Am I wearing walking shorts in Provence-July?
 

I have been to Paris several times and always dressed nicely. My impression of Provence is more of a European vacation destination? Thus, are others wearing shorts? I am a carry-on traveler and want my wardrobe to reflect the area I am touring. We will be in the Luberon region for 6+ days the first half of July. I don't want to be sweltering in pants if everyone around me is carefree in shorts. Keep in mind , I am referring to mid length shorts with blouses/tops NO vests or fannypack. ( although you might be interested to know "fanny packs" are all the rage with hip college aged people in San Diego!!) I have traveled major European cities in summers past, but didn't wear shorts because we were in metropolitan areas. I know this is an annoying post. Forgive me.

how about a dress,skirt or capris?

We were just there for the second time last summer, and I was most comfortable in skirts and capris. Skirts in particular are cool in the heat. If you go to the boutiques and markets, you can find some very cute clothing that is reasonably priced and very comfortable. My "European" clothes were the ones I most enjoyed wearing there.

BTW, I don't think your post was annoying. I like to travel with only carry-on as well, and you don't want to bring anything you won't want to wear when you get there!

I've seen more women wearing capris than walking shorts, but honestly no one cares what anyone's wearing, EXCEPT for the dreaded fanny packs!

IMO a better question would be, "Is anybody going to care what I wear besides me?"

Seriously, we keep being told that shorts aren't worn in Europe just as "tennis shoes" and denim aren't being worn there, either.

I hear you all and appreciate timely responses, as we are leaving in a week and a half. I will nix the shorts and pack the capris/dresses/skirts. I always prefer to be on the balance toward dressed up rather than dressed down. I am very excited to venture into yet another part of Europe! Plus, wine and vineyards. Speaking of that any favorites in or within 30 minutes of the Luberon? Love suggestions! We don't even have a flight back to San Diego yet....we may have to stay?!

I think good quality walking or other shorts (dark denim or black) are completely acceptable while touring the Luberon in summer. Capris are good too, but nice shorts are fine.

I am taking my dreaded fanny pack to the south of France and Portugal next month. It's convenient for me, as I want to be "hands free", and the particular one I have has some security features that I find handy.

Women of a certain age( like me) are more likely to be wearing skirts and sundresses.. casual ones.. not dressy.. light cotton types.. I personally do not find shorts cool.. so I tend to pack skirts and dresses myself.. but definitely not dressy ones.

Even in Paris people wear shorts when it is warm. It is warm at the moment and there are tons of people wearing shorts -- the moment Parisians get back from work, they rip off their work clothes and get comfortable.

Too bad you are a carry-on traveler. Hope you have planned some of your vacation time in the laundromat or where you are staying has clothes washing facilities. The temps in Provence so far this year have been very hot (over 100F some days), plan on frequent change of clothes. Nobody cares what anyone wears, no need to wear dark or black shorts either, any colour will do.

Some indication of your age and weight might help us give an appropriate answer. Also, what sort of person are you? Do you like to appear stylish, or casual?

I suggest you focus on the material rather than the shape. The trick is wear linen. Shorts are very acceptable.

I too like lightweight packable skirts and find them cooler than shorts for travel. Also sundresses with built in bras are fantastic in the heat.

I am in Provence this week on holiday with the family, based just outside of St. Remy. I packed cotton/linen blend bermuda shorts, and on our first full day here was so miserable (temperatures are around 30°) that I bought two linen cap-sleeve dresses at our first market visit and have been wearing them alternately all week. I'm a 5'7" 40-something and around 130 pounds, and by late morning found the heat and sticky clothes to be unpleasant. DH has been wearing cotton twill shorts and either polos or lightweight button downs and seems to be doing just fine. Of course, we retire to our villa and spend the afternoon in the pool, so it all works.

That said, I have seen it all this week. Jeans, Daisy dukes, sun dresses, biking clothes, shorts of all lengths and man-pris. On people of all ages, no less.

I have traveled major European cities in summers past, but didn't wear shorts because we were in metropolitan areas.>

Many many Europeans wear shorts when visiting European cities - when they travel they often wear shorts though they may not at home when going to work, etc.

Shorts have been very common in warm enough cities for years - so in the countryside it is just a non-issue as it is in cities. I've worn shorts in all cities if warm enough and no one bats an eyelash.

The myth that Europeans don't wear shorts when tourists or frown on them is just that and has been for many years. Italians seem to wear them more than other when traveling out of their country.

To wear shorts or not anywhere outside is a non issue today and has been for a few decades.

Here's a newsflash: the attitude towards wearing shorts has shifted dramatically in the past several years. Shorts in the summer are everywhere now, even among the locals, in both France and Italy. Especially popular are cotton cargo shorts in pale colors. Nike is huge now. I've never seen more white and yellow tennis shoes on the feet of young locals as I do now.

Don't expect to see this trend among the elderly. They still tend to dress in public with an eye towards traditional custom. However, the elderly are not coping well with the intense heat.

But among the youth: global warming is very much on their minds and at the front of discussion, and heat waves of recent years have alarmed many. No one in their right mind would suggest that anyone suffer while trying to endure the heat of summer, local or tourist.

And word is, the heat is only going to get worse.

I don't expect anyone anywhere in the world notices me or what I'm wearing, but I don't wear shorts at home, and I don't wear them when traveling, either. I wear skirts and sundresses and capris, but wear what you want.

I think "fannypacks" are ludicrous-looking and an invitation to theft.

Thank you for the input. I have been in Italy when it was in the 90s and believe it or not London! I have packed one linen dress and 2 linen tops...I think I will go buy a few more. I live in San Diego, thus have many warm weather clothes. We are late planners due to booking tickets with miles and just decided this past weekend we were going to Provence/French Rivera.
@chartley-I dress stylish/more than casual. I am 46, 5'10" and around 145lb.

Any favorite lightweight breathable clothing brands suggestions welcome?
Shoes....? Sandals....Mephistos?....Flats?

Thank you. Tina

Capris? Uh, OK. I haven't seen capris worn by anyone under 70 in I don't know how long, either in Europe or in the US, but to each his own. And I certainly don't consider them dressier or more stylish than Bermuda shorts!

The question of whether skirts and dresses are more comfortable in the heat is one of personal preference, and one which surely the OP can decide for herself.

It's never a good idea to wear brand new shoes on vacation!