Hmmm... I keep posting over & over again that if you are a decent dresser at home, simply take your normal clothing, suitable for the season and for the types of places (hiking, fancy restaurants, whatever) you plan to visit. So it's not me who said leave your jeans and sneakers at home ;-)

Like others with their (not) athletic shoes I've never worn jeans in my life so wouldn't take them to travel in. But if they are a wardrobe staple for you, of course you should bring them. Realizing they are heavy and bulky to pack and slow to wash/dry, is my only comment.

Because I am lucky enough to have friends who live in Europe, I know for a fact that (as already mentioned) people WEAR JEANS IN EUROPE!

This thread reminded me of a photo posted by a fodorite in connection with a recent trip to Italy: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/s...;sm=0&sl=0

Do you think the two fodorites sharing drinks also share the same fashion advisor? No offense intended, but I almost laughed out loud.

That was Bobby (i) Brown, the make-up lady, not Whitney Houstan's stiff!

I don't like jeans for hiking because they are heavy, sweaty, and take forever to dry if they get wet from any source. Moreover, they are cold in the wind, particularly when damp. Evaporational cooling sets in and the chill bumps come out. As a result, I don't take them along because they are very poor for many of my purposes.

There are better fabrics for travel than heavy cotton denim!!

I believed that BS about no jeans until my first trip over in '98. We connected in Amsterdam and, on the next flight, 3 men carrying brief cases and wearing blue jeans boarded ahead of me. They most emphatically were not Americans.

I will help bash airline food. Anybody want to start a thread? I would, but I cannot think up anything witty enough to sustain it.

Thanks, Mimi. I wasn't aware of that Bobby Brown. But no matter; she also should stop giving fashion advice to women over 40. Hah! "No jeans", my denim-clad derriere!

brookwood, check this out:
http://www.airlinemeals.net/

That airline meals web site is the oddest site I've seen in a long time.

I remember my mother used to say...Sophia Loren could put on a $5.00 house dress and look fabulous. (It's all in the foundation!)

Why are you all washing your jeans so much whilst on holiday?? Didn't you ever hear of Fabreeze???? Unless you are running a marathon in your jeans, I doubt they will be that untidy after three wearings. And why not bring another pair????

You know, we do have laundry facilities in Europe. You don't have to let your jeans drip-dry over the bathtub for two days. Blimey.

It is a wonder how some of you make it to your job in the morning. I manage, and that is after three fingers of gin.

I thought this was going to be a theological discussion involving the event which declared Martin Luther to be a heretic (The Diet of Worms).

I thought it was going to be a thread on the strangest food you ever ate while traveling to another country.

I also wonder why are all these people washing jeans during a holiday? How long are you on vacation? One of the great benefits of jeans is that they can take dirt and no show and yes, Fabreeze, if for some odd reasons, your jeans take on an odor.

Of course, if it is in the middle of the summer and it is hot, jeans are not practical because they are warmer, but any other time, what's the problem?

I have another questions, I've never heard about some many people going to the "Opera", eveyone is saying about not wearing jeans to the Opera, well that's common sense. Do that many of you go to the Opera on vacation?

Chicgeek, you were absolutely right in saying that so many on Fodors say not to bring jeans. I just love how so many people are saying that no one has ever said not to wear jeans to Europe. Oh, please this site is full of people who write about Europeans never wearing jeans. Maybe the people who have responded to this thread haven't said that jeans are evil, but plenty of people do.

Very funny, marilyn and platzman and of course, ThinGorjus you are always funny and erudite at the same time. Do I know you? Do you live in Miami? However . . . umm . . . who is Bobby Brown? God, I am so NOT pop. Sorry, but after one day's wear, jeans need ironing or they look old, crummy, wrinkled, worn, hideous. Yes we can give them an "instant bath" with Febreeze, but really! Remember when we used spray deodorant and called it "instant shower" (when we were REAL young)? Jeans weigh too much to tote around. They won't air dry in a week. Who cares what the look is - they are simply impractical. And yes, anything looks better in a pair of 4" spikes - but who is standing around looking gorgeous when they travel? Not moi (although don't misunderstand me, I usually look gorgeous whenever). Really, jeans aren't the worst - those T-shirts with suggestive, vulgar phrases. Please, just leave them home. Better yet, leave them to the teens. And shoes? Well, sneaks or berks? Good grief, where is the fashion goddess when it comes to feet? Can someone please design comfort and style and market it? Feet are usually ugly. While mine are quite lovely, they still need "pretty" at all times. I could talk about clothes all night. Also, I never try to guess where someone is from when I'm on vacation. I'm usually much too busy trying to get the olive out of the martini with my tongue. Okay - I think I'm cut off the rest off the night. nighty-night.

A Word on Left Bank Streetwear
The word here on a Saturday afternoon is CASUAL. I'm not going to talk about fashion and style - leave that to the experts. But what I can tell you is what I see in the street, and what I'm seeing is JEANS. Bell-bottomed, distressed and ground-sweeping jeans, a sea of jeans. Occasionally cargo pants. The daring wear red sneakers with their jeans and those who cannot wear jeans wear black. Black still remains the universal urban uniform, but now relaxing for the spring into calve length, loose-flowing slacks. The shop windows brim with khaki, cargo pants, laced and drawstringed, but on the street, jeans rule. So, if you're going to Paris, stay on the Left Bank and pack your jeans. Throw in an exceptionally wrinkled gauzy shirt and you'll blend in just fine.

Shanna,

I have to disagree about jeans looking frumpy after one wear, not if they are quality jeans. Good jeans hold up and don't look all messed after only one wear.

As far as shoes, I totally agree with you, comfort is number one! However, I have seen some shoes that are comfortable that I couldn't bring myself to wear in public...For example I know people swear by Birkenstock, I think they are so hideous looking, I could never wear them, though I think my feet would like me much more if I did. I don't know why shoe designers can't come up with truly good looking and comfortable shoes. Maybe it's some kind of plot to make us keep buying another pair of shoes in hope of the great possible comfort.

Chicgeek, I know exactly what you are saying and I'm glad you posted. What you are saying is true...certain Fodorites have novice travelers scared to wear jeans or athletic shoes.
The advice given has always made me laugh. I always wear jeans ( not in summer...too hot).. they stand up well, don't show the dirt and are durable and can be worn for many days, (much longer than at home..but that's the beauty of them). I've never felt out of place wandering the streets and siteseeing and have even seen men wearing neat jeans in very expensive restaurants. There may be many postings saying wear what you want, but there sure have been a lot saying what NOT to wear.
Even on the US board, there were posts stating that while visiting NEw York, one must wear black!..that EVERYONE in NY only wears Black. What rubbish. They even sell different colors of clothers in the stores there!! And you know what? a vast number of people on the streets were in JEANS.
So I hope everyone takes a lesson and wears what they want and remembers to be comfortable.
Chicgeek, I'm sure you'll be more comfortable next time.

lyb,

jeans are not evil
but the pest that attacks cotton is
the nasty boll weevil

http://www.understandfrance.org/Paris/Column.html

something for the ladies.

Capo,

Are your jeans attacked a lot? :)

My jeans are not attacked
a lot
And I'm glad
Because they are all
I've got