I saw this topic in an earlier post but just wanted to bring it up in its own (as should be). What US brands of clothing are considered "acceptable" in Britain and Ireland? REI, LLBean, JCrew, Abercrombie, GAP, Old Navy, Wal-Mart, K-Mart? What's the key to not looking like a tourist (dress-wise)? And hey, where do I put money?

Darren,<BR>I think you ought to reconsider, my friend. I've seen some ugly things happen to lads who come over acting like Mr Fancy Pants.

Yes, Darren, remember they have been brought up in same sex boarding schools. Don't bend over the drinking fountains in your little Dockers.

Hah, fear not - Mr. Fancy Pants is basically everything I don't want to be. I'm only 25 and my wardrobe consists of jeans and sweaters (both of which are not the nicest). I was really thinking about some of the jackets I have that explicitly say "Columbia Sportswear" or "GAP" on them. I'd basically like to know what the average 20-something year-old wears.

Why don't you wait until you get there, and buy what you like that is in style? Wear your jeans over and then go for it, more fun that way.

ahhhh.....can't be real. skip this discussion

There are GAPs all over the UK and Ireland, often with the exact same clothes as in the US. I don't know about, the other places you mentioned - you can mail order LL Bean, but people don't, much. I doubt anyone's going to scrutinise your clothes that closely anyway. If you're really worried, get a big black waterproof fabric marker and colour in the tags so no one can read them.

Anything that doesn't say REI, LLBean, JCrew, Abercrombie, GAP, Old Navy, Wal-Mart, K-Mart or anything else except on the label.