as tourist: dressing up abit?

[shootingstar]

right now we are in a mountain town that is full of vacationing tourists and locals with their condo places..outside of banff, alberta. At the foot of Rocky Mountains.

It continues to amaze me that even in an outdoorsy like town (and we've been to several all over british columbia too), how carefully some women dress nicely for a dinner at cafe or restaurant. (Maybe I've been too long with my partner. He's more impressed that I remain healthy instead of being overly dressed up or with alot of make-up... :rolleyes:)

For any cycling or snowshoeing trip out of town, we just don't bother to take dressier clothing along. I have stopped bringing along a skirt, sundress or dress pants for any vacation trip anywhere in North America or Europe for past 18 yrs. or so.

I guess I'm just lazy. I just can't be bothered to haul around more weight for a piece of clothing I would only wear for a few hrs. once during a trip.

[roguedog]

Funny.

In my everyday life, I never go much beyond jeans and t-shirt. Maybe I might put on a nicer pair of pants and top but that's bout it. I also like to see how people treat you when you're just.. you. I'd prefer to buy from people who treat you nicely/respectfully regardless of your outward appearance.

When I travel, I actually prefer to dress down and to be quite honest, practically. I figure it makes me less of a pick pocket target since it doesn't yell "WELL OFF TOURIST ALERT!"

Kinda like my cars. I like to park next to nicer cars. If you're going thru the trouble of taking a car you might as well take the nicer one :D

[shootingstar]

So true rogue that more than ever, I like being treated respectfully even I'm dressed ordinary and travelling.

Dearie and I have gone to some higher end restaurants when we travel, we enjoy our meals together in lovely surroundings. So not dressing up, doesn't mean I take for granted our time together, that it's still special to us.

I'm not sure even if dressing down for me, would help alot of not advertising tourist status. In some European countries, I'm clearly looking like a tourist. :p

[blue_angel]

What you perceive as "dressed up" might be somebody else's supremely relaxed and casual. In the summer I prefer to wear dresses because they're light, no fuss, and comfortable. Does that mean I'm being fancy? Hardly! The dresses I buy are typically no-wrinkle, wicking fabrics that can be worn multiple times before washing, like this one (http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=44995&vid=2&pid=739120&scid=739120002), which I'm wearing right now. Comfort and ease don't mean you have to look like a slob or have no style.

[zoom-zoom]

The dresses I buy are typically no-wrinkle, wicking fabrics that can be worn multiple times before washing, like this one (http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=44995&vid=2&pid=739120&scid=739120002), which I'm wearing right now. Comfort and ease don't mean you have to look like a slob or have no style.

I have that dress...and LOVE it! So easy to dress up or down. I bought it last year for my hubby's 20 year class reunion and it's one of my favorite wardrobe staples. I don't iron anything or buy things that can't be machine washed--that dress totally fits the bill. It's just as easy to throw a dress like that on with cute sandals as it would be to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

[blue_angel]

I have that dress...and LOVE it! So easy to dress up or down. I bought it last year for my hubby's 20 year class reunion and it's one of my favorite wardrobe staples. I don't iron anything or buy things that can't be machine washed--that dress totally fits the bill. It's just as easy to throw a dress like that on with cute sandals as it would be to wear a t-shirt and shorts.

I love this dress so much I bought a second one in blue! Seriously, it's hard to get myself to wear anything else when it's over 85 degrees outside. Personally, I dislike wearing t-shirts and shorts, so dresses like this are the perfect solution.

[KnottedYet]

That is a great dress! And it comes in tall sizes! I've got a few skirts from Athleta, but haven't bought any dresses from them yet.

I've got a burnin' yearnin' for this one: http://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=46838&vid=1&pid=841249

[OakLeaf]

it comes in tall sizes!

And petite!

But I wonder what it would look like on someone with no waist. Some styles just look horrible on my body.

I never wear makeup, but there are plenty of places I wouldn't go in my day-to-day attire of cheap jeans and a ratty T-shirt, and that's especially true in Europe where people generally dress nicer than they do in the USA. There's casual and then there's sloppy.

It's shoes that drive me absolutely up the wall. Especially as someone who doesn't like to go more than a couple of days without a workout ... I HATE having to bring four pairs of shoes on a three-day trip, but I really find it unavoidable. Nice heels, kicking around shoes which are usually a pair of worn-out running shoes, casual flats, running shoes. Then potentially another pair of nice shoes if for some reason I have to bring outfits that don't match. Then potentially a pair of gym shoes. Ugh. It's easier in summertime when I can wear the same nice-ish sandals for kicking around and casual wear. Plus summer clothes generally take a lot less volume than winter...

