elvira

What DID all those American tourists wear before athletic shoes became fashionable? I can only imagine my grandmother must have been nearly crippled back in the 50's and 60's when she traveled all summer long in English walking shoes.

mark

Living in NYC whenever I see a "fashionista person - i.e: assav" approaching I run the other way. There is nothing more boring than a person who bases their existence on what they or you wear. Invariably people with no talents or skills resign themselves to "fashion". <BR>If you're really hell bent on wearing "fashionable sneakers" look at some new balance drab color combos - avoid the white ones. <BR>Parisian friends who come to NYC wear sneakers and jeans without a second thought. Wear what you want.

Robert

I have spent a great deal of time walking the streets of Paris and can advise that trainers (sneakers) are indeed worn by some young French 20-somethings (mostly males). If you are concerned with appearing less "touristy", a much more effective strategy is to wear typically French clothing. No polo shirts with "such and such Golf Club" on the sleeve is a good start. <BR>When walking in Paris, I try to wear jeans (any colour other then dark blue), a nice shirt and blazer. You would be surprised the number of times I have been asked for directions. You can always re-inforce the look with appropriate Continental walking shoes--I recommend Campers (yes, the are Spanish, but still very "in" in Paris and terrific walking shoes).

J T Kirk

What's the big deal about sneakers, and why do you all spend so much time talking about it. If the guy's comfortable in them (by the way, I'm don't like to wear tennis shoes), let him wear them. To me, they're just as unattractive as most supposed walking/travel shoes, be they Ecco, Joseph Siebel, or Mephisto. And I think wearing those shoes sorta makes you stand out like a tourist, too. But so what? When we travel, we ARE tourists.

Shanna

Try Merrill's walking shoe - suede, short ties, solid, good sole, look real classy without being wingtips or patent leather and, from what I was told, very comfortable for lots of walking. $80 in Magellan's. But in truth, last week the Parisians I saw were wearing anything and everything, although most men over 30 were dressed upscale except for the occasional American or German tourist. You'll be going a long way towards saving the American reputation if you just tuck in your shirt and wear a belt. Remember that clothing sends a message to others about how you want to be treated. <BR>

Gerry

After years of working on my feet and trying to look professional, I have had 3 foot operations due to damaged feet. On the orders of my foot doctor, I have thrown all of my wingtips and other leather shoes and boots in the garbage save one pair of dress shoes for very dress up occasions. I now only wear shoes that are good to my feet. (My foot doctor says that 80% of his business is from woman's high heeled shoes which he would outlaw and then retire.) He recommends that I (a male) only wear running shoes. <BR>I recently returned from a trip to Italy. I brought 1 pair of black Rockport and 1 pair of Black New Ballace walking shoes. These are the same as I wear to work at home. My feet were perfectly comfortable and no one gave them a glance. Comfortable shoes don't have to be white. You can get black, brown, tan,grey...without fluorescents. I wish the manufacturers would get that! I never wear white shoes. I think they look ridiculous on a grown man whose not on the tennis court or jogging whether at home or abroad. It's sort of like wearing rinestone cowboy boots to the opera or wingtips to the rodeo. <BR>My take on Eccos is that they are way overpriced for what you get--an unnessary expense if you have a budget. <BR>Oh! and...The European exchange students around here say that Big 5 is the best store in the US and load up on shoes there while they are here. <BR>For me, my feet come first. If I can't walk to the sights, I might as well stay home. It the maitre d' doesn't like it, at home or abroad, well I just refer him to my foot doctor and walk somewhere else. But, that has never happened. <BR> <BR>Good walking, <BR> <BR>Gerry

Diane

Go for comfort. Bring more than one pair of comfortable shoes. You feet will thank you for the slight variation.

gb

After all the comments on this board, I purposely took a visual survey of footwear in France and Italy. At the tourists locations, the majority of people had on some form of sneaker. I swear I could not tell if an Anglo person was from the US or somewhere else by their shoes. Same for Asians, who also wore sneakers everywhere. Walking around the city, there was numerous kinds of footwear. Rarely did I see heeled shoes on women, other than a basic pump shoe. (we did not go to fancy restaurants or shows). Then, when I returned home, I did a visual survery at a local mall. Same type of footwear-there were the tennis shoe variety, sandals, work pumps, dressy type sandels, and flat walking shoes. I don't think anyone ever gave my shoes any kind of look. All I had to do was speak, and they knew where I was from. Hairstyles, clothing, and just a "look" about a person gives you a clue to where someone is from.

