Nike in Italy
 

I read about the sneaker controversy in France. How about in Italy? Late Sept. in Rome/Florence/Venice/CT in particular. Basic white Nikes - 40+ female. Comments, please - comfort is important, but wouldn't want to be embarrased.

Karen you won't be embarrased. Just wear whatever is comfortable. Only people who will notice them are those tourists (Fodorites with pins) who are paying too much attention to some dress code they came up with instead of looking at the thinngs they came to see. We just returned from Paris and it was hot nobody wore black but two women who were stayng at the same hotel (MUguet) and when we talked to them they stated that people on this forum said that in Paris only black is acceptable. Don't believe in this nonsense. Those who said those things must be from colorless New York City where people do not have own opinion regarding fashion but only able to follow others. Relax wear your sneakers and have a great trip

Karen, <BR> <BR>My wife and I, and another couple just returned from Rome and Florence. Two of us never wore sneakers (by choice, we had other comfortable shoes) and two of us wore sneakers. Wear whatever feels most comfortable to you. The Italians dress perfect: my wife was astounded at how everything matched, and it would be most difficult to try and match them when traveling with a limited supply of clothes, shoes, etc. There are so many tourists that you will not feel or should not feel embarrased by wearing comfortable shoes and just by the fact that you are asking the question shows that you will look better than most folks there. We did not feel any difference in our treatment nor saw any difference in treatment of people who had sneakers on. Now, we did see nicely dressed, rude and obnoxious people being treated differently! <BR> <BR>Go and enjoy! Rome and Florence are great cities! <BR> <BR>Chuck

Karen, <BR> <BR>I was in Italy a week or two ago, and I was surrounded by people dressed every which way possible. There were folks in shorts, sneakers, and baseball caps, and there were people dressed to the nines. It all depends on what makes you comfortable. I'm more comfortable blending in and not looking like I'm a tourist, but I think the map in my hand might have given it away :) . The long and short of it: dress however you're most comfortable. It's your vacation! <BR> <BR>cindy

We also were in Italy a week ago and since I am a genuine shoe freak, I look at everyone's shoes. What we noticed on our first day there, in Rome, 95% of the Italian women were wearing a sport shoe similar to our gym shoes, but much more stylish and in different colors. My daughter and I immediately bought a pair and eliminated the whole dilemma of comfort vs. fashion!

Maria, I believe you are talking about the leather bowling show which is nothing like a Nike running shoe. Karen, of course wear what you wish, but do know that Nike running shoes are never considered 'stylish' unless you are fourteen years old. I may be blasted for saying this, but it is true. Do you wear these shoes out where you live now? As I said, do what you wish, but I wouldn't wear them.

Also just back from Italy. Everywhere they were showing the leather bowling shoes, for men, women and children in all kinds of colors. They looked quite comfortable and cute. (I was happy in my navy blue Rockports.) People wore everything and anything. My husband (he likes to dress neatly but our kids never would call him stylish) was happy to see he'd packed the perfect navy blue lightweight sweater to wear knotted over his shoulders and appearing totally "completo" with his long sleeved sport shirt and khakis.

I seriously broke my foot about 10 years ago and cannot walk in Europe in regular shoes all day. After about an hour my foot starts to "creak." Thus, Reeboks, but I get them in black and hope they'll fade under my slacks. Since I'm stuck with the shoes, I try to make sure the other parts of my wardrobe look especially good. I think we take this "dress code" business too seriously!