Hello fellow travelers,

I hope this is not a silly question. This will be my first trip in Europe and I'm trying to figure out what to bring on my trip to Paris, Florence, Rome, and Venice next month. I know you can't get into churches with sleeveless shirts, shorts or skirts with hems above the knee. But what about sandals and flip-flops? Are open-toe shoes okay for entering churches?

Actually, are sandals, especially flip-flops, acceptable (in terms of fashion) for walking around town? I don't want to look "vulgar..." while I'm over there with my toes exposed!

I'd appreciate any advice you could offer.

I guess you can wear flip-flops but personally I think those are not tasteful at all to wear outside the pool and beach areas.

I have even seen women going to the office in flip-flops nowadays. It's just ugly. Sorry, but that is only my opinion.

Sandals are fine in churches. I don't really know about flip flops.

Given the cities you have mentioned, I don't know if flip flops will be the most practical shoes, no matter how stylish they are right now. They don't give your feet much support if you will be walking all day, and you will do a lot of walking in those cities. Also, how can I put this delicately? Cities streets are often dirty and a sandal offers your foot a bit more protection than a flip flop if you step in the wrong place.

I think flip flops are not for church.
Nor a halter top.

I see many women hurrying to the office in trainers. At the door or desk they doff trainers and put on business shoes.

On a fashion note I agree that flipflops are unacceptable anywehre except a pool or backyard. Sandals are fine.

On a practical note neither one (unless the sandals are substanial and have good support) are very practical for a tourist. You will be doing miles of walking - often on uneven pavement, cobblestones, worn curving stone stairways (you can/t believe how worn some of these hundreds of years old stone steps are) and lots of other places where the footing is often uncertain, This is nothing like walking a mall or a modern city street - I would go for something more substantial - that will also let you keep your feet free of street dirt.

Just returned from Paris and London, and while we saw some tourists in churches in flipflops, it did not look right. Appropriate sandals seems acceptable. And the post about walking a lot was correct-- wear good comfortable walking shoes or sturdy sandals. You'll be on your feet constantly.

My niece introduced me to Teva sandals at L.L. Bean in Freeport, Maine. You can get them anywhere or order online.

Very comfortable, the were the only shoes I brought on an 8 day trip to London with lots of walking. Presentable but dependable.

You will not be denied entrance into a church if you are wearing flip flops. But I agree with everyone who said that they are not the shoe to be wearing while touring Europe. Two years ago, I wore some leather thongs on a daytrip to the island of Lipari, thinking I would do minimal walking and spend a lot of time on the beach. That was fine but on our way back to Taormina, we decided to stop in Messina for dinner. It was still early and we killed time walking around the city for two hours. After the first 30 minutes, me feet were killing me and were filthy. If you are going to wear sandals, make sure they support your feet very well and are relatively closed.

In Barcelona flip flops are everywhere! Even boys are wearing them, and in any occasion. People even go clubbing in flip flops! So you will not look extra-ordinary at all!
If it's appropriate, seems like a personal taste to me.
Hey, you're still on vacation, and I really don't think baby Jesus minds seeing a toe or 10. After all, sandals was all they had in the good old days in Galilea, no ;-)

In terms of getting into churches it won't matter. Their rules strickly refer to shoulders and knees. The authorities don't care about your shoes.

In terms of how they look, that's personal opinion. I agree they aren't as "nice" as more formal sandles but there are some pretty wierd, trashy clothing items out there, (shoes and otherwise) worn by tourists and locals alike. They get into churches, restaurants, etc. My opinion is that flip flops are no worse than a lot of stuff that's being worn.

In terms of comfort, that's also individual. Most of the over 30 crowd (of which I am one) would find them very uncomfortable for walking any distance. But we are all different. I personally find them very comfortable and can walk many miles in them. I brought a pair to Italy a couple summers ago, just to wear in the hotel, at the beach, etc. but found that on very hot days I was actually more comfortable in them than my "good" sandles. I do agree that your feet get horribly dirty in them if walking around cities.

