Forgot to mention in my previous message. I never carry a money belt but if it makes you feel more secure, carry one. Be aware, pickpockets are known to cut the string around your neck if you are wearing the neck pouch style. If you are staying in a hotel with a safe, keep your passport there. Carry a DL or some other form of identification. They lift passports for identity theft. Most major European cities have ATM machines that accept U.S. ATM cards. I only bring enough U.S. dollars for an emergency. You get one of the best exchange rates through an ATM with less commission than a exchange bureau. As for my purse. I carry one that fits snug under my arm (doesn't hang down by side or waist). I put my wallet with $, credit card, ATM card in the zippered wall pocket of my purse. Then I bring a cheap small wallet and place it in the large compartment of my purse. No matter how vigilant you are, it can happen to anyone.

Grandma: Well, that blows my theory even though it's worked for us! Were they velcro pockets?

Cassandra - It is a Wilsons Leather jacket from the Wilsons Leather store(In Columbus, Ohio). I bought it on sale a couple of years ago for only about $90.00. The insulation that comes with it is "Thinsulate Ultra". The insulation also comes with a velcro cell phone pocket.

You are all cracking me up! A coat that you wear in summer with hidden contraptions and velcro!

I am just going to wrap myself in plastic wrap from the grocery store and that way I will lose weight and no one will be able to get to my pockets.

I won't be able to sit down all day but that will keep me on the move so I will see everything.

Hi Hightide! I don't know... just know that there were a LOT of them (pockets). (He was still wearing the trousers when we met.)

Use common sense and you'll be fine. What do I mean by that? Whatever you'd practice elsewhere in a large city. Many of the stories told here are pure B.S. to scare folks.

Ktyson- Ignore Mdtravel's comment, the stories told here are pure B.S. to scare folks! Is that why you find Banners across streets in Amsterdam that state in English "Beware of pickpockets". Is that why the Dutch government has an emergency fund to help stranded tourist that have been pickppocketed? My family is from Europe so I travel there two/three times a year. My profession is in law enforcement. The advise I gave you in my previous messages was given to me by European law enforcement. I was pickpocketed in Paris going through the sliding doors exiting the metro station. A group of teens ran up and shoved their way through the door just as I was walking through. I was pinned against the door with five teens while one reached in my purse and ran. Lucky for me they got a small wallet sized pouch with asprin and travel size perfume. Mdtravel was right when he said just use common sense. Be aware of your surroundings, and do not re-think a trip to Rome just because of pickpockets.

Peeky - I did mention that I mainly travel off-season in cooler weather. So being hot is not an issue for me. Anyway, its a very light jacket and not all that warm. I don't see anything funny about protecting myself from pickpockets. It's no sillier than wearing a moneybelt.

Still it's only a precaution and no replacement for always being aware of your surroundings.