Comfortable shoes to wear in Italy this summer and not look like a tourist
May 26th, 2013, 11:22 AM
#142
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Yup! It makes it that much more wonderful when you are in Italy or France or London, looking around at the eye candy. More men there seem to care about what they look like.
There are lots of people here too wearing the skinnies etc as you have said, not every single person is sloppy but I think it is pretty common. And yes I agree with you about the overdoing things, too much make-up, tortured hair etc.
Obviously people will wear what they want but the OP said she wanted to be comfortable but not stand out as a tourist, well those shoes she has look like they are for camping or wading at the beach or something, of course she will look like a tourist. That is the common thing you see in North America very often I think, wearing things for the wrong purpose. So what looks fine in your backyard or on a camping trip is going to look terrible on the streets of Rome or the streets of Vancouver, or at my local shopping area quite frankly.
No one really cares but yes, there are a lot of people who will look at it and think "really?"
There are lots of people here too wearing the skinnies etc as you have said, not every single person is sloppy but I think it is pretty common. And yes I agree with you about the overdoing things, too much make-up, tortured hair etc.
Obviously people will wear what they want but the OP said she wanted to be comfortable but not stand out as a tourist, well those shoes she has look like they are for camping or wading at the beach or something, of course she will look like a tourist. That is the common thing you see in North America very often I think, wearing things for the wrong purpose. So what looks fine in your backyard or on a camping trip is going to look terrible on the streets of Rome or the streets of Vancouver, or at my local shopping area quite frankly.
No one really cares but yes, there are a lot of people who will look at it and think "really?"
May 26th, 2013, 05:49 PM
#143
Fashion blogs in French:
Hanneli Mustapara
Garance Dore
Style and the City
I dont get the English comment since UK and Republic of Ireland ARE in Europe!
Some posters make such ignorant comments.
Thin
Hanneli Mustapara
Garance Dore
Style and the City
I dont get the English comment since UK and Republic of Ireland ARE in Europe!
Some posters make such ignorant comments.
Thin
May 26th, 2013, 07:58 PM
#144
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If you are staying at a hotel with laundry services jeans are fine, but if not, it may take to long to dry for it to be feasible. (I think the reason some Europeans eschew denim is the length to dry...). It might take a pair of jeans 2-3 days to dry on an indoor clothes rack, if you didn't want to hang them out in the open air. We didn't because of the smokes/smells/occasional rain, etc.
If you are a guy, try Nike dryfit golf slacks or shorts. Handwash, and those babies are in <2 hours. If you are a girl - just avoid cotton if you have to wash and hang dry. Nothing worse than having to pack damp clothing.
On a trip a couple of years ago, we were on a work junket, so I had to look nice and tour with other work folks (no trainers/tennies) - my fav by far were the AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni's. I researched and researched. They were pricey, but 6+ foreign trips later (and two years later in the US), they are still my go to shoes for looking nice and having comfortable feet. However, there is no pad, etc. Just comfy.
From what I could tell from European friends we visited, it's the white that is noticed, not the actual trainer. I have seen lots of black exercise shoes or rubber soled shoes (like Nike Air soles). Friends said white tennis shoes look like marshmallows at the end of feet. But you know, I wore'em (white shoes) anyway, too, comfort is king.
If you are a guy, try Nike dryfit golf slacks or shorts. Handwash, and those babies are in <2 hours. If you are a girl - just avoid cotton if you have to wash and hang dry. Nothing worse than having to pack damp clothing.
On a trip a couple of years ago, we were on a work junket, so I had to look nice and tour with other work folks (no trainers/tennies) - my fav by far were the AGL Attilio Giusti Leombruni's. I researched and researched. They were pricey, but 6+ foreign trips later (and two years later in the US), they are still my go to shoes for looking nice and having comfortable feet. However, there is no pad, etc. Just comfy.
From what I could tell from European friends we visited, it's the white that is noticed, not the actual trainer. I have seen lots of black exercise shoes or rubber soled shoes (like Nike Air soles). Friends said white tennis shoes look like marshmallows at the end of feet. But you know, I wore'em (white shoes) anyway, too, comfort is king.
May 27th, 2013, 06:19 AM
#146
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Since this has turned in to such a discussion, I'll chime in. I just returned from 3 weeks in Sicily. I took a pair of good Merrill athletic shoes (subtle colors) for hiking in the nature preserves. I also took my tried and true, broken in Mephisto sandals (not fashionable but I walk all day everywhere in them), and a pair of Clarks flats with a flexible heavy duty sole.
