Khaki's in Italy
 

I keep reading that black is the way to go in Italy. Like most typical American's we have a lot of khaki colored pants and now we are wondering if we will stick out like sore thumbs on our trip (Rome, Florence, and Venice). Our plan was to stick with Khaki bottoms and dark colored sweaters and/or shirts. Thanks in advance for your help.

Why not? No you will not stick out like sore thumbs and maybe you'll even set some new trends there. A nice pair of Abercrombie Khakis look really good for travel,IMHO. Besides, Rome, Florence, and Venice are very crowded places and almost no one sticks out.

When I am in Europe I can always spot a fellow American because so many wear khaki pants with white tennies and white socks. Nothing wrong with it, but it comes in handy when I need to speak English to someone. You will see for yourselves when you get there.

Scacc said nothing about white socks and tennies. Besides, it's our all-American look and I say, what's wrong with that?

Our family travels to Europe twice a year, and neither of us has ever worn white socks or sneakers. We have always dressed as we do at home, dressy casual - with style & class. So, please stop your stereotyping.

I remember last October, standing by Trevi Fountain in the midst of the crowds and thinking about threads like this on this forum. There were so many people there, you could hardly see the forest for the trees. The whole notion that anyone is going to notice or care about what you're wearing is ridiculous. And why would you care about anyone that would? Just dress comfortably and be yourself. <BR><BR>The only thing you might want to concern yourself with is pickpockets, but if you're in the heavily touristed areas, they're going to assume you're a tourist anyway. Bright colors might attract their attention, but I can't imagine that khaki's would.

One day I walked through Rome in my very standard Gap khaki pants and everyone was looking at me. I saw children pointing a laughing and everytime I tried to ask a question the people would be smiling try to hold back the laughter while looking down at my light colored pants. The Italians walked around in their jet black pants which were tight as could be, revealing more than I wanted to see, like they were going to a dance club or something. Most of the stores refused to help me because of my pants and one time they refused to seat me in a restaurant since they did not allow people to wear what he refered to as "pigiami" which I think means pajamas. Embarrased I purchased some lycra tight black pants which were way too tight but the stares immediately stopped. Relieved a continued my travels in Rome.<BR><BR>Actually, NO ONE even noticed since many people wear kahkis and everytime I go I think of these crazy posts and how this myth is perpetuated by Americans who overly concerned about looking like a native. Some things you may like to imitate about the natives, classy clothing, but others you may not, such as showing your genitalia through your really tight clothing. So be yourself and you will not stand out. You may stand out if you try in imitate the natives and fail.

Aaaarghhh--I can't stand it anymore. Italians wear khakis. They even wear sneakers and jeans sometimes. They do not wear black all the time. I have been fortunate enough to stay with a number of real, live, normal Italians in places ranging from Trento to Bologna to Perugia to Rome. This image of super-chic, super-skinny, black-clad Italians does not represent all Italians. Furthermore, I have never had a single Italian laugh at my American clothes.

I didn't say they would laugh or that anything was wrong with khakis. I just meant that you will notice that alot of Americans and British citizens weoe khaki and white shoes and socks. Is there something wrong with that? I wear them too, so there.

Thanks to those of you who weren't being smart in your comments. The point of this post is so that we don't stick out to gypsies and the such. I could care less what people think about Americans because I would rather be an American than anything else!

I've seen lots of stylish Italian men wearing khakis. I do think they tend to wear them differently than in the US - I mainly see them worn with dark leather shoes, button down shirts and casual sweaters, sort of a Euro-preppy look.

If you're not olive toned and dark haired you're going to stand out. ( Even though I do know a fair skined red haired Italian - from Venice ) You're a visitor. If pickpockets are able to steal wallets without being detected do you really think wearing black is going to fool them? Take precautions so you can enjoy yourself. Wearing black will not camoflauge you.

Boy, you are all so touchy on this subject. You will notice alot of Americans in khakis with and without white tennies and socks. <BR>You can still be a proud American no matter what you wear, but I still think you will be able to tell fellow Americans whether they are wearing khakis or not. <BR>Here in Phoenix, alot of tourists wear khakis too.

I love these clothing posts! We lived in Europe in the early 70s while I was in the Army and just wore what we could afford.<BR><BR>Never any problems.<BR><BR>We have now made about 25 trips back in the last 30 years and still wear what we are comfortable wearing. <BR><BR>Never any problems.<BR><BR>Just dress like you want to. If you are a slob in the US (and they now out number the rest of us) dress like a slob and have a good time as Europe has slobs also. If you like to dress classy, do so. <BR><BR>I still don't know where the dress in black deal comes from. I really have to pay more attention on my next trip. I think some Fodorite made one trip and saw some black pants in Italy and reported home. <BR><BR>Trust me: Some Europeans dress well, some are slobs....same as here. Just relax and have fun. But do watch out for the pickpockets...they are better trained than you are!

I have to LOL at this. When I was in Italy last summer you saw everything from the stylish and chic to the bizzare and wild in dress.<BR>Yes, if you are going to the Opera or to a particuarly upscale restaurant you will want to dress conservatively and nicely. This doesn't mean it has to be a ballgown.<BR>For day wear it really doesn't make the slightest difference-except to the poster. If it makes a difference to YOU, then dress in a manner which is comfortable and casual. You don't have to wear jeans and sneakers to be comfortable.You shouldn't go out of your way to look like you are going to work in the yard, but if you DID look like this- no one cares.<BR>Everyone (and I mean everyone) wears khakis there (including the oh so svelte and stylish owner of the palazzo I stayed in).<BR>Hope this helps.

