Jennie

I have to laugh at the idea that wearing black is some kind of "going to Europe" thing.

When I was going to grad school in New York City, I had three main "colors" in my wardwrobe: Black, White and Grey (I also had a little Khaki and Dark Brown thrown in for variety--Ha-ha!). I wore some variation of those "colors" every day! My friends from back home in Oklahoma would come to visit me and joke that everyone (including me!) looked like they were on their way to a funeral!

So you see, my tendency to favor black began WAAAAAAY before I ever thought of visiting Europe. In fact, as I type this, I am wearing black pants, a white shirt, and a black cardigan sweater!! Oh, and I'm nowhere near Europe. I'm back in Oklahoma.

Heather, to answer your question, I think simple clothes that you feel comfortable in and are mix-and-matchable (I think this is why neutral colors are so popular) are your best bet. That's the kind of clothes I'm taking with me on my trip (2 weeks from tomorrow!) anyway.

Have a great time on your trip!

Jennie

vivaldi

I wish the fashion queens would put this one to bed. You know its time when a late-breaking florida fashion alert gets posted.

ElizabethBrown

Ok...so my question is along the same lines as the original post and seems to fall into this category. Perhaps someone can be of help. I am 23 years old...and I am not super into fashion, but I would like to find some comfy black pants to buy to take on my trip to London. This is the problem. I really like the drawstring stretch pants that you can find on travel websites (i.e. Magellan). But I am hippy and I get self concious about my tushy too... the point is not to look like a house. So stylish, yet comfy. I would like something that would be able to wear 2 or 3 times, all day. I would also like something that doesn't look like my grandmother would wear it. Not knocking it...just not my speed. You get the point.

Any Suggestions where to look for clothes?

I was thinking about Chico's which is a store in our city (it is aimed at 40-somethings though). I have looked at other stores and they either seem too rigid/tight or too casual.

Thanks for all the great posts!

Jennie

I wish people like vivaldi would butt out of threads they don't like and leave the rest of us alone. Go find a trip itinerary to critique or something.

Elizabeth, have you looked at TravelSmith? They have some nice things. Also, I found some great stuff at Old Navy. Inexpensive, but looks nice and is easy care (i.e. wash in the sink).

Jennie

Giovanna

Elizabeth: If I were your grandmother (and I could be) you would love to dress like me (and I don't have a big tush). Getting old doesn't eliminate fashion sense or the desire to look and dress well. I love Chico's and have a number of things I purchased there (and I'm well over 40--your assumption that's the group "who they cater to&quot, as well as other quite upscale and chic stores.

This outburst was long overdue. Have just simmered while reading comments like, "does this hotel only have old people staying there; do only seniors go on these tours; and now, don't want to buy something my grandmother would wear." Guess what, you might learn something from these travelers (who have likely been doing what you've just started to do for a long time). Don't assume that grey hair naturally indicates boring! Nor that most don't enjoy having a good time.

Incidentally, I am able to dress well on my travels without asking others what to wear!

Erin

Hi Elizabeth-
I would suggest that you try The Limited, JCrew, or Banana Republic. All 3 have many different styles of trousers- you should definitely be able to find something you like. Good luck!

pchsmiles

... Elizabeth, just a thought - but perhaps it's more ok than you suggest to be un-slim, non-match stick. If I were you, I'd simply wear what I wanted. If you wish to hide part of your figure, fine. But I wouldn't get carried overboard by it. I imagine you have many great qualities that will attract another's eye. So many of the fashions have thin-nazi quality - you must look thin or you're a fashion loser and nothing is being made for you. I thought we were becoming more tolerant - where are the fashions for the more tolerant among us? Who put the thin-niks in charge anyway? It is a shame when someone her age is already worrying!!!

S_F_E

Elizabeth - re: Chico's -I'm a real fan of some of their pants - I have a pair of their black pants that is a staple of my work wardrobe as well as travel wardrobe. I probably wear them more than any other item in my closet. And my 15 year old daughter likes some of their clothes too - so who cares who they're "aimed" at.

