Try to pack some microfiber pants. Jeans take forever to dry.

Thanks Frosty for digging this old post up. We needed another go around on apparel. Yuk!

Jeans are an essential in anyone's wardrobe, virtually every designer does jeans, just goes to show how ignorant you really are about European trends!

Americans will always look like, er, Americans, wonder why that is! Stop being ashamed, you can never look anything but, so get used to it.

Besides, dear, who the hell is looking at "Hiho"? Not one single person, wear a black binliner, Raf Simons has used them to make blouson jackets, I suggest you forgo the tailoring, and just pop one on, yashmak style. You can be naked underneath, you can be dresed by Chanel, but this saves you having to worry about being constantly hounded by onlookers.

Can Americans not understand that Europe has smart places, and ultra not smart (lower than casual) places just like their native country? This concept is easier to grasp than the theory of relativity, perhaps not?

My advice is... Go get yourself some huge XXL binliners.

I think I got it, m_k was denied US sitizenship !!!

I have not been denied either "sitizenship " or citizenship; hard to be denied something that one hasn't applied for.

That is what you saying. I saw your application.

If you say so dear.

People who are critical of other's use of English or make comments about citizenship, shouldn't travel. Stay at home and wear your baseball cap backwards.

i say go w/ what the environment dictates. i use cargos everywhere but england where i use jeans because of the wind. for that reason when ever i am in san fran i also where jeans. jeans really help keep the wind out. but they are heavy to walk in compartively.

I love my beat-up pair of faded Diesel blue jeans. They're among the most comfortable slacks I own. If you aren't too fat and have a fit and toned body, the right pair of jeans can be very comfortable and fashionable, especially when worn with a great pair of shoes and a funky jacket. Dressing your body is such a fun way to creatively express yourself. I wish more people weren't so afraid of this art form.

But, when you have idiots like Cojo, Carson, Hall, and Rivers calling so many shots, no wonder people run to Dockers (or their nearest vomitorium).

I think like Food S. says, it is not so much what you are wearing but how you wear it and what is in it.

But as an American, I really don't think we should worry about it very much, some of the strangest ill-fitting outfits are worn by many other nationalities, too.

BTW, I just washed my black cotton pants in my apartment in Positano and the darn machine took forever, the water turned boiling and shrunk my poor pants until the top of my feet show! I didn't fully realize it until I saw my reflection in a window and now realize the horrible fact that fashionistas are probably ignoring me now as I am obviously beneath their notice as I wander around Sorrento.

Oh, well, having fun anyway!

The secret to Italian washing machines is to cut the wash cycle in half. Who needs all those numbers? My goodness, couldn't you tell hot (red) from cold (blue). Never wash anything on hot in Italy, unless you get hair dye on the bathroom towels.

Hmmm, my machine only has rain drops to distinguish cycles, I put it on about three drops but maybe the lightening bolt would have been a sign.

I could actually see them shrinking and could do nothing about it, maybe it will become a new style.

Hot or cold? Can't you choose something in between?

Once in a London laundermat a pair of my husband's part-polyester pants melted.

"Besides, dear, who the hell is looking at "Hiho"? Not one single person, wear a black binliner, Raf Simons has used them to make blouson jackets, I suggest you forgo the tailoring, and just pop one on, yashmak style. You can be naked underneath, you can be dresed by Chanel, but this saves you having to worry about being constantly hounded by onlookers."

Surely that post proves m_kingdom is a woman? I have no idea what she is talking about.

I don't know why I didn't realize this before. The answer to every travel question is another question.
******What would Rick Steves do?******

OK, your question is weather or not to wear jeans, not how long they take to dry and how they pack. With that said, consider a quote I once read. It goes, "It's not necessarily what you wear but how you wear it." I say wear jeans. I wear jeans w/black Blundstone boots which are very, very comfortable but also "cool" looking.
Voila!

Since the original post was written over 2 years ago and seemed (to me at any rate) to be a tongue-in-cheek dig at the Fodors Fashion Police of the day, how come some people still feel compelled to give a serious answer to Hiho, whoever he or she was?

Oh, the more it changes............

Just another thought - I've traveled since the 60's, all over the globe, and continue to pack according to my 'rule of 3.' 3 colors (usually black, white and red), 3 short sleeve shirts or tops, 3 long sleeve shirts, 3 bottoms (choose from slacks, skirts, jeans depending upon destination - you can't hike in silk slacks), 3 'overs' - (jacket, sweater, coat), 3 scarves for dressup, 3 underpants and bras, plus 1 slip and 1 multifunctional dress (dress it up or down with any of the above). This has worked for me for a long time, and as I get older, it's even more important because it isn't too heavy to lug around - a serious issue for us older folk.

Everything coordinates - yes, sometimes the blacks don't quite match, but that's really not an issue. Everything washes and dries quickly and easily - don't you love the new fabrics!?!

But, no matter what you pack, you can't hide your nationality from the locals. Why would you want to? They don't care, so why should you? So, don't worry about it. Just put something on, get out there, and have a good time!