Hi, Ann.

Your post wasn't rude. It was great!

IMO, I just think American's see Europeans as first-class. Americans are also overly-concerned with what others think of them. We do need to get over it. We just don't want to look like fools or like "one of THOSE Americans."

It is important for people to know what's acceptable attire for certain places -- like certain museums and churches. So, there does need to be SOME awareness, but it's good to know we're not being judged by everyone. :-)

Lucci- If you don't have time to break in a new pair of shoes.. I just bought some inserts with great arch supports, from REI. They weren't cheap ($40), but I immediately could tell a difference. I walked about 6-7 miles through Seattle afterwards, and never got the arch pain I had experienced in the past after wearing my athletics shoes (New Balance) for a couple hours. (This was the advice of the sales person, who did seem very knowledgeable and could have sold me a very expensive pair of walking shoes. She said, "if what you're wearing are comfortable, but only get uncomfortable after a long walk, to try these inserts and skip the expenseive shoes.) :)


(annhig) The only US posts I've seen about "what to wear" by Europeans, is more about temparature/climate. Obviously, we are such a large country that, depending on what state and what altitude you'll be at, you could be advised to bring anything from snow boots to bikinis. :) Thanks for making this American feel ok about wearing my very comfortable athletic shoes and matching yoga pants/jacket to Italy this fall. :)

Paula

Lucci, the funny thing is when you return, you will wonder why you ever worried about how you are dressed. I have been to Europe more than 20 times in the last 10 years, and I have seen everything. I was in Amsterdam last week, and I saw almost no Americans, but that didn't mean that no one was dressed in American styles and logos. I saw lots and lots of shorts and athletic shoes of all descriptions on people speaking many, many languages. You will see every imaginable kind of dress, and they will all be tourists, because you will most likely be at the tourist attractions! Know that you have to cover your knees and shoulders for churches(however you like) and then wear what you wear! If you are traveling with other people, they are probably the only people who will even notice you!! Please post when you return and tell us if you saw anyone who clothing stood out, except people who were obviously on their way to work.

Whatever you do, just don't wear brand new shoes. Nothing can dampen a trip like blisters you get the first couple days. Been there done that. This is my very BEST piece of packing advice.

Surely you have a couple pair of comfortable shoes or sandals in your closet already that will work for this trip?

Hi Everyone,

After reading all of the recent posts, I began to wonder just why I was so concerned about what to wear..hummmm.
To me, planning is part of the excitment of travel. Not only learning about the culture, history, places to see and new foods to eat. What to wear is part of the fun (at least to me) and I have found everyones tips very helpful. I'm not concerned about the "Fashion Police" just trying to be a prudent packer. Oh incidently, I found a great pair of walking sandals..Naot. They were narrow enough for me as alot of the others were too wide.

Again,thanks for all the tips,

Lucci

lucci, now you know: for every Fodorite who thinks clothes are interesting and fun, there is another who finds the subject idiotic - so much so, that they answer every query about clothing. Some will actually tell you it doesn't matter what you wear, then continue to explain if you don't do as they do you have your priorities out of line, are frivolous and a bad traveler, or perhaps demented!

I'm all for people who like to look their best, whether it's in their Saturday morning fleeciest or their Saturday night sparkliest. Half the people you see seem to come from a world without mirrors. Spiritually that might be a beautiful concept, but socially and sartorially it's depressing. ;)

OK, goodnight ladies.

My advice is to wear clothes you'd feel comfortable being seen in for posterity. As for shoes, I found Aerosoles to be great fashionable (depending on what you choose) shoes that don't need much breaking in time.

You're not the first person to have this worry, and you certainly won't be the last. I'm having a talk about that with my friend right now for her first trip abroad. :)

hi, paula, [and lucci]

pleased to have been of assistance.

now what should I wear to make sure that you americans don't immediately spot me as a brit - do I leave the union jack waistcoat at home?

:S-

regards, ann

Walk a straight line. :)

Yes I have NEVER seen a European wearing Nikes or Adidas or Pumas. Oh no never. The average European man is always fully dressed in suit and tie, even to work in the garden and the ladies always in the most stylish of smocks.

personally I ALWAYS wear a hat, preferably with veil.

