Wearing Sneakers in France & Italy
 

I've read a few posts on travellers querying what to wear in Italy & France and I don't quite understand the big deal about sneakers (athletic shoes) being frowned upon by the locals. My wife and I will be doing a substantial amount of walking and luggage toting around France, Italy and Spain throughout the month of Sept and I can't think of a more sensible piece of equipment than a sturdy pair of Adidas; no, they're not white. As long as the shoes aren't dirty or tattered is there anything I should be worried about if we enter a bistro or trattoria wearing rubber on our soles? Please advise

For Lunch yes. For dinner No.

The main reason NOT to wear athletic shoes is if you don't want to be mistaken for a local, who wear them like crazy -- at least the younger men.
If you are going to a three star Michelin restaurant I certainly wouldn't wear them either. But they are perfectly fine for wear to a typical brasserie or medium priced restaurant. Anyone who says otherwise is simply living in the past.

By the way, I'm not speaking for myself as I don't take athletic shoes, I wear Ecco walking shoes that could basically pass as dress shoes, but I sure see a lot of athletic shoes on other men -- particularly the French and Italian when dressed casually.

My husband swears by Hush Puppies, especially their 'Zero G' range, they are very light-weight and he says from the minute you put them on they 'feel like a well worn pair of slippers' .

They're smart enough dress up for dinner but casual enough to wear with jeans.

On 99.9% of occasions someone on this board tells you you "can't" wear trainers, or shorts, or t-shirts or whatever, they're telling you that THEY don't like it.

That's all.

The only serious exception to this is the elaborate code Italian Catholics have invented around tourist visits to their churches (a code which doesn't exist anywhere else, BTW). Otherwise, unless you're doing something quite exceptional - like attending the first night at La Scala - just wear what you feel comfortable in.

Forget about what people say. Where what you find to be comfortable-especially if you are like us and walk extensively. Too many people are hung up on what they think is accepable or with how not to look like a tourist (waste of time because you will be spotted immediately notwithstanding what you wear or do not wear). I say go for comfort and enjoy yourself.

Thanks to all of you who responded. I guess it really makes sense just to use your better judgement, especailly for establishments offering fine dining. And like the previous post mentioned, just by the fact that i can't speak french, italian or spanish the locals will know I'm a tourist no matter what I wear on my feet!

We just came back from France and Italy and every conceivable type of footwear was being used by locals and tourists alike, not to mention the denim attire that remains extremely popular. White shoes were not seen as often.

Patrick and Flanner are absolutely correct IMO. And the same thing goes for shorts...they were in abundance as well.

We were in France in May and I deliberately observed "footwear" after reading the posts here.

I agree that every type of footwear is seen - loafers, sandals, sneakers, boots, etc.

Compared to the US, white athletic shoes are much less frequent. But the athletic shoes that i noticed people wearing were of darker colors. I noticed many of the sneakers that almost resemble bowling shoes - several different muted colors with some stripes type of thing. I also noticed some of the younger people wearing colored basketball shoes (pink, green),

So, my conclusion is, wear what is comfortable. I do think that big white sneakers are not worn as much by Europeans if at all in my observations but sneakers in general were abundant. You will be fine.

Hi j,

If you walk around in sneakers, the fashion police will tear them off you and make you walk barefoot up and down the Champs Elysee, while the local natives scream epithets.

((I))

ira, good point, except where will they find the local natives along the Champs Elysees -- do they bus them in for the event?

Wear your sneakers, whatever color. It's fine. Well not out to dinner in a nice restaurant, but you knew that, right? I do not believe locals frown upon sneakers, I do not believe they care in the least what you have on your feet.

My story... last trip I finally took along my white Nike Air to Switzerland. Now comes market day Saturday morning. I dress in my khaki shorts and white sneakers & my friend who lives there comes out ready to go... you guessed it, in HER khaki shorts and white sneakers.

HI jlimjuco--I must admit that I find all the "fashion police" type questions both fascinating and bewildering!! Most of the people on this board--not all, of course--have traveled a fair bit. So I am left wondering why some ask questions that sound as if they are leaving their homes for the first time in their lives!! :)

People should use their own good sense and let it go at that!! When one is traveling, one must accomodate to the fact that hard--limited!!--choices must be made about what items to take along.

Footwear is of utmost importance b/c of the extensive walking done in Europe. What good does it do a traveler to look "stylish" and end up w/blisters, sore feet or other foot maladies that will ruin such an anticipated and expensive trip?

PS--My above "rant" means I agree w/your point!! Sorry, if that was not clear!! :) And, by all means, wear your not white Addidas to the tratorrias and bistros!!

HI--one last point--if your wife wants a resource for shoes that feel like sneakers but don't look the part, Unlisted, Dansko, Naturalizer and Aerosoles make some great rubber-soled shoes and clogs that go as well w/skirts and dresses as they do w/pants. These are some of the brands I took along on our last trip, b/c I did not have room for both sneakers and non-sneakers so I took only shoes that could function as "double agents"!! DH just took his Rocksports--black dress shoe looking (sort of) but actually sneaker equivalents.

They do have the disadvantage of being hot : I think a lot of us find sandals more comfortable (in the summer, obviously). I'd only wear trainer-type shoes (mine are black & silver :-) ) if it were raining.

Diesal makes cute open back athletic shoes in various colors.

Converse All Star sneakers are perfectly acceptable for women. They come in all sorts of colours, are light and very comfortable, and because they aren't huge and white they don't look out of place during the day, although I personally wouldn't wear them out at night.

Converse are very big in the UK right now, but they are American, and I have seen them, and imitations, in Paris, Rouen and Bayeux, which would imply that they are acceptable in France. My daughters wore theirs in Barcelona last year, and I remember seeing similar type shoes in some of the trendy stores.

Believe it or not..most people here in Europe likes to be confortable, especially when doing a lot of walking :)
The reason why many people don't wear white athletic shoes is because they get dirty easily :) If you have to wear them all day long, there are a lot of chances that you have them somewhat between grey and brown at midday :))

I spend a lot of time in France - i find there is very little difference to this question in the US or in France. Fancy place no sneakers - 99% of other places OK. I'd hazard the sneaker-wearing rate in both countries is about the same. A non-issue - be comfortable and dress as you would at home for the type of place you're going.