Nancy

Just returned from a month in Paris and absolutely every possible shoe was worn. Reebok style shoes were definitely worn by many non-tourists, all ages. In fact, because of this being a big issue on Fodor's, I was particularly aware of shoes. I bought some great ECCO shoes at the Walking Store here, in the proverbial black so as not to stand out (!), and they were extremely comfortable over all those cobblestones. I love my Reeboks but these were better on their streets.

Taylor

Mitch, we just returned from 8 days in Paris and walked everywhere. Needless to say our feet appreciated our wearing tennis shoes/sneakers. When we went out for the evening we usually wore other shoes but for all the walking and sightseeing during the day we tracked in sneakers. We are 38 years old and were not too old for them. Even many Parisians had tennis shoes on. The only time we encountered rude people was at a very nice restaurant and our sneakers were back at the hotel. Enjoy the city, be comfortable, treat people politely and don't worry about what others think of your footwear.

Michelle

To: Harvey in Columbus <BR> <BR>I bought a pair of Ecco's at The Walking Store at Tuttle Mall. They carry men's shoes as well. <BR> <BR>Lazarus also carries women's Ecco's. I didn't check out the men's shoe department, though.

Eva

I have to concur with assav on this one - I too have never worn a pair of sneakers in my life and have always been comfortable. Wear what you wish, anyone who does not feel uncomfortable wearing them in North America will not feel uncomforable in Europe.

Barb

Hi Mitch! <BR> <BR>Just returned from a wonderful week of walking thru Paris. <BR> <BR>BOTTOM LINE: Wear whatever is most comfortable! Period! <BR>Never buy new shoes just before a trip ( I made that mistake years ago and still remember how much my feet hurt!) <BR>We, too, were in a real twit about how we would look. After investing in $115. pair of Ecco shoes (which by the way are $62. in Germany...) I couldn't break the darn things in. So, into my luggage went my trusty, broken in Nikes and my feet were happy the whole time! <BR> <BR>Paris is teaming with tourists and no-one gives a rip about what anyone else is wearing. We didn't spend any time in fancy restaurants, except the Lido ( which we loved!) Then we put on the pretty clothes and proper black shoes. <BR> <BR>Plenty of jeans and comfortable attire anywhere we went, so don't obsess... <BR> <BR>I answered another post on Paris travel and highly recommended a two day pass for the "Open Tour" Bus. It makes a continuous route around the city to the main attractions. You can get off where you like, spend as much time as you like, and then go back to the bus stop and within a few minutes a bus will be there to continue on. It was a great way to see a lot of the city. <BR> <BR>Hope you have a great trip! <BR>

Capo

If people who express their opinion about the way other people dress in public are fashion "police", then what does that make people who express their opinion about the way people dress in, for example, "fine" restaurants? Aren't people who expect -- and especially, <I>require</I> -- people to "dress up" in nice restaurants also fashion "police"? <BR> <BR>If a person should be able to walk the streets of New York or Paris in sneakers and a plaid jogging outfit without getting condescending looks from other people or offending their aesthetic sensibilities, then shouldn't this same person be able to dine in a "fine" restaurant in this same attire without getting condescending looks from other diners or offending their aesthetic sensibilities? <BR> <BR>

leslie

Let's hear it for European shoes! I would never wear a shoe made in Asia. Birkenstock closed-cloggs are my favorite travelling shoes, also Eccos, Clarks, and Danskos. <BR> <BR>Once, I walked miles and miles in San Francisco in cheap shoes only to come home with heel spurs that killed. <BR> <BR>Wear what is comfortable and forget about it. Don't wear sneakers to a fine establishment. <BR> <BR>Really, fanny-packs are a worse tourist-give-away.