gabrielle

<BR>What do we wear? What do we pack? How do we act? We are not overweight? But my main thing is what kind of shoes to wear? I like sandals, but what do you wear when it rains? Can I wear athletic tennis shoes? I keep hearing this no tennis shoe thing. Tell me an exact shoe to wear that will not look geriatric. <BR>

anna

I wore white leather Keds, mainly because I have foot problems, but I wish I had worn something with a thicker sole, because cobblestones are murder on your feet when you've been walking a lot. Avoid the huge and really outlandish basketball shoes, but a good athletic shoe for sightseeing and comfortable sandals if you gotta get dressed up for something.

Kimerley Brown

Hi, I don't know which country you are writing from,but I am from Australia. The english and dare I say it the tasteful Aussies would wear comfortable leather shoes. <BR>I am travelling to the UK with friends in September and we are taking our R M Williams (like riding boots). They are comfortable and should get us into most places without us looking like hicks! <BR>I think most people wear leather runners like Nike or Reeboks. <BR>Remember you can't get into Harrods in torn jeans. <BR>We will be wearing mainly jeans, shirt and a jumper. <BR>Nice pants and linen shirt if we go somewhere nice at night. <BR>Leave the bermuda shorts and tacky hawaiin shirts at home! <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>Kim.

Kathy

Since the tourists outnumber the locals in the UK now, it seems like nothing sticks out like a sore thumb. Saw lots of white running shoes. I bought and wore Hush Puppies and they were very comfortable. You really need a thick sole for the cobblestones. Some swear by Ecco or Mephistos. <BR>A blazer that you wear on the plane comes in very handy for dressing up a pair of slacks or skirt.

Connie

I also have foot problems so I have to wear something comfortable. To me it's Reebok's low top Freestyle which looks almost like the Princess. I have white as well as black. They aren't big and clunky, don't have flashing lights or neon colors on them. A very understated look that doen't draw attention and are so comfortable! I also take flats for anytime I have to be more dressy.

Perry

I just don't get it. What's so tacky about tan or navy Liz Claiborne bermuda shorts? <BR>Perry

Marty

Absolutely nothing is wrong with nice shorts; nothing is wrong with not nice shorts, except that you cannot go into some churches in them. I just returned from Europe, and I saw everything and could not tell who was who until they spoke! Believe me, some of the most offensively dressed (ie, lots of body parts and underwear exposed) were not Americans, and they were mostly very young. I saw lots of non-American girls with scarves they had just bought on the streets tied around their not so nice shorts so that they could go in churches. Wear what you like, carry a light weight scarf in your bag or tied around your waist(if you want to go sleeveless, just before you go into a church casually tie it around your shoulders or around your waist if you feel your shorts are very short), and don't let these people worry you anymore. I never feel the urge to criticize non-Americans' clothing when they visit here, and I don't understand why people on this forum are painting such an unrealistic picture of how we look in Europe. They make it sound as if you will be the only foreign person in these places. It is summer, it is hot, and you will be in huge crowds. Offensive people are offensive wherever they go--no matter what nationality and, no matter what you say to them, I doubt they would change. Polite people are polite. If you don't feel like you are a regularly offensive person in dress or attitude, then have fun and be yourself! Don't let someone else pack your suitcase, or you will be very uncomfortable and angry at yourself for ruining your expensive vaction!

ellen

Absolutely!!! Just got back from italy and uk. I wore long dresses day and night--either with my Teva's or Mephistos. My husband wore long shorts with a collared shirt tucked in, belt, shoes & socks. We were neat, clean, and most presentable. We didn't offend, nor were we offended. Had a great time. It was between 85 - 95 degrees in Italy the entire time we were there. Comfort was the key. We got into every church without an issue. The scarf is a good tip! Those being turned away were the sloppy,multi-pierced students/backpacking youth of all nationalities. Midriff tops, cut off shorts, dirty sneakers. Families and couples who were dressed neatly slipped about town practically annonymously.

Beth

Right on, Marty! We saw all kinds all over Europe. Everyone said don't wear jeans, and we saw all kinds of locals with jeans, shorts and everything else on. I don't think it's a big deal, when it's hot, wear shorts!!! If you can't go in a church, you can't go in! I saw many in shorts in churches all over Europe - in Germany and Italy, Austria and Paris!

Jason

Firt thing. I took a ferry from Dover to Calais once, and as I sat on the deck of the boat, I saw many English people walk by. I got a chance to look at their shoes, and if anyone dares to suggest that Americans wear improper footwear, I would beg to differ. Everyone wore poor fitting shoes that were improperly soled. Moreover, they were always wearing thick dark socks, even with athletic shoes. After that, I noticed that everyone's footwear in Europe was very poor. I then looked in a clothing store and found the reason why. Europeans pay twice what Americans do for shoes. <BR> <BR>Secondly, I was in the Vatican City. It was very hot (middle of August) and I could not get into St. Peter's because I had on kaki Polo shorts. I understand that is their policy, but I could not understand why they were letting in women who had skirts on that went down to the same length as my shorts. I think those are silly policies. <BR> <BR>Oh, I don't think that a continent that sports bright pink OP shorts should be complaining about the way Americans dress.

sonia

Since your message title refers to the UK, I assume that's where you're headed. So here's the scoop (from one who grew up in England and visits regularly -- 3 weeks there in June this year.) <BR> <BR>In London, the young and trendy wear lots of black --just like NYC and Paris. Sneakers ("trainers" there) are useful, but mark you as a probable tourist. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Mephistos are probably great, but way outside my price range. I found a new Aerosoles black leather shoe with a thick sole -- reasonable price, and comfortable for long walks on all surfaces. Hot weather is unlikely to be a problem in the UK this year! But should an unexpected heatwave hit, sandals are fine -- my leather "town tevas" work well and proved comfortable. <BR> <BR>Footwear rule for me is a) comfort and b) appropriateness. Also foot protection if you will be in the underground during rush hour! Young Londoners seem to be wearing big platforms (think Spice Girls): you don't have to do that! London is one thing -- in the country it's different: I doubt anyone would even notice your footwear unless it was too dressy (then it's like hiking the Grand Canyon in high heels). <BR> <BR>Enjoy your trip, and remember that most Brits enjoy meeting Americans. No need to hide!