Do Europeans Worry As Much As Americans?
May 17th, 2005, 09:57 AM
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Do Europeans Worry As Much As Americans?
About fashion, that is? 
Seems like there is a good number of posts here lately regarding what will or won't work fashion-wise in Europe. I know when I initially started planning my trip to Spain I was totally sweating this one, until I just decided to wear what I want to be comfortable. (And I never wear jeans on any vacation, only wear athletic shoes while doing something athletic, and only wear a baseball cap when going to a baseball game, so what gives with that stereotype? Or is it only for men?)
So, I'm just wondering....do Europeans sit there weeks before their vacations to the States wondering "I wonder if these slacks will be acceptable in a New York restaurant?" or "Will this blouse work in LA?" I live in an area that is visited by people from around the world, and one can always pick out the Europeans. It's not that they dress obnoxiously, just different than what is norm. And, as far as I know, they are not treated any differently, it's just obvious that they are tourists. I've never noticed them to be very much concerned about it.
The only people who can "throw" me are the Aussies. Perhaps because their attitude towards clothes is similar to ours? However, I do remember when my roommate and I had an Aussie house guest for a couple of weeks, and he returned one day from a day at the beach. He stated that he was getting weird stares and couldn't figure out why. We asked what he had been wearing, and he held up his Speedo swimsuit. My boyfriend at the time then told him that wasn't acceptable in the US - no red-blooded American male would be seen dead in that. The Aussie's response? "You Americans are so backwards!" (And he continued to wear the Speedo anyway, gotta love him!)
So what gives? Are Europeans as uptight about what is fashionable here and wanting to "fit in"? Just curious....
Seems like there is a good number of posts here lately regarding what will or won't work fashion-wise in Europe. I know when I initially started planning my trip to Spain I was totally sweating this one, until I just decided to wear what I want to be comfortable. (And I never wear jeans on any vacation, only wear athletic shoes while doing something athletic, and only wear a baseball cap when going to a baseball game, so what gives with that stereotype? Or is it only for men?)
So, I'm just wondering....do Europeans sit there weeks before their vacations to the States wondering "I wonder if these slacks will be acceptable in a New York restaurant?" or "Will this blouse work in LA?" I live in an area that is visited by people from around the world, and one can always pick out the Europeans. It's not that they dress obnoxiously, just different than what is norm. And, as far as I know, they are not treated any differently, it's just obvious that they are tourists. I've never noticed them to be very much concerned about it.
The only people who can "throw" me are the Aussies. Perhaps because their attitude towards clothes is similar to ours? However, I do remember when my roommate and I had an Aussie house guest for a couple of weeks, and he returned one day from a day at the beach. He stated that he was getting weird stares and couldn't figure out why. We asked what he had been wearing, and he held up his Speedo swimsuit. My boyfriend at the time then told him that wasn't acceptable in the US - no red-blooded American male would be seen dead in that. The Aussie's response? "You Americans are so backwards!" (And he continued to wear the Speedo anyway, gotta love him!)
So what gives? Are Europeans as uptight about what is fashionable here and wanting to "fit in"? Just curious....
May 17th, 2005, 10:03 AM
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No, I'm not concerned at all about what clothes/shoes to take on vacation. I don't really care what others think, the only thing that matters is that I'm comfortable. I'm not a light packer though, so there's always a bit of everything in my suitcase.
May 17th, 2005, 10:09 AM
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I can tell you: at least those who come to San Francisco don't give a damn!
They do worry when they realize it's cold in the city, and it's not the hot California they expected, so they all run out to buy one of those ugly fleeces with a "SF" embroidered on it.
They do worry when they realize it's cold in the city, and it's not the hot California they expected, so they all run out to buy one of those ugly fleeces with a "SF" embroidered on it.
May 17th, 2005, 11:52 AM
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Hi Chele, my observation is that Europeans seem to have more self confidence in most cases when they travel. I also do not find them "worried that they will look like an European or a tourist".
When my friends from Italy come to visit me the only question I get about one week before they are due to arrive is a question about the weather.
Maybe American's became concerned after, quite awhile ago, the term "The Ugly American" got used a lot.
