Let's face it, if people normally go around looking like an unmade bed, no amount of advice on a forum is going to make them change their ways when they go abroad.
Mainly because of my age, I try to look kept and ironed and flatter myself that it helps me to get decent service.

Yesterday, I saw a couple where I live.
The man had those half-mast cotton trousers with strings at the bottom of the legs.
He had a white hairy gap between his trousers and his black woolly socks.
He topped the ensemble with a leather Australian hat.
His spouse had shorts and a shiny hat with the cross of St. George on it. I think that it glittered too.
They were British and as a matter of national pride, I challenge any American to look so ridiculous.
Still, it's a free country and so is France.
If tourists want to look stupid and give the locals a laugh, then good luck to them.

Whoops, I meant kempt not kept.

BTW, the site is playing up again.
It takes at least three tries to post anything.

kswl...you are right. i did not intend to be so mean spirited. too much wine and football. i apologise.

i hope you can look past my rudeness and consider the humour value of one american trying to teach another american how to be european. it really is priceless. actually i do find it charming and quaint that they are trying so hard.

French people do not wear shorts EXCEPT when at resorts or when near home is true (I've never seen cut-offs in the city except on Americans).

In Paris dress is smart casual unless you are 16-25 and have a gorgeous body - then feel free to wear what you want.

I agree that you should dress in what's comfortable but comfortable for some also means not being harassed by beggers, pickpockets and others. For help to avoid this do not wear cut-offs and white tennis shoes...

Having people ask you for directions may not mean that you look like a local, they may just be looking for someone to ask who speaks English.


I find myself doing that sometimes if I am not up to the foreign language and I am next to savvy lookiing English speaking tourists.

On my last trip to Rome two British ladies walked up to me and asked which way to the Vatican. They were comfortable asking me and we had a nice chat then they were on their way.

SeaUrchin,

What about when the French ask you for directions in French? Still think they're looking for an American?

If you look sharp, you will be treated better no matter where you are. My smart casual clothes (linen or khaki skirts and pants) are often more comfortable than jean shorts and t-shirts.

Walkinaround -

Have been to europe 60+ times. And I have yet to see adult europeans (not children or teens) walking around cities wearing cut off jean shorts. If you see this all the time - please tell me where - so I can go check it out.

It is perfectly true that many adult europeans do wear jeans - in more casuale places. They don;t go to Michelin 3* restaurants wearing tee shirts, levis and gigantic white athletic shoes.

Again - if you have seen this - please tell me where.

Obvsiouly everyone is entitled to wear whatever they want. But if one goes to world capitols and tries to go to truly elegant restaurants and hotels dressed for cleaning out the garage - they can expect to either be turned away - or made to feel uncomfortable (worst table, rushed service to get rid of them etc.)

And I'm not a dear boy - by the way.

And what is priceless about giving sensible advice I fail to see. (I would give the same advice to people coming to New York - and here people dressed like that would be treated the same way at elegant places. And I have seen people dressed like that turned away from restaurants. On one occasion the "gentleman" was told he could not be admitted wearing a tank top and cut-off jeans - that a shirt with collar and long trousers were required.)

aileron, then they would think you speak French or are French.

Why is this subject so popular on this forum. This and that silly Americans and their white sneakers?

One of my two trips to Paris, I went into the Lovre <SP?> Lord help me if I misspelled this to all the Paris nuts, I mean fans.

But I wore a Zz Top T shirt. No one said anything, but I a sure there was some little snit who did not like it. LOL

lammom,

I think it is a valid question. A couple of anecdotes:

1. When I travel to Manhattan to visit friends, I ask what I should bring to wear. I live in a very "teva-central" casual part of the country. Sometimes I need a reality-check on how dressy you need to be to get into some restaurants, clubs, etc. I remember the time that my husband and I, as 25 year olds, visited friends in San Francisco for the weekend, and were mortified that my husband couldn't get into any of the grunge clubs that our friends planned for us to visit because my hubby only brought white tennis shoes with him. We had to buy him a pair of black leather boots the next day - to go with his grungy t-shirts and ripped jeans - go figure. So, I always ask what the deal is - even in the US - before I pack.

2. I've been to Paris numerous times when I was younger as "the jean, shorts, white tennis shoe" tourist. Once I had to travel there for business. I was shocked at how much better I was treated in a "business casual" wardrobe at the same places that I visited a month before as a tourist. If you look a little sharper, you'll get better service.

3. When I lived in Paris, a friend (mid-60's in age) came to visit. She aked what she should pack. I told her "whatever you wear at home - no worries". She is one of the best dressers that I know. She works at a "tres chic" art gallery and is an incredible dresser - matching shoes, jewelry, etc. - totally put together. When we were in Paris, she stuck out like a sore thumb. She was constantly attracting the "gypsy element" at all the tourist attractions that we visited together. At nicer restaurants, looking around the room, she was focal point. She wore really bright colored clothing appropriate to her climate, but not good for fall/winter in Paris. No white tennis shoes, jeans, just bright colors. About five times, she told me "I wish you would have told me to bring all black. I hate sticking out like this." Being a "fashionista at home", I think this bothered her more than most people, but I thought I'd share the story.

