6 dressing travel tips for Americans going abroad.
First, isn’t it simply fun to say “going abroad”? The words conjure the idea that you’re Katharine Hepburn in a 1940s flick. You’re casually discussing a transatlantic trip via a luxury liner like the Queen Mary. For an American, you will find the standard of dress different in Europe.
These days we fly, which is devoid of luxury unless you can afford the opulence of first class. Setting aside gripes against the airlines cramming folks in like sardines, let’s talk about packing for ten to sixteen days.
How to Pack Lightly for International Hiking Trips lists what to carry for hiking. But what to do when you’re first trip to The Continent includes London or Paris and hiking is not the main goal?
Here are the basics when pulling suitcases from your closet for dressing for Europe:
1. The most important thing is to travel light!
In Europe, odds are you’ll be getting around by train, taxi, and maybe bus at some point. Guess what? Storage space is limited on trains and buses. Taxis are not what you find in the USA and are on the small side—not SUVs. See the picture on the Pack Lightly for Hiking blog—you don’t want to be these sisters wrestling with suitcases for the duration.
Now look at these sisters traveling to Wales nine years later—boy, did we wise up!
When my husband worked for a European company and I accompanied him, we figured out the convenience of hotel laundry service. You know—that bag and slip of paper that hangs in the closet of American hotel rooms coast to coast? Yes, that one. Plan on using it—at least for shirts, socks, underwear (depending on the length of your trip.) Alex’s Brooks Brothers’ shirts came back as neat as new and saved suitcase room. Compact packing doesn’t mean you can’t dress nice in Europe.
There are also new combinations of nylon, spandex, etc., that make for nice travel shirts. Pop an under three-ounce bottle of Woolite in your bag and wash shirts in the evening for wearing the next day.
2. Leave the bling at home!
This note is at the top of my travel list as a reminder to leave my only expensive piece of jewelry—my engagement ring—behind. Tourists in large cities in the states should skip the snazzy stuff, we have pickpockets, too. When we had grandma’s diamond re-set, the jeweler warned me that the thieves have a tool to snap the diamond off and you won’t know until later.
Having been distracted by would-be hucksters from NYC, Milan, Cologne, London, the bling stays home. No matter what we do, we will look like what we are: tourists. Keep thieves from being attracted to your gold or diamonds. You don’t need bling to look dashing in Milan.
3. If you wear an article of clothing to the gym, do not wear it to Europe.
This is a huge piece of advice to follow! Americans, for our consumerism, wear clothing everywhere that should not be seen outside the home or gym. Europeans do not do this. For a hilarious take on how an American adapts to living and adorning himself in France, read David Lebovitz’s tasty book, A Sweet Life in Paris. Pay attention to Chapter 5: Dressing Like a Parisian.
Since my first trip to Germany in 2002, jeans have become much more acceptable as casual wear. That said, there is a huge difference in wearing denim here and wearing it in Italy, et al. Levis, my (dark) indigo pant of choice, are worn with the same aplomb as the most expensive pair of Coco Chanel trousers. Jeans are part of an outfit and should be, well, out-fitted, as such. Your upper half is to remain as fashionable as any five-star dinner out would have you dress.
Scarves are worn by men and women and are both utilitarian and an accessory. The intricate wearing of a scarf is often the thing that pulls together your ensemble.
I choose not to wear jeans in Europe. For hiking, they’re uncomfortable and for walking around Milan, I’m more at home in a pair of slacks. However, I do cheat: I have tan and black hiking pants (sans cargo pockets) that do the trick of combining comfort with a modicum of style.
Dressing for Europe Just Takes Some Thought
4. Leave the tennis shoes/sneakers/trainers at home.
Not only are the soles on most sneakers not durable enough to stand up to the frequently rock streets you’ll saunter across, they will, nine-point-nine times out of ten, make you feel out of place as soon as you leave your hotel. Maybe before you leave your hotel.
Not being a girly girl, my assortment of shoes is down to about ten pairs, including winter boots, so I’m not the one to offer voguish footwear advice. But here’s what I can tell you. For city walking autumn through spring, I take two pairs of shoes: black Danskos and leather hiking shoes. The Danskos offer a bit of pizzaz although I’ll never match the Milanese women ambling those designer store streets in their stilettos after getting off their Vespa. How they do that is the grandest mystery!
Total foot comfort is essential as you’re likely to walk several miles a day. Opt for sturdy hiking shoes every time. The soles are heavy duty, which is great for strolling on the unevenness of those vintage cobblestone streets. In the early days, I wore out lesser soles during a two-week trip, so be cognizant of what you wear. Remember, you’re packing lightly, so try to limit yourself to two pairs.
