im going to argentina in jan. '05. i have no idea what type of clothes, shoes,(are gym shoes too american?) etc. to bring i want to be able to blend in. not stick out like a tourist.

Have tried to repy several times. The boards are not working right today...

Dress very well. That is the answer. I had more to say but have spent too much time trying to post this one response.

Maefly99,

I was in Buenos Aries back in August and like you was concerned about the dress code. They don't wear as many jeans and tennis shoes as we do in the states. However, you don't have to be dressed up all the time. The biggest difference I noticed was not very many white tennis shoes. They were athletic shoes but mostly darker colors. You'll have a great time.

You will be there in summer time and january could be hot. It all depends where you will be going....jeans are ok , shorts are somehow ok, not too short though. people in latin america dress and love to dress with american clothes and looks, where do you think rich people from latin america go shopping, miami or NY....
Wear nice jeans with accesories, wear shorts, with nice accesories...if going out at night, little black dress for women will do, yes even in summer ..for guys, kakis, nice polo shirt and nice shoes..

I think it depends on where you're going and the crowd. Older and middle aged dress more conservatively. The yonger they are the less conservatively they dress. When I went I wore whatever I wore at home. And I advise you to do the same. It's all going to depend on what you're doing or where. Fancy outings and restaurants require fancy clothes just like in the U.S sightseeing on the street does not. And yes they do seem to like American stuff. In the end you should have no problem blending.