What to wear while sightseeing?
 

Other than layering for unpredictable weather...any thoughts on what to wear while sightseeing in London? Are jeans (clean, good repair, etc) minimally acceptable?

Jeans are OK, but they're generally not a good idea when traveling because they're heavy and take so long to dry if you have to wash them, or if they get wet in the rain. Take pants that are dark-colored and lightweight.

Dave, I was in London in December, and did a good amount of sight seeing. Not only was I wearing jeans, but so were many of the locals. As you might imagine, and like most European capitals in general, London is a fashion-conscious city. Depending on what time of the year you are travelling, you might want to dress up your jeans a bit by wearing a nice, good quality coat and scarf, neat button-down shirts or light sweaters, and some comfortable leather shoes. This will get you by on most places you visit while sight-seeing, and you'll always blend in.

-<BR>Dave, I bring one pair of black jeans. I think that black jeans look more respectable, a little dressier than blue jeans. Then take several other types of pants, usually Dockers or the like. As previous poster mentioned, jean fabric is heavy and not as 'user friendly' when it comes to quick washing/drying. Also, jeans take up alot space in suitcase.

In certain circumstances, a Blackglama mink and white gardening clogs would not be out of the question. At places like the Groucho Club, shirts decorated with appliques from those Target do-it-yourself kits are all the rage, per Isabella Blow. Cheers.

I never see anyone in jeans in London except on the weekends. I wouldn't go around in jeans during the work week. Do wear sensible shoes, though.

I've been waiting for one of these posts about what to wear in Europe because I'm so fed up with everyone on this board advising people to not dress American with jeans and/or gym shoes, t-shirts and baseball caps. Why not? Europeans come here to the U.S. and other parts of the world not worrying about what they wear. We just came back from a Mexico beach area frequented by many Europeans who had no problem with trouncing around in their speedos and topless bathing suits. German tourists walk around our cities with their birkenstocks and wool socks. But who cares?? Dress whatever way you feel comfortable in and don't feel like you have to 'fit in'. That's a real crock!

Tired: One reason people care about "blending in" is because they don't want to be a target, a la "oh, look, guy in white sneakers, hawaiian shirt and camp shorts with a Nikon around his neck at 3:00--let's drag him into an alley and go for the money belt."<BR><BR>Sometimes, believe it or not, service is better if your clothes aren't screaming "tourist--up the prices, please."<BR><BR>Finally, black, black and more black holds up, goes anywhere, can be dressed up or down and doesn't show wrinkles as much as pale pink linen.<BR><BR> <BR>

The b, b and more b sounds familiar. But didn't you leave out the plaids and the border?

not only should you wear all black, you should paint your face, hands black(if not already black) and only go out at night and maybe you'll be invisible and then nobody will do anything to you and you won't offend anyone either. or you could try my uncles tack and wear a t-shirt that says " i am a goddamn american tourist" on the front and "so what" on the back.

I suspect that the clothes that "Tired" and "Xerk" wear while on vacation are not the most obnoxious things about these two tourists.<BR><BR>

Why does everone want to dress like a slob on vacation? Dressing in jeans and sneakers is what most people in the world would do while they are cutting wood or working intheir gardens. In nice restaurants and museums (even in the U.S. ) many people think its ok to wear nice clothes. <BR>Besides, denim is the crummiest travel material ever made except if you plan to get there on your horse or motorcycle (even in europe). Its even crummy in your suitcase unless you have someone who caries your luggage for you... but then you wouldn't have had to ask because you would be someone who dresses nicely anyway.<BR>Women don't ever need to worry- skirts tight, short, loose, long... all are fine and in fasoin all over the world. <BR>Maybe you should try a skirt......