This is inspired by the "American's Yikes" thread but wasn't really related so I posted a new thread here. <BR> <BR>I just wanted to make a quick comment on the black issue. <BR> <BR>I wear quite a bit of black on a daily basis. Not just when traveling. However, I wear mostly black when on a trip. <BR> <BR>A couple of weeks ago we had the opportunity to take a trip over the 4th holiday and went for it. Being summer, I thought a pair of beige Dockers would be nice and brighten up my wardrobe.... never again. <BR> <BR>Black is it! By the end of the day, my new pants were dirty, smudged, and tattered-looking. I couldn't wear them again this trip. I ended up leaving them in the hotel trash to make room for goodies (we were in Hong Kong, shopping capital of the world!) <BR> <BR>My clothes for travel are black slacks/jeans, black sweater/shirt(s), one white long-sleeved shirt, possibly one colored shirt, and a few scarves for color. Pants always black. <BR> <BR>No more light colors for me. I can drip, drop, and stain and you'll almost never notice unless I point out my "faux pas." Also, everything I bring, goes with everything else. <BR> <BR>I love to travel but it's good to be home... <BR> <BR <BR>

Sorry - <BR> <BR>Must be jet-lagged, "AMERICANS YIKES" <BR> <BR>with no apostrophe. <BR> <BR>I don't think many Americans possess a yike! <BR> <BR>I'm going to bed now.

I live in Florida but work frequently in Manhattan, NY where I see a "sea of black" on the subways, streets, in buildings...everywhere people are dressed in black. I have asked my colleagues in NY why?? They say it's trendy, chic, sophisticated, etc., but no functional reason, not that it matters, I'm just curious. As far a showing dirt, my preference is to know when I am dirty and take care of it. This IS NOT meant to be a slam, just my bias on something that I have been inquisitive about.

How long does snow stay white in NYC? So too, clothes. <BR> <BR>Anyhow, I think the point is that when travelling you can't "just take care of it" when you are dirtyor smudged. Your train ride may have 3 more hours before you need to change to the next one. <BR> <BR>Black is slimming. Black adds mystery as the ultimate hider of things unknown. <BR> <BR>It is also a metaphor for Navy, Dark Chocolate and Charcoal. <BR>

Four years ago I traveled to Paris and London and wore bright summer colors the entire trip. I felt like a clown after the first few days. Last summer I traveled to Germany and Austria and kept my clothing a black/khaki color scheme. I felt much more comfortable and less a "sore thumb", so I understand just what you mean...and black certainly does travel well... <BR>

Four years ago I traveled to Paris and London and wore bright summer colors the entire trip. I felt like a clown after the first few days. Last summer I traveled to Germany and Austria and kept my clothing a black/khaki color scheme. I felt much more comfortable and less a "sore thumb", so I understand just what you mean...and black certainly does travel well... <BR>

I vote for charcoal. I look terrible in black!! I am medium tall, 5'8" and thin, (by metabolism not by choice) and fair. I do not want to look thinner or paler. At least charcoal adds a little depth and still travels well. Unfortunately most travel clothes companies promote only black, particularly in dress clothes. Charcoal also works well with Khaki and other colors. So if you want to avoid black, try charcoal or heathered black as pategonia now calls it.

I'm a HUGE fan of black - bottoms. An ivory or white tee or blouse and a nice sweater or blazer in your favorite color added to a black bottom with black shoes will take you anywhere. Can be dressed up or down like you hear and read everywhere. I used to be a huge fan of Reebok walking shoes (still am, at the tourist attractions and when just walking all over). Blessedly, these days, you can find really comfortable and attractive black shoes.

Greetings - <BR> <BR>Mustang81 - I agree to clean is better but that isn't always a viable option. It could be hours (or longer)before you have the opportunity so I just like to think of "hiding" the problem in advance. <BR> <BR>cp - Yes, I forgot about that point. <BR> <BR>Judy - Been there, done that. It wasn't in Europe but the situation was the same. Now, when in doubt; go dark, go conservative. <BR> <BR>Also, one note about the stain/spot question. On our last trip I carried some packets of Shout in my bag. Then, NOT to my surprise, I spill. I was shocked when the little buggers worked! <BR> <BR>Highly recommend a few of these in your bag while traveling. <BR> <BR

