naked underneath, you can be dresed by Chanel, but this saves you having to worry about being constantly hounded by onlookers.

Can Americans not understand that Europe has smart places, and ultra not smart (lower than casual) places just like their native country? This concept is easier to grasp than the theory of relativity, perhaps not?

My advice is... Go get yourself some huge XXL binliners.

I think I got it, m_k was denied US sitizenship !!!

I have not been denied either "sitizenship " or citizenship; hard to be denied something that one hasn't applied for.

That is what you saying. I saw your application.

If you say so dear.

People who are critical of other's use of English or make comments about citizenship, shouldn't travel. Stay at home and wear your baseball cap backwards.

i say go w/ what the environment dictates. i use cargos everywhere but england where i use jeans because of the wind. for that reason when ever i am in san fran i also where jeans. jeans really help keep the wind out. but they are heavy to walk in compartively.

I love my beat-up pair of faded Diesel blue jeans. They're among the most comfortable slacks I own. If you aren't too fat and have a fit and toned body, the right pair of jeans can be very comfortable and fashionable, especially when worn with a great pair of shoes and a funky jacket. Dressing your body is such a fun way to creatively express yourself. I wish more people weren't so afraid of this art form.

But, when you have idiots like Cojo, Carson, Hall, and Rivers calling so many shots, no wonder people run to Dockers (or their nearest vomitorium).

I think like Food S. says, it is not so much what you are wearing but how you wear it and what is in it.

But as an American, I really don't think we should worry about it very much, some of the strangest ill-fitting outfits are worn by many other nationalities, too.

BTW, I just washed my black cotton pants in my apartment in Positano and the darn machine took forever, the water turned boiling and shrunk my poor pants until the top of my feet show! I didn't fully realize it until I saw my reflection in a window and now realize the horrible fact that fashionistas are probably ignoring me now as I am obviously beneath their notice as I wander around Sorrento.

Oh, well, having fun anyway!

The secret to Italian washing machines is to cut the wash cycle in half. Who needs all those numbers? My goodness, couldn't you tell hot (red) from cold (blue). Never wash anything on hot in Italy, unless you get hair dye on the bathroom towels.

Hmmm, my machine only has rain drops to distinguish cycles, I put it on about three drops but maybe the lightening bolt would have been a sign.

I could actually see them shrinking and could do nothing about it, maybe it will become a new style.

Hot or cold? Can't you choose something in between?

Once in a London laundermat a pair of my husband's part-polyester pants melted.

"Besides, dear, who the hell is looking at "Hiho"? Not one single person, wear a black binliner, Raf Simons has used them to make blouson jackets, I suggest you forgo the tailoring, and just pop one on, yashmak style. You can be naked underneath, you can be dresed by Chanel, but this saves you having to worry about being constantly hounded by onlookers."

Surely that post proves m_kingdom is a woman? I have no idea what she is talking about.

I don't know why I didn't realize this before. The answer to every travel question is another question.
******What would Rick Steves do?******

OK, your question is weather or not to wear jeans, not how long they take to dry and how they pack. With that said, consider a quote I once read. It goes, "It's not necessarily what you wear but how you wear it." I say wear jeans. I wear jeans w/black Blundstone boots which are very, very comfortable but also "cool" looking.
Voila!

Since the original post was written over 2 years ago and seemed (to me at any rate) to be a tongue-in-cheek dig at the Fodors Fashion Police of the day, how come some people still feel compelled to give a serious answer to Hiho, whoever he or she was?

Oh, the more it changes............

Just another thought - I've traveled since the 60's, all over the globe, and continue to pack according to my 'rule of 3.' 3 colors (usually black, white and red), 3 short sleeve shirts or tops, 3 long sleeve shirts, 3 bottoms (choose from slacks, skirts, jeans depending upon destination - you can't hike in silk slacks), 3 'overs' - (jacket, sweater, coat), 3 scarves for dressup, 3 underpants and bras, plus 1 slip and 1 multifunctional dress (dress it up or down with any of the above). This has worked for me for a long time, and as I get older, it's even more important because it isn't too heavy to lug around - a serious issue for us older folk.

Everything coordinates - yes, sometimes the blacks don't quite match, but that's really not an issue. Everything washes and dries quickly and easily - don't you love the new fabrics!?!

But, no matter what you pack, you can't hide your nationality from the locals. Why would you want to? They don't care, so why should you? So, don't worry about it. Just put something on, get out there, and have a good time!

I've been putting together a travel wardrobe that's lightweight and easy to pack, but I end up wearing them all the time, as the clothes are so versatile and comfortable. I carry 4 pairs of black cotton blend slacks, with two matching cardigans, several long sleeved tops, in different colors, and a couple short sleeve ones in case it should turn warm. Also, a long, black skirt and a black travel dress, which I love, from Travel Smith -- made of Supplex, so hanging it in a steamy shower takes care of the wrinkles. Having all my pants and skirt in black gives me a lot more options -- everything goes together. I do add a scarf at the neck, which dresses things up a bit. I have two pairs of walking shoes and one pair of flats for dress --all in black. This works well for me. I agree with the people who said jeans are just too heavy, but I'm not comfortable in them, anyway, and don't wear them at home. Although I love seeing the new fashions on my daughters-in-law, I don't pay much attention to them, personally. I just care that I have something appropriate, comfortable and easy to pack.

Best,
Sandy

And on and on it goes. Hiho has no doubt taken several trips since this was posted, may have even gained or lost weight and that wardrobe has been replaced. Hiho has probably now gained the expertise to pack without advice, so please no more additions to a two year old post!