Dress appropriate for Italy, Spain, France

[Fairway Cruiser]

I've read in many places about how baseball caps, cargo shorts, gym shoes, logo/sports related shirts, etc. are types of dress that immediately make locals aware that you are an American, and might make you a better target for pick pockets.  What I have not read much about is what alternatives to these items are recommended? Any thoughts about head wear, pants/shorts, shirts, shoes that are comfortable, yet do not scream "I'm an American tourist?"

[CruiserBruce]

We have traveled to Europe probably 20 different times now. People can easily identify you as tourists whether or not you wear shorts or not. The style and cut of your clothes, the logos on your clothes. And just hearing you talk is a significant giveaway. Don't overthink this.

 

That being said, we don't wear attire that screams our home teams, or anything that suggest my former profession. We just wear plain shirts, hats and related. 

 

We have been accused of being British by other Europeans, Canadians or Aussies by British, and British by Aussies.

[Cachecara]

My opinion is it is more important to dress sensibly and safe vs as a “tourist”. Purses that go across the chest, in FRONT and are traveler safe are good. For men, wearing a backpack or wallet in BACK is not safe.  Again, front wear is essential. There are various companies that make safe men/women’s purses and packs. 

[slidergirl]

Just my little take:

You are visiting European cities, not Disneyland or the beach.   No shirts that advertise your favorite sport team or band or <fill in the blank>.  A nice clean T, polo, or button shirt is good.  Decent-fitting clean-front pants or Bermuda shorts - no cargos.  Women - same, but put in the mix a skirt or dress.   I'm on the fence about what to use instead of running shoes, I have some Jambu shoes that I can wear anywhere and they serve me well in the city AND the beach.   If you want a hat, you can find some non-logo'd baseball hats if you must (in a neutral color) or go with a little flair and get a Panama or Fedora!    I don't have a special purse/bag/backpack just for travel.  I just pick something that I have and go with it.  It's all about being aware and using common sense.  Yes, men should not carry the wallet in the back pocket.  I never put my bags down on a table or hang on a chair.  I put one leg through the straps of whatever and it sits in front of me (I do this even at home, not just vacation).   I have little mini-carabiners which simply "lock" the zippers.   

 

I've been mistaken as Italian in Italy and as German in Germany.  I've had a family in Rome (dressed like they were going to Disneyland) ask me if I speak English and if I could help them with directions. The only thing Italian about me is my last name (my ex's grandparents were from around Naples)!!!!

Edited June 22, 2019 by slidergirl

[euro cruiser]

The only rules about dress are for churches, and for them shoulders and knees must be covered and men must remove their hats.  Only the major churches have the money to enforce the rules but all Catholic churches ask that you dress this way.

Edited June 22, 2019 by euro cruiser

[Cachecara]

We were in Italy and Greece late May through early June. It was already hot out.  I was glad we wore hats. Our heads were protected.  As it was, our arms got plenty tanned. I saw plenty of tourists getting burned. 

 Many of the ancient sites have slippery uneven stone or marble pathways, the same with steps. So good, comfortable walking shoes are necessary.

As mentioned above, certain sites do have dress codes and they are enforced.  I can imagine how hot it can get in July and August, so dress wisely. 

[ducklite]

2 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

The only rules about dress are for churches, and for them shoulders and knees must be covered and men must remove their hats.  Only the major churches have the money to enforce the rules but all Catholic churches ask that you dress this way.

Hmmm...  I can' think of a number of other places that have dress codes.  Synagogues require men's heads to be covered, bring your own Kippah or borrow from them, there should be a basket just inside the door.  Typically they have the same requirement as Catholic and Orthodox churches in terms of modest dress for women.  Mosques require women to cover their heads, arms to at least the elbow (wrist is preferred), and to the ankle.  Men should cover with clothing the same way, however head coverings are not required.

 

The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo requires a jacket and tie in the evening and similar evening wear for ladies in the gaming rooms.  "Casual attire" (and they don't mean cut offs and a Metallica shirt--or the bathrobe from your cabin) is allowed in the atrium and slots.  

 

Several of the 1st Growth and Grand Cru Chateaus request business casual attire when visiting.

 

In Prague you are kindly requested to follow a dress code for the symphony which specificially mentions no jeans and asks for "little black dresses or similar for ladies" and jackets with ties for men.

This is just off the top of my head.

 

 

 

 

[Lois R]

Hi, I have been to Europe multiple times as well.  Personally, I dress for comfort and have never been a "dress gal" so I don't wear them.  As for shorts/tops/etc...If I am traveling in the summer, I wear short sleeved tops and knee length shorts or crop pants (I know some women hate them but I dress for me, not them).   I like cotton, because it breathes and Europe can be hot during the summer months. 