The first 3 days in Erice I only wore the athletic shoes. It was pouring rain and those are the roughest cobblestones I have ever encountered! Nothing else would do.
I wore the Mephistos the rest of the time - everywhere. I put on the flats a couple times for dinner.
My sandals are the only style of Mephisto that fits me, so that's what I wear. I'm on my third pair of these over 8 years and 2 trips to Italy. I'm sold.
Still - I take moleskin and usually end up using some along the way.
Sicilians dress much more casually than the rest of Italy I've visited. Everyone was in tee shirts and jeans and sneakers or sandals. The sneakers were of all types, including fluorescent and shiny metalics. Dress on the Aeolian islands was exactly wha tyou would expect on islands, even more casual.
The only time and place I saw people dressed up a bit was on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
The first 3 days in Erice I only wore the athletic shoes. It was pouring rain and those are the roughest cobblestones I have ever encountered! Nothing else would do.
I wore the Mephistos the rest of the time - everywhere. I put on the flats a couple times for dinner.
My sandals are the only style of Mephisto that fits me, so that's what I wear. I'm on my third pair of these over 8 years and 2 trips to Italy. I'm sold.
Still - I take moleskin and usually end up using some along the way.
Sicilians dress much more casually than the rest of Italy I've visited. Everyone was in tee shirts and jeans and sneakers or sandals. The sneakers were of all types, including fluorescent and shiny metalics. Dress on the Aeolian islands was exactly wha tyou would expect on islands, even more casual.
The only time and place I saw people dressed up a bit was on Saturday and Sunday evenings.
May 27th, 2013, 11:27 PM
#147
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May 27th, 2013, 11:40 PM
#148
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http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-ot...ce=igodigital&
The above is one very comfortable pair of shoes. I have problems finding shoes that fit as I have heels so narrow until I walk out of most shoes, even laced-up ones. But, these stay on my foot and I like the velcro strap. I first saw them on the cover of the Online Shoes catalogue that was sent to me through the mail. I tried out one pair and then went back and ended up with the same shoe in 6 colors. It's been selling out like crazy and many colors aren't available anymore. I walk a lot in them, daily, and my feet don't hurt.
Happy Travels!
The above is one very comfortable pair of shoes. I have problems finding shoes that fit as I have heels so narrow until I walk out of most shoes, even laced-up ones. But, these stay on my foot and I like the velcro strap. I first saw them on the cover of the Online Shoes catalogue that was sent to me through the mail. I tried out one pair and then went back and ended up with the same shoe in 6 colors. It's been selling out like crazy and many colors aren't available anymore. I walk a lot in them, daily, and my feet don't hurt.
Happy Travels!
May 28th, 2013, 03:53 AM
#149
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I had a peek at one of the French blogs that Thin posted above... coincidentally, there was a discussion about sneakers.
http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2013/05...love-sneakers/
http://www.garancedore.fr/en/2013/05...love-sneakers/
May 28th, 2013, 05:40 AM
#150
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Fodor's is quite famous for these silly fashion threads. No wonder they're concerned about Trip Advisor's dominance in the travel industry.
Italians can spot Italians a mile away. Guessing region of birth is a local sport. So the truth is, if you aren't from Italy, the Italians will assume you are a visitor. Even if you're an expat living in Rome for the last 20 years, who speaks the language fluently, if you're not Italian, you will never be <i>Italian</i>. So any desire to not look "like a tourist" in Italy is a joke on the person asking the OP's question.
Of course, good taste (with sensible intent) has nothing to do with looking like you were born in Italy. There are plenty of folks in Italy who have no idea what modern style is supposed to look like. Just visit any beauty salon. On the other hand, most Italians do appreciate beautiful things, so if your appearance is pleasing and shows good sensibility, chances are you'll be treated quite well (unless you're Amanda Knox).
Your feet are sacred tools in a country as rich as Italy. If you care more about the quality of your journey and care less about superficial nonsense, you'll want to travel with the most comfortable shoes you can find. When you're sightseeing, wear sensible shoes. Your feet will thank you daily. When you're fine-dining, wear a different pair of shoes that are more appropriate for evening attire. Podiatrists say the best way to avoid calluses while traveling is to switch between two pairs of shoes if you plan on walking a lot. It works.
Whatever you do, DON'T break in new shoes in Italy, and skip that pedicure appointment until after you return home.
