Will the fashion police arrest us in Wales?
#21
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
leeann
This is a serious question. If it sounds offensive, it's because we don't beat about the bush in this country.
Where - precisely - did you read on this board that dressing the way you like here is "terrible"?
True, one or two provincial Americans occasionally crop up on these pages to tell us they really think tourists ought to dress like them, not like us. But they're almost always placed very firmly back in their country club box.
Indeed, I'd go so far as to say there simply han't ever been a single one of those "you must wear hats and gloves in Llanfair PG" fantasies that hasn't immediately been shot down.
So where did you get this nonsense from?
This is a serious question. If it sounds offensive, it's because we don't beat about the bush in this country.
Where - precisely - did you read on this board that dressing the way you like here is "terrible"?
True, one or two provincial Americans occasionally crop up on these pages to tell us they really think tourists ought to dress like them, not like us. But they're almost always placed very firmly back in their country club box.
Indeed, I'd go so far as to say there simply han't ever been a single one of those "you must wear hats and gloves in Llanfair PG" fantasies that hasn't immediately been shot down.
So where did you get this nonsense from?
#22
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<Is a swim at the beach possible or would it be too chilly?>
Be prepared for just about any weather in Wales in June. It could be cold, rainy or windy - or even glorious sunshine. Most likely a bit of everything. There are some lovely beaches - you don't say which part of Wales you are visiting, or I could recommend some. The sea does go out quite a long way though and won't be very warm but if the sun does shine, you'll see a few hardy folks having a swim, or at least a paddle.
Be prepared for just about any weather in Wales in June. It could be cold, rainy or windy - or even glorious sunshine. Most likely a bit of everything. There are some lovely beaches - you don't say which part of Wales you are visiting, or I could recommend some. The sea does go out quite a long way though and won't be very warm but if the sun does shine, you'll see a few hardy folks having a swim, or at least a paddle.
#23
Guest
Posts: n/a
You can't go wrong if you wear a red cloak and a black pointed hat ;-)
Unless you are very hardy, I'd avoid swimming in the sea. By June, it won't have warmed up very much. I'd wear warm trousers and a gore-tex jacket for the hiking bit of your trip with stout shoes or boots. I personally think that tennis shoes are for tennis courts and that shorts should only be worn by those under 30 in years and waistline inches, but then I am an oldie.
Unless you are very hardy, I'd avoid swimming in the sea. By June, it won't have warmed up very much. I'd wear warm trousers and a gore-tex jacket for the hiking bit of your trip with stout shoes or boots. I personally think that tennis shoes are for tennis courts and that shorts should only be worn by those under 30 in years and waistline inches, but then I am an oldie.
#24
Guest
Posts: n/a
There's an illustration of Welsh national dress at http://www.cymruted.com/html/costume.html
#25
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Leann44
Wales is no different from any other part of the UK for fashion.
Cardiff is a fantastic multi cultural center and attracts peoplem from all over the world, therefore if fashion is important Cardiff is a good place to visit.
Sorry about your GM thingorjus.
Unfortunately, Merthyr Tydfil is in a deprived area of high unemployment and subsequently the latest designer fashions are not nearly as important as getting by everyday.
It should not be used as a stereotypical representation of all that is Wales.
And I find your remarks quite offensive.
However to answer the question, I suspect the correct attire for hiking, biking and sight seeing will largely depend upon the weather. Jeans are ok but not very suitable if the weather is hot or even wet. Pack light trousers shorts a fleece or jumper and ensure your footwear is correct.
But for everyday and evening wear in pubs etc...then casual jeans are fine.
Take no notice of MK2, Welsh people are not stupid and won't be fooled into paying out stupid amounts of money for unnecessary over priced designer jeans as she suggests.
But she is correct on one point we will be seen wearing wool, man made fibres are also acceptable.
Muck
Wales is no different from any other part of the UK for fashion.
Cardiff is a fantastic multi cultural center and attracts peoplem from all over the world, therefore if fashion is important Cardiff is a good place to visit.
Sorry about your GM thingorjus.
Unfortunately, Merthyr Tydfil is in a deprived area of high unemployment and subsequently the latest designer fashions are not nearly as important as getting by everyday.
It should not be used as a stereotypical representation of all that is Wales.
And I find your remarks quite offensive.
However to answer the question, I suspect the correct attire for hiking, biking and sight seeing will largely depend upon the weather. Jeans are ok but not very suitable if the weather is hot or even wet. Pack light trousers shorts a fleece or jumper and ensure your footwear is correct.
But for everyday and evening wear in pubs etc...then casual jeans are fine.
Take no notice of MK2, Welsh people are not stupid and won't be fooled into paying out stupid amounts of money for unnecessary over priced designer jeans as she suggests.
But she is correct on one point we will be seen wearing wool, man made fibres are also acceptable.
Muck
#26
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi lee,
You will find correct cycling garb for Wales at
http://209.182.27.203/ch/gallery/1-retu1.htm
See Soli-02

You will find correct cycling garb for Wales at
http://209.182.27.203/ch/gallery/1-retu1.htm
See Soli-02

#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My original question stems from information presented on John Bermont's site "Enjoy Europe". Also, I do know what is appropriate attire for hiking and cycling,(duh), I was just wondering what the locals wore there. Thanks, everyone, who offered sincere answers to my questions. As for the "traditional" dress for Wales, lovely though it may be, I am afraid my hat would blow off.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
fear not leeann, you'll be in a very rural (and beautiful) part of Wales if you're hiking/biking in Snowdonia, and people dress very casually in the countryside.
There are beatiful beaches on the North Wales coastlines - I holidayed for years as a child in the Harlech area, and Harlech beach is 8 miles of glorious soft sand, sand dunes and gentle breakers. But swimming in June? Only in a wetsuit LOL!
There are beatiful beaches on the North Wales coastlines - I holidayed for years as a child in the Harlech area, and Harlech beach is 8 miles of glorious soft sand, sand dunes and gentle breakers. But swimming in June? Only in a wetsuit LOL!
#30
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 1,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't swim in the sea (it's not known as the ocean over here). And my advise has nothing to do with the temperature - but everything to do with pollution.
s for clothing - the onoy thing that Engish people tend to notice in my experience is men carrying leather bags! Don't do that either!
s for clothing - the onoy thing that Engish people tend to notice in my experience is men carrying leather bags! Don't do that either!
#31
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The beaches round Wales are mostly quite clean, see:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3774769.stm
Though I must admit I find the water here rather too cold.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3774769.stm
Though I must admit I find the water here rather too cold.
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Looks as though I will be leaving the swimsuit at home! Socks with sandals, leather bags, and fanny packs are big no-no's in WV too. I have heard that WV and Wales are quite common in terrain (and lately, the weather too!) Both are big in the coal mining industry and mountainous (and beautiful). Thanks for the info. Any other big no-no's in Wales. Certainly don't want to offend or come across as another stupid American tourist.