The most important point is fitting in, especially in certain areas where you might become a target. Just as I wouldn't go into certain areas of New York City looking like I just caught the bus in from Kansas (no offense Toto), in certain areas of the world it is better to not be too obviously American. For the most part in Western Europe all you are likely to encounter is a rude comment. As far as being conservative, I think it is true that Americans have a penchant for bad taste, ie shorts in church etc. If you want to be tacky it is your right...up to a point. The best bet for men (I can't speak for woman)--nice casual slacks, a collared shirt and some sort of blazer to slip on. Easy and gets you in most anywhere.

It's great fun fitting in. I recommend it. <BR> <BR>To fit in you might try leaving the warm up gear and white tennies at home. You might want to dress (even on week-ends) better than you would if your plans were to clean out the garage. <BR> <BR>And you might ratchet down your noise level. Americans can be spotted by their noise. We shout at each other across open spaces and speak in pubs and restaurants as if we were coaching a gang of cheerleaders.

Within the safety of his little room just off rue Racine in the 6th, Carl Jones of Piscataway, New Jersey, prepared for his first foray onto St. Germain. He carefully donned black socks, black turtleneck, black pants, black belt, black leather jacket and charcoal gray scarf for a splash of color. He checked his image in the mirror. "Je vois la vie en rose," he thought, ironically. Braced by his perfect attire, he ventured boldly into the street. <BR> <BR>All was well until he was distracted by a pretty girl at the corner in the crowd on Germain. One moment later he stepped deeply into merde du chien. Lifting his black (and now brown) shoe for a look, he momentarily lost his balance and staggered into the street, where his scarf was snagged on the mirror of a passing Smart Car. Carl was dragged through two blocks' worth of gutter before the driver heard his shrieks. <BR> <BR>The driver, another attractive young woman, helped the battered man to his feet. "Pardonez mois, monsieur," she said. "Holy shit!," ejaculated Carl. Then he came to his head. "I mean, de rien." <BR> <BR>She then reentered her car and drove away, but not before accidentally backing over Carl's elegant, effluent-coated, black shoe.

i know this will probably annoy some, but here we go. <BR>you can dress anyway you want, but as soon as you talk, we all know where you come from! <BR>nudge - not american.

I have posted this before, and I will post it again. I am a docent at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC - the world's most visited museum. I have on my tours people from all over the world. And some of the most outlandish, horrid clothes I have seen have been on Europeans. In addition, I have seen baseball caps, sweatsuits and white sneakers on them as well. I am sure people on this forum will say "Oh, they were trying to blend in" in order to justify their views. However, I tend to believe these visitors are dressing the way they are most comfortable. Anyway, at the end of the day, I cannot tell you who was wearing what nor do I particularly care. What I can tell you is exactly who was the most ill-mannered and misbehaved. Whomever said good manners is the only accessory you need is exactly right.

Why are we worried about baseball caps, which -- though very dorky -- can be removed? <BR> <BR>There's looking American and not looking American, but some of this has more to do with looking young (youthful, immature, whatever...) and looking older (mature, elderly, whatever...). I'm over 50, and wearing lace-up comfortable ("tennis" "cross-training") shoes is less a matter of a nationalistic statement and more a matter of surviving a lot of walking. Of course, I don't have to wear white ones, but in the US, it's very hard to find other colors. <BR> <BR>But what would you think if you saw me wearing a lime-green spandex mini-skirt, with metal studs piercing all kinds of body-parts, and black lipstick? That statement would take us far out of the realm of looking like an American or a tourist. <BR> <BR>My point? Wearing what you "feel like" wearing doesn't mean that you aren't making a statement of some sort. And there are all kinds of statements, some worse than others when you are away from home and have to worry about crime or being treated badly by waiters and taxi drivers.

Folks, it's not about baseball caps, shoes or scarves. It's about envy and jealousy. Americans are proud of their heritage and some cultures have difficulty with that.

StCirq, I agree with Santa Chiara; the obervations in your post were very wise. Thank you. <BR> <BR>I especially liked these comments: "In fact, the way you comport yourself and your ability with the language are far more important factors than how you dress. ... But they [Europeans] have in general better manners - that's what really makes the difference."