For summer trips, Keen sandals are my go-to. If I were going again to the beaches of the Italian Riviera, I’d add inexpensive mesh water shoes. Those Italians are a hardy bunch, able to walk across stone-strewn beaches with, well, the same runway attitude that the women wearing those spike heels manage. My wimpy feet couldn’t handle it, which led to a lot of verbalized ouches as I tried to get to the water in San Fruttuoso.
5. For covering your head, leave the baseball cap at home.
I’m not sure I ever saw a European wearing one of these so-common at home hats. There are attractive hiking hats available these days—pop over to REI.com and take a look. Go for one that is crushable so that unpacking won’t leave you with a pancake to put on your head.
Because I’ve dealt with basal cancer on my scalp twice, with more sure to come—thank you, Celtic skin—I am religious about wearing a hat. After the Portofino to San Fruttuoso hike where my cute pink hat disappeared, I have a Outdoor Research (OS) Oasis Sombrero in deep purple, with a 5-inch brim. It’s been a real head saver on multiple trips.
Speaking of hats, when you are touring churches and cathedrals, make sure to take them off!
6. About backpacks.
We Americans are crazy famous for carting a backpack with us wherever we go. While a pack can be practical for days when you leave the hotel in the morning and won’t return until late, keep in mind a few things.
If backpacks are permitted in historic locations, they will be searched, the same as visiting a Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. Liquids are rarely allowed, so that massive bottle of water you purchased? Say good-bye the same as you would going through a TSA checkpoint.
Remember you are in a city. Part of the joy of being a tourist is sitting at an outdoor cafe having a coffee or Perrier and people watching, listening to the lyrical sound of non-English being spoken.
In other words, relax and realize anything you need is most likely at your fingertips—you don’t have to carry it with you.
Dressing for Europe Lets You Re-examine Your Wardrobe
To close, there will certainly be locals dressing casually—the larger the city, the more this is seen. I’ve broken my own advice with Oboz shoes in fashion-capital Milan and my pink hiking hat in Bologna—comfortable feet and a safe scalp are important.
My Last Words on Dressing for Europe
Once you decide what clothing will work for you, square those shoulders and carry the outfit off with confidence and panache.
*
Related Post: Surviving Long Flights
Brava, RoseMary! These are right on point (especially #s 3, 4, and 5)!
Thanks, Susan. Since you lived in Italy for three years, your comment means a lot! We were just in Savannah, Georgia and horrified at a group of teenagers (with chaperons) came down to breakfast in their pajamas–without shoes!
RoseMary, you have shared great tips as always, and I love your writing style. Globalization is helping to reduce the stress of being or not being immediately recognized as a foreigner when you travel around, but I agree that caution and reducing ‘excesses’ is advisable. We’d better try to mingle and look as much as possible as the locals to avoid trouble like the saying goes “When in Rome….”
Emidio, I also like that when we do our best to mingle, we learn more about the culture we’re visiting. Such fun!
RoseMary — I think it’s getting more difficult to distinguish between tourists and the locals. Maybe blame television, but people in the UK, France and Italy, where I most recently visited, were wearing Nikes, jeans and other casual attire. You can no longer figure out where people come from.
Oh no, Jeannette! I was hoping that wouldn’t happen. When we were in Italy last year–Rapallo, Portofino, Camogli, it was predominately Italian folk and they still looked the part. Probably, like here, depends on the area you’re in.
Great tips as per usual Rosemary. I admit to packing far too many shoes and clothes when I travel. Nine times out of ten, I wear only half of what I bring. I understand the reasons why people travel light especially when not based in one resort throughout the holiday. You mentioned dressing appropriately which is important- sturdy shoes which can stand the journey are preferable to dainty, pretty sandals.
I’ve mentioned before, Phoenicia, that my husband is a big guy–twice my size. He overpacks for every trip, every time and only wears two-thirds of what he takes. I learned years ago to let him pick out everything he wants and then as I (ace packer that I am) put things in the eBags, I remove X number of what he’s selected. It works!
Yes, I know we women love pretty sandals–even oh-so practical me–but those ugly Keens make so much more sense! During Hawaiian adventures, I tuck a couple of pretty dresses in the bag, but I stick with the sandals I can walk in!
Great advice. When my family travelled to the UK in 2016 we ended up buying clothes there and wearing them during our holiday. Our jeans were certainly OK (largely due to the number of tourists), but there was definitely a difference in style. 🙂
Thanks for that comment, Debra. It is certainly a different attitude toward attire from what we’ve got. I wonder how long I would live there before I could let it seep in!
I CANNOT wait to tackle my packing for our Welsh Adventure!!!! Packing light, staying safe and experiencing a new place and meeting new people – definitely the adventure of a lifetime!!
