We will be traveling to europe for the firts time soon and I am trying to talk my husband out of wearing his cowboy boots. I am not having much luck he grew up wearing them and wears them everyday. I told him his boots will make us stand out too much as americans but he says we will stand out anyway. I want him to buy a pair of walking shoes for all the sightseeing we will be doing but he says his boots will be fine. I am afraid he will have a hard time walking some places because of the leather soles and higher heels on his boots. Should I keep making an issue of the boots or just let him wear what he feels comfortable in?

If they don't make his feet hurt..let him wear them!

Is he taking his Stetson hat, lariat and horse too? (He'd be all ready in case you come across a costume party!)

You have used a good argument, but he is not convinced...let him wear whatever he wants. Just take a pair of comfortable shoes, just in case....While it is possible that a full cowboy outfit (hats, pants, etc...)may stand out, I find it hard to believe that cowboy boots are such an attention getter. Anyway, I am not sure where in Europe are you going, but it is likely you'll be visiting tourist sites, hence the name. So, no matter what you wear, if you are visiting the London Tower or the Eiffel Tower, most likely you are a tourist. So what?

very unusual first-ever question.

He's a grown up, let him wear what he likes. If he develops blisters he can always buy a pair of sneakers or shoes.
I have never found leather soles per se to be a problem, that's what my shoes have.

Sounds like you're more concerned that his boots will make you stand out as Americans than you are with his comfort.

Why so snotty nytraveler? Not getting on with the beau this evening?

They'll know you are American the first time you open your mouth. Don't worry about his cowboy boots.

...and if he DOESN'T open his mouth, he will be indistinguishable from the legions of Europeans who are "cowboying up" to look as American as they possibly can.

He certainly will not be the only person you see in boots over there!

Rich

Hi gls, this thread of yours makes me smile because one of my friends in Italy until recently owned a horse.

Consequently he wore cowboy boots constantly. Much to his dear wife's distress.

His son brought him back a Steson hat. And one time I brought him the tie string with a turquoise stone in it (do not remember the correct name, sorry)

I do think that as a tourist the cobblestones might make your DH miserable walking constantly in his cowboy boots but if so then that is a good excuse for him to buy a pair of shoes in Italy.

BTW, we had a friend some years ago that was a CA State Senator. He wore cowboy boots with everything including his tuxedo (dinner jacket). Everyone loved it!

So let the dear boy do his thing and just be glad that he had his own individual taste rather then being a follower and always worrying "about fitting in". Good for him!

And have a wonderful trip.

We were in Dingle, Ireland, when I saw this guy wearing his cowboy boots, 10 gallon hat, and leather vest with all the tassels. I just kinda chuckled.

The following morning when we had finished breakfast, I noticed he, and his twin, and their wives, were coming down to the dining room for breakfast, dress in the same outfits.

He was wearing a different vest, so I assume he brought several with him.

I thought they looked pretty silly; they probably thought they looked OK. I'm sure they had a great time.

Years ago a friend wanted to wear her cowboy boots under her wedding dress. Big Catholic wedding in San Francisco. Sit-down reception for hundreds at the Presidio. I tried to talk her out of it. On her wedding day I was thrilled she didn't listen to me! Her new MIL from the wine country was less than thrilled but......

I agree with LoveItaly.

If he likes them and they are comfortable wear them ! If you are doing a lot of walking then wear what you are happy with and gives you the comfort, who cares about anyone else!

Oh starsville, that is a wonderful story! But at least the groom got a woman who knew how to be herself.

Rockhopper 7 -

Sorry - that isn;t snotty. If someone wants to wander around europe dressed for a costume party (how is this any different from wandering around Paris in ski boots or toe shoes or swim fins?) - that's their business. But I don;t see how they can complain when someone calls them on it.

(And yes, have seen people dressed like this in NYC - they look just as silly here - and believe me - people do laugh at them.)

My husband, then my boyfriend, wore his cowboy boots in Europe in the early 80's. I don't remember any problem. He wasn't a cowboy, he just liked his boots. He says they were comfortable then. Now, he's not so sure, but if they're the footwear of choice for your husband, let him wear them. Ethnic skirts w/ embroidary are in style, so why not boots?

nytrav, The only potential complainer here is gls who is terrified she might be shunned by people like you if her husband has footwear not meeting fodors' spec.

Fins? Toe Shoes? How about all of the NYC women who cram their size 10 feet into size 7 pointy-toed shoes with 4 inch heels. Now that's some street entertainment.

They think we're all cowboys anyway. Why disappoint them.

Nttraveler -
"And yes, have seen people dressed like this in NYC - they look just as silly here - and believe me - people do laugh at them."

Who cares? I love NYC but hate the pseudo-snobs. Who cares WHAT they think?

I betcha if come you down to our neck of the woods there'd be some laughing behind your back.

Ever think that folks who DO wear cowboy boots and Stetsons in NYC (or anywhere) give a flying fig what you or anyone else thinks? Perhaps one laughs when one is intimidated by another's self-confidence.

I actually am not embarrassed by my husbands boots he wears them all the time. He dresses nice and always looks good. I read an article that advised against wearing items like cowboy boots when traveling out of the country after 9/11. I thought that might help convince him to buy a pair of walking shoes. I am really more worried about how comfortable his boots will be for all the walking and sight seeing because they have 2" heels. He says they are comfortable but I don't think he realizes how much walking we will be doing.