Flip-flops are acceptable, but not practical. You just gota to take proper care of your feet. Don't let blisters put you on the sidelines and ruin a vacation.

Be smart and wear a nice soft comfortable sandals and leave the flip flops at home..
Your feet will thank you..

My daughter and sister took several pair of the cotton, cushioned flip-flops to Italy last summer. They found out they were the most comfortable shoes to wear. I had a diabetic traveling with me and she ended up having to wear some of my daughter's flip-flops also. If you have any problems with your feet swelling and you are traveling when it's very hot you may find that you can't get your regular shoes on(I couldn't) and have to wear sandals the entire time.

I would rather be comfortable and able to continue my sightseeing plans than worry about what someone thought of my shoes.

Seems like I am in the minority, but I brought "sensible" walking shoes with me on my 5 week Europe trip last summer, and my 99 cent flip flops from Drug Fair were the ONLY shoes I ended up wearing when sight seeing. Rome was HOTTER than hell, and my feet were swollen. My Naturalizers rubbed against my skin, causing blisters. My foam flip flops were SOOO comfortable. I wore them with long cotton skirts, so you couldn't really see what kind of shoes I had on, anyway. I toured the Vatican three times with them on, and never had a problem, as I was dressed tastlefully, overall. I tend to dress up when travelling, but wear comfortable, loose cotton & linen outfits that look very nice. Flip flops can add to a sloppy look, if you are overall sloppy. I guarantee you NO ONE in Rome thought I was a slob, or inappropriate. In fact, I got many compliments on my outfits. By the end of 5 weeks of HARD walking, the flip flops I had thrown in my suitcase as emergency shower shoes had become my best friends. I had no idea they would hold up through MILES of walking, including an all day treck all on foot to the Colisseum, Nero's house, and the Forum. They were worn to the bone, and I left them in Rome, but I am on a MAD search to find the same kind before I leave in 3 weeks!!!!

I'm a fan of flip flops and they are quite the fashion rage in a certain age group right now. So take them along. Slip them on in the evenings. They're also good for the shower if you're going the youth hostel route orluck into some warm weather and a beach along your travels.

BUT for practical purposes you really do need something you can walk for miles and miles on cobblestone, pavement, etc. to be comfortable on a European trip. Since you said this was your 1st time, I'll venture to say you can't imagine how much walking you will do!! So depending your fashion sense get yourself a pair of Berkenstocks, Teva, fisherman sandals, trainers, sneakers, SOMEthing that can go the distance for you.

Muimei-

Couldn't agree more that flip-flops are the footwear of choice in the places you will be going. I'm leaving in the next two weeks, and I intend to take no less than 4 different pair of dress flip-flops to trip the light fantastic- I ALWAYS have problems with blisters and walking in Europe-doesn't matter if it's shoes or sandals-only with flip flops can I walk around in comfort-PARTICULARLY in hotter-than-Hades Italy in the summer!

However, when I say flips- I'm not talking about the flat ones (although I use these to walk around hotel rooms!) I'm talking about the nice 1 1/2 to 2 inch foam bottoms that cushion my feet like pillows. Try "Rocket Dog" brand flips-stylish, and oh-so-comfortable. I'm taking these along with 3 other pairs with pretty jeweled v straps in different colors that I intend to wear, yes, even with my business suits in London!

And there is no problem with wearing flips anywhwere in Italy or Paris, churches or no.

I'm always amazed at people who get to europe and then find their shoes are uncomfortable/causing problems, Are these people buying new shoes for a walking trip? It's a recipe for disaster!

Just wear whatever shoes you usually wear at home for walking and you will be fine. If its time for new ones anyway get them far enought in advance so you can age them a little before the trip - if you do at least 20 or 30 miles before you go, then you won;t have any problems.