I hear you Starrsville!!! I love seeing tourist, I so enjoy their enjoyment of the area that I live in. Unless they are gross I do not even notice what they wear. And since some residents do not look like fashionable either who cares? I do feel bad for tourist in SF when they are freezing to death because they are in shorts and Tshirts etc., obviously thinking that all of California is beach type weather. And of course our beaches have cold weather also.

I do notice that when the Europeans are in SF they seem to be dressed more appropriately then say some travellers from other parts of the US. But again, who cares? It always makes me smile to see visitors enjoying themselves, talking to their spouse about this site or that site, pointing out various things to their children.

The "what do I wear" situation has gotten pathetic IMHO. It is a wonder some people even travel anymore with all the "rules and regulations" that appear here on Fodors. No one can look like a resident of another country when they are travelling. And so what? Tourist bureaus spend a lot of money to encourage people to visit their area. That is what they are interested in. Tourist money!
Wear clothes appropriate for the weather and you will feel more comfortable.
Look and act like a lady or a gentleman and you will be respected anywhere. That has nothing to do with putting on a fashion show. But if you want to that if fine of course. But if not, please do not worry about it.

Sorry - do not mean to cause a problem with this. But I'm afraid that if those who feel that certain standards should be observed do not say so - soon we will have people touring major cities in their pajamas (as some kids are now coming to school).

And yes - I have a problem with that too.

And no - I am not a curmudgeon. And I am liberal/tolerant about almost everything you can think of - a card carrying member of the ACLU - but don;t understand why grown people can;t seem to figure out how to dress decently. This is not a "choice" issue for me - but a "respect" one - and it is certainly possible for anyone to combine complete comfort with appropriate attire.

As for Giverney - it's a garden - wear whatever you want.

You can lead a whore to couture but you can't make her think.

First of all, "Degas"- LOL. Funny post.

Secondly, I can understand the desire to not stand out as a tourist when traveling, especially in one of the fashion capitals of the world. But, maybe that's just me.

To the OP, I agree with the advice you've been given thus far- wear comfortable shoes, if they are attractive that's a big plus. Wear lots of layers, because if you find you are too hot you can always take something off, or if you get too cold you can put another layer on. I think the most important thing is being comfortable and enjoying your trip rather than "fitting in." Also, as another poster said, politeness and a show of appreciation for their language will get you onto the good side of any Parisian.

nyt, my post was not directed to just you - but I respectfully disagree that jeans, sweatshirt and tennis shoes are indecent or unrespectful. If you do feel that way, I fear you are often and repeatedly offended by tourists you encounter the world over.

You missed the point. I dressed for a bike ride to Giverney - and missed the train. Instead of going back to the hotel to dress in more "appropriate", "respectful" or "decent" attire, I continued on sight-seeing Paris in that attire - and there was no negative response whatsoever - from anyone.

One last question -- Did Thin John just call me a whore?

No I don't think so Starrsville, that is a funny quote that he changed a bit,
You can lead a whore to culture but you can't make her think ...is the way it goes, get it? horticulture?

It is a Dorothy Parker saying..

starrsville I don't think he did, except to make a funny play on words.

Dorothy Parker was once asked to use the word 'horticulture' in a sentence.
She responded,
"You can lead a whore to culture , but you can't make her think."

OMIGOD, elaine, we have merged !! ((L))

Great minds think alike.

As long as Johnny is wearing his beaded moccasin, it's all good.

snort! :D

Scarlett, that is too funny, exact same moment.
If we both move to Korea, they can start making more clones of us. :)

That will surely drive some people over the edge LOL

starrsville, the women here should be insulted. Dorothy Parker also said, and a few here should take in.
"Four things I am wiser to know,
Ideleness, sorrow, a friend and a foe."
Did you they clone or clown?

I'm pretty sure ol' Dorothy could spell better than that, LOL.

I don't know, if Dorothy were an old curmudgeon she might have misspelled it!

...and the late, great, Dorothy Parker also told people "i've been too ****** busy, and vice versa" as well as "you can lead a horticulture, but can't make her think"

Now, back to some relevant topics:

Let's just turn the situation around: When you take excursions to little rural locales do you try to dress down and look more "homespun"? Wherever I journey, I dress as I dress in London. You don't need a special uniform. If I'm in Italy and wearing clothes styled in Paris or Antwerp, so what?

If you're chubby, and look American, then go for that look. DSquared^2 always feature very trashy t-shirts with "**** you" and other such names emblazoned upon them. They're creating a pastiche of trash/chav culture, and by doing so are really turning the wearers into a little bit of an artistically ironic joke. I hate their collections, but as a concept it's interesting.

I really do miss the "I'm with stupid" tshirts, especially the ones with the matching arrows, so classy and terse.

Now people in LA are wearing Vote For Pepe tshirts. Where or where is their fashion sense now!

I really do miss the "I'm with stupid" tshirts, especially the ones with the matching arrows, so classy and terse.


I do think it takes at least a certain measure of intelligence to wear the "I'm with stupid" t-shirts, given that those wearing them have to remember what side of the other person to stand on, otherwise they're pointing away from each other. ;)

Glad my post has given some comic releif..

Darling it did. I'm sure they recognize themselves as here.
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