HeatherH

After all the posts about what NOT to wear when travelling to Europe (ie white trainers, flag tees, etc) what would one wear? I was (sad but true!) planning on wearing the same kind of clothing that I would normally wear around home: jeans, trainers (but no, they aren't white ones, if that matters), polo-neck shirts, sweaters (we are going in March), and I was going to take a "nice" outfit (slacks, dressy shoes, a sweater/sweater set) to wear to the theater and on the days we go to places where jeans may not be appropriate (the cathedrals, abbeys, etc). What do you all wear when travelling?

Travelnut

Female: black pants, black/red cotton turtlenecks, black socks, black walking shoes (Aerosoles or such). Black water-resistant hooded jacket; silk-like long underwear/camisole if cold enough. Bright scarves sometimes, basic gold jewelry, business-casual jacket to wear for casual dinner. We don't dine expensively, so no need to dress up more.
Male: wears jeans or khakis, polo/golf shirts, long-sleeve cotton pullovers, black soft-soled shoes; carries lightweigh trench coat if it's cold, also brings a pair of longjohns. Maybe a casual cotton/blend jacket for dinner.
So, to me, your plans sound pretty good. It will be cold in March - we've been in Paris and Amsterdam a few times in March, and it is 40'sF. - 50'sF. usually, and rainy part of the time.

Erin

I mostly wear black when traveling. If I do wear jeans, they are very dark in color. I try to pack so that every top I bring matches every pair of pants. I think that wearing slacks/pants/whatever can be just as comfortable than wearing jeans and you will look so much nicer. I never wear sneakers when I travel. I wear super comfortable slip on black shoes with a bit of a heel that can be dressed up or down. I also own a pair of Merrel slip on shoes that are black nubuck that I will wear on the plane sometimes. I think when traveling abroad its worth the extra effort to look a bit nicer- save the jeans for home!

Scarlett

I ,too, wear what I wear at home. Which happens to be mostly black and either trousers or skirts with sweaters or long sleeve tops/shirts.
I would wear ankle high boots or a good pair of black leather walking shoes.
Nice going out to dinner/opera would be a black pants suit. and High Heels!
In March you will need a jacket that is preferably water proof and a good scarf, the wind can be cold even on a sunny day.
There! I'm packed and ready to go

ira

I just looked through my entire wardrobe. The only black thing I have is a Greek Fisherman's cap.

Patrick

I'm beginning to think that following all the usual recommendations of what to wear in Europe -- all black, no tennis shoes, etc.-- will accomplish one thing. It will make you look like a tourist. After all, that's what all the other tourists have been advised to wear, and it has become the standard "American tourist in Europe" uniform.
Meanwhile I see all the locals in jeans, tennis shoes, bright colors, etc.

Scarlett

ira, I bet you don't have any skirts in that closet either

swalter518

I third the black. I have a bunch of the microfiber pants/tops that don't wrinkle and travel well and are great for dinners/nicer places. During the day I usually wear khakis or cargo type pants and good walking shoes. I find they are less conspicuous than jeans which you don't see alot of.

Scarlett

When we were in Florida, last March, I too noticed that people wore much more color and jeans all the time.
I guess that is the difference in big city wear vs. other cities, I believe Chicago and San Francisco dwellers wear a lot of black too. I know they do in London and Paris.
So as I said, if I wear what I wear at home, it will be mostly black ~

adrienne

Hi Heather,

For the last 5 years 50% of the clothing I've bought has been with travel in mind, i.e., wrinkle free, natural fibers, and comfortable. I usually travel with black slacks, black skirts (some with small checks or florals), tee shirts (long-and short-sleve) in a couple of colors besides black. I bring scarves to dress up the outfit. Never bring jeans since they are bulky, heavy, and take forever to dry. Sweater or light jacket. Black walking shoes and sandles; minimal jewelry.

For Italy this October I plan to bring a fleece vest to wear under the jacket, if I need it and gloves.

My rule is that I have to be able to wear an outfit 3 times or else it stays home.

adrienne

Travelnut

Black is the predominant 'color' in my daily wardrobe, at least for work and going out. I just like it... supposedly it's 'slimming' and it goes well with my salt&pepper hair!
Red is my favorite accent color, also purple.. so I don't wear black in Europe to 'blend'- I just like it. The other thing is it doesn't show 'grime' as easily as does a light color, although I hope I'm not picking up any grime on my travels.

I don't think anyone should try too hard to "blend in" because it really isn't possible, and it isn't that important. You should pack
1)what travels and wears well (minimal washing/wrinkling, etc)
2)what is comfortable (heels??), and
3)use a little good taste (no bare midriffs for me).

dln

Black basics. Taupe, gray and white to coordinate.

And just because I can't stand being so tasteful and elegant,

One LIME green linen shirt.

Maybe I can please everyone.

Tulips

Heather, that is absolutely fine. All this nonsense about jeans; everybody wears jeans in Europe, even to go out in the evening, but then teamed with smart top or jacket and high heels. They are fine to wear in cathedrals too; a mini skirt with bare legs would be more of a problem there! Just wear what you would wear at home.

Scarlett

dln, I am sure you will be stunning in Lime green and those Italian men will swoon

dln

Scarlett, they'll certainly see me coming.

HeatherH

Thanks to all! It's Friday afternoon, and apparently everyone is as bored at work as I am Just a side note, most of my clothes are black or dark colors, so that isn't a problem with me! I own NO khackis, just TONS of black slacks and about 3 pairs of nice (as in no holes or worn seams) dark jeans. My only worry now: whether my black peacoat will make me look like a tourist who is trying to hard! But, it is the only one I have that will travel well, so oh well! It's not like I am going to be out to impress anyone, I just didn't want to look like an idiot. Again, THANKS!!! And have a WONDERFUL labor day weekend!

Patty

Here's what I'm planning to bring for a fall trip - mostly black or dark colored slacks, a pair of jeans, and a skirt. Lots of lightweight, fitted cotton or silk knit sweaters and turtlenecks (sweaters just travel so well). I also bring shoes that I normally wear back home - black and dark brown Coach/Cole Haan loafer type shoes with 2" thick heels, black leather boots, and a couple of pairs of flat walking shoes. For coats and accessories - a bright yellow cashmere scarf, black leather gloves, a red Burberry raincoat, a charcoal cashmere overcoat, and a red wool hat. I do wear bright colors but mostly as accents with the exception of the raincoat. Yellow used to be my favorite accent color but has been recently supplanted by red. Most everything else is black or dark/neutral tones as light colored clothing just shows dirt too easily. No trainers but then again, I don't wear trainers at home either unless I'm working out.

maitaitom

For 17 days in Mosel/Alsace/Montreux/Grindelwald/Lugano/Colli di Buggiano/Cinque Terre
Two pair of black Jeans
One pair of Dockers
1 Pair Hiking/Walking Shoes
1 Pair Black "cool" shoes for dinner/walking
Four or five mock turtles
A few tee-shirts (hiking)
As many pair of underwear as I can fit into carry-on
Ditto Socks
Rain Slicker
Sweater
Lots of woolite (although a coupple of our hotels on this trip have laundry facilities).

Scarlett

Tom, I am sure you will look lovely

ira

Hey Scarlett,

Does a kilt count?