Personally I try to pack light (would still like to pack lighter), I try to pack for the weather condidtions and of course pack appropriately. I tend to wear conservative clothes at home, so doing so in Italy is not a problem for me. I have never worried about whether I look like a tourist or not. Of course I do. But not in a bad way.
I have often had compliments on a dress, coat etc. in Italy so I guess I pass the test, LOL. I sure try to take clothes that travel well and for sure shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
When my friends from Italy come to visit me the only question I get about one week before they are due to arrive is a question about the weather.
Maybe American's became concerned after, quite awhile ago, the term "The Ugly American" got used a lot.
Personally I try to pack light (would still like to pack lighter), I try to pack for the weather condidtions and of course pack appropriately. I tend to wear conservative clothes at home, so doing so in Italy is not a problem for me. I have never worried about whether I look like a tourist or not. Of course I do. But not in a bad way.
I have often had compliments on a dress, coat etc. in Italy so I guess I pass the test, LOL. I sure try to take clothes that travel well and for sure shoes that are comfortable to walk in.
May 17th, 2005, 03:05 PM
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Dear CH,
>Are Europeans as uptight about what is fashionable here and wanting to "fit in"? <
Since Europeans know that their taste is vastly superior to Americans, they expect that they will do us a favor by wearing whatever they think is appropriate and letting us learn from it.
>Are Europeans as uptight about what is fashionable here and wanting to "fit in"? <
Since Europeans know that their taste is vastly superior to Americans, they expect that they will do us a favor by wearing whatever they think is appropriate and letting us learn from it.
May 17th, 2005, 03:25 PM
#9
My European friends (women especially) seem to have an intuitive sense of style and confidence. While they do fret over packing, it is about packing a small bag for a long trip, not about "trying to look" a certain way. It's nothing I can put my finger on, but I doubt you would mistake them for Americans.
May 17th, 2005, 03:29 PM
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When my British friends visit LA, the women wears her little flowered dresses and sunhats and the man wears the safari shorts, shirts and pants that he wears to So. Africa.
They don't give two cents about trying to look "American" (they bring their own tea too)
They don't give two cents about trying to look "American" (they bring their own tea too)
May 17th, 2005, 03:40 PM
#11
No, absolutely not. They are amazed that we do. I have one friend who always looks chic, has a dresmaker who takes everything in. Another is a hunter/farmers wife who wears whatever she can find appropiate to her delightful plump body. Another is a very gypsy type like me at night. I love exotic clothing but conservative by day(ah, somwwhat at times) All these French people I know, never think about fashion they do it or don't do it and don't judge others who do. Now major cities, like Paris, New York, Boston are always having a snotty sales staff because most are not from that city and think that is the way to act. But there is a difference in Paris(and some boutiques here) You should never pick up a piece of clothing and unfold it. The sales person is supposed to do that.
May 17th, 2005, 03:51 PM
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Hello Mimi, the same situation in Italy. The saleswoman retrieves the clothing for you. The do not like you to handle the clothing as we do here in the US. And the great thing is that one gets service in Italy, rather then having to paw through clothes as we have to except in the most upscale stores. Also, having clothes altered for you in Italy, in my experience, is so easy as every shop offers this service within 24 hours. A nice relaxing way to shop.
May 18th, 2005, 05:25 AM
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As Ira put it so well, we do indeed
know that our taste is vastly superior to the rest of the World, and that we actually do them a favor by wearing whatever we feel is appropriate and letting them learn from it. We also know that the simple fact of being born in France automatically turns us into fashion icons, whatever we wear.
Which is why I could immediately spot, the 5 French tourists ready to board the British Airways flight from Phoenix AZ to London, wearing cowboys hats and boots together with shorts and hawaiian shirts !
;-)
know that our taste is vastly superior to the rest of the World, and that we actually do them a favor by wearing whatever we feel is appropriate and letting them learn from it. We also know that the simple fact of being born in France automatically turns us into fashion icons, whatever we wear.
Which is why I could immediately spot, the 5 French tourists ready to board the British Airways flight from Phoenix AZ to London, wearing cowboys hats and boots together with shorts and hawaiian shirts !
;-)
May 18th, 2005, 06:46 AM
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Sorry I had to post the question and run, but I do appreciate that all have taken this thread in the spirit in which it was originally posted. (I was concerned it might sound snotty, which was not my intent!)
