Most people don't care if you're a tourist. Muggers and crooks are looking for an easy mark, doesnt' matter where you come from. Tourist make easy marks often because they aren't paying attention to what's around them. The best thing to do is be aware.

If the vest suits you and you don't like purses, it's an alternative that seems to work for some women.
For me, never, I've carried a purse since I was a kid. Purses are so practical. And I'd never wear clothes that I wouldn't wear at home.

I might take two purses with me depending upon the trip and that's not counting the little purse that I use for going through to airport b/c I don't like those things made specifically for passports.

Well for one thing, not all tourists are American. Some of this thread seems to assume that "tourist" equals "American". Not that there is anything wrong with either, I happen to be both. I am constantly being mistaken for being either Italian or Spanish when I travel - but I'm quite sure plenty still think I'm a tourist. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a tourist, what you don't want to look like is look naive or confused - those looks I think are what pickpockets go for. People who look scared to be where they are look like an easy mark. So clothing or bags that scream this probably do more harm than good. On the other hand, one of my best friends is a 6foot 3, native French speaking man but who had never been to Paris and he had his wallet stolen in the metro - but then he was stupid enough to have it in his back pocket.

Anyone can be pickpocked anywhere - so keep the credit cards, ATMs, passport and large amounts of cash in a money belt UNDER your clothes - and only access it in private. Then it really doesn't matter what you carry the rest of your stuff in because the most they'll get is one credit card and some small amount of cash.

I tend to carry different bags when traveling then I do at home because A) I want something light weight if I'm going to be carrying it around all day long, and B) I need it to fit things like camera, guide book, water bottle, umbrella - not things I carry to work or the grocery store.

I like to carry a purse (lipstick, tissues, small guide book, map etc), but I find the sort of handbag that I would use at home really a nuisance to carry around for hours on end. So for travelling, I have a small leather bag with several pockets, it has a long strap that crosses diagonally over my body and so frees up my arms so I can walk comfortably. I love it as I can stash different things in different pockets. Plus as so far we have only travelled in the European summer, I wear capris and can put a few dollars or a train ticket in various pockets and set off happily to explore.

As I've put on a few kilos in recent years there is NO WAY I'm adding to my size with a 'bum bag' or money belt of any description.

Peter, you are a very funny man. I love your fly fisherman comment!