<p>three friends have recently been in Paris and report that europeans <em>do</em> wear jeans… dark, nicely fitted, boot-cut, fancy ones and you will blend in fine. Yes to the simple color scheme esp with black. Find some comfy shoes that are dark. (sketchers makes some nice ones and cheap)</p>
<p>Americans stick out in Europe no matter what they wear. They’re always easy to spot. Just wear whatever you are comfortable with. You’ll actually find that among the younger crowd just a “tee and jeans” are quite fashionable. But as someone else said: don’t wear anything with American flags or anything that is overly patriotic. It’s not that we don’t think people should be proud of where they come from; it’s just over the years we have come to associate those type of people with the arrogant, gung ho Americans who think everyone else is inferior to them.</p>
<p>Oh, and white socks is definitely true. I wore black or gray socks until I moved to the U.S. I’m still not quite used to Hanes.</p>
<p>Why this obsession with not wanting to look like who you are?</p>
<p>The little black dress goes over well everywhere. Get 2 that don’t wrinkle. Wear casual slacks/skirts with nice top in the daytime which will take you to all but the most fancy restaurants at lunch. For shoes get some of the beautiful flat sandals that are in this summer which look great day or evening and carry a pair of walking shoes in your bag. My mom and I did 2 weeks in Europe with only a carry on bag!</p>
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This is the point I was making - who cares what they think? I don’t care what they look like when they come here even when they look out of place by not wearing shorts and sandals.</p>
<p>Besides, it’s not as different as some people think. Jeans and t-shirts are quite common over there. Actually, for a long time Europeans were clamoring to wear American jeans and still do.</p>
<p>However, I agree with not being the ‘loud’ American and the tourist who continually states “but in America we do it this way…”.</p>
<p>I am a big fan of capri pants when I travel during the summer months. They are available in almost every fabric and come off as more presentable than shorts for a woman in a European city. On a warm evening a simple black pair can be dressed up with pretty flats or dressy sandals. I always try to take one dressy black cardigan that can be worn to notch up an otherwise plain outfit. Even though I wear a great deal of black (with the occasional white top) when traveling I still scream AMERICAN when it is very hot because I lean toward polo shirts during the day and European women most definitely do not. My husband is fine with his normal weekend wardrobe…shorts, polo shirts, button-down shirts and khaki pants. He wears sandals during the day and a pair of Rockport loafers at night. He does take a jacket - just in case - but we make an effort to eat in neighborhood bistros or notable start up restaurants rather than the big time places. </p>
<p>My daughter wears her normal college wardrobe with a few more sundresses thrown in. One item she does leave at home are the short shorts that she might wear in the suburban US on a hot day. </p>
<p>BB, have a wonderful trip. The dollar is so lousy that we haven’t been able to bring ourselves to go recently. Our daughter is currently at school in the UK and she will label us as the worst parents ever if we don’t visit while she is there. We will probably bite the bullet and go over in the fall.</p>
<p>musicamusica, the tied scarf is such a nice touch and for some reason I always look like an idiot when I try to pull it off. :-)</p>
<p>Personally who I am, is someone who blends in. I also have learned the languages of the countries I’ve spent the most time in. But I think the main thing is that Europe is less casual than the US, you look disrespectful touring churches or going to the theater in your beach clothes. You wouldn’t wear your bathing suit downtown in a US city, it’s the equivalent to be underdressed in Europe.</p>
<p>I was in Paris in July/Aug & found it a little cool. Had to buy a cape to keep warm. Black pants & capris came in handy.</p>
<p>Thank you for the wonderful advice! It was very timely, too! H was sent to Europe on a very short notice (business), and I made sure not a single white sock landed in his suitcase!</p>
<p>For nice looking, extremely comfortable walking shoes and sandals, our family swear by our Ecco’s. They’re a Danish brand available at Zappo’s, etc. and come in a wide variety of styles. They tend to be light weight, well made and are especially good for walking on cobblestones. For our 2 1/2 week trip to Italy and France last July, I wore either my Wave sandals (Italy was very hot) or slip-ons (France was unseasonably cold) and felt well-dressed for all circumstances.</p>
<p>^^Holy cow, that’s the brand that maked the most comfortable shoes (and Riekers (sp?), too). H loves that brand. I just bought a pair of nice sandals on sale and was wondering if those would be deemed stylish enough. Thank you!</p>
<p>To the Dads: I try to blend in as much as possible when I am abroad because I am embarrassed to be American especially in this political climate. When my fiance and I or my family and I travel (we go to Europe and somewhere else every summer), we try to blend in, speak the language as best as possible (my family plus fiance and me have French, Italian, German, Russian and Spanish between the five of us), and when people assume and ask if we are British because we are well behaved, educated, and properly dressed, we say “yes” and take it as a compliment.</p>
<p>[What</a> to Wear in Paris, France - Paris Escapes](<a href=“http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear.html]What”>What to Wear in Paris, France - Paris Escapes)</p>
<p>We discussed this last year before D went on a Crystal cruise with her grandfather. <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/354442-european-casual-elegance.html?[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parent-cafe/354442-european-casual-elegance.html?</a></p>
<p>Ironically, British Airways lost my father’s and step-mother’s luggage and they were in Rome three days before it was found.</p>
<p>After living in Italy for many years and traveling quite a bit, we’ve elevated “blending in” to an art form - this is an act of “survival” b/c you don’t want to be a target. (They will run right by you snatching your watch right off your wrist in the process! Never happened to me Thank God, but I’ve seen it happen and it’s shocking!).</p>
<p>May I suggest a dark, wrinkle resistant skirt instead of a dress - that would give you more options by being able to change out the top. I second the silk scarf suggestion (esp. purchasing from a street vendor). That will be perfect for Paris. You might be able to get away with some Clark’s sandals - they are comfy, supportive and can be casual or dressy. We did wear Birkenstocks quite often - maybe that’s why we were often thought to be German! In fact, you’ll probably never pass for French, Italian or Russian, but think “German” and you’ll bend right in! haha!</p>
<p>It’s really better NOT to wear shorts. And if you wear jeans, they shouldn’t be torn or ragged. When in doubt, OVERdress. The Europeans almost always dress up for dinner, which is much longer & later than we’re used to.</p>
<p>My biggest tip would be to learn some of the language and try often to speak it - sometimes they will attempt English if you attempt French or whatever.</p>
<p>Sounds like a great trip - have fun!</p>
<p>If your daughter has super skinny jeans, that’s what all the young women in Paris are wearing right now with ballet flats. They call them “slims”.</p>
<p>If you’re going to the Palais Garnier in Paris or the Kirov in St. Petersburg for the ballet, I’d make sure your husband brings a blazer, a decent pair of pants and a nice button down, especially if you’re going to an evening performance. My family tends to dress up more than most, but I would say one of the black t-shirt dresses people are talking about would be too casual for the ballet or a nice restaurant in either city.</p>