I vote for people to wear what they are most comfortable in. Every person in Europe does nor wear black everyday of the week. Besides have you ever toured in the hot sun of Italy, Spain or the South of France in black? You will certainly FRY in the sun. <BR> <BR>People in Europe seem to overdress for the weather and occasion. While in Paris and Rome we were sweating in the heat wearing tee shirts and jeans while the locals were wearing long sleeves and jackets. While we were wearing lightweight shirt on a cooler day, I actually saw people wearing what appeared to be down jackets! <BR> <BR>I think it is unfair of other to dictate or judge other by their clothing. I live in Los Angeles (the judgement capital of the world) and I see plenty of Europeans wearing trashy clothing, tee shirts,sweatshirts and colors other than black. <BR> <BR>I have a personal rule.... I wear what I wish. That includes Jeans and tee shirts to whatever reatuarant or occasion I wish. If they want to refuse my money by what I am wearing, then I wish not to patronize their business. Nothing is finer than showing up to a jazzy occasion wearing a crisp new balck tee from the GAP. Remember when Sharon Stone did that at the Oscars? That is style. <BR> <BR <BR> <BR>

I don't think this is about obligatory fashion requirements. <BR> <BR>Lots of folk swear by black clothes. I don't, black doesn't do much for me. Navy on the other hand... my eyes get bluer, the red in my hair glows a bit more, and it is just as classic and sophisticated as black ever was. <BR> <BR>Of course people will wear whatever they want to. There will always be one group of people who look like they just rolled out of a cave, and could not care less about their appearance. There will also be another group for whom personal appearance is an upmost priority. Then there are the rest of us, located in between at various points on the spectrum. <BR> <BR>Richard is correct when he says that it isn't fair to judge by appearance. Alas the world is NOT fair. So for those people who do care about appearance, I don't think it's inappropriate to discuss which colors hide the most dirt, which fabrics wrinkle least, what the trade offs between comfort and fashion are to be made.

Was thinking about this last night: travelers are very careful about respecting non-white/non-anglo cultures, for example, women covering their hair in Iran or not wearing certain 'offensive' clothes in the Maldives or parts of Africa. Yet, at the same time, they can be quite cavalier about the cultures and habits of western European/white/anglo cultures and customs. Why is that?

Elvira- <BR> <BR>I think there is a distinction between cultural standards and style. Covering one's head is a sign of respect in certain places. I see a big difference between doing this to be "appropriate" and dressing in black to be like the Europeans. It would be offensive to wear shorts and a tank top into San Marco, but not offensive to wear a flowered skirt instead of a black one. Respecting other cultures does not always mean imitating them. I think you would probably agree that in some cases, following local customs when you are not a native can be more offensive than not following them. For example, customs that have a religious significance are often not appropriate for someone of a different faith to participate in. Anyway, all of this is a long way from wearing black, but your post got me thinking.

Elvira, <BR>Maybe it is the rebel inside (some of) us Americans which leads to the respect disparity you mentioned. Some of our families are recently enough removed from Europe that perhaps we are like teenagers rebelling against the parent. It was a sharp observation on your part. Perhaps also the difference is because head covering, etc, may be viewed more as a religious tradition and "wearing black" (notice the quotation marks, folks, and take that figuratively rather than literally before you pounce) as a cultural issue. <BR>Richard, you make pronouncements about not being too judgemental of others, yet you state that Europeans overdress. It's their home; shouldn't they be the ones to set the standard? How presumptuous it is for a guest (read: visitor) to say the host (read: native) is dressed improperly!

Elvira opened an interesting issue. Why is it, also, that it's polite to wear very conservative clothing in Morocco, but a bit offensive for a Westerner to wear a jellaba there? <BR>As far as Richard's rule that we should dress comfortably, I AM comfortable in black. I like bright colors a lot, but throwing a few bright or light colored tops in a suitcase, along with a black skirt, a pair of black slacks, and a black-and-cream scarf to "tie together" my outfits, is about 500 per cent easier than trying to coordinate a bunch of different colors.

Martha, <BR>Amen.

Well, well, well... <BR> <BR>I was surprised to see this back up. I've had a busy week and didn't even realize all you guys have been chatting back and forth on this issue. For a whole week! I'm out of the loop... <BR> <BR>Martha -- Double, Double Amen. The ease of "coordinating" is part of the reason I like to take black. Another large part is I, too, like black. I wear alot of black at home on a daily basis. I don't just dress in black to go to Europe. In addition, I wear black no matter what trip we're going on. This includes travel to Europe, Asia, and parts of the U.S. <BR> <BR>Also, if I might say so myself, I look pretty good in black! What do you know, I am wearing what I like, and what happens to fit in. <BR> <BR>Sidenote; Paris isn't the only place that wears alot of black. Hong Kong is full of black especially at night. I think black is the universal color for clothing. <BR> <BR>Have a great weekend