 

As for my feet? Good walking shoes are a must (for me). I have a pair of black walking shoes and wear

them with socks.  If my shoes give me away as a tourist? Oh well, there is usually a lot of walking when touring in Europe and I definitely don't want hurting feet.

 

I will be in Venice in October and it will probably be cooler so long pants will be part of my daytime

attire on this trip but will still be bringing the walkers.

 

[euro cruiser]

2 hours ago, ducklite said:

Hmmm...  I can' think of a number of other places that have dress codes.  Synagogues … Mosques … The Grand Casino in Monte Carlo … Several of the 1st Growth and Grand Cru Chateaus … Prague symphony ...This is just off the top of my head.

 

Point taken, I was broad brushing what cruisers typically ask about seeing in Italy.

[Alaskanb]

https://www.mychicobsession.com/how-to-dress-like-a-local-in-rome/

 

[iancal]

I can assure you that you will most definitely stand out as a tourist no matter what you wear.

 

You will be a target for pick pockets.

 

Take the appropriate precautionary measures.   Attire will not help.

[euro cruiser]

Pickpockets really don't care if you're a tourist or not, it's just that tourists tend to make themselves easy targets because they are distracted and tend to congregate in places where there are large crowds.  Pickpockets love distracted people in crowds.

[euro cruiser]

1 hour ago, Alaskanb said:

https://www.mychicobsession.com/how-to-dress-like-a-local-in-rome/

 

 

Okay, I read through this because I was curious.  While I think her observations are accurate for where she was, if she went to Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in ONE week, as she claims, and did all this fashion assessment she couldn't have done much else.

 

But her conclusions are based on flawed data.  She wasn't in work areas, schools, offices, etc.  No one wearing heels?  Please.  Out in the countryside and on the Amalfi Coast sure, but there are plenty of professional women in the cities in heels, they're just not hanging out on the Spanish Steps to get their pictures taken.

 

She also seems to have only observed her own age group, which makes sense given that her blog is focused on them.

[slidergirl]

11 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

 

Okay, I read through this because I was curious.  While I think her observations are accurate for where she was, if she went to Rome, Tuscany, Florence, Naples, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in ONE week, as she claims, and did all this fashion assessment she couldn't have done much else.

 

But her conclusions are based on flawed data.  She wasn't in work areas, schools, offices, etc.  No one wearing heels?  Please.  Out in the countryside and on the Amalfi Coast sure, but there are plenty of professional women in the cities in heels, they're just not hanging out on the Spanish Steps to get their pictures taken.

 

She also seems to have only observed her own age group, which makes sense given that her blog is focused on them.

She was dressed appropriately for a cool day in Rome.  As for the shoes - Superga sneakers are "the peoples' shoe"!  They aren't athletic shoes, but just nice casual footwear.  I have a pair!   Yes, there are professional women wearing heels.  But, as a "tourist" I sure wouldn't wear them.  Those women are used to wearing those heels over the streets & uneven paths in Rome!  And, they aren't walking around all day long...  She has on what I also call the typical casual uniform in Paris 😉  

[Alaskanb]

She was also dressed like my nieces, of her age, who live in the UK. 

 

My go to cool / rainy walking shoes are Ahnus https://www.amazon.com/Ahnu-Womens-Taraval-W-Porter-10/dp/B00RLDXYBG/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3DR0WA1OZC2FV&keywords=ahnu+shoes+women&qid=1561324632&s=gateway&sprefix=Ahnu%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-7

 

 

 

 

Edited June 23, 2019 by Alaskanb

[iancal]

It is not just about clothes. It is also about how you act, how you carry yourself.  How loud you speak and your tone of voice.

[Lois R]

3 hours ago, Alaskanb said:

She was also dressed like my nieces, of her age, who live in the UK. 

 

My go to cool / rainy walking shoes are Ahnus https://www.amazon.com/Ahnu-Womens-Taraval-W-Porter-10/dp/B00RLDXYBG/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3DR0WA1OZC2FV&keywords=ahnu+shoes+women&qid=1561324632&s=gateway&sprefix=Ahnu%2Caps%2C210&sr=8-7

Cute!!!!

Quote

Cute shoes....…..not sure what happened with posting...…….but those are cute walking shoes

 

 

 

[slidergirl]

2 hours ago, iancal said:

It is not just about clothes. It is also about how you act, how you carry yourself.  How loud you speak and your tone of voice.

