I have long known that baseball style caps, cameras and related equipment, jogging shoes, and other clothing usually shriek "tourist" of not "American tourist."

But what about khaki trousers. I have never observed them much in Europe, but I would assume that they are an American trademark.

What is the consensus of opinion on this assumption?

I ask because my favorite trousers are khaki. To date they have stayed at home except for my hiking trousers that have big pockets and dry quickly when wet.

Hi B,

The very fact that you are an American tourist shrieks "American Tourist".

Nobody cares.

Shorts scream "tourist."

I don't know about khaki pants because the only time I wore anything like khaki/Dockers, they would get dirty too quickly, and I'd have to wash them. So I don't wear them any more. I always wear black or navy pants in Europe. Usually black.

Khakis, jeans, cargos, all ok. Khaki or very nice jeans for dinners, some kind of jacket is nice but not required. Your voice and accent will be a dead giveaway, so just dress comfortably but not sloppily and that will be great.

Actually if my husband wore khakis, it would be a step up. : )

Your clothes may scream, but few people in Europe will listen.

Cowboy....Your post sums it up perfectly!

Why do you care as long as you're appropriately dressed for the sites you'll be visiting (i.e. no cut-offs or wife-beaters in cathedrals, etc.)

Most people in Europe are too busy with their daily lives to notice what the Americans are wearing.

The people in the tourist industries you come in contact with will not care either. They are in business to make money.

If you look tacky at home, you will probably look tacky in Europe.

If you dress appropriately for the occasion, are polite and don't talk too loudly (as Americans usually do), you will leave a good impression.

Even if you were nekid, everyone would still recognize a North American tourist. Posture, hair, nail "art", acrylic nails, bottle tans - you name it . . . . . .

Well said Betty.

Do not forget to smile---that will be noticed.

Sorry, Bob, I forgot! You are right. A smile will win over most people if you are sincere!

Janisj....and if you are "nekid" as a male, the customized, hmmmm, "unit" will give you away too.....

I have decided to use my dark microfiber trousers, a pair of dark gray trousers, and keep the hiking pair ready for the Alps.

I had not considered that khaki shows dirt readily and our laundry - ironing facilities will be limited.

At any rate, this is going to be a good trip. I decided long ago that it would be. Go positive and positive results happen.

longboatkey: I was going to mention that - but wanted to keep it clean

Yes, you should be just fine with those choices. I would mention that when we lived in Madrid we noticed that obvious tourists (jogging/leisure suits, white tennis shoes, big cameras hanging around their necks) were bait for the very skillful local pickpockets. We encouraged our visitors to wear dark colored shoes...

Janiaj....Anything I can do to help!!!

Everybody wears the same brands of mass merchandised clothing all the world over...I was in France and Italy in May and it was more difficult than ever to guess what country folks were from.

Agree that no one cares...

Why is this so freakin' important to some of you people? Geez. This must be the 1000th post about somebody's fear of being mistaken for a tourist. Best way not to be taken for a tourist? Stay home.

Someone above stimulated a thought.
The mere act of a smile in some countries marks you as a tourist.

Zeus, I agree with you.