I Have A Little Bit Of A Problemo

[Noel's angel]

It's called a 'bum bag'!!!

'Fly London' make the comfiest shoes in the world ever. Expect to pay between £80-£120 for a pair (I think that's about $160-$240). I don't know if they're the style you would be looking for but they are so comfortable and well-made. I can walk miles in mine and my feet feel fine.

[Ellenita]

[quote]Last of all wear a fanny pack at all times.[/quote]

lol most of all don't call it that.... you'll be spotted as a tourist straight away!

[Groo the Wanderer]

If you wanna blend in these days...wear a burqa....

[aalpha1989]

don't mean to hijack the thread, but what about mainland europe? germany specifically...would dressing there be different from dressing in London (i assume it is)? what would men wear in germany not to look like a tourist? i heard that they wear nice jeans, they don't wear jeans casually like americans. is this true?

[IcePrincessKRS]

lol Maybe its just me, but I don't get why its such a big deal to look like a "tourist." Its probably because I'm living in Korea and no matter how I dress there's no escaping the fact that I'm not local, so it doesn't seem like such a big deal to be recognized as a foreigner.

[IcePrincessKRS]

I forgot to say, "that said", I like the first trench better for you. Seems to fit your sense of style better.

[aalpha1989]

well in europe there is some hostility to americans. I'm not speaking form experience, just from hear say. That's my impression anyway, and I'd rather not be obviously american. 'till i open my mouth anyway. my german accent is horrific.

[IcePrincessKRS]

Ah, I guess that makes sense. Looking out my window at the Koreans walking down the street and the tubs of kimchi on their rooftops I'm thinking "Fit in? Not look like a tourist/foreigner? Huh? How do you manage THAT?" lol I guess it WOULD be different if you were in a city/country full of white people.

[hoosieranna]

The thing I noticed when I studied in Wales was that the Brits' clothes seemed more streamlined. They weren't as "puffy" as something you'd find over here. The colors also tended to be more subdued, and there was lot of layering. The layering also served a practical purpose. It might be gorgeous and warm in the morning, and storming by afternoon. You can't go wrong with a good mack.

For shoes, I saw a [i]lot[/i] of Pumas and Docs. The Puma trainers were again, less clunky than something you'd see here. Cute flats are also useful. Here's a link to the sort of Pumas I usually saw, if you're interested: [url="http://www.zappos.com/n/bs?q=mostro"]shoe link[/url]. I don't doubt that I was identifiable as a Yank, but I did try to blend in. This is just what I saw when I was there.

[jiyoung]

I was in Austria this past semester and I did a lot of traveling on the weekends, and it's true that both guys and girls are just dressed up a lot more--I joke with my friends that my gaydar is off because the men in Europe are always really well-dressed. But I stick out anyway because I'm Korean, so I basically had the opposite of Icy's problem--my face gave me away as a tourist every time. But what you wear does help, as does your demeanor--I find that Europeans are more reserved than Americans. I think you're Canadian, though, am I right? Anyway, it's both clothing and attitude.

- Black shoes. No matter if you wear ratty jeans and everything, black shoes. White shoes give you away immediately as a tourist. I wore white sneakers and regretted it. It's possible to get a really comfortable pair of black flats to wear every day, or something--they look good with both jeans and a t-shirt as well as a skirt and blouse. If I were to go back again, I would buy a cheap pair from Payless or something and wear it until there are holes in them, and then throw them out when I was ready to go home and wear flip-flops or something. Basically, though, shoes that are somewhat dressier than plain old white sneakers are best. You could also get away with some cute canvas flats or something.

- I liked the first white trench better--it's more likely to go with stuff. But I personally would go with black, just because it's the default European color. But white is better than, say, hot pink or lime green. And you can always dress the trench up or down depending on accessories and stuff. I would wear it with jeans and a trendy shirt or something.

- Fanny pack=death. Seriously, don't do it. I think the best bag is an all-purpose color that fits under your arm and has a zipper and is a decent size. That sentence was so grammatically wrong =T Wear it with the zipper towards you so you can hold onto it so you know nobody's digging through it.

I think basically, Europe is trendy and dressy, whereas America (especially west coast) is really casual. I would err on the side of dressier. And then you'll also be appropriate for church as well.

