My husband & I are going to Europe for the first time. Our son, however, has been going to college in Switzerland for 3 years and currently has an internship in Frankfurt. We are going to London, Paris, & Frankfurt and he is certain we are going to stand out so much that we may as well wear a sign that says "Rob me". He says shorts are not okay and that we should not wear sandals - especially my husband. Really??? Please help - I want to be comfortable and don't feel that fitting in is all that important but don't want to embarrass my son more than usual nor be a target for theft ;-)

Please follow your son's advice. Especially in Paris the men will not be seen in shorts and sandals - unless they are visitors from the US. Women wear sandals of the more dressy styles - not the mountain climbing versions. What we would consider "dressy casual" is the general manner of adult relaxed or casual dress in most European countries. Teenagers typically wear t-shirts and jeans but I don't advocate for adults. However, on this site you're sure to get lots of opinions to the contrary such as "wear whatever you want, just make sure you are comfortable." I say if your son has been in Europe for 3 years, he probably knows what he's talking about and it sounds as if he's asking you to trust his judgment on this. I would.

Shorts are fine. Sandals are fine. If you want to fit in in Germany, then wear black socks with the sandals.

Seriously, I have no idea where this no shorts thing comes from. I live above a mens clothing store (in Denmark), and at least 80% of the window displays feature shorts or (worse) capris. On a warm day, shorts are very popular.

One style that is distressingly popular is the jort, or jean short, but this might be a Denmark thing - Danish fashion choices can be questionable.

Here are some European clothing outlets selling shorts:

http://www.c-and-a.com/de/de/shop/pr...lektion/Shorts & Bermudas
http://www.galerieslafayette.com/ind...option1=Shorts
http://www.selfridges.com/en/Menswea...?template=Tall

Depending upon the time of year, though, shorts may simply not be needed, especially in the UK.

As to the question of embarrassing your son... I can't help in that regard, particularly as he seems to have internalized some outdated cliches.

Doubt that shorts, alone, would make you a target for theft, but one should always be aware of their surroundings, just as they would anywhere else. Don't leave your wallet sitting out, don't flash too much money, keep an eye on luggage, keep your purse in front of you in crowded situations (elevators, public transit, etc) - that sort of thing.

This question can be framed many different ways and the discussion can go to all sort of directions.

First, grown up men don't wear shorts and sandals at the similar frequencies as in the U.S.

However, what you do about it depends on how you frame the issue.

Fitting: since it is not important to you, why bother?

Rob me factor: probably increases the noticeability but wearing other things would probably does not materially change the risks. If one looks like a sitting duck one way, he would probably also look like a sitting duck irrespective of what he wears.

Treatment at businesses: one probably gets less than stellar receptions if one 1) does not greet store employees upon entering a store 2) has attitude crashes seen from the other side or to a lesser degree 3) wears something other than what they usually expect for that type of business. Of course the importance of each factor depends on the local, the type of businesses, but probably cumulative.

London, Paris and Frankfurt - you are talking major cities here. If your husband would wear shorts in New York City, then he should wear them in those cities. Listen to your son. Have a great trip.

Been trippin around Europe for a while now wearing nothing but shorts. Don't really care what the locals 'think' of me but have not had a problem with security or safety.

On the other hand, maybe the shorts are a good thing because most shop keepers greet me in English!

The only thing your husband shouldn't do, is to wear sandals with ( usually dirty white) socks like the germans do in Greece......
Other than that, he should wear whatever makes him feel comfortable.

Sure, you will see grown men dressed like small boys in London.
With all these clothes questions, the answer is that one sees people dressed at all levels of ridiculousness and scruffiness.
Nobody really bothers but for me the basic rule is don't look stupid or indecent.

BTW, I bet that Flanner doesn't prance around London in shorts. The Flannerpooch would disown him.

It looks like the jeans uber alles crowd has switched to shorts uber alles for the summer, with a vengeance.

What you husband wears shoukld depend on wha type of vacation you plan on having and where you intend to go/visit/eat.

It is true that in much of America grown men wear shorts and sandals a good part of the year to go almost everywhere, including church. IMHO this makes them look childish and silly.

Fine fr sports, mowing the lawn or running to the market.

Not great for going to a major museum in a large city and having lunch in a pleasant restaurant. (It is true that most restaurants no longer have secific dress codes - althouhg some do require that men wear jackets and pants rather than jeans).

