I've been fascinated by the very interesting threads I've read on this forum. I'm on my way to Italy in a couple of weeks and one thing I question is the use of athletic shoes. I know it's a big no-no not to be dressed as chic as possible in most of Europe, but we plan on walking a lot and what's the big deal if during the day our feet are shod comfortably. Recently I was in a resort in the north east of the U.S., and encountered 5 people from Italy. They were wearing leather shoes, doing a lot of walking around a very large resort area, when most of the "locals" were in sneakers. Now if Italians in the U.S. don't feel compelled to wear sneakers and that seems to be okay, why must I wear shoes that I normally wouldn't, which will probably hurt my feet in the long-run? I have lovely sandals and shoes for evening wear that I plan on wearing at night, but for cobbles and marble walking for hours and hours it seems a little sadomasochistic. Now don't get all heated up, just some thoughts please.

Be comfortable. Nobody expects you to dress according to local style. <BR><BR>OTOH, the main thing that makes sneakers more comfortable is their thick, cushiony soles, and it IS possible to buy shoes or insoles that serve the same function.

Hi<BR><BR>I never thought about this before.<BR><BR>Am I a slob ? Probably !<BR><BR>I drove the Route 66 and PCH in thongs, and walked many cities with them.<BR>I even got married in shorts, Tshirt and thongs. <BR><BR>That was my private time. For business, I have to be more presentable !<BR><BR>You should have the confidence to wear what feels comfortable on vacation ?<BR><BR>After all no-one knows you.<BR><BR>Peter<BR><BR><BR>

Hoo-boy it's going to start now.<BR>My advice and it is only my humble opinion:<BR>If you wear sneakers all the time here then go ahead. I wear deck shoes which are just as American as sneakers. As here people will see what you wear as an indication of who you are (a class indicator). Europe is a more openly class society and it may affect the way you are treated in select circumstances. For some people this is important and other don't care. Most of all please do not go with an attitude of resenting the Italians for their opinions. Go with the flow and press on regardless.

Wear whatever you like and ignore the F.A.R.T ( Fodors Apparel Request Team )<BR>that so often castigate people for not trying to 'blend in'. It's your vacation - not theirs.

SNEAKERS? ANYONE THAT WOULD WEAR SNEAKERS IN EUROPE IS A FAT, BIG HAIR, PINK WARM-UP SUIT WEARING HUSSY THAT SCREAMS AT THE WAITERS AND WANTS EVERYONE TO TAKE AMERICAN MONEY AND DEMANDS TO KNOW WHY THE PEOPLE STINK AND ARE RUDE. IF YOU WEAR SNEAKERS YOU WILL ALSO BE AN IMMEDIATE TARGET FOR EVERY PICK POCKET, GYPSY, AND STREET MUGGER. YOU DO KNOW THAT IN EUROPE NO ONE EVER WEARS SNEAKERS DON'T YOU? IN FACT IT IS NEXT IMPOSSIBLE TO EVEN BUY THEM. SOME COUNTRIES HAVE BANNED THEM EXCEPT FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FIGURES, AND EVEN THEY CAN ONLY WEAR THEM WHEN PERFORMING. I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE BEATED AND CARRIED OFF TO JAIL FOR VIOLATING THE NO SNEAKER RULE. PLEASE, FOR YOUR OWN SAKE, DO NOT WEAR ANYTHING EXCEPT 6 INCH HEELS AT ALL TIMES LAURA. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU SPEND TIME IN THE SHOE JAIL.....

Firstly, it is more than what you wear that defines who you are. <BR><BR>If you are concious but want comfort - what about non-white sneakers? I think it's just white shoes that may differentiate you from the rest. You can get some lovely walking shoes from your sports shop, I'm sure that aren't white. <BR><BR>I've a friend who went to study in Dublin and the first thing he realised was the lack of service he got at many stores because of his white shoes. So may be it may make a difference.<BR><BR>Alternatively, if people want to be that "small" - then they're probably not worth the effort appeasing! <BR><BR>

I am just back from Rome yesterday. We had a wonderful trip in paris Vanice, Florence and Rome. Everything is great, and we didn't have any difficulty getting anything.<BR><BR>back to your question, it's VERY appraopriate to wear sneakers, unless you are going to Opera or up-up-class restaurants. We saw so many people wearing them, and regretted we brought only black leather shoes.<BR><BR>One thing about wearing black, it is true that a lot of people wearing black in Europe, especially in Paris, however, itis not practical for tourist. European city are dirty compared to even LA and NYC. Black draws too much dust.<BR><BR>Many jeans, few kahkis. Hope this helps.

