What to wear?
 

My husband & I are going to Paris, London & Dublin in August and I don't know what clothes to bring. I don't want to look like a typical tourist so is there anything I shouldn't wear? Also, how should I dress for dinner, are pants okay? AND, is it okay to wear jeans at all??

There are a variety of opinions on this subject, so I go with practical: <BR>Jeans are fine to wear, but are heavy and don't dry quickly; I'm willing to deal with that if I'm hiking or horseback riding, but not if I'm city walking and taking public transportation. <BR>Pants are fine; the narrower the leg, the better (palazzo pants get caught in doors and on my heels when climbing stairs, for example). Lightweight cotton/khaki/silk pants and skirts are cool, comfortable and wash/dry easily. The darker the color, the better (if there is a speck of dirt in the universe, it will find an ecru skirt). <BR>Unless you're going to a very fancy restaurant, your husband will be fine in pants and shirt/sweater. <BR>We've found that nice t-shirt tops (think embroidered with flowers vs 1999 grunge tour dates), short/long-sleeved cotton blouses, a lightweight sweater and blazer-type jacket work well (layering for warmth as needed). <BR>Have comfortable shoes (you'll be walking on cobblestones at some time, I guarantee, which are real ankle-twisters so be sure you can't fall off your shoes), and extra socks. <BR>Girls are lucky - we can dress up with earrings and scarves (tiny and lightweight)!

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Elvira's answer is on the money, as usual, so far as clothes go. <BR> <BR>But why worry about looking like a 'typical' tourist? Unless you'll not be looking at the sights, not speaking with an American accent, not using a map or camera, no one's too likely to take you for a tourist. <BR> <BR>What one doesn't want to do is act the boor as some tourists do. Some thoughts on being a welcome guest while traveling at www.twenj.com/tipslooks.htm <BR> <BR>Ed

Take good rain coats! We could not have done without them on our recent trip to London/Paris. <BR> <BR>

I wore jeans in Paris when we visited Paris last summer. I think I was the only person in Paris wearing jeans. I'm sure I looked like an American tourist. <BR>Most women were wearing polyester pants, nice, trendy ones.