:S-

regards, ann

Dear Ann,

By all means, please come as you wish. You might be a tad uncomfortable wearing your wellies (sp) in downtown Chicago but it might inspire some interesting conversation!

Kindly,

Lucci

hi, lucci,

how on earth did you know that I always wear wellies? [correct spelling, BTW].

green for preference [though I bought a great shiny black pair for DD to clean out the donkeys when I was in Venice].

I did wear them to work once in London when we were hit by snow - I clomped along a bit, but my feet were dry.

regards, ann

Dearest ann and lucci..
speaking of wellie's. I had a sister-in-law who was always trying to impress everyone. She usually didn't succeed but that is another story.

Anyway she visited GB for the first time and of course raved about her trip. Some months later she and her husband were travelling through California and stopped to spend a few days with us. We made reservations for dinner at our Yacht Club which always had a rather dressy Friday night dinner. Not a dinner jacket for men etc., but dressy.

When my SIL came out of the guest bedroom suite when we were ready to go to the Yacht Club lo and behold she had on a pair of wellies! And keep in mind this was in the middle of summer! And no, she didn't have to wade through any muck. She just had to walk down the sidewalk to the driveway where our vehicle was parked and from the parking lot at the YC into the YC.

I must say that everyone did remember her visit! I never hear about wellies without thinking of that evening. Cheers!

Remember that in many churches, there are signs posted regarding appropriate dress: no sleeveless tops, no shorts, and so forth. Bring a pretty shawl or silk scarves to throw over a basic top to dress it up for dinner. They're lightweight and can dress up an outfit quickly.

When it comes to shoes, remember that you will be walking on cobblestones. Look for shoes with some side and arch support--I just returned from Italy and wore a pair of Merrell lightweight "mary janes" with ventilated fabric on top and they were very comfortable. Bring 2-3 pairs of shoes so that you can change from day to day, or day to dinner.
Buon viaggio!

I'll actually be arriving in Rome the day you are leaving Lucci!.. I too have read the various posts of clothing to wear and I can't believe I began to worry about that.

I'm going to wear what I'm most comfortable in. This includes running shoes, polo shirts and blue jeans. I will bring along some dockers and dressier shoes for dinners, but I could care less what people say about the clothes I'm wearing.

Ann,
I agree with you in that we are tourists and I would think we would stick out no matter what we wear, so we might as well dress to be comfortable and have a good time.

My comments are not meant to be rude in any way, just adding my two cents, which at this point is probably two cents too many :-)

Lucci,
We were in Italy in June and I too stressed over what clothes and shoes to take. My wardrobe consisted of black and tan; capris, skirts, and knee length shorts. Tops were all interchangable. I took a pashima to cover bare shoulders as needed. I took 2 pair of shoes and 1 very comfy sandals and alternated days. My BEST suggestion is to go to your local drugstore and in the area where they have Dr. Scholls products, look for the moleskin sheets. BUY THEM!! I started breaking in my shoes in April for our June trip, but even so with swelling feet they rubbed. I was so thankful that I had the moleskin to put on the tender areas and kept blisters from forming. Have fun and enjoy. Ciao!

hi, loveitaly,

love the story about your SIL. did she realise she'd committed a bit of a faux pas?

truly, i have been known to do the cooking in my wellies when in and out of the kitchen into the garden and back, but never to dinner!

and after I broke my ankle wearing them for a country walk, they are strictly for home, not walking.

regards, ann

Several pairs Black slacks with different tops and several scarves to dress up a bit at night and simple black loafers--like Cole Haan and Bruno Magli are my mainstays. Pikolinos brand are comfortable and stylist. I always travel with a mid-length Burberry raincoat with a hood--works a lot better than an umbrella.

I found that skirts were the most comfortable to wear but I agree with Nanyra about "casual American" we tend to be too casual. CApris and t's are the easiest but even last August I needed a little sweater. People who wore shorts tended to scream "american" especially if they wore a belly pack. I have used ZAppos and love them because you never pay for shipping either way and you can try on the shoes. Hope is is great!!!