Italians can spot Italians a mile away. Guessing region of birth is a local sport. So the truth is, if you aren't from Italy, the Italians will assume you are a visitor. Even if you're an expat living in Rome for the last 20 years, who speaks the language fluently, if you're not Italian, you will never be <i>Italian</i>. So any desire to not look "like a tourist" in Italy is a joke on the person asking the OP's question.
Of course, good taste (with sensible intent) has nothing to do with looking like you were born in Italy. There are plenty of folks in Italy who have no idea what modern style is supposed to look like. Just visit any beauty salon. On the other hand, most Italians do appreciate beautiful things, so if your appearance is pleasing and shows good sensibility, chances are you'll be treated quite well (unless you're Amanda Knox).
Your feet are sacred tools in a country as rich as Italy. If you care more about the quality of your journey and care less about superficial nonsense, you'll want to travel with the most comfortable shoes you can find. When you're sightseeing, wear sensible shoes. Your feet will thank you daily. When you're fine-dining, wear a different pair of shoes that are more appropriate for evening attire. Podiatrists say the best way to avoid calluses while traveling is to switch between two pairs of shoes if you plan on walking a lot. It works.
Whatever you do, DON'T break in new shoes in Italy, and skip that pedicure appointment until after you return home.
May 29th, 2013, 04:23 AM
#153
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Von_snot, darling, I've never been a waitress, but even in the most exclusive restaurants, busy waitresses wear smart, comfortable shoes, even if wearing formal attire. Hard to find, perhaps, but some of those shoes actually possess a little style.
As for coffee at the Guggenheim, if I wanted to hang with pretentious New Yorkers, I'd stay in New York. Modern art, and those who drool over it, aren't my thing.
My favorite Venice coffee breaks these days are spent with Stefano, upstairs at Ristorante Quadri. While the tourists drink their <i>cappuccini</i> downstairs, we sit at the window overlooking the Square and chat about life and love as we sip that delicious Gianni Frasi brew. I'm loving the new Quadri, especially for lunch or dinner.
I adore dressing up in Venice, even for breakfast. Gliding across ancient, uneven stone in high heels (not too high) is an art form, which takes a few weeks of practice if you don't want to look like a fool (or seriously hurt yourself). But if I plan a day of work, or museum hopping, you will always find me in my custom-made, leather slip-ons from Atelier Segalin, the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn.
As for coffee at the Guggenheim, if I wanted to hang with pretentious New Yorkers, I'd stay in New York. Modern art, and those who drool over it, aren't my thing.
My favorite Venice coffee breaks these days are spent with Stefano, upstairs at Ristorante Quadri. While the tourists drink their <i>cappuccini</i> downstairs, we sit at the window overlooking the Square and chat about life and love as we sip that delicious Gianni Frasi brew. I'm loving the new Quadri, especially for lunch or dinner.
I adore dressing up in Venice, even for breakfast. Gliding across ancient, uneven stone in high heels (not too high) is an art form, which takes a few weeks of practice if you don't want to look like a fool (or seriously hurt yourself). But if I plan a day of work, or museum hopping, you will always find me in my custom-made, leather slip-ons from Atelier Segalin, the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn.
May 29th, 2013, 08:34 AM
#157
Boat shoes are never out if you have a summer cottage in Nantucket. And a boat.
My nephew wears boat shoes, but then again, he sails from the house in Nantucket to the house in St. Barts.
I tend to like the ridge crisps from Bila, tarquin. I forget the brand.
Thin
My nephew wears boat shoes, but then again, he sails from the house in Nantucket to the house in St. Barts.
I tend to like the ridge crisps from Bila, tarquin. I forget the brand.
Thin
May 29th, 2013, 08:41 AM
#158
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Crisps at Billa? Good grief, how can anyone stand the lighting in that place?
I look much prettier at Pantagruelica, and they have the best of so many delights. Plus, the owner is dreamy handsome, but my radar is telling me the <i>signore</i> would prefer Keith. They're so discreet in Italy.
Good shoes are absolutely necessary for long shopping hours. The better your feet feel, the more you can see and consider buying.
Signora Ghezzo is fine. It's Rolando who wears heavy on my heart. Getting old is no fun.
I look much prettier at Pantagruelica, and they have the best of so many delights. Plus, the owner is dreamy handsome, but my radar is telling me the <i>signore</i> would prefer Keith. They're so discreet in Italy.
Good shoes are absolutely necessary for long shopping hours. The better your feet feel, the more you can see and consider buying.
Signora Ghezzo is fine. It's Rolando who wears heavy on my heart. Getting old is no fun.