Here's a web page that I wrote that I point my friends to when this comes up. Hope this helps.

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear.html

I just wanted to offer my opinion, although I have never been to Paris. I work as a secretary in a company in Philadelphia that deals with extremely rich clients. Most of these people are old, old money, the kind of people that museums, parks, and hospitals are named after. Many of these folks dress very simply and conservatively. But, no matter how they are dressed, they exude an attitude that lets everyone around them know that they are important. Having this confidence is what causes others (salespeople, waiters, cab drivers) to show respect; it isn't the clothes they wear. If you have fine manners and an education, you can go anywhere.

Christine

People on message boards--or at least certain people--are obsessed with fashion.

Insofar as the Parisians are concerned, no one ever criticized my casual attire (nor was I ever denied a table in a restaurant due to not meetin Fashion Police dictates). Insofar as the shops are concerned, Parisians are delighted to have you spend money in them no matter what you are wearing.

Unless you speak fluent French, the whole idea that you can "blend in" is nuts. The moment you open your mouth, you will be unblended.

When you travel, there is no need anyway to blend in with locals, as locals are dressed for work and you, as a tourist, are more likely to be dressed comfortably to do a lot of walking and sightseeing.

And, yet, we get these threads over and over again. They usually degenerate to personal attacks when the Fashion Police insist that you MUST dress as they say you must. That's nonsense.

Please do not go out and buy a new wardrobe to go to Paris. Just pack what feels right to you and have a wonderful trip!

I sure understand how a person going to Europe for the first time would feel uncertain about what type of wardrobe to pack.

Here are my thoughts, for what they are worth.

First of all, what will the weather be like? There is nothing worse then not having clothes that do not fit in with the climate.

Next, where will you be visiting.
If large cities then takes clothes that you would wear in a large city in the US. If going to casual countryside towns again pack as you would if doing the same in the US etc.

What activities will you be wanting to do? If hiking is your planned activity pack hiking clothes that you would wear when hiking in the US.

What type of restaurants and cultural activities will you be going to. Will you plan on just going to casual places to eat or will you be going to upscale restaurants. Again pack as though you were going to enjoy those type of eating establishments in the US.

Comfortable shoes are an absolute must for tourists as you know doubt will be walking a lot more then you do in your own home town. But if you are going somewhere or attending an event where you would dress "nicer" at home then pack at least one outfit and appropriate shoes etc. for those occassions.

IMHO there is no need to worry about looking like a resident of the European places you will be visiting. But dressing in a sensible and respectable manner for the places you will be visiting and the activities you are planning always works for me. Best regards and happy travels to all.

Well, here is another take on what to wear. I (this is MY opinion) would NOT wear shorts unless it is 100 degrees.
I would wear long lightweight pants (summer) and a short sleeve knit or sports shirt, and if you need comfortable shoes some kind of all dark sneakers, I have black ones that look like shoes.
You are a representative of the US and should behave as a visitor, this is "their" country.
Don't be an obnoxious, loud, ugly american.
I have alwas found that I (we) get better treatment by being nicely dressed, quiet spoken, and pleasant.

But what if you ARE a big loud ugly American? Plastic surgery?

OK, I am getting silly, bye now!

"But what if you ARE a big loud ugly American? Plastic surgery?'

Yeah, I'm glad I'm not that big, or that ugly or that loud!

Is 325 considered big? Do big ears, broken big nose, and bushy eyebrows and big pores make you ugly?

Well, it's not quite THAT funny, but the rear guard trying to uphold the standards of bygone days will always be with us. Might as well let them dress the way they want. It's just a shame to see people getting scared into wearing clothes that they don't want to wear.

"Faux, in point of fact, you really don't know what might have happened had you been to any of "les grandes tables,"

Are we talking super long all you can eat buffet table here?

To the OP: If you will be in Paris this coming week, over the 4th of July period, don't worry a bit about your wardrobe, but do plan on bringing clothes that will keep you cool and comfortable.
It's going to be a HOT week. Temps in the 90s all week, and close to 100 around Thursday.
So take it easy. And if people are rude or abrupt to you, it's most likely to be because they're hot and not because of some steretypical French rudeness.
Here in our part of the UK, it will also be in the 90s most of the week (and Lord help anyone who ride the London tube this week...blecch, it will be well over 100 down there), I plan to move slow, drink lots of cold liquids, and relax.
(Some people may think a week of 90 plus temps are no big deal--but we live in the land of almost no airconditioning, it's very different from having temps in the 90s or above when you go from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car to an air conditioned office to an air conditioned mall and then back to your air condition home!)