I really appreciate a few of our resident Europeans weighing in on this! I know the few Europeans I've met (mainly British and German, for some odd reason - not many from other countries) have always been gracious guests and interesting to get to know. If they feel "far superior" in the dressing department, none I've ever met ever conveyed this feeling so I would have to wonder whether this is true - at least when visiting the US.
At least by not overly fretting what the women in Madrid or Sevilla will be wearing in late summer/early fall, I can fully relax about that portion of the trip! Heck, they'll know I'm a tourist, and an American one at that! Hopefully I can win them over with my sunny disposition!
I really appreciate a few of our resident Europeans weighing in on this! I know the few Europeans I've met (mainly British and German, for some odd reason - not many from other countries) have always been gracious guests and interesting to get to know. If they feel "far superior" in the dressing department, none I've ever met ever conveyed this feeling so I would have to wonder whether this is true - at least when visiting the US.
At least by not overly fretting what the women in Madrid or Sevilla will be wearing in late summer/early fall, I can fully relax about that portion of the trip! Heck, they'll know I'm a tourist, and an American one at that! Hopefully I can win them over with my sunny disposition!
May 18th, 2005, 06:50 AM
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HI, DH has many European colleagues and whenever I see them, they are usually travelling in the US. They are generally not wearing anything that I find especially attractive or even fashionable, but there is something about the way they wear it--a lack of self consciousness comes to mind--that makes a difference. In other words the same clothing worn by an American might look very different....Just a personal observation
I also remember a few years back having breakfast in a very chic NYC hotel. A young man at a table near us, who could be identified as European by his accent, was dressed in a noticeably rumpled shirt and linen pants and he still managed to look "fashionable". Maybe we are just awed by Europeans, but I still believe it in not so much what they wear but the way they wear it.
I also remember a few years back having breakfast in a very chic NYC hotel. A young man at a table near us, who could be identified as European by his accent, was dressed in a noticeably rumpled shirt and linen pants and he still managed to look "fashionable". Maybe we are just awed by Europeans, but I still believe it in not so much what they wear but the way they wear it.
May 18th, 2005, 06:53 AM
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Whether you're 'European', American or from Outer Mongolia, 'class' is about confidence, poise and good styling, not about draping yourself in the 'right' clothes. You can spend a fortune on what 'those-who-know' are wearing, but if you're not comfortable in it then you're going to look dreadful.
Clearly there are exceptions but, here in London at least, we like to embrace eccentricities! And, as the rest of the world knows, we don't really care about strangers anyway!!
Clearly there are exceptions but, here in London at least, we like to embrace eccentricities! And, as the rest of the world knows, we don't really care about strangers anyway!!
May 18th, 2005, 06:58 AM
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Beautiful, Florence.
Having spent many decades studying women in many countries, I have concluded, without limitation by enumeration, that those raised in
Paris are absolutely certain that they are perfectly outfitted and accessorized at all times and everywhere
Rome are nearly always certain, but occasionally check
Venice are almost always certain
London are not always certain, but pretty much confident
NYC are confident, but often look to see what other women are weraing.
Having spent many decades studying women in many countries, I have concluded, without limitation by enumeration, that those raised in
Paris are absolutely certain that they are perfectly outfitted and accessorized at all times and everywhere
Rome are nearly always certain, but occasionally check
Venice are almost always certain
London are not always certain, but pretty much confident
NYC are confident, but often look to see what other women are weraing.
May 18th, 2005, 07:12 AM
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To be honest I´ve been wondering why some many ask these questions of what´s ok to wear. Pretty much everything you feel comfortable in is ok. Of course you´re not allowed to insult other people´s religion or laws. I would wear whatever I feel like in the US. After all I´ll be on holiday. I dress differently for work though. Only thing that comes into my mind I wouldn´t do in the US is I wouldn´t even dream about changing into swinwear on a beach. You Americans have this certain attitude against public nudity. I don´t mean that I´d get nude here either, but even thinking about it would be a big no-no over there.
Feel free to wear what pleases you. It sure doesn´t bother most of us.
Feel free to wear what pleases you. It sure doesn´t bother most of us.