Thanks to Jessica: I'm going to Italy in 2 weeks, was also looking for some advice. I'll prob bring black or funky blue sneakers (plus nice sandals for night), and try to convince my boyfriend to leave the white sneaks at home. We're doing a bike trip, after all -- need the sneaks, but still want to look stylish! <BR><BR>And extra thanks to Martha -- whew, to think we might have been hauled off to jail! Thanks so much for your valuable advice! =0)<BR><BR>

Oh my goodness...we sure wouldn't want a fashion problem...and wear, oh my goodness .....WHITE SNEAKERS!<BR><BR>What would THEY think?<BR><BR>Who cares!!!!<BR><BR>Do you really believe they are looking at you anyway!<BR><BR>Amazing...<BR><BR>US

Jessica,<BR>According to you, European cities are dirty and dusty, so white shoes are more practical than black? I don't get the logic there...

The main thing about sneakers is not the fashion propriety or lack of. It is if they are the "right" shoes. Most Americans wear nike-type shoes just about everyday. BUT most Americans drive everywhere and don't walk much except for short distances. On vacation in Europe you will walk MILES everyday. And most athletic shoes are not the best for that. So IF you have sneakers that you know are good for LONG walks then take them (plus at least one pair of non-sneakers). But if you have never walked more than a few hundred yards in them - I would take good supportive walking shoes instead. Brown or black walking shoes - like eccos or mephistos or softspots, etc.<BR><BR>Just because your Nikes/Addidas are comfortable on your feet doesn't mean you can walk a lot in them.

Have you heard the expression...when in Rome, do as the Romans do???<BR><BR>That means, that when in Italy, one SHOULD NOT wear sneakers. Or shorts, jeans, t-shirts, etc. Everyone in Europe dresses to the most exacting of standards...and as a visitor, you should do the same.<BR><BR>

But the Romans aren't walking miles and miles through museums and historic sites, they're going to offices and errands that aren't as demanding on the feet. The tourists AREN'T Romans, aren't spending their days as Romans do, and there's no reason to dress like them. They should show some respect and common sense, certainly, but in terms of fashion and details like shoe styles, sorry, that's above and beyond.

Janis,<BR>I love your response. Americans (and I'm one)don't walk long distances at home and always blame their non-athletic shoes.<BR>There are so many stylish and comfortable walking shoes like Mephisto, Aerosole, Ecco, etc. My walking shoes are far more comfortable than my New Balance athletic shoes. <BR>I travel to Europe every year and I've never seen a native wear clompy athletic shoes except in a gym or running in the countryside.

Suzy - the point is that Romans (and everyone else in Europe) do all those things on their feet - not by car. So they walk much more than we do and they do not wear built up athletic shoes. The most comfortable walking shoes are like the ones Tina and I mention. Why do you think so many American complain about how hard walking is - mostly because they are in the wrong shoes.

I realize that Romans do more walking than average Americans, but they aren't walking all day like tourists often do. Athletic shoes come in lots of designs, meant for different functions, including those with arch support etc. just like walking shoes. I suspect that Americans who complain are just out of shape, not wearing the wrong shoes.

People in Europe dress in the same variety of ways Americans do. In all the countries I have visited (including Italy and France), I have seen large numbers of people wearing sneakers, jeans, cutoffs, and dressed in the sloppiest ways imaginable. From my observations, Europe seems to have the same percentage of people who dress informally that the USA has. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>

There have been a rash of threads lately "reacting" to the "what to wear" threads, expressing shock and concern that one "must" were certain clothing in "Europe", and that one "cannot" wear other types of clothing. I find it hard to believe these threads are sincere, but just in case: people ask about local standards and trends of dress and appearence because (for whatever reason), they are interested. The reason they are interested doesn't really matter - maybe some feel safer if they blend in with the crowd, maybe some are afraid of pickpockets or terrorists, maybe some feel it's important/polite to dress appropriately by local standards, maybe some don't trust their own judgement and are afraid of being turned away from churches or restaurants due to inappropriate attire, maybe some are just curious about trends and styles in various European cities. <BR><BR>If you are not interested in or concerned about such issues, then there's no need to even open the "what to wear" threads, let alone reply to them - just as you probably wouldn't read/respond to a thread about five-star hotels in Rome if you're never been to Rome, never plan to go to Rome, and always stay in Youth Hostels when you travel. It seems awfully silly and wasteful (and probably unhealthy) to become indignant just because someone has a different travel style than yours! Why not post about something that DOES interest you instead?

As long as there are people like HiHo who insist that travelers follow a dress code, it will be necessary for others to point out that this is all voluntary. <BR><BR>Without such a balanced response, many novice travelers will gain the misimpression that they are obliged to camouflage their national identities and buy a new wardrobe for traveling. I don't think anyone's indignant -- it's notoriously hard to convey or interpret emotoins in this internet context; dissent doesn't necessarily mean anything as extreme as being "indignant" nor indeed upset in any way. Just interested in maintaining a balanced perspective.