Looking like an American while overseas

[dickinson]

We are leaving next week to go on a TA and then a British Isles cruise. Weather averages 50-60 degrees. I think one port could actually be colder. Kind of like going to Alaska early in the season. The best jacket for my dh is his Red Sox jacket. It screams America assuming foreigners know who the Red Sox are. We have never been to Europe before. Is it safe for him to wear this jacket? Otherwise he would have to wear a t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt over it and a sweatshirt hoodie. Not so sure that will be warm enough if it is windy. What do you folks think?

[zqvol]

It really doesn't matter what he wears because he is going to look like an American anyway, though unless he is under 25 a sports team jacket is probably not appropriate.

[DirtyDawg]

We are leaving next week to go on a TA and then a British Isles cruise. Weather averages 50-60 degrees. I think one port could actually be colder. Kind of like going to Alaska early in the season. The best jacket for my dh is his Red Sox jacket. It screams America assuming foreigners know who the Red Sox are. We have never been to Europe before. Is it safe for him to wear this jacket? Otherwise he would have to wear a t-shirt with a long sleeve shirt over it and a sweatshirt hoodie. Not so sure that will be warm enough if it is windy. What do you folks think?

 

You do't have to be worried about the Euro's objecting. You'll have to worry about all those Yankee fans on the cruises.:eek: And Blue Jays Fans, and Orioles fans, and.......;)

 

Just buy him one of these and he'll be fine. And it's good for Formal night too!

Edited April 17, 2015 by DirtyDawg

[dickinson]

You do't have to be worried about the Euro's objecting. You'll have to worry about all those Yankee fans on the cruises.:eek: And Blue Jays Fans, and Orioles fans, and.......;)

 

Just buy him one of these and he'll be fine. And it's good for Formal night too!

 

We live in Oriole country. Lots of Red Sox Nation here too! Thanks for the jacket suggestion… but we will pass :D

[DirtyDawg]

We live in Oriole country. Lots of Red Sox Nation here too! Thanks for the jacket suggestion… but we will pass :D

 

I just found that online. I think I know what I'll be getting my BIL for his birthday this year. He lives in Boston.:D Either that or a Maple Leafs Jersey.;)

 

Your Hubby will be fine. Enjoy those cruises. Sounds like fun!!

 

?? He survives in Oriole country being a Red Sox Fan. Does he risk being a Patriots Fan too? I went to a Ravens game vs the Browns a while back with my brother and his son who are huge Browns fans. Thank God the Browns lost big that day or we may have never made it out of the stadium!

Edited April 17, 2015 by DirtyDawg

[cb at sea]

Lordy! Only "tourists" go to the tourist sites! No worries!

[FawnRiver]

Before our last cruise out of LA, we stayed onboard the Queen Mary. Included in the room price is the self guided walking tour, so we go down to the tour desk to pick up the headsets and we start chatting with the other couple waiting there. We assumed they were Canadian, since the lady was wearing a Canada Olympic sweater. They were actually from France! Oops. Glad we didn't make any improper comments about the French.

[FawnRiver]

Lordy! Only "tourists" go to the tourist sites! No worries!

 

 

There is one other group that goes to tourist sites......pickpockets.

[iancal]

Believe me, he will be immediately spotted as an American.

 

What is wrong with looking like an American????

 

Unless of course it is the Herb Tarluck look.

Edited April 17, 2015 by iancal

[nybumpkin]

Two years ago we did a Baltic cruise preceded by three days in London. Our older son has a sports wardrobe. He's wearing a Mets shirt in our photo of him in front of the fountains at Peterhof.:p No problems.

 

A funny story, though. Some years ago DH was in the UK for a conference and was aboard a train from London to York. During college he spent a year studying in London, so he's very familiar with the British Isles. The passenger across the aisle from DH asked him if he would watch his luggage while he went to the cafe car, not recognizing him as a foreign traveler. DH agreed, of course, and the passenger realized from his accent that he was from the US. Passenger asked DH if he would like anything from the cafe car and DH asked for a tea. Passenger: "You're American, and you don't want coffee?" DH: "I lived here for a year. The coffee is awful.":D

[SuiteTraveler]

I come from a family that lived overseas. (Italy and Germany) And I also have traveled in Europe extensively. What you have been told by most here is flat out wrong. You husband should NEVER wear a Red Sox jacket in Europe and hoodies are absolutely unacceptable almost everywhere in Europe. They really are only worn for working out at the gym.

 

Tourists get pick pocketed or mugged overseas everyday (especially in Spain and Italy, but this can happen in the UK and any other European country as well) and wearing something like this Red Sox jacket or a T-shirt and hoodie will alert every pickpocket to the fact that your husband is an American tourist. From that they will deduce he likely has a bunch of cash on him and may attempt to pickpocket him. Even if that doesn't happen, people will attempt to pull your husband into various tourist traps when they see he is an American. The other thing to consider is possible terrorist activity and this jacket could make him a target unfortunately. There is also some anti-American sentiment in the UK and in Europe. Some people, if they saw this American wear, might even attempt to call you or your husband out and debate you on US politics or military action - even though your husband probably has no input or control over these things. Because of all of these issues, flaunting that you are an American by wearing clothes or shoes with obvious American labels is not a good idea anywhere in the UK or Europe. I truly hope that none of these things ever happens to you and your husband but there are steps you and your husband can take to blend in, make yourselves far less of a target and protect yourselves from thieves.

 

Your husband would be far better off with a dark sports coat or business casual type jacket. You husband and you also should not wear American brand athletic shoes as this will also peg you as a US citizen. Instead your husband (and you) should wear European walking shoes.

 

Here is a good brand of travel jackets and clothing that work very well and keep your valuables safe:

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_mens.shtml

Of these, I would choose the sports coat or Revolution Jacