as tourist: dressing up abit?

[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... People's notions of what is "European" are strange. With jeans, I often walk with colorful sneakers (this type). 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. Seriously. All this time I've had European style in my closet and didn't realize it...

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... 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... 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.