What to Wear So I Don't Stand Out
Dec 16th, 2005, 02:25 AM
#41
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yes, she's probably in the hospital due to frost bite as a result of not wearing a coat.
i think wearing cold weather clothes, like coats, scarves, gloves, looks so much more chic than wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
of course, you can wear nice jeans with nice leather boots (skip the puffy reeboks circa 1986) with a knee length or full length coat.
the thing that amazes me is that when people go on vacation they become so much more aware of their clothing, style, etc., but that it doesn't factor in on a day to day basis. i'm the same way- whenever i'm going on a trip, even a weekend trip- i'll buy something new just to feel excited about the trip.
i think wearing cold weather clothes, like coats, scarves, gloves, looks so much more chic than wearing jeans and a t-shirt.
of course, you can wear nice jeans with nice leather boots (skip the puffy reeboks circa 1986) with a knee length or full length coat.
the thing that amazes me is that when people go on vacation they become so much more aware of their clothing, style, etc., but that it doesn't factor in on a day to day basis. i'm the same way- whenever i'm going on a trip, even a weekend trip- i'll buy something new just to feel excited about the trip.
Dec 16th, 2005, 02:52 AM
#42
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For clothes – you need at least something waterproof and something warm. Paris is pretty bleak in the winter (it’s on a plain and the wind can whip up) Think in terms of temperatures a few degrees C either side of freezing and possible snow and rain.
Don’t worry about not standing out – simply this is a losing battle. I can spot an American at 50 yards. It’s not the usual things that people mention (baseball caps, shorts etc) although they are dead giveaways; its subtle things like the hair (the infamous “American hair”) clothing – types styles and shades, and things like body language.
Most people can do the same with the Brits, picking up on other non-verbal clues and the Germans and Dutch are the easiest of the lot (Germans – porno hair, Dutch - all nine feet tall).
However as a native of a very touristy city I can tell you that the locals barely even notice tourists, you’re just background noise to us. We no more notice tourists (American or otherwise) than we notice the pigeons. Don’t worry, enjoy yourselves.
Don’t worry about not standing out – simply this is a losing battle. I can spot an American at 50 yards. It’s not the usual things that people mention (baseball caps, shorts etc) although they are dead giveaways; its subtle things like the hair (the infamous “American hair”) clothing – types styles and shades, and things like body language.
Most people can do the same with the Brits, picking up on other non-verbal clues and the Germans and Dutch are the easiest of the lot (Germans – porno hair, Dutch - all nine feet tall).
However as a native of a very touristy city I can tell you that the locals barely even notice tourists, you’re just background noise to us. We no more notice tourists (American or otherwise) than we notice the pigeons. Don’t worry, enjoy yourselves.
Dec 16th, 2005, 03:05 AM
#43
Yes, any Parisian -- from businessmen to pickpockets -- can spot a tourist a mile off, but who cares? Parisians are a minority in certain areas (for example, I work on the Champs Elysées and I would say that no more than 20% of the pedestrians are Parisian at any time after 9 a.m.). The hair, the makeup, the shoes, the voice, the hesitation for crossing streets, the looking at everything, the color of the clothing -- there is no way that any tourist can cover all those angles and get away with it.
Even though it snowed exceptionally in November, there will be no snow and slush in Paris before the end of December. Even if snowflakes are seen, there is only a 1% chance of anything staying on the ground, an eternal disappointment for those of us who know how beautiful Paris can look in the snow.
Wear jeans. Period.
Even though it snowed exceptionally in November, there will be no snow and slush in Paris before the end of December. Even if snowflakes are seen, there is only a 1% chance of anything staying on the ground, an eternal disappointment for those of us who know how beautiful Paris can look in the snow.
Wear jeans. Period.
Dec 16th, 2005, 04:04 AM
#44
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For the life of me, I'll never understand the compulsion to "not look like a tourist". OK: so I wouldn't wear a ball cap, hang 3 cameras around my neck, or walk around in a velour warm up suit. I dress in respectable clothes (NOT all black, but nice) with comfortable, yet stylish, shoes/boots.
I'll be easy to spot as an American. Who cares? Like walkinaround said above, I'm curious about those who act like they have to apologize for any tourist who "acts American". Many of those same people demand that we understand and respect cultural difference in those who come to the U.S. to live or visit. Their "tolerance" seems to be reserved for every culture but their own.
Dressing nice doesn't have to mean expensive. Million$bbw, you can pick up a nice coat at WalMart for under $50. Barring that, even Goodwill gets nice coats (I've found really nice things there at terrific bargains!). Get yourself a coat...and leave the zip up hoodie at home.
I'll be easy to spot as an American. Who cares? Like walkinaround said above, I'm curious about those who act like they have to apologize for any tourist who "acts American". Many of those same people demand that we understand and respect cultural difference in those who come to the U.S. to live or visit. Their "tolerance" seems to be reserved for every culture but their own.
Dressing nice doesn't have to mean expensive. Million$bbw, you can pick up a nice coat at WalMart for under $50. Barring that, even Goodwill gets nice coats (I've found really nice things there at terrific bargains!). Get yourself a coat...and leave the zip up hoodie at home.
Dec 16th, 2005, 04:38 AM
#45
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If you want to look like a Parisien you should wear Levis jeans, Nike shoes, a Yankee ballcap, Tommy Hilfiger sweater,smoke Marlboros and drink Coca-Cola Light and it is required that you wear a scarf around your neck even if you wear no coat.
Have fun,
Larry J
Have fun,
Larry J
Dec 16th, 2005, 04:47 AM
#46
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What is that infamous American hair? Is it gender specific?
