I Have A Little Bit Of A Problemo

[Dudette]

I'm going to Europe in October. My sister lives is London and the last time I was there, she said I looked too much like a tourist and I wasn't dressy enough.

SO, this time, I started to think of my wardrobe ahead of time. Of course, rain gear is essential since it's fall, and well, being in London, it's going to rain. My first option was to go casual, but I'm going to be going into [b]a lot[/b] of Churches and religious places so I decided that I had better go a little more on the dressy side than casual. Ergo, I changed what I thought I was going to wear. Well, I went searching on European clothing sites to see what styles etc are like over there and I thought that a Mac (or a trench) coat would suit really well. I can wear jeans with that, blah blah. So I ordered a trench coat (here's an example if you need one: [url="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/418PvsbfZ3L._SS500_.jpg"]http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/418P...Z3L._SS500_.jpg[/url]

But you really can't wear sneakers with that kind of coat. I wanted to go with clothing that I could not only wear with jeans but I could wear with a skirt, because I am not packing a lot of stuff, traveling light is better. So, I thought that leather shoes, like clarks loafers or something would be suitable. In all of this, I wanted to get my sisters opinion, since she lives over there. This morning she said that I would be too dressy walking just around the city.

So help? Honesty, I think if I dress any more casual, if I go into a Church for Mass I'm going to feel out of place. I don't want to look like a tourist (yeah that's a great way to get pick pocketed,) and I don't think I look like a walking fashion model.

What do you all think? Any tips?

Thanks.

[asAlilyAmongThorns]

I lived in Spain for a while and I can tell you that she's right, you can usually tell who's a tourist and who's not. The idea is that in America it's the norm to go to a grocery store in pajamas or sweats while in Europe that's pretty much heresy, ESPECIALLY in churches. You basically want to look "put together". It doesn't sound as if you are into "punk" or "gothic" fashions or anything so if you're an average person then that should do it. You could also look on Vogue UK they have a "street" section where they took pictures of relatively well-dressed people walking through any part of London at any given time.
Hope that helps!

Edited August 2, 2007 by asAlilyAmongThorns

[Paddington]

I would wear "earthy" colors and plain clothing without giant logos or sayings on them. That way, even if something you wear isn't quite right, you won't stick out like a sore thumb.

[Ash Wednesday]

I wouldn't worry about it *too* much. I studied in London last year and am currently still in the U.K. Not all Europeans that go to the grocery store look "put together" -- granted, women tend to dress up a little more at times, but as long as you don't have a big fanny pack and a camera around your neck and a "London" shirt, it's easy to blend into London. Common sense is important but try not to stress out about it. To me the only way you really can stand out in London is to don a full out cowboy gear with leather chaps and everything... that's the only kind of person I've never seen there.

For what it's worth, when I backpacked Europe for the first time, I had a couple of long skirts (those with the crinkly kind of fabric -- worked nice as it didn't need ironing.) and mixed and matched them with cotton blouses and that worked nicely. Or a simple blazer blouse and slacks would be fine too.

Go to Camden town, Portobello Road or Roman Road's Saturday market for some fun/market/bargain clothing and then you'll be set for sure!

[Dudette]

Thanks everyone.

I dress pretty normal on a day to day basis, I usually like to stick with solid colours and I stay away from logos and stuff on shirts. I'm not that type of person.

I think I'll go with a little bit less dressy jacket (still a trench coat, but not so dressy looking), but I'll probably be wearing jeans most of the time. Or dress slacks.

Thanks for your help.

[Lil Red]

no advice, but cool trench!

[misereremi]

[quote name='Dudette' post='1347199' date='Aug 2 2007, 05:54 PM']But you really can't wear sneakers with that kind of coat.[/quote]
I do... Macs are always in. Those ballet style shoes are in and they're flat and comfy as well. London can be a bit of a catwalk, but if you're too dressy you might pass as a rich student. Not many people do long skirts, but "dress-tops" (you know those long ones that are worn over trousers) are modest and in (if you care about being "in"). But you're a fashionista anyway

I think...just dress comfortable if you've got a lot of walking to do. It's more important to have an air about you that you know where you are going...and hide your wallet well. And don't bust out your mobile phone on Oxford street.