[blue_angel]

I ordered the dress in petite, as I'm on the short side. I also have almost no waist (I'm big around the middle and very narrow-hipped). The way the dress is gathered, it actually helps create the impression of a waist. It's a very flattering dress for non-normative body shapes. Plus I think Athleta has a very accommodating return policy. It's worth giving it a shot, since it's on sale now.

[bmccasland]

Y'all are evil. I just ordered the dress. :D Here's hoping it fits, as the reviews gave mixed results.

And I'm in the prefer dresses crowd, especially on hot days. As for travel, ease of wearing is important, but it helps to blend in with the local crowd. I found I could peg Americans (Norte Americanos) when I was in Europe because they tended to dress down.

[indysteel]

In Europe, I tend to "dress up" a bit, which for me is a skirt and sandals or boots. I might get by with jeans during the day, but I try to wear something a little nicer for dinner to blend in a bit better with the locals. I always took it as a good sign that I was often mistaken for a native when I traveled alone. No heels though; I can't walk more than a few blocks in heels.

Most of my North American travels revolve around the outdoors, so I keep it low maintenance. I might still wear a casual skirt for dinner, but I do absolutely nothing to my hair (which is a real vacation for me since my hair takes some work). I enjoy wearing a bit of makeup unless I'm working out or hiking/biking.

[limewave]

I seriously want some Athleta dresses. I've been coveting them for a long time.

This thread reminds me of when DH and I took a trip to San Francisco and through Sonoma County. We stayed at a beautiful B&B right on the ocean. Every afternoon they served caviar. The first afternoon we showed up STARVING from our day of hiking (covered in dried mud and sticky with sweat) and in full hiking gear. It was a bit awkward as all the other couples had just finished their afternoon of touring wineries and were dressed up a bit :cool:

There was one couple in particular who liked to talk ALOT about how much they played golf and rubbed shoulders with the rich and kind-of famous. Her hair was always coiffed and his collar always popped. We called them "Jules and Parker." Ever since then, whenever we see a couple that is trying too hard, they are immediately branded as "Jules and Parker."

[sgtiger]

Usually when I travel I want to be as comfortable as possible, so I take more casual relaxed wear. (I pretty much live in casual wear anyway.) However, I'll usually take along a piece or two that can be dressed up or down. That way if DH and I want to have a special date night while there, we can.

Being parents of two younger kids, we don't have too many quiet moments to ourselves, so we try to make the ones we have special. I like to dress up very femininely on occasion too. It's just plain fun. Lately I've been playing around with '30's and '40's style makeup and hair. I just need to find a couple of dresses that fit the period to pull off the look.

[Crankin]

I also tend to wear dresses in hot weather. That is the first thing you learn, when you live in a desert climate, as I did for 16 years. No horrible waistband making you sweat!
I love Athleta dresses and would buy them all if I could.
That said, I do bring nice clothes for vacations, even when we are cycling all day. I tend to bring 3 types of clothes: cycling/hiking stuff, casual pants/capris and tops for walking around/shopping after the sports part of the day is done, and some dresses or skirts to wear in the evening. I might stay in the pants/capris all night, too, depending on where we are going. I like choice and sometimes we're in spots where it can be 95 one day and a few days later, it's in the 50s, like when we went to the Czech Republic.
I love dressing up, but I wouldn't say I am totally dolled up on vacation like I would be if I was going to a fancy place in downtown Boston. When we take winter trips, focusing on x country skiing, what I wear at night depends on if we have to leave the inn and travel in freezing cold temperatures. In Europe, I dress as the natives do. I never, ever wear running shoes, or carry a fanny pack! Not that I do this at home, either, but frankly, I have been told I dress like a European at home, in a kind of mean way. DH gets this all of the time, because he wears capris, the kind guys wear in Europe, and wears really cool shoes that most American men don't buy.
I mean, what's wrong with getting dressed up and wearing make up on vacation, if you are going out in the evening? It's not like I do that when I am riding. Sure, last year when we went to the AMC lodge in the Maine Wilderness, I wore my hiking type clothes at night, but that was more like a camping trip, even though we slept in a cabin.
Oh, and I have that Athleta dress. I have to wear a camisole under it, though, or the cleavage shows way too much. I tried wearing it sans camisole last year, at dinner one night in Spain, and I ended up running upstairs and putting the camisole on, because I felt uncomfortable.