[Dudette]

[quote name='jiyoung' post='1348355' date='Aug 3 2007, 12:41 AM']I was in Austria this past semester and I did a lot of traveling on the weekends, and it's true that both guys and girls are just dressed up a lot more--I joke with my friends that my gaydar is off because the men in Europe are always really well-dressed. But I stick out anyway because I'm Korean, so I basically had the opposite of Icy's problem--my face gave me away as a tourist every time. But what you wear does help, as does your demeanor--I find that Europeans are more reserved than Americans. I think you're Canadian, though, am I right? Anyway, it's both clothing and attitude.

- Black shoes. No matter if you wear ratty jeans and everything, black shoes. White shoes give you away immediately as a tourist. I wore white sneakers and regretted it. It's possible to get a really comfortable pair of black flats to wear every day, or something--they look good with both jeans and a t-shirt as well as a skirt and blouse. If I were to go back again, I would buy a cheap pair from Payless or something and wear it until there are holes in them, and then throw them out when I was ready to go home and wear flip-flops or something. Basically, though, shoes that are somewhat dressier than plain old white sneakers are best. You could also get away with some cute canvas flats or something.

- I liked the first white trench better--it's more likely to go with stuff. But I personally would go with black, just because it's the default European color. But white is better than, say, hot pink or lime green. And you can always dress the trench up or down depending on accessories and stuff. I would wear it with jeans and a trendy shirt or something.

- Fanny pack=death. Seriously, don't do it. I think the best bag is an all-purpose color that fits under your arm and has a zipper and is a decent size. That sentence was so grammatically wrong =T Wear it with the zipper towards you so you can hold onto it so you know nobody's digging through it.

I think basically, Europe is trendy and dressy, whereas America (especially west coast) is really casual. I would err on the side of dressier. And then you'll also be appropriate for church as well.[/quote]

I love you! That is excellent information. Thanks to everyone else too! And yes I am Canadian.

I did order that trench coat in black. I am going to be looking for a pair of good flats that I can stick my orthodic in so my feet don't die within a day.

I am staying away from the white sneaker, and black shoes I will do.

About the bag, I'm trying to find a little bit of an oversized purse, that's black and has a zipper, so I don't have to carry around a backpack or whatever. I'm also trying to find it in black, looking for black leather.

Ice Princess. It's true, the least I can look American, the better, my sister (no offense to anyone here) hates Americans, so I don't want to be dressed like one.

Edited August 3, 2007 by Dudette

[IcePrincessKRS]

[quote name='Dudette' post='1348401' date='Aug 3 2007, 08:01 AM']Ice Princess. It's true, the least I can look American, the better, my sister (no offense to anyone here) hates Americans, so I don't want to be dressed like one.[/quote]

Thats kind of a bummer that you have to do that... New clothes are fun, though. (Of course the irony is that you're getting advice from Americans. lol ...never mind me, I'm in a really weird mood today.)

What kind of bag/purse are you looking for? I mean, how big are we talkin'? Like this or bigger?

[img]http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/I/51MfSi1ajOL._AA280_.jpg[/img]

[Noel's angel]

Actually, white trainers are generally fine for England. Lots of people wear white trainers with jeans and a jacket.

The best way not to look like a tourist is not to act like one. It seems obvious, but if you have a good grasp of the currency and things like that, you won't stick out so much.

[Anomaly]

Since I and my family have been 'tourists' in the UK for the last couple of weeks, I'd say don't worry too much about it. American girls tend to dress more classy than teen UK girls. So what if it's a little different. Especially in London and the bigger cities, there are people from EVERYWHERE with all kinds of different clothing. Since we normally live in Florida, tourist capital for the US, you get used to it. People with a bit of sophistication appreciate people of from other countries dressing different. My two daughters dress decent and have had a few comments from relatives that they look nice, etc. We'll be in Paris next week, so I may change my mind, but who really cares about the French's opinion.
Dress comfortable and wear what you would normally wear for the type of weather and living you'll be experiencing. Spend you money on stuff you like in the UK and can't get in the US like sweets.

[asAlilyAmongThorns]

[quote name='Old_Joe' post='1347752' date='Aug 2 2007, 06:59 PM']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.[/quote]

That's funny! So true. Maybe dressing up for grocery stores is more of a Spanish thing. But big cities like London or Madrid or Paris usually have so many people from all over the world that you probably won't be noticed for wearing something subtly different than that country's norm. Black does seem to be the all-purpose European colour, though.