[misereremi]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' post='1347230' date='Aug 2 2007, 06:35 PM']To me the only way you really can stand out in London is to don a full out cowboy gear with leather chaps and everything... that's the only kind of person I've never seen there.[/quote]
LOL! I was going to advise Dudette to dress like a chav, haha

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='misereremi' post='1347242' date='Aug 2 2007, 12:41 PM']Not many people do long skirts, but "dress-tops" (you know those long ones that are worn over trousers)[/quote]

Yeah I guess I failed to mention my trip was in 1998... *crawls off to die of embarrassment*

[Ash Wednesday]

[quote name='misereremi' post='1347248' date='Aug 2 2007, 12:44 PM'] LOL! I was going to advise Dudette to dress like a chav, haha[/quote]

Yeah, sometimes I worry that I look a little chavvy when I go out wearing an adidas or kappa sweat top but, meh, usually it's because I'm on my way to the gym!...

I don't know if I'll ever wear my blue Kappa out ever again though. I realized it's the same coat as that woman on Little Britain.

[Dudette]

[quote name='misereremi' post='1347242' date='Aug 2 2007, 11:41 AM']I do... Macs are always in. Those ballet style shoes are in and they're flat and comfy as well. London can be a bit of a catwalk, but if you're too dressy you might pass as a rich student. Not many people do long skirts, but "dress-tops" (you know those long ones that are worn over trousers) are modest and in (if you care about being "in"). But you're a fashionista anyway

I think...just dress comfortable if you've got a lot of walking to do. It's more important to have an air about you that you know where you are going...and hide your wallet well. And don't bust out your mobile phone on Oxford street. [/quote]

Really? See, my sister's boyfriend wore trainers with his jeans and blazer, imo, that looks horrid! But yeah...anyway.

See, tell me what you think of this Mac: [url="http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vBkyWN+HL._SS500_.jpg"]http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vB...+HL._SS500_.jpg[/url]

plus jeans and the leather shoes I mentioned above? I can't decide between those two trench coats. haha. Someone help me make up my mind! I do have ballet flats, but I could never walk all day in them, they would kill!

I do care about being in, but I'm not going to spend a million dollars on it. I am doing the t-shirt with blazer on top thing though, that's what my sister wore when she was over here. Kinda dressy with casual at the same time.
Heh, thanks for the tips, they are really helpful. Unfortunately, (please pray for her) but my sister doesn't understand how to dress in Church so that's why she doesn't understand where I'm going at with this. I appreciate all your input though!

[Lil Red]

i like the other trench better and i think leather shoes and joes would look classy

[Lil Red]

where do you find leather oxfords for women, btw?

[misereremi]

[quote name='Ash Wednesday' post='1347254' date='Aug 2 2007, 06:52 PM']I don't know if I'll ever wear my blue Kappa out ever again though. I realized it's the same coat as that woman on Little Britain. [/quote]
you rock as a chav! (see how nobody bothered you in my nhood..)
[quote name='Dudette' post='1347255' date='Aug 2 2007, 06:53 PM']I can't decide between those two trench coats. haha. Someone help me make up my mind![/quote]
I like the white one. Truth be told, not many people know how to dress in Church, it's not out of malice. I used to be ignorant about it -I just didn't like skirts much. You can help set a new trend.

[Old_Joe]

Here's what I'd suggest:

Wear a T-Shirt from the local Hard Rock Cafe. Have a camera hanging either from your neck or your wrist. Carry bags filled with souvenirs and such. Put a pair of sunglasses on top of your head. Last of all wear a fanny pack at all times.