To St Cirg, <BR> <BR>I'm from NJ and I wore my baseball hat in Amsterdam in March, and I'm going to wear it in Italy also. WHO CARES?! It's how you carry yourself when you are on vacation that counts. People know that I'm American, good for me!!

I agree with Carol. There is nothing wrong with looking American. I also believe that we can be repectful tourists/travelers even if we are wearing white tennis shoes, pink jogging suits or yes, even a scarf. I will never see these folks again in my life and if I am comfortable being in the above attire (if I so choose), then if I get side snickers then so be it. I chose that outfit and besides "When I am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple".

Kendra <BR>If I saw you "wearing a lime-green spandex mini-skirt, with metal studs piercing all kinds of body-parts, and black lipstick" I would begin to breathe hard and would just have to ask you out for a latte...

Well, as the story above so clearly shows it, my attempt at fitting in did not work so well. I learned my lesson. After that little debacle, I went back to my room, changed into my official New Jersey uniform of muscle shirt, ragged jeans, white Nikes, and NY Yankees cap (on backwards of course) and went back out on the street. Hey, no one even bothered me afer that. In fact, I was given a wide berth by all!

Thought some of you might enjoy the following, with visuals, from the Washington Post: "How Not to Dress Like A Tourist" <BR> <BR>http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/euro/front.htm

Gosh, I rather enjoy these threads -- especially the one in which fanny packs are debated. Otherwise, I find it odd to take pride in attributes I've had no control over: my nationality, ethnic background, family, etc. Rather, I appreciate the benefits of being American, but am mindful of the pitfalls as well. Happy travels!

Well, I do wear my trusty baseball cap, but only when: <BR>(1) at the beach or pool, to help keep sun/wind/sand out of my eyes, (2) working out/hiking (helps keep my hair out of my face & shield sun from my eyes), or (3) when I want to run out first thing in the morning for a newspaper and coffee before I've showered (helps conceal "I-just-woke-up" bedhead). The same applies when traveling. I don't wear it to museums, restaurants, etc. But would I wear it sunbathing at the beach or poolside, or on a hike? Sure. Same with athletic shoes, shorts, etc. -- I would not wear them out to dinner whether in Washington DC or Rome or Paris or New York, but of course I would wear them for working out!

I've been lucky enough to have been to Europe several times. My latest was Istanbul and the Greek islands. I'll never forget waiting for the Topkapi Palace to open in Istanbul and there they were : the Americans. You can spot them and hear them half a mile away. <BR>What gave them away? They were dressed in windbreaker type sweats of orange and bright pink, the sneakers, the cap, the fanny pack, and their voices ( so loud). They didn't change their money so they couldn't pay to get in to the palace. <BR>They were so loud and goofy looking, I'm ashamed to admit I was a bit embarrassed by them. Anyway, I also felt sorry for them and gave them Turkish money for admission. After all, they were fellow Americans. But do they have to talk and dress so loud?

If you are 20 or older you really shouldn't be wearing a baseball cap. If you're on a professional baseball team, only whilw working. Men who are wearing baseball caps are either trying to hold on to some vestige of their youth or trying to cover up a bald spot. To you casual baseball cap wearing men - it doesn't make you look younger, just insecure - which ultimately make you stick out. Let that bald spot shine.....

I am from a small farming area and most men here wear baseball caps every day. It's part of our way of life. I recently went to France with my husband, I wore a sweater, black slacks and a black leather jacket, he wore a black, yellow and purple leather Ski-Doo jacket with his jeans and ball cap. He did get stared at a bit by the french men but no one was particularly rude to us. Considering the fact he is 6'3" about 250lbs and has a mustach, there is no way he was going to fit in no matter how he dressed. But to answer the original post baseball caps and mustaches are a giveaway.

To newbie: <BR> <BR>A mustache a giveaway? In France? Where at least 50% of the male population has one? Actually, I think growing a mustache might be a great tip for anyone interested in "blending in."

I don't understand these clothing posts. Look at yourself in the mirror. Did you comb your hair (did you wash your hair)? If you were single, would anyone want to talk to you. If you think noone will talk to you then try again. <BR> <BR>As far as sneakers, jeans, tacky t-shirts, etc. I've seen as many on the French and Germans as any American so cut me a break. And by the way, they look just as bad on them as they do on us.