What I noticed on our latest trip this past month to both Rome and Paris was that while people continue to wear black, there were alot more colored shoes around. You know, black slacks, black sweater, bright colored scarf and bright colored shoes. Loved it.

There were a lot of cowboy-type boots in the stores in Paris this month, too, in lots of different colors.

Intrepid, great comment on the cowboy boot thing - though several people opined that it was a troll...if she was for real she needs to learn a little (a lot?) about unconditional love. I love my husband through and through, and if he was with me on a trip, and decided to wear something goofy I wouldn't even notice. Just to be with him is an adventure - I can't fathom whining about his shoes or anything else. Imagine all the wives whose husbands won't even leave the couch and go on trips with them. Suddenly it reminds me of the song "whose bed have your boots been under?" She's likely to drive him to do just that with that attitude. If she (or perhaps he) is a troll then the joke is on all of us and we provided a good laugh with all our retorts in the post! :-) :-) :-D

One thing I did notice about shoes is that my old shoes are coming back in style, mens that is. I'm seeing less in Italy with the wide square toe.

Europeans do not dress more formally, but they understand presenting oneself well in public. Flat shoes are more than fine -- just not grubby sneakers that so many tourists seem to wear. Basically, anything oversized (read: sweatshirt; jogging clothes; etc.) looks sloppy to a European. They don't wear tight -- just fitted. They appreciate tailoring and well-proportioned knits.

As I recommend to a professional group I advise: when touring, dress as if you were going on a date to a decent bistro. There are many casual-but-fashionable options.

Gentlemen: NO BASEBALL CAPS! No shorts, anyone, unless you are hiking in the country. You may not be kicked out of restaurants, but you will reinforce the concept of Americans who do not know how to dress casually but with style. Birkenstocks are flat-out ugly, and Italians will think so.

May I suggest for ladies how comfortable a dress or skirt is for warm weather? also: there are any number of flat shoes that are nice, and don't look like running shoes (e.g. Aerosoles and many other manufacturers have very flexible, bouncy soles.

Note: you can wear sport shoes, but these are the really snazzy kind, i.e. NOT the kind you would actually exercise in. Yes, Gucci and Dolce have such things....

madameX

I agree with you about Aerosoles - I have a pair of black and brown knee length boots with nearly 3" heels that I can wear all day and my feet don't ache.
I knew they'd be good when after a long days shopping, I tried them on and they felt a pair of slippers.

I don't usually wear heels, my preferred footwear is nothing, but these boots are so comfortable and at 5'1" I like the extra height.

Why do I feel the need to say I'm in my early/very early 40's - perhaps because Aerosoles in my mind have an 'old lady' following?

flat shoes are in, but never have been out for me. Even my european friends like ballet flats. Great with cropped pants as well as dress clothes.
www.londonsole.com

Thanks so much for reporting. We're going in May and I have to admit, I've been a bit paranoid about the lastest pointy shoes with stilletto heels--I just can't walk in them and think they're the fashion industry's way of "punishing" women, but don't want to be totally "out of it". But you're right, it's really more important to be comfortable. I remember once I walked for miles in Barcelona in shoes that hurt my feet and it almost ruined the next 3 days for me. Never again.

However, having said that...we're going to Tosca in Florence, so I guess I'd better at least bring one pair of dressy heels and plan on taking cabs that night, huh?

Hey m kingdom... not everyone spends all their time looking up the latest expensive fashion designers' collection. Some of us are interested in that stuff but many of us aren't afraid to dress how we want and be ourselves. "Surely" you can be original right? Let people observe what they want and offer info to others without chiming in with some snobby remark. I can't imagine spending even a minute with you anywhere. Is that a designer stick up your...

I am possibly a bit younger and more urban than some of you (and I don't mean that in the potentially snooty way it sounds), but I swear by ballroom dance shoes. They are comfortable.

I guess I am kind an idiosyncratic dresser, though. But if you want comfortable heels look no further.

A lot of the "old lady" brands have upped their style a lot in the last few years. I remember in college we used to laugh at our dorm mother with her "comfortable" shoes..I have become her!!!! Oh no!!! The comfortable heels are nice. You can look more stylish and not totally kill your feet. I must say though, I'm still holding back on the pointy toes. I of course have worn them in the past and my feet have paid the price over the years. Plus I wear a size 11..yes people, sad but true, so I don't need another three inches of shoe sticking out in front. My feet would come into the room 5 minutes before the rest of me. My shoe size is the ONLY thing I have in common with Paris Hilton..hmm..I'd trade the shoe size for her $..then I could travel when ever I wanted!!!!!

No mention of the bowling shoe look that was so in last year in Paris?...Also what are the PUFFY black Coats you are taking about???? The only thing that comes to mind are the old down jacket type puffy..... Can you be more discriptive???

Some help with a fashion problem would be appreciated. I would like to bring a new summer halter dress and an evening dress but know I will need a jacket or cover up of some kind to at night, in church... Does a blazer look too business like??? (I'm in my early 40s also).

Not a blazer with a halter dress or any dress. A pashima or any thin shawl will see you through with whatever you wear.

What do you think of a shrug?

shrugs will still show cleavage whereas, a shawl can cover whatever. :)

Thank you Cigalechanta. I think a pashmina is what I need. The blazer was a bad idea-fashion disaster! Now I am heading to bed to dream of eating in a cafe in Venice.

http://www.lizclaiborne.com/product/...ductId=1879720

This is the sort of "puffy coat or jacket" that I saw everywhere in Paris a couple of weeks ago. Always in black, some were long. They are puffy but most have some shape to them, not like the original down coats that look like comforters :)
I wore my shearling and I was warm and comfortable ( it is extremely light so it was not bulky) but I wished I had brought my little puffy jacket I bought at GL last trip..
My next trip to Europe, I think will be when the weather is warmer and all I have to think about is how many sandals to bring :)

As a short person, I'd look like the Michelen guy in one of those.

LOL :D