rhean

Read some of the other recommendations for attire in Europe but have a very basic question.
I've been told you do not wear white in Europe. Is that true? Is White out of place in Europe?
Thanks for the other tips such as no shorts and Vatican proper attire.

Christina

This is one of the most bizarre things I've ever heard, who told you this and why?

Wear whatever you want in terms of colors, there are no color police in Europe. White things may show a little more dirt, of course, so I wouldn't wear white to a place that was dusty and had a lot of red dirt in particular (some parts of Spain and southern France were like that where I've been), but this is just a laundry issue. I often take some kind of white top with me, a sleeveless knit top or something as it is fresh-looking in summer, and goes with everything. I don't take white pants but I don't really own any. I've certainly seem women wearing white capris or jeans in Europe, though.

I gather this is due to some threat of some kind, if you do someone is going to attack you or what on earth is this admonition about?

kerouac

Come as you are.

ribeirasacra

I live in Spain and have just been to a mass for the patronal saint . I am not a catholic but the others are and I saw all sort of dress types in the mass.
Shorts trainers, black clothes,off the shoulder tops for women above the knee length skirts for woman. Younger men wearing short.
The only one dress as I would have expected was the priest. But as we were early even he was not totally "in dress code"-
I did not take any photos out of respect.
Your question does raise another question.Where in Europe are you going? Every country is different. We are not one Europe despite what one may hear of certain news broadcasts.

LSky

Was the person who told you this a regular traveler? I avoid white for vacations because it's hard to keep clean, I don't want to spend anymore time on laundry then I have to while I'd rather be enjoying a new place.

White is fine but it's not practical for travel. IMO

hetismij2

I've just returned from my DIL's birthday party. At least three of the women and one of the men were wearing white trousers.

Wear what you normally would wear. No one in Europe will care. We are all too busy with our own lives to notice what tourists are wearing.

Obviously there are some churches that have a dress code, but otherwise it really doesn't matter what you wear as long as you are comfortable and happy wearing it.

Dukey1

We tourists have also long ago learned not to worry about what the NATIVES are wearing, either.

kerouac

The church dress code is in Italy, not in most of the rest of Europe.

In France, every religious edifice built before 1905 belongs to the state, and the religion using it does not make rules for visitors. Some more recent churches have a few silly rules (Sacré Coeur in Paris -- no photos!), but most religions do not want to alienate the public.

MissPrism

the Vatican has signs up about acceptable dress. You see them as you join the queue
Basically, knees and shoulders should be covered.

There's nothing wrong with wearing white, but it's not a practical colour

bilboburgler

In the swimming pool you will find a few odd rules in Italy and France (budgie smugglers only and plastic hats in Italy) while some spas may insist on plastic water shoes (though not insist on other clothes at all) say in Hungary.

White... well certainly a white shirt is kinda normal, shoes yes, but hawaiin shorts in white would bring a titter to the crowd, unless you are playing tennis.

Cricket of course is normally played in white

Poconolady

Ive got to ask-- what exactly is. "Budgie smuggler" and by "plastic hats" do they mean bathing caps?

xcountry

if you are the MOB you should not wear white.

hetismij2

Poconolady - budgie smugglers = Speedos. Small tight swimming trunks, as opposed to swimming shorts which are more popular in most of Europe. For some reason the French and Italians think Speedos are more hygienic. Plastic hats - yes bathing caps.

PalenQ

I've been told you do not wear white in Europe. Is that true? Is White out of place in Europe?
Thanks for the other tips such as no shorts and Vatican proper attire.>

If you read similar questions of Fodor's or any other similar site the overwhelming response would have been that's a bunch of nonsense-folks have been wearing shorts - especially younger folk -for years IME and white if often recommended in sunny weather toreflect heat - thus white heat hats.

IME dress same there as would there.

LSky

BTW, I watched an Italian film not long ago and people were wearing white in the winter. Something that Americans don't do much, not even in CA (not saying it's never done, just not much)

I didn't think about it in the movie until this thread. It seems like wearing a white coat in the snow would be dangerous as it makes one harder to see.

greg

It would be unwise to wear white pants when visiting places like Le Sentier des Ocres in Roussillon for a reason different from what you assumed.

ribeirasacra

Loads of white items for men here.
https://www.zara.com/es/en/sale/man/shorts-c436043.html

ribeirasacra

Some how I feel the cookies are following me.After posting the above I get a recommendation on YT for this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWdkyAEjmq0
Normally comments are allowed on this channel.But for this one he has blocked them.MMMM I wonder why?
I know for sure he is wrong a in several areas.
No wonder why non Europeans get so confused when it comes to teh subject of clothing.
Is it a vacation of a spy mission that you have to blend in so much?

massimop

I once heard that it is wrong to white shirts in China because that is what people wear to funerals as mourning dress. I can't remember where I heard it. So people just hear things about foreign destinations and have to check it out.

I used to hear that people in Europe didn't wear white running shoes (trainers). Now I hear Europeans wear them (but only in summer?)

I don't think it's really true that anywhere you go in Europe whatever you wear will be of no interest to Europeans -- or thieves!

Many quite normal & intelligent people think a lot about what is appropriate and not appropriate to wear to go out, even if they are just going out of the house and down the street. So they will also wonder if they are going to a foreign country if they are wearing clothes that are appropriate to the situation and don't have other people thinking poorly of them.

ribeirasacra

****Many quite normal & intelligent people think a lot about what is appropriate and not appropriate to wear to go out,***
Funny but you never get a Russian,Chinese, Other Europeans (we are not one country), Australian,Filipino etc etc asking this question.