tada

OK, I admit it - I love wearing my jeans and tennis shoes (trainers?) here in the states. But, I'm going to London in May and I will be happy to go without the white athletic shoes (Merrells or Eccos will do), but I really like wearing jeans (nice Levi's - not ragged). Will this go over OK in London and the UK? Will I be able to eat in restaurants with jeans? Thanks in advance.

JackOneill

<BR><BR>I've worn jeans a number of times in London. I wouldn't wear them to a nice restaurant for dinner though.<BR><BR>I think the key is to look &quot;stylish&quot; in them, rather than looking like a &quot;slacker.&quot;<BR><BR>I've seen many a well-kept person wearing jeans in tres swanky places.<BR><BR>But you're are right about one thing - lose the tennis shoes.<BR><BR>By the way, I am not a stylish person, but I keep my shirt tucked in (not a tee-shirt, mind you) and my hair combed.

sojourn

Dress for comfort, and where whatever you're comfortable in. Jeans will be fine, you can even get into the theatre with them. Many people wear jeans with a blazer to dress it up a bit. If you are comfortable in your sneakers, where them too. The Brits wear them, and you're right they call them trainers.<BR><BR>If you spend anytime being concerned about what others think of your attire, you're not going to have a good time. So be yourself. You don't have to take advice from anyone, and certainly not the Fodors' fashion police, otherwise you'll be dressed in black from head to toe, and even mourners at funerals don't wear black anymore.

SeaUrchin

Don't worry about it in London, they don't dress very stylish on the whole anyway, especially when touring around during the day. Just if you go into a nice restaurant, dress up a little, but during the day jeans and tennis shoes are fine, better to wear jeans and loafers though.

DiAblo

…And don’t forget your baseball cap…it’s a MUST accessory. And, whatever you do, don’t take it off when you go inside anywhere. Oh, they may ask you to remove it in a church or cathedral, but they’re just being stuffy. Let’s work as hard as we can to turn London into some piss-ant hole like L.A.<BR><BR>C’mon, Americans, do your part. In time we can turn the Tower into Chucky Cheese if we want. Why on earth bother to put ones best foot forward? What’s so special about the theatre or a nice restaurant, anyway? (I also recommend ordering your wine in a Styrofoam cup with a straw and put lots and lots of ketsup on your steak.)<BR><BR>If you don’t already smoke, TAKE IT UP, blow smoke in peoples faces. Take lots of chewing gum, too. Chew with your mouth open when possible and spit the gum onto the floor as you enter or leave the Tube. <BR><BR>And remember, whether dining or enjoying a night at the opera, KEEP THAT BALL CAP ON!<BR>

tada

Hey DiAblo, lighten up. I've travelled overseas before and I haven't been the ugly American. I simply asked a question ahead of my travel to learn what I can and can't do.<BR><BR>By the way, I do not wear ball caps, backpacks, walk around with styrofoam cups, or any of the things that you have implied.<BR><BR>This should be a forum where all questions are good ones and people aren't flamed for asking questions in a courteous manner.

sojourn

DiAblo has his panties in a twist. Maybe he should relax while he's on vacation, it certainly sounds like he needs one. tada, you don't need to impress anyone. Do what makes you happy, and don't worry about offending anyone, you won't.

Quinty

After reading this forum, I wondered what I would find people wearing over there. In London they didn't seem to be wearing jeans as much as in Paris, but there didn't seem to be a real style to them either. <BR><BR>I took only 2 pairs of jeans, worn with a sweater, scarf and boots. I fit right in and was very comfortable. Next time I will take more jeans though!<BR><BR>The key, I think is comfort. Make sure your feet are taken care of and that will make all the difference. <BR>Have a great time!<BR>

obxgirl

Hey DiAblo,<BR><BR>That's Chuck E. Cheese by the way and the &quot;E&quot; stands for ERUDITE.<BR><BR>Tada, you'll be fine. Do you have a pair of black jeans? They're a little easier to dress up if needed.<BR><BR>Cheers and have a great trip.<BR>

pop

DiAblo<BR><BR>I disagree with what you said... but it was refreashing to see someone stick there neck out again on this forum. Its been a bit too sanitized lately. thx.

