Greenway

"If your feet are small enough to wear european sizes -- heck,buy something there."

Huh? Many of us who live in Europe also have big feet, and no real problem finding shoes.

OP, just wear what is comfortable. No one will care what shoes you wear, other than your feet!

Peter_S_Aus

To not look like a tourist, you'll need to:
Not carry a camera
Not carry a guide book
Not consult a map
Not stroll slowly looking in shops
Not wear a back pack with water bottle
Not wear one of those vests with multiple pockets (men)
Not wear zip off pants (men)
Not wear sneakers, unless you are young
Speak the language
Not move around in a large group
Having a dog helps
Pulling a shopping trolley in Venice helps a lot

So, choice of footwear is the least of your problems, because you WILL have the camera, guide book, etc. I'd put being comfortable way ahead of trying to look local.

In eight weeks, I think I have been mistaken for a local about twice.

Once being asked for directions.

The other time by a group of American girls on Murano. We were sitting outside, drinking spritzes. They were drinking wine, Coke, a couple of Bluddy Mary's. They asked what we were drinking, I told them spritzes. They complimented me on my good grasp of English, asked where we were from.

I told them Australia...

WeisserTee

I live in my Brunate loafers. They are made in Como, Italy, and plenty of Italians wear them. I have four pair (3 suede, one patent leather) and all of them are very comfortable. I walk to work in them (about a mile and a half walk over a mix of regular pavement and cobblestones). They have thick, cushiony soles and grip well in wet weather.

http://www.scarparossa.com/brunate-k...scio-neroblack and
http://www.scarparossa.com/brunate-s...camoscio-lapis

For sandals, I have the Stuart Weitzman Lockness
http://www.stuartweitzman.com/produc...=5%2c6&F_All=Y

I can't walk all day in shoes that have a thin sole -- I need a little padding at the front of my foot as well as the heel.

Bokhara2

They'd probably have been doubly impressed, Peter.

OP, what do you wear at home?

I wear what I wear at home (Sydney) when I'm away, unless I'm trekking, in which case it's walking boots.

I wear sneakers to the gym or if I'm going for a walk, wouldn't wear them in the city here or elsewhere. I don't like thongs ( shoes with leather between the big & next toe) and don't have any particular difficulty in finding stylish sandals & other shoes that I can wear all day. In summer, I take a pair of flats, a pair of heels and a pair of sandals. In Winter, I swap the sandals for boots. It's unusual for another pair or two not to find their way into my bag while I'm away. That's the thing - unless you're travelling in remote areas. They probably have shoe shops if you feel out of place in what you brought.

We are all tourists when we're in foreign countries. Within the bounds of being appropriately dressed for the occasion & venue, I very much doubt anyone would give a second thought to what you or I wear. Most people are far more concerned about what THEY are wearing.

Finecheapboxofwine

Janet- There will be plenty of tourists around with all different sorts of shoes. I would wear what is comfortable for walking and the shoes look perfect for walking. Pack another pair of finer shoes to switch out of at the end of the day for dining or ecening out.

Finecheapboxofwine

Sorry- that would be dining or eating out.

Pepper_von_snoot

What has happened to the OP?

Has she fallen into the Tiber?

It is no wonder if she did as those horrid sandals were probably like millstones around her ankles.

Don't worry, Janet, Imelda Marcos won't be calling and asking for her shoe back.


Thin

Pepper_von_snoot

Re: Jerome Dreyfuss

I HEART the chestnut Diego bag!


Thin

amer_can

What's with this not looking like a tourist??? We are, aren't we..or at least the majority of us are. Comfort trumps fashion at all times unless you are being presented at court, going to Ascot, sitting for a portrait, buying a Porsche, or having tea at the Ritz. If any of the above then you can attend to the painfulness of fashionable torturing shoes..Otherwise chill out, enjoy the experience and stay comfortable..

Pepper_von_snoot

You can't have tea at the Ritz Paris; it is closed.

Catherine Baba certainly is not on your Christmas Card List!

I can just see you in your white Keds peering into Chaumet in the Place Vendome.

Oh, the horror!

Thin

dutyfree

As someone who works for an international airline and flies alot to Italy-please wear something comfortable and durable while sightseeing over there. I cannot even begin to tell you how many folks I have on my return flights to the USA who have severely sprained their ankles;broke their ankles,broke their legs,torn their meniscus,etc. These injuries occur when walking on the cobblestone streets OR falling on the deck of the cruise ships.
There are just as many young people as seniors who are among the "walking wounded" on my flights so wear shoes with a back or strap and have some type of traction.

amer_can

Pepper...you would never see me in Keds and thanks for the heads up about the Ritz..(one of my favorite places) guess you won't see me there either. Do I pass on the other places?? I still stand by the trumping of fashion!! Br comfortable, be happy, be an appreciative tourist!

Pepper_von_snoot

I am not a tourist.

I am a traveller.



Thin

kmh7

Sorry to pipe up but I love that line Thin can I steal it?

Peter_S_Aus

I am not a tourist.

I am not a traveller (so common, so common).


I take journeys ...

Christina

yeah, it's a line for people who think they are better than everyone else, very pretentious

suze

Those shoes are fine. But they don't really look very comfortable or supportive to me for a day of lots of walking. They look more like for going to the beach. No one cares what's on your feet (except you).

yorkshire

I am a firm believer in "you get what you pay for" --especially with shoes. I have very problematic feet, because they are not shaped like Barbie's, and I am very particular about what I put on my feet. No "foot binding" for me.
Wear comfortable shoes that you can walk all day in, and bring more shoes than you think you need (I joke I bring more shoes than clothes, which is not far from the truth). And yes, they can be cute as well as comfortable, but only you know what brands and styles work for your feet.
If I can't be high fashion, I can at least be healthy and happy.

nytraveler

Yes, but the problem is the number of women who wear sneakers ALL of the time (usually with jeans/tee or sweats) unless they are actually going to a special event.

In that case - no don't dress like you do at home. Dress like an adult in a city. Comfortable but at least presentable, neat and tidy.

yorkshire

Agreed--I figured it goes without saying that we are not taking about sneakers. Many of us like to feel special when on holiday, but the majority of shoes are cheap and poorly made.