I have colored hair that is styled in a way that looks similar to what I see British actresses like Kate Winslet wear.
If you're talking about scrunchies, that's so 1984!
I have colored hair that is styled in a way that looks similar to what I see British actresses like Kate Winslet wear.
If you're talking about scrunchies, that's so 1984!
Dec 16th, 2005, 05:04 AM
#47
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There are certain hairstyles that mark one out as a yank. That and the general appearance of the hair. Really next time you're abroad try comparing the hair of the Americans and that of the others. Yoou'll soon see what I mean.
Also you should know that NO other nationality is remotely bothered about not looking like the locals. Brits, for example, notoriously go abroad in union jack t-shirts.
Also you should know that NO other nationality is remotely bothered about not looking like the locals. Brits, for example, notoriously go abroad in union jack t-shirts.
Dec 16th, 2005, 07:03 AM
#52
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In my younger money-raking capitalistic running dog days I have worked in the city. It was a regular game there to stand on the gallery and play “spot the yank”. It was always obvious which ones they were, and this worked across the races.
The Men: Yank suits. It’s hard to say quite what constitutes a yank suit as opposed to brit or euro suit , but in short I think the word is boxy.
American hair - for the blokes this means that FAR too much time has been spent on it and it has seemed to take on a life of it’s own. (For British hair simply google “Boris Johnson” and stand well back). Dilbert had a strip regarding “executive hair” which is a similar thing.
Skin: The less said about this the better.
Wedding rings: Now quite common here, but this is a fairly recent development.
Women: Too bloody thin, and with shoulders like middleweight boxers, from spending FAR too long in the gym.
Hair – see above
Clothes: always smart skirt-suits often chanel.
Spotting tourists is basically a smaller version of this.
This is what I mean by there being no point in trying not to stand out – I mean what could be more universal than a business suit – yet even that would give the game away.
The Men: Yank suits. It’s hard to say quite what constitutes a yank suit as opposed to brit or euro suit , but in short I think the word is boxy.
American hair - for the blokes this means that FAR too much time has been spent on it and it has seemed to take on a life of it’s own. (For British hair simply google “Boris Johnson” and stand well back). Dilbert had a strip regarding “executive hair” which is a similar thing.
Skin: The less said about this the better.
Wedding rings: Now quite common here, but this is a fairly recent development.
Women: Too bloody thin, and with shoulders like middleweight boxers, from spending FAR too long in the gym.
Hair – see above
Clothes: always smart skirt-suits often chanel.
Spotting tourists is basically a smaller version of this.
This is what I mean by there being no point in trying not to stand out – I mean what could be more universal than a business suit – yet even that would give the game away.
Dec 16th, 2005, 07:17 AM
#53
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I just got back from Paris this last Tuesday and I was freezing while I was walking around, esp. in the early mornings and evenings when it was in the 30's. I'm from Chicago for Christsake and I was freezing (I don't ever take leisurely strolls around Chicago in the winter.) I ended up wearing tights under lined wool pants or under my jeans, a tight t-shirt under a tight cotton sweater under another bulkier turtleneck sweater over that, a long wool coat, boots, gloves, a hat and a cashmere scarf. I made the huge mistake of not bringing my shearling coat -- i thought it would be uncomfortably warm but it would have been absolutely perfect for those bone-chilling winds I was bracing my body against as I walked along the Seine.
I'm really not exaggerating here -- if you're from a cold climate and already have the gear (down or shearling, etc) don't leave it behind if weather forecasts are in the 30s, even low 40s. I was walking outside for at least 4 hours a day and some of those moments were actually painful. I did notice on Monday (coldest day I was there) that there were much fewer people walking around and a lot of the sellers along the Seine didnt open up shop but I wasn't sure if this was just because it was a Monday. If you plan on strolling around rather than just dashing from the Metro into buildings, you'll need something warm. I didn't want to pack and lug around a really heavy coat and I regretted it.
I'm really not exaggerating here -- if you're from a cold climate and already have the gear (down or shearling, etc) don't leave it behind if weather forecasts are in the 30s, even low 40s. I was walking outside for at least 4 hours a day and some of those moments were actually painful. I did notice on Monday (coldest day I was there) that there were much fewer people walking around and a lot of the sellers along the Seine didnt open up shop but I wasn't sure if this was just because it was a Monday. If you plan on strolling around rather than just dashing from the Metro into buildings, you'll need something warm. I didn't want to pack and lug around a really heavy coat and I regretted it.
Dec 16th, 2005, 07:30 AM
#54
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And to American eyes (at least these American male eyes), the Brit or Euro suit looks too small--like it's the guy's old suit and he's put on a bit too much weight since he last wore it.
I always think their good suit is in the cleaners and they just got called to the office for an unplanned important meeting on their day off--"Merd, I have nozing to wear ozer zan zis old zoot! Mon Dieu--eet is zo tight aroun ze caboose!"
I always think their good suit is in the cleaners and they just got called to the office for an unplanned important meeting on their day off--"Merd, I have nozing to wear ozer zan zis old zoot! Mon Dieu--eet is zo tight aroun ze caboose!"
Dec 16th, 2005, 01:25 PM
#57
Lol, I agree. Talk about standing out, I sold men suits at the Prepitorium and a friend, a now retired director of a Saville Row firm, came into the store to meet me for a lunch date. I noticed all the men staring at him. His fit was like a Fred Astaire look 
Dec 17th, 2005, 12:39 AM
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Street Safety! Consider a white or light colored outer coat. Automobile drivers have difficulty seeing or noticing 'all blacks'. EU rumor; drivers working on stalled cars will soon be required to don florescent safety vests! Check a Tesco, filled/puff outer coats were available at less than $15.