ThinGorjus

I agree with the poster who stated that you can wear whatever you want as long as you know how to be stylish. (Remember Jackie Onassis in jeans, Valentino belt, Pucci shirt unbuttoned, and her big, black sunglasses??? She looked fabulous.) Some people can carry things off, others can not. But, the rule is that if you want to wear jeans, wear them on the weekend if you don't want to stand out and look like you are from Iowa. Also, you are more likely to get away with jeans the YOUNGER you are. Jeans with a big belly hanging over your belt is no way to go through London.

Merseyheart

Tada, I've worn jeans in London and other parts of England and looked just fine. But I realized a few trips back that jeans are h*** to wash! Now, I mostly stick to cotton twill pants, and a pair of tencil denim pants I bought from a catalog. The quick-dry type is a dream! I highly recommend it.

Cricket

Good point, Mersey. I don't pack jeans that often on long trips for that reason alone. I find they look a little grubby on the second day and after a washing, they take eons to dry. If I'm going for a quick trip, though, I have to have them.<BR><BR>Tada, you'll do fine wearing them in London. If your hotel has laundry service, use it, and your jeans will stay nice looking.

Heimdall

Of course you can wear anything you like in London, but I think you are concerned about blending in, and not looking too much like an American tourist. Jeans are okay during the day, especially if you are young. You didn't mention shorts, but tourists are about the only people who wear them. Leave your white sneakers at home, please. DiAblo (that little devil) was being sarcastic, but nevertheless reflects the attitude that many Europeans have about Americans. I don't know where he got the idea that Americans smoke more than the Brits, though - the reverse is true in my experience.<BR><BR>Remember that London is a working city, and during the week many of the people you see will be wearing business suits. In the evening when you go to the theatre or a good restaurant you will feel more comfortable if dressed smartly.<BR><BR>The country is a different matter - casual dress is the norm.

SiobhanP

I live in Ireland and wear jeans when I am not at work. I've been to PAris, London and Dublin over the year and worn jeans. Not sure why all the debate. I just don't wear them to nice restaurants. I have levis, gap jeans and a few funky flared ones which I will soon look like mutton dressed as Lamb in so I wear them while I can with my boots. Be comfortable and wear what you like.

tada

Thank you all for the wonderful answers. I appreciate your help.

John

<BR>TADA<BR>I agree with Sojourn. Wear what your comfortable in. In my travels I've seen very few Americans with ball caps worn backwards carrying stryo. cups etc.<BR>But I have seen many in clean comfortable jeans, tennis shoes etc.<BR>Don't think you should be ashamed to look American if that's what you are.

jenviolin

ooooh, SiobhanP, what a nice simile. I love it - hard to resist running to the mirror to see if I look like mutton dressed as lamb!

SiobhanP

jenviolin...I am not too old yet but dreading the day that will come! I think the expression mutton dressed as lamb I inherited from my mother. Until then I will still have my trendy clothes until I look my age. I have a few years to go!

emjoy

From my own experience (and to qualify I don't regularly wear jeans) on vacation, my idea is to be comfortbale and to blend in. I didn't take any jeans to England, and in fact I took mostly khaki long pants (never shorts), black pants which could double as evening dress pants and day pants, as well as skirts and most importantly a blazer rather than a coat with the words OLD NAVY imprinted on it. I easily went from museum to lunch to theater to pub. <BR>And, from my experience, I was stopped in every town I went to in England and asked for directions (even by a cab driver in Stratford!) and on a London walk a group of Americans in their shorts and Cal state sweat shirts asked us how long we'd been living in London. When we told them we didn't live there our British guide said, &quot;but you must be over here and business surely&quot;. When we admitted we were just tourists like everyone else, the American family said, &quot;well, next time we'll know how to dress to fit in.&quot;