[OakLeaf]

I should note that the only reason I wear old running shoes as my kicking-around shoes is that my feet are so hard to fit. I really can't even find running shoes that fit properly, but some can at least get close. I've never found a pair of casual shoes that I could walk more than a half mile in without agony, let alone the five or six (or more) miles a day one usually walks as a tourist. I'm well aware of how conspicuous they are, and a bit uncomfortable with it when I'm overseas, but really don't have a choice.

[pll]

I have been told I dress like a European at home, in a kind of mean way. DH gets this all of the time, because he wears capris, the kind guys wear in Europe, and wears really cool shoes that most American men don't buy.

I'd take that as a compliment. And the meaner the person sounded, the better... :D People's notions of what is "European" are strange. With jeans, I often walk with colorful sneakers (this type (http://www.highsnobiety.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/onitsuka-tiger-ss09-zodiac-collection-1.jpg)). I've been told that looks "European." Oh, well.

I like dressing up a bit, depending on where I'm going. It makes me feel put together.

[Crankin]

Those are exactly the kind of shoes DH and I wear. I have one pair I bought 6 years ago and they are wearing out. I hope I can find replacements.
Oak, have you ever tried looking at these types of "laceless" and colorful sneakers for walking?

[OakLeaf]

Never seen them before.

I'll keep my eye out.

[shootingstar]

In Europe last year (for 1 month), I wore a black lycra skort at times and sometimes a jersey or some sort of t-shirt, sleeveless top.

I did bring 2 prs. of shoes --cycling shoes and running shoes. My feet cannot withstand much walking-touring beyond 3 kms. anywhere in heels.

We genuinely vacation travel...without a car about 95% of the time. So that means cycling with my clothing, gear, using trains at times or public transit. We rarely rent a car when we vacation. It has happened for our snowshoeing trips where we did rent a car for 1-2 days for a 5-7day long trip. It's been like that since I've known him.

To me, dresses and skirts (unless short knit things) take up volume inside my knapsack or panniers....and cause more unnecessary weight for me to carry on my back or haul around for several hundred kms. on bike.

I really have to economize in terms of baggage weight since I have to carry or cycle with all of it. He doesn't carry it for me. He might carry extra anyway in terms of food. :)

Even when we went to Hawaii (twice), I didn't bother bringing any skirts or sundresses.

Um ...as far as sticking out like a sore thumb...um...in some crowds.I just can't change my genes!!

[Owlie]

Those shoes look exactly like re-colored fencing shoes (http://www.shop-wsfencing.com/images/21ed.jpg). Seriously. All this time I've had European style in my closet and didn't realize it...:D

I live my daily life in t-shirts and jeans or shorts. I've pretty much only worn sneakers/running/walking shoes (or my Keens) as daily footwear. I can't walk in most shoes for very long. It looks weird, but the important thing is that my feet don't hurt. I dress up occasionally, if I'm going somewhere nice-ish, but I'm pretty inept at that...Seriously, DBF has to give me advice on what to wear. I suck at being a woman.

[Crankin]

Look at Sketchers. I got a really nice pair, slip ons that I wear everywhere. I have walked for miles in them and they are 4 years old. DSW has lots of shoes like this, but you can't always find what you like in your size. There are also a few brands that don't sell in the US in stores, but you can order on line. Just search for slip on sneakers.

[pll]

Those are exactly the kind of shoes DH and I wear. I have one pair I bought 6 years ago and they are wearing out. I hope I can find replacements.


There are plenty of similar shoes. Look for Onitsuka Tiger (an Asics brand) or Gola in Amazon. For some reason, the men's models have more color options, so my Onitsuka are men's. I could not go with pastel colors... Same goes for Adidas: among their 'originals' series, sometimes to produce cute models for men (I've been wanting to get this Merckx/biking style sneaker (http://outofprintmag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/adidas-BMW-EM-PINP-thumb.jpg)... any New Yorkers that frequent the Brooklyn Machine works here?).

PS: And, if anybody is looking for a colorful running shoe, search for "Karhu". Who said running shoes have to be white, black or gray?