If you will not be going to any specia events, dining at any nice restaurants, or wanting to avoid being really chilly (London almost any time of year) then shorts are OK. My beau wears pants when ravleing in major cities, saves shorts for resorts or countryside (or beach house).

Shorts and sandals are not a problem, either on tourists of locals. It's summer!

I never understand this obsession with what to wear, especially something like this! It's summer & hot, why not wear shorts?
I have lived in europe all my life (54 yrs) & can assure you that shorts & sandals are worn almost everywhere!
A few sensible exceptions of course, religious places, evening dinner in restaurants, going to the theatre etc.
Just take a selection of trousers/shorts/capri length & wear according to weather & venue.

I suspect this is less about fitting into European ways than about the "Oh <i>Dad....!!!!</i>" factor.

I'm 63; I rarely prance about London or anywhere else these days, but will on occasion wear shorts (on the knee-ish, even at the risk of looking like Eric Morecambe - no shorter)and sandals when it's hot (I probably should have done today), in London and in other European cities if - <i>IF</i> - the weather and situation justify it.

I wouldn't for extended walking round streets and museums (sandals just aren't supportive enough), or posh restaurants or up-themselves department stores like Horrids, or usually in the evenings. But plain-ish chinos, a shirt appropriate to the weather (and not in screaming colours), with socks and any comfortable shoes, would be unobtrusive in most situations short of a wedding, funeral or high-powered business conference, and I take it you're not going to any of those.

I agree with your son obviously wise beyond his years...

I love my shorts/caps in the US BUT

I have traveled over there for over 40 years I dress down
to blend there dark designer pants of quality no shorts tanks sandals for me except in sports venues etc.. A big cultural
no no epecially in churches where you will get kicked out.

Folks have a great fashion sense over there bermuda shorts
sports caps and sandals mark you as a clueless American hence
a theft magnet ripe for the picking...

ricksteves.com travel.state.gov insuremytrip.com

For some euroewbie clues...

Careful research money belt always wise...

Happy Travels!

....I suspect this is less about fitting into European ways than about the "Oh Dad....!!!!" factor. ....

Patrick, I chuckled at this because the same thought occurred to me. To the young, parents are by definition embarrassing.
I think I'd take his advice though.

I keep waiting for "Oh, Dad" to FINALLY say,
"You know that money you USED to get from me for this "education?"

Traveling should be, IMO, about making things a lot LESS stressful than they already are.

The only clueless American on this thread..well we all know who that is

Patrick London , I am bowled over.I've met you and no way would I have said you were in your 60"s. My DH waers shorts everyday at home in FL but they do not go in our cvases for taveling unless we would be headed to a beach or a resort.

Nasty bus and metro seats , yuck! ANd stepping in dog poop in sandals is a double yuck

Wearing shorts will attract a lot of attention to your legs and feet, and everything else you're wearing by default. Any half-naked look in public is a stand out, even more so for a guy.

If you have no fashion sense, if you don't know how to put clothing items together and make it all look "right," or "hip and cool," if you don't have a sexy, physically fit body, nice legs and attractive feet, wearing shorts could make you look silly or, sillier, than you normally look. No different than the middle class German men who wear thick socks with sandals.

I work with many foreign film crews and, yes, some of the guys wear shorts. They tend to be younger and the locations tend to include a beach.

It's nearly impossible for a tourist not to look like a tourist, no matter how hard you try. Even in a melting pot like New York City, the tourists tend to stand out, especially the first-timers. Their clothing is one sign but their body language and carriage is often a more glaring giveaway. The way you wear your hair says a lot about you. And the minute your voice is heard, all bets are off.

I tend to advise newbies to ere on the conservative side when traveling abroad. Why risk unwanted attention?

On the other hand, after the heat wave we suffered this past week, I'm surprised anyone outside had clothes on. I saw a lot of scantily clad people walking around and I have to say, not many of them looked better than the ones who were fully clothed. In many ways, they looked hotter and more sweaty. Funny how that works in the big city heat.

Thank you, avalon, and yes, you mention another real ick factor with sandals that I have fortunately not experienced, but you're quite right. Feet do get mucky enough walking around outdoors in sandals without that.

PS for the OP: this may be a bit of a tease, but you might like to ask your son if perhaps his papa would fit in in Frankfurt wearing these (and can he look out for the right sort of shop to buy them in):
http://www.gls-german-courses.de/upl...Lederhosen.JPG

Don't shame your son, and expect him to return the consideration.

If everyone on the street were wearing suits and he told you to wear a propeller beanie, pretend you are at MIT and wear the beanie.