 

The petty thieves will see how you look before they hear you (hopefully).  To me, how I dress is part of self-culling from the herd so they get closer and watch and listen the "tourists"...  I don't use a special travel bag that tags me as a tourist, too.  My usual bag doesn't look any different from what the women walking around in those heels are using 😉  It's served me well for decades. <knock on wood> I don't stop and look awkward and haul out a map - part of the fun for me is seeing where I end up!  There's always a little shop I can duck into if I need to look at my Maps app!!  I don't panic if I feel lost - just keep on like I know exactly where I'm going.  

Edited June 24, 2019 by slidergirl

[Hlitner]

So here is our simple message to the OP.  No matter how you dress, they will know :).  So do not waste your time trying to pretend you are not a tourist and just except your fate.   As to what to wear, the primary dress in Europe is jeans.  DW misses the days when she would see lots of good looking Italian men in their gorgeous suits.  Now, while business folks still might wear a suit the reality is that jeans are very popular.  Footwear is perhaps more interesting but please do not wear sandals with socks :).  Sandals are great (we live in our Eccos or Tevas) but you will also see typical sneakers (trainers for you Brits) and also some nice shoes (often without socks if in Italy).  

 

Personally, having spent a lot of time driving around Europe we prefer to wear what is comfortable.  I will often be in Jeans and DW prefers Capris or something similar.  We both wear very comfy footwear designed for lots of walking more then looks.  In warm weather we both strongly favor good sandals (with decent support) and avoid flip flops which are popular but a great way to get foot injuries (if you don't believe this do a little reading).   If the weather is really hot I will often move from jeans to good cargo shorts.  But if you are going to wear shorts just be aware that there are some places where they are not acceptable such as inside the Vatican museums.

 

Hank

[steamboats]

As a European I totally agree with Hand and euro cruiser - you will be recognized as a tourist whatever you wear. I do wear completely different stuff for work than for traveling. I´m totally aware that I´m recognized as tourist.

 

Obey to those few dress codes regarding religious places (and others mentioned). Than you´re fine.

 

You never can dress like a local as you don´t have any local clothes anyway.

 

steamboats

[JBare]

On 6/22/2019 at 5:56 PM, Fairway Cruiser said:

I've read in many places about how baseball caps, cargo shorts, gym shoes, logo/sports related shirts, etc. are types of dress that immediately make locals aware that you are an American, and might make you a better target for pick pockets. 

 

The sports shirts etc just identify a certain type of person not necessarily an American per sae (apart from the team names obviously). Brits and many other europeans (of a certain type) dress in team logo shirts. Most Americans and Europeans I have met have a bit more style and variety than to wear a soccer or baseball shirt or cap.

Many of the people you'll see walking around are tourists in their own country and also dress like tourists anywhere else so as others have said don't overthink it.

My advice would be not to make overt displays of wealth, expensive watches, jewellery etc. My wife wears jeans or sundresses, comfortable flat soled shoes and no jewellery. I wear a cheap Casio watch for example when ashore.

And don't carry around,  as many do, the cruise ships bags with their logos on the side.

Pick pockets target wealthy looking locals as much as tourists.

Edited June 24, 2019 by JBare
spelling

[slidergirl]

Yep, jeans are the big thing.  But, if you spend enough time on here, you'll see people saying to not take jeans (too hot, too heavy, etc.)  So, we try to recommend alternatives for folks.  

Last time I went to Europe with a girlfriend (Barcelona, Cinque Terre, Florence, Paris in 2011), we were part of the jeans-wearing, jeans jacket wearing, scarf, Superga shoes crowd!   It hasn't changed.   Now that I have a cool black biker jacket, I'll add that one in the mix along with my skinny jeans and trusty Jambus or Supergas... 😉

 

[Fairway Cruiser]

Thanks to all for the replies. We will be traveling in late October - early November.  So jeans may be a good option, given the average temperatures.   Also,  plain shirts and tops, and light jackets. We will choose comfortable walking shoes. We will be utilizing either money/passport belts to be worn under clothing, or front carried, slash proof bags. And we will not wear jewelry.

Thanks again for all the advise!

[DENIE]

Great advice...thanks!

[JBare]

On 6/24/2019 at 6:46 PM, slidergirl said:

Yep, jeans are the big thing.  But, if you spend enough time on here, you'll see people saying to not take jeans (too hot, too heavy, etc.)  So, we try to recommend alternatives for folks. 

 

Lightweight chinos are the most common alternative for locals, both men and women. My personal favourite.