1999

Hello Everyone,

My husband and I will be travelling to Europe next week. We'll be going to London, Paris, Provence, Nice, Venice, Florence and Rome - and would like to know what appropriate attire to bring so we can start packing. For instance, as Paris is the fashion capital of the world, we want to ensure that we dress appropriately and are not out of place. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Underhill

If you use the search function, above, you will find several lengthy on-going discussions of this topic. Just ignore the less-than-helpful ones!

suze

Don't even attempt to dress to fit in for each European city. Rather, dress yourself decently, clothing that will pack well, taking a good mix of casual and dress items from your own wardrobe at home appropriate to spring/summer weather. Include a blazer or jacket and several pair of comfortable shoes.

mgmargate

If you know how to dress appropriately where you live why would you assume Europe is any different?

ira

Dear 99,

Don't bother trying to fit in - you won't.

Wear what you would wear if you were going to NYC.

paula5

I also will be traveling in the next two weeks-going to the same places! Except London. I am bringing mostly skirts, capri's and a few black pants and probably a million tops! My wardrobe colors-black,tan,white,coral,and maybe PINK! I have tried to pick my clothes so they are universal-just like I was going to N.Y......Which I do twice a year. When will you be in Paris and what hotels have you choose? Have a great trip!

m_kingdom2

Most people in Paris and London and every single European city walk around looking like tramps. Do not concern yourself with what you are wearing, people aren't looking at you dear.

paula5

Yes-but I like to feel good while sipping my wine! Blending in is a good thing!

SeaUrchin

I think mkingdom wrote the same thing to me one time, but people did look at me. I wear what I wear in LA, sort of dressy casual, because I like to feel like I look nice for myself, not to fit in.

I think you should take some sharp looking, well fitting outfits that you wear at home and then you will be comfortable in your clothes and be stylish too.

ira

Dear Paula,

Pink wass very big in Paris three weeks ago.

You will not blend in, no matter what you wear. They can tell you are an American just by the way you sip your wine.

SeaUrchin

Really, Ira?
How do Americans sip wine differently?

I know some people grasp the cup of the glass instead of holding the stem, is that it?

mikemo

all good advice: no shorts, jeans, t's, white shoes.
M

cigalechanta

even the French don't always drink wine the way it should be held. The stem is for not warming the white wine as the bowl in the brandy glass is to warm it.
No one really cares, so do what's comfortable.

dari

Hi 1999,


Was is Paris 3 weeks ago. Women are wearing fitted hip hugger jeans wide at hem. All treatments of denim seen. Mostly dark blue and black. Long pointy shoes, low heels. Athletic shoes are popular both men and women, flat soles colored leather uppers with stripes. Don't believe it about pink. At least not around paris left bank, etc.


dari

mgmargate

Another stupid what to wear ? PLEASE!!

Marianna

Sea Urchin, it's nice to hear from you! How was your trip?

I agree with you - I dress to please myself - and dressy casual sort of sums it up for me also.

On my first few trips to Europe, I was also worried over what to wear. I learned that you will see everything and that, within reason, everything is fine because everyone is different. I have my own style preferences and I select my clothing with my desired look in mind. I pay attention to current styles and colors, but if it doesn't suit me or look good on me, I do not buy it or wear it. If I want to wear pink in Paris, I will. I do not wear shorts unless I am at the beach or gardening. I wear jeans to do housework or run to the grocery store when it is pouring rain out. I am appalled at how my co-workers dress on "casual " Friday - some look ready to weed in their gardens! I often get compliments on my attire. Anyway, I think that you should dress so that you are comfortable in your clothing, like how you look, and are respectful of your surroundings.

1999, I do not know where you are from, but take clothing that you would wear if you were out and about in a big city near where you live. Would you feel comfortable wearing that outfit out during the day, out for lunch, shopping, walking around sight seeing? Would you wear it out in the evening for a walk and out to dinner? I live in the Boston area so I use that as my guideline. Depending on where you live, you might need to adjust your frame of reference a bit. In general, I would rather be a bit over-dressed than under. In the end, it is not so much what you wear but how you act that is important.

Have a great trip!

Shopgirl

We did a similar trip last May (2003). It was very hot in Rome/Tuscany/Florence, and much cooler in Paris and Amsterdam. It pretty much rained the entire time we were in Paris. Be prepared for differences in weather as you travel. I would include dark (to hide dirt), light weight clothing for your southern destinations. Some warmer clothes for London/Paris. BTW...Jeans are everywhere and can be very fashionable. I know I wished I had a pair with me.

SeaUrchin

Hi Marianna, the trip was wonderful!

By the way denim jackets were the "in" thing on the AC this month for all ages and all sexes, oh I guess there are only two!

I got scolded by a date one time for holding my wine glass by the cup, that was the end of him but it scarred me for life (not really, ha).

l_jackson95814

Wear what you are comfortable in. Pack what you wear at home. Blending in is not possible or necessary. Take a pair of jeans,capri's and a skirt and take tops that match all of the bottoms. Remember that you can do your laundry in all of these cities, so don't take too much. Sometimes the hour or so doing laundry can give you a chance to breath.
I did not take athletic shoes and ended up buying a pair on vacation because the Joseph Siebel's I brought ended up giving me blisters the 3rd day.

FauxSteMarie

One reason clothes were invented is that most people look better with them than without them.

So, Faux's advice on this subject is to definitely wear clothes that fit and ignore everyone's advice.