4kqS4girl

Greetings!

My boyfriend and I (along with both of our mothers!) will be taking about a 2 week holiday all though Scotland (with a week + in northern Scotland and the Orkney Islands) departing from the U.S. Sept 25. We're early 30-somethings and our moms are early 60-somethings. I've researched and realize that October isn't shorts, flip flop, and t shirt weather in Scotland. At the same time, being restricted to one suitcase makes it impossible to pack an "outfit per day"...which might be useful when we get soaked with rain.

Looking to pack a lot of light clothing I was wondering if "athletic" apparel is acceptable on a tour, at visitor hot-spots, in pubs, etc. By this I mean, Adidas or Nike track pants, jogging pants, yoga pants, etc. with a sweatshirt, hoodie, or long sleeve t shirt or fleece vest. This type of clothing can be layered and dries quickly when in rain, and I can pack a lot of pairs space-wise. While this type of look is common and acceptable over here, I don't want to look like the slovenly American. I plan on packing a pair or two of khakis and Jeans as well, but due to knee problems, I will be wearing supportive sneakers for the most part. (And packing multiple pairs in case they get soaked with rain!).

We will be having dinners mostly in our hotels and local pubs, so ritzy dining isn't really an issue. I just wasn't sure what's "acceptable" in Scotland, but comfort is waaay more important than fashion...

I'd love to hear any opinions you might have as this is our first trip to Europe. Thanks in advance for any insight you may provide.

historytraveler

First of all, I don't think you really need to plan on an outfit per day. Yes, it rains in Scotland, but sensible clothes usually dry over night or within a 48 hour period. Heated towel bars in some hotels are perfect for drying clothes.

Athletic wear will be fine for your outings as will the addition of jeans /khakis for dinner. No more than two pairs of sneakers. You'll do just fine with what you have planned...just don't over pack. You won't likely get drenched every day

janisj

"<i>October isn't shorts, flip flop, and t shirt weather in Scotland.</i>" <U>July</U> isn't shorts/flip flop/t-shirt weather in Scotland.

"<i>At the same time, being restricted to one suitcase makes it impossible to pack an "outfit per day"...which might be useful when we get soaked with rain.</i>"

No matter the type of trip -- one doesn't need to pack an outfit per day. Take layers and something waterproof and two pairs of shoes. Should all fit in a 21 inch carry on. Don't worry - on a tour you can wear what ever you want. However, they do often include one "dress up-ish" night. Either a ceilidh or a final farewell dinner. For that you'd want a nice cardigan or blouse, maybe even a skirt. You won't need to really dress up though.

hsv

Will you get kicked out of a pub if you wear track pants or other athletic apparel? Hardly.
Can anyone forbid you wearing athletic apparel when sightseeing? Definitely not.
Does wearing athletic apparel when sightseeing or going to a pub or even dining in a restaurant (sic!) - be it the hotel's or another - display good taste? I definitely do not think so.

I do subscribe to your view that comfort during holidays is very important - but I'd be much more comfortable wearing a somewhat civilised attire of jeans combined with a shirt for nights out and possibly a t-shirt for sight-seeing during the day when in a city.
If you go hiking, I think athletic apparel would be fine. Athletic apparel has been designed for a purpose and it is best worn on occasions for which it has been designed.

Cowboy1968

There are tons of water-proof/ gore-tex sneakers. You will usually find them in the hiking and not the running section of your sporting goods store, though.

I would not want to be seen in a central London (or Edinburgh) pub in sweatpants.

But you will find that athletic apparel is omni-present once you go beyond the more fashionable areas, and especially out in the country. The less ritzy the neighborhoods or villages get, the more you wonder if the young folks (i.e. under 40) do own anything else but track suits and trainers.

Gordon_R

Generally, nobody gives two hoots what you wear, but there are some pubs/clubs with specific rules against people in tracksuits etc. Parts of Scotland do have problems of anti-social behaviour associated with the local ned contingent, who are well known for their penchant for sportswear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_(Scottish)

You do not want to be mistaken for a ned believe me!

nona1

hoodies are banned in some shopping centres (malls) as they are associated with young thugs over here (although it's a bit unfair to assume all teenagers wearing them are), but whether they'll ignore that rule if worn by innocent looking adults, I don't know.

alanRow

Don't know about you, but most of my clothing dries within a couple of hours - the only exception is jeans which take forever and a day.

Rather than looking like some member of the underclass why not buy some wool mix trousers and some decent tee-shirts. Then above that wear a fleece and/or waterproofs.

They'll be as cheap as sportswear and you'll be able to wear them during the day or in the evening

suze

I think athletic wear is OK for the plane ride and lounging around your hotel. I wouldn't wear it out, unless you are doing athletic activities. There's nothing about it that's more practical than "regular" clothes. You don't need an outfit for every day. Just a couple that you rotate.

sheila

You'll be fine with what you're proposing. No-one will mind. Have a change for the slightly smarter occasion, that's all.

4kqS4girl

Thanks all for the replies! I wasn't planning on 12 days worth of "outfits" but will be rotating. My BF will be happy that some trackpants are acceptible, but we will be sure to mix it in with jeans, khakis, etc. Again, I appreciate all of your worldy insight.