You know I think this whole subject pertains to more than just travel to foreign places - for many of us it isn't about trying to "pass" for some other nationality - it's about feeling comfortable with the image we're projecting in different environments. And the image depends not just on the sender of the "message" but also on the receivers and the surroundings. I live in Sonoma County in a rural/smallish-town-environment and when I drive the 35 minutes down to "the City" - San Francisco - I sure notice how the clothes I'm perfectly comfortable running around Sonoma in sometimes make me feel uncomfortable in the city. And I'm not trying to fool anybody about who I am - I would like to dress to give an ACCURATE picture of who I am: which is charming, intelligent, hip, witty, and unique ( I have to spell it out since none of you can see how I'm dressed).

Well, I am actually an abysmal fashion failure and loathe shopping, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate those who attempt to project an image of themselves that they feel comfortable with. And we ALL do it - whether the image we like to project is of someone who has something better to do with their time than worry about clothes or the image we project involves feather boas, false eyelashes, an

vivaldi

Gosh, miss jennie, sorry to spoil your fun. I didn't know that this thread was a hot button for you. Let's all tell story after story about wearing black, black, black to europe.

Jennie

Well gee Mr./Miss vivaldi, What did you expect to see when you opened up a thread called "So what DO you wear . . . .?" Huh? A thread about hotels in Paris in the 6th?

I hate to burst your bubble, but those of us who want to post on what to wear in Europe are certainly free to do so. You may not like it, but that's really too bad for you now isn't it? You are free to move on to one of the other 49 threads running along the left side of the screen.


Jennie

suzanne

I just came back from Europe (Scandinavia). I brought 1 pair bootleg jeans, 1 pair capri jeans, 1 pair capri cargo pants, and 1 pair of tan pants with slits up the sides. I wore black yoga pants on the plane rides (doubled as pjs). I wound up wearing the bootleg jeans for 7 days, the capri jeans for 2 days, the tan pants twice (for going out at night), and the yoga pants for 1 long day of driving. Never touched the cargos. My shirts were plain fitted tees, light sweaters or peasant blouses (non-wrinkly kind). I brought 1 pair of funky-looking hush-puppies and 1 pair of square-toes soccer shoes (that's the best way to describe them). Also funky comfortable red flats for night. Only one jacket: a fleece one that looks like suede. And of course, my red suede hat!

I was able to fit all this in a 21" suitcase, and always felt like I fit in with the locals w/this wardrobe. This is the same stuff I wear at home, anyway.

Degas

vivaldi, you know better than to get between a gaggle of excited women talking about clothes! Miss jennie is going to skin you alive if you spoil her fun.

Did I ever tell you about the time I messed up big time and wore white .....

Jennie

Degas, LOL! You're right! You might as well tell the sun not to shine than try to tell a bunch of women not to talk about fashion!

Jennie

capo

Black is beautiful, baby. The first three things I lay out are black jeans, a black t-shirt, and a charcoal-gray or black sweater. I love black because it's classic, doesn't show dirt, and it helps me blend into the shadows when I spy on people.

HeatherH

Wow, I can't believe the number of replies I got on this post! Thanks to all of you. And you know what? I think I just may take my big sweat pants and my bright white trainers and my fanny pack (which I will be sure to discuss as loudly as I can in public) and my Old Navy flag tee and scream from the middle of Trafalgar Square (and whisper in St Pauls Cathedral) that I am an American tourist and proud of it. Really, though, I think I am going to take jeans cause they are what I feel comfortable in. But I will take nice stuff too. Thanks Everyone!!!!

nocinonut

What, you mean I shouldn't wear my new travel sized feather boa? It doesn't wrinkle or show stains or dirt - if I take the time to separate the feathers after I have splashed tomato sauce on them. I find that it livens up my otherwise drab wardrobe and shows the kind of person I really am to all of those Europeans.

HeatherH

OOOh, can I borrow it? I hope it is hot pink!

ElizabethBrown

Dear Giovanna,

My post was not a "slam" or in anyway meant to be negative. I, like most of the people on these message boards, am in search of answers. I am relying on advice and tips from other people who have experienced things that I have not.

Please don't "read things" into this post. I feel like I am taking the lashing for others. That's not right. We all have questions...

My Grandmother just recently went for a 2 week jaunt in Italy with a friend. I understand that the love of travel doesn't end...just realize that my grandmother and I have different styles and tastes. It was not a personal slam. I don't even know you. I was just wondering where others have had luck.

ElizabethBrown

After some thought...

I am sorry to use words that would offend. That was not my intention. Perhaps "frumpy" would have been a better choice.

I was just trying to be specific enough to gain useful advice.

Thanks to those who replied!