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How to blend in when in Europe?
DH and I are planning a trip to Europe-not sure where exactly yet but we are looking at Italy, Spain and France. We don't want to stick out as being very obvious that we are American.....How do you dress/act to fit in? What kind of attire is most commonly seen among people in their 30s?
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Posted 10/8/08 10:44 AM  |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I think dressing just how you would if you were walking around NYC would be fine. You will always come across diferrent styles no matter where you are. Obviously avoid the fanny pack or your camera over you shoulder. 
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| Posted 10/8/08 11:19 AM |
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JessInCA
live laugh love
Member since 8/06 5082 total posts
Name:
Jess
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I found that Europeans don't wear big, bright white, Nike-type sneakers when walking around the cities. Their footwear tends to be smaller and more stylish... even if it's technically a rubber-soled sneaker, it's less athletic-shoe looking.
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| Posted 10/8/08 12:24 PM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
we went to germany in 2007 and i was worried about this before we went, too.
basically, the other posts were right- just dress the way you would dress if you were walking around NYC or something. they wear jeans, tee-shirts, sweaters, etc...
have an awesome time!!
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| Posted 10/8/08 12:50 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Do not wear anything with an American Flag on it.
Thats my number one piece of advice as an American living abroad.
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| Posted 10/8/08 1:51 PM |
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zoe282
We have our miracle!
Member since 8/08 3634 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I think no matter what you do europeans can spot an american! lol I mean europeans normally dress up everyday when they walk around the women in heels, and that doesn't work for tourists when they are site seeing. Men also wear tighter pants...If your DH isn't willing to wear tapered jeans I think he'll stand out...Sorry to be the bearer of bad news....also, when you speak everyone will know you are american. i say embrace it!
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| Posted 10/8/08 4:11 PM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I agree with the white sneakers. In terms of keeping warm you don't see a lot of people wearing parkas unless they're tourists. Long coats are more the thing.
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| Posted 10/8/08 4:23 PM |
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Ophelia
she's baaccckkkk ;)
Member since 5/06 23378 total posts
Name:
remember, when Gulliver traveled....
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
go with an empty suitcase!  (seriously, I do this..I LOVE shopping aboard. as I sit, I am wearing an awesome blazer I bought in Catania Sicily!)
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| Posted 10/8/08 5:28 PM |
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thewinterone
You make me happy
Member since 5/05 2474 total posts
Name:
cause you are gray.
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
This site was posted a while ago.
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| Posted 10/8/08 7:47 PM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I know when I go to Italy I always dress up. No sneakers, no casual wear. If I wear jeans I dress it up with a heel. Stuff like that. . .
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| Posted 10/8/08 9:53 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Don't wear bright or loud clothes.
No sneakers.
Put on make up and do your hair. Women in Europe are quite stylish.
Wear fitted, somewhat dressy clothes. Even if you wear jeans, wear nice shoes and a blouse - no t-shirts.
No backpacks.
I lived in Spain for 15 years and we are going back to visit in a few weeks - I've been doing a lot of shopping!!
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| Posted 10/8/08 10:24 PM |
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Milerose
MY BABY!
Member since 9/06 4161 total posts
Name:
R
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
I say wear what you would here. I was just in Europe this summer and dressed exactly the same way I would at home. Be yourself!
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| Posted 10/9/08 2:50 PM |
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Katie111806
Team Pink!
Member since 12/06 5349 total posts
Name:
Katie
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Definitely avoid the white sneakers. I find that Europeans wear more muted or darker tones and clothes that are much more fitted. Everyone always looks very put together.
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| Posted 10/9/08 4:42 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Everyone in Europe wears sneakers, including white ones. And they wear Jeans, all the time.
I think in the bigger cities you do see people who are dressed for work, so they look as if they are dressed up, but if you just dress like you do in your normal life, you will be fine.
Unfortunately its when we open our mouths the cat is out of the bag!
Message edited 10/9/2008 4:52:11 PM.
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| Posted 10/9/08 4:49 PM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by racheeeee
Everyone in Europe wears sneakers, including white ones. And they wear Jeans, all the time.
I think in the bigger cities you do see people who are dressed for work, so they look as if they are dressed up, but if you just dress like you do in your normal life, you will be fine.
Unfortunately its when we open our mouths the cat is out of the bag!
Not in Spain they don't wear sneakers. And people actually dress up more in the villages and towns there. Unless things have changed drastically over the past 2 years but I don't think so since I am on the phone with friends/clients all the time.
I think England is more Americanized than Southern Europe.
Message edited 10/9/2008 6:27:39 PM.
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| Posted 10/9/08 6:26 PM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Wear a fanny-pack... they will totally think you're a native European.
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| Posted 10/10/08 1:13 AM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by DaniRella
Wear a fanny-pack... they will totally think you're a native European.