[channlluv]

My favorite outfit is usually a skirt and t-shirt or a sundress. Sometimes capris. I usually wear Birkenstocks, but when we went to Hawaii, I lived in flipflops, or what they call slippers. I bought some pretty ones on Oahu, and I rarely wore anything other than my bathing suit and a lavalava (sarong). Dressing in Hawaii is so easy. So is dressing in San Diego.

I've never been to Europe, but the way you all talk about it, I think I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

[blue_angel]

(I've been wanting to get this Merckx/biking style sneaker (http://outofprintmag.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/adidas-BMW-EM-PINP-thumb.jpg)... any New Yorkers that frequent the Brooklyn Machine works here?).


Those are super cool.

[rollinat]

I've never been to Europe, but the way you all talk about it, I think I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

I'm Scottish so I'm not sure that really counts as European - but things are definitely more casual in the US. It seemed quite strange on our trip back earlier this summer to see so many people formally dressed, I've obviously adapted to US life quite well!

[PamNY]

Interesting -- I've always thought European tourists look very casual, at least when they are sightseeing. What they wear to dinner I have no idea.

[shootingstar]

My favorite outfit is usually a skirt and t-shirt or a sundress. Sometimes capris. I usually wear Birkenstocks, but when we went to Hawaii, I lived in flipflops, or what they call slippers. I bought some pretty ones on Oahu, and I rarely wore anything other than my bathing suit and a lavalava (sarong). Dressing in Hawaii is so easy. So is dressing in San Diego.

I've never been to Europe, but the way you all talk about it, I think I'd have to buy a whole new wardrobe.

Well your stuff sans sarong, would be fine in Europe.

[pll]

Interesting -- I've always thought European tourists look very casual, at least when they are sightseeing. What they wear to dinner I have no idea.

It depends on the country, and big cities versus small towns. In my experience, on average, Spaniards, Italians and French tend to be dressier, relatively fashion conscious.

[Crankin]

I did find that in southern Spain (Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, Alahambra), the people didn't dress as nicely as in Italy. I suspect it's different in northern Spain, though, and Seville was pretty "urban" and cool in terms of dress, despite the horribly hot climate. I haven't been to France, but I've been in Siena and Florence and I loved the way everyone dressed there. Same as in Prague, very urban chic. Germany and Austria were a little more like the US, though, although not so many slobs :). And I found people in London to be very fashionable.
When I went to Italy in 2004, I first saw women wearing pashima scarves; even when it got hot out, they had them on. The next year, when I got to Prague, it was freezing before our bike trip started and I bought 2 just to keep warm, but also to fit in.
We went to Italy to visit our oldest son, who studied in Siena for a semester. When we got there, we phoned him and were walking toward him on a crowded street. We both walked by him, as he approached us, as he looked totally Italian after just 3 months. It made him a much better dresser and it has stuck!

[pll]

We went to Italy to visit our oldest son, who studied in Siena for a semester. When we got there, we phoned him and were walking toward him on a crowded street. We both walked by him, as he approached us, as he looked totally Italian after just 3 months. It made him a much better dresser and it has stuck!

A proud moment, I am sure! Very cool.

[OakLeaf]

When I arrived in Italy on my first trip overseas, the first thing that clued me that I wasn't in Kansas any more was how fine the policewomen looked in their tailored uniforms. :D

[Crankin]

pll, the thing my son noticed the most, is that he was no longer considered "extra small." He is 5' 6.5 and basically has to buy clothes at the Gap or H and M. He could fit fine into size small or even medium in Europe, since most of the Italian men are also shorter and skinny, like he is. He was lucky to find a decent tux for his wedding at a real men's store with good service.
I know that U Mass instructed the students not to stick out as Americans, by virtue of their clothing and demeanor. The students in the program came from all over the world and were quite surprised he did not wear a baseball cap or sweatshirts!

[pll]

Fit of clothing is something else... I take dress clothes to my brother in Peru: he is a bit over 6"1, and slim. The average Peruvian is shorter (and stocky), so shirts fit him like parachutes if he wants the right sleeve length. In pants, he has trouble finding the right size, too. The first time I took clothing, it was fun to see him wear it. Now he is used to the fit (looks and compliments at work helped convince him).

Anyway, from my scouting for him, here are two sites that have slim, fun shirts:

Coton Doux (http://www.cotondoux.com) (French, wild designs, flat 35 euro for S&H)
5th & Lamar (https://www.5thandlamar.com)

[Crankin]

I will tell my DH about those, too. He has suddenly become a "small" in shirts, even though he is the same size he has been for about ten years. I guess everyone else has become bigger...