Oh yes, my lovely niece — new beaches, new cliffs, new water … and a pint with the locals!
Thanks for the tips! Have to find shoes in lieu of my flashy colorful ASICS!
I keep thinking if I were visiting cities, I’d find a pair of leather Clarks–they look good and are comfortable. I know what WE need–a trip to Little’s Shoes in Squirrel Hill! They’ve got everything!
When you’re in Europe, there are certain things that just scream out ‘American.’ You’ve mentioned a couple of them, sneakers and baseball caps. It’s not something that likely endears you to the locals.
Glad that you agree with that, Ken. I like to blend in–although as a (do I say former at this point?) red haired, freckled person, I have most often been mistaken as Irish no matter what country I’ve been in. If only I could have mastered the lilt!
Great advice RoseMary. Most of my international trips have been on business and that meant hauling my computer, presentation materials and a mega suitcase full of clothes. Do you have any idea how much room a muumuu takes up! Even when I went on my first vacation to Europe I had to haul that big bag because we stayed at 5* hotels in my company’s chain and since I represented the hotel in a very visible capacity I was bound by a dress code. But since we stayed for f-r-e-e it was worth the extra hassle. Today, I would gladly go light as you’ve suggested!
Ugh, ugh, ugh, Marquita! I totally “see” the luggage you’re talking about lugging around. I couldn’t have done it! I never had on a muumuu, so that’s funny to even think about packing.
It’s freeing to be able to pack lightly. Love it.
Hi Rose. I can’t even imagine travelling with only two pairs of shoes! I’ve gotten myself down from about 5 pairs of shoes for a week long trip to three pairs. But I always find that there is a pair of shoes I wish I’d brought but didn’t, and then my outfit looks off. I agree that we are too casual in North America and can learn a lot from the Europeans (and Quebecers in Canada) who dress to the nines, even if they’re just going to the grocery store. Sweat pants would only be worn to the gym or in the house/yard as you say.
Would it help if I told you I’m taking three pairs to Wales? 1. The hiking shoes (Oboz–love them and the company) 2. Keen hiking sandals–ugly but comfortable. 3. Water shoes for wading in the ocean. Super ugly, but practical. I think I am a shoe anomaly based on most women friends!
I wondered about Quebec and figured it was dressier. I think we have gone entirely too far to the casual and it hurts our international–well, appearance.
The threat of thieves to tourists is so real. I used to work and live around Times Square. My gosh, these thieves were so good. I was working as a waitress, and one of my tables had all their luggage stolen right out from under them and they didn’t even notice until it was gone.
Oh my, Erica. I have no concept of living and working there! Even when I was in LA, I lived and worked in Whittier–a small city. Yikes to having all the luggage taken like that! We were in the Milan train station once and an elderly, dapper dressed man tapped me on the shoulder and said, “Put your bag in front of you, young (loved that) lady!” He didn’t realize my husband was in line behind me, but I thought it was sweet. Then once in Siena, an artist was creating large chalk sketch on the street and we were watching him–but immediately I stepped away from the crowd and watched them, looking for pickpockets because it would have been the perfect opportunity whether or not the artist was a part of it!
The first and only time we went “abroad,” about 5 years ago, I tried so hard not to dress like an American. It was a lot of work but I was pleased with the outcome. Alas, I couldn’t convince my husband of my wisdom. And I tried to get him to wear a scarf like all the other European men, but that was fruitless! Good advice, Rose Mary, for our next trip!
Glad that you have also observed what I’m talking about, Karen. Yes, I cannot get Alex to give up his jeans for anything–but when he adds a Brooks Brothers dress shirt, he fits in fairly well. Our friend Lorenzo always dons a scarf on a brisk day in Italy–he looks so dashing!
I would never take a suitcase again abroad! Way too much work!
That is so very true, Jackie! The eBag Junior weekender does the job just fine!
Sage advice, RoseMary. I only wish you’d dispensed some similar advice but vice versa in time for our US trip last year. I found that half the clothes I’d packed I didn’t wear, the only shoes that saw the light of day were my trainers (sneakers) and I had to buy a cap (it was actually a cycling cap, but who’s lookin?)! I am generally not smart but even I felt overdressed in North America. (It was, I have to say, both relaxing and liberating). Vive La Differance.
Wyoming and the western states are particularly laid back, Monika. I moved to Montana from California–where we women still had to wear suits with skirts. Yes, really! Talk about needing a wardrobe adjustment!
Cycling cap, hat–it’s all good. I’ll bet you looked super nice.
I’ve noticed in my recent visits to England that casual attire is more common than it was thirty years ago, but still not as casual as in North America.
Yes, Donna, nothing is as blasé as here.