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| Posted 10/10/08 9:20 AM |
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MrsPorkChop
Twinning!!
Member since 5/05 9941 total posts
Name:
Missy
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
no white sneakers
no cameras around your neck
no pulling out maps in the middle of a crowded street (or travel books) dh wont even let me pull out a map when we are in public..its a sign ti pickpockets and gypsies that you are foreign
no backbacks/fannypacks
as someone said above, lighter more narrow clothes, less athletic sneakers, more dressy in general
go with blazers... vests... layering is good
check out Zara and H&M - right there you will see euro styles of clothing..
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| Posted 10/10/08 4:56 PM |
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klingklang77
kraftwerk!
Member since 7/06 11487 total posts
Name:
Völlig losgelöst
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by DaniRella
Wear a fanny-pack... they will totally think you're a native European.
And if you go to England, make sure to say "fanny" extra loud, just in case they don't know it is called a fanny pack.
Fanny is a slang word for another word...
But seriously, when I was in Europe, I noticed that if they did wear sneakers, it was Pumas or something like that. I did see jeans, but they were neater. I spent more time in Germany, but I did travel to other places in Europe and this is what I noticed.
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| Posted 10/13/08 12:52 AM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by klingklang77
Posted by DaniRella
Wear a fanny-pack... they will totally think you're a native European.
And if you go to England, make sure to say "fanny" extra loud, just in case they don't know it is called a fanny pack.
Fanny is a slang word for another word...
But seriously, when I was in Europe, I noticed that if they did wear sneakers, it was Pumas or something like that. I did see jeans, but they were neater. I spent more time in Germany, but I did travel to other places in Europe and this is what I noticed.
Thats totally true, Fanny is a really offensive term here in the UK. Although See You Next Tuesday isn't...you can say the C word with on repercussions.
And everyone does wear sneakers, at the minute Keds are all the rage all over Europe with the trendies, so white sneakers won't single you out.
And thats white Keds for MEN too..icky, with skinny jeans.
Message edited 10/13/2008 4:22:21 AM.
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| Posted 10/13/08 4:21 AM |
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DaniJude
You're My Home <3
Member since 11/06 14815 total posts
Name:
Danielle
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
geez, i was just kidding and tried to think of the typical american tourist item - first thing that popped into my head: fanny pack. it was really only a joke and i'll make sure never to be a comedian when in the UK!  
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| Posted 10/13/08 7:51 PM |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by DaniRella
geez, i was just kidding and tried to think of the typical american tourist item - first thing that popped into my head: fanny pack. it was really only a joke and i'll make sure never to be a comedian when in the UK!
That reminds me of this British guy I used to date. We were walking around somewhere and this group of elderly tourists walked by and I commented on the very large bright yellow fanny pack this women was wearing and he almost fell over laughing. I can't thinking of that word now without cracking up
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| Posted 10/13/08 8:46 PM |
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yankinmanc
Happy Days!
Member since 8/05 18208 total posts
Name:
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Posted by DaniRella
geez, i was just kidding and tried to think of the typical american tourist item - first thing that popped into my head: fanny pack. it was really only a joke and i'll make sure never to be a comedian when in the UK!
No no! You should use the phrase Fanny when in the UK!!!! Its sooooo funny!! I once saw Craig Ferguson on TV in the states and he just said FANNY FANNY FANNY and it made me laugh and laugh. I love it!!!
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| Posted 10/14/08 5:26 AM |
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DKF1016
"I got the Sugar" ..:)
Member since 5/05 1252 total posts
Name:
Gonnacatchapeacock
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Re: How to blend in when in Europe?
Well...this year I toured a lot of Europe. I went to Italy, France and London. I can give some advice on this topic.
If you are doing A LOT of sight seeing, shopping, touring, museums, etc...wear those darn sneakers!! Or a pair of Merrells (which are sneaker-shoes).
After 12 hours of walking around cobble stone streets, museums, etc comfort is what is most important.
Wear bell-bottomed pants that will hide most of your sneaker if you are that concerned. I wanted to see as much as I could and my sneaks did that for me. Merrells too.
If you are absolutely against the sneaker thing, then do this: Buy a really comfortable pair of knee-high boots. No heel. Just flat or ones that have sneaker technology inside of them. Wear these with stockings (stockings with designs in them are huge right now over there) and a skirt, wear them with your skinny jeans tucked into them. This is how a lot of European women are dressing. They also wear a lot of trench coats.
I have a couple designer messenger bags which I wore over there. I could stick my info, small umbrella, sunglasses in it and it worked out great.
If you want to be super inconspicuous with the map, there are ways of doing it without sticking out like a sore thumb. We usually hide inside a door front and DH turns his back to traffic and looks to see where we are/where we are going and then we resume.
They sell pocket mini travel maps that might fit in the palm of your hand that you could always refer to.
Good Luck!
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| Posted 10/15/08 1:09 AM |
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