Bob; "And they now out number the rest of us"!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I couldn't agree with you more. LOL

So many French wear khakis and tans, they wear leather shoes or duck and look more polished. And so many Italians. Mr Bennetoni wears as his uniform khakis or tans and likes blue button down shirts.

Folks don't like to think that khakis don't stick out like sore thumbs, but they do, especially in the cities. It's like wearing shorts in New York. Generally people in Europe cities wear dark colors-black, brown, gray but lighter colors in summer resort areas.<BR>If you want blend in a little more wear darker colors, obviously they'll look clean longer too! I like to wear comfortable clothes that will stand up to travel but it doesn't have to be khakis. I'm going to Malta and London soon; I plan to take wool pants, good looking black jeans, black lighter weight pants, and matching mostly black tops. I'll be ready for anything day or night.<BR><BR>You will stick out in khakis but maybe you don't care. If you are always eating early in very casual i.e.pizza places you'll be fine, but in general be prepared to sit in a corner by the kitchen and wait for a waiter if you wear khakis any where nicer.<BR><BR>Personally I've seen it time and time again where a bit less casual clothes-more blending in and respecting the general populations way of dressing gets better and friendlier service. Unless you are teenagers-in that case the more fun clothes the better-you will be more comfortable without the khakis. Rome, Florence, and Venice aren't resort areas even in the summer.

know? So many Italians wear Khakis in the summer, you have obviously not travelled.

Joan - having lived in NYC for 15 years now - I can assure you that lots of people wear shorts here. So go ahead an wrap yourself in your smug little attitude (only someone visitin the biiiig city, yea haw, would say good looking jeans)......

Nyer, she knows nothing. We who live in the city wear shorts in our part of town. Sure, we dress up when on a night on the town, and when we travel to Rome or Paris, we blend right in with our buddies.

A friend of mine just told me that she was watching "Regis & Kelly" earlier this week and that a fashion consultant that was on the show said that BLACK is definitely OUT. Certain people thought that black was chic, and heavier people thought that black made them look thinner. Most people wear black because its considered a basic color that will go with everything and it doesn't obviously show dirt if you wear your clothing more than once before washing it (which most of us do while on vacation). So, coordinate your wardrobe so that you can mix and match things together, but BLACK is definitely not in season this year.

Leslie...why don't you get out more and get a life..sad creature, you. Your pronouncments are getting dreary as you are!<BR>You are not the Delphi oracale..even if you would like to be...

aa, do you have a problem? I also saw the fashion consultant on R & K, she said black is out.

If you think that a pronouncement from Regis and Kelly means that black is out--think again. Other colors come and go , but you are always safe in black. I wear black a lot anyway, but on vacation, it really works on so many levels: fashion, ease of coordination,<BR>and ability to look casual or dressy with very minor changes of top or scarf. Also needs washing less often than beige or khaki.

It is hard for Americans to disguise their national identity, period.<BR>My wife was on a trail in the Swiss Alps. The pocket on her pack was not fastened. Another hiker, not an American, came up from behind her, and without slowing down or looking back said in good English as he passed, "Your pack is unfastened." <BR><BR>What gave her nationality away? I have no idea. Posture? Hair color? (more grey than black these days) Appearance? (five nine, fair skinned, slender) Hat? (black but not on, dangling from neck) Boots? (brown Red Wings) Trousers? (black) Pack? Perhaps. He could read L.L. Bean on it.<BR>But Bean sells internationally.<BR>You tell me.

I wore light-colored pants and skirts when I lived in Boston and Springfield, and threw them in the hamper after each wearing because they got so grimy (I rode public transportation). I really don't want to do laundry while traveling, so I opt for dark colors to hide the grime. Esthetics aside, dark colors are just more practical (especially for someone who tends to spill red wine on herself - those black pants hide a lot).

Personally, I think black is the wrong choice for travel unless you are bringing lots of other clothes.<BR>It picks up dirt and lint so easily, so you always look dirty. To travel by plane, by car, by train, in black is a disaster.

Black is OUT. Colors are IN. You need to change with the times!

With all of this black in people's wardrobes, it sounds like you're all prepared to attend funerals at a drop of a hat.<BR><BR>Maybe you should all have color charts done and see how much black should actually be in your wardrobes. Seems that those that have so much black in their wardrobes are color-phobic, it must be a disease related to being color blind.

I agree with Elvira. Buy the right kind of black pants and you can wear them the entire trip - dressed up or dressed down - www.chicos.com has the best traveler's pants that don't show dirt and things don't cling to it - I have dogs so I know this.<BR><BR>I tend to spill so khaki pants would last about an hour on me. I would stick with dark bottoms and light tops.

Now I have it figured out! All the people in BLACK are tourists that don't want to show the dirt or do laundry. All the people in KHAKI are locals with access to washing machines. Bottom line: The tourists now outnumber the locals.<BR><BR>Regis? Why?

I want to add that in Provence, no one wears black as they would in Paris, because black attracts the sun and you will be hotter than in a light color.

I always wear chinos and khaki colored pants in Europe and plan to again this May. I have never had a problem with service at lunch. I do generally wear nicer pants or a skirt in the evenings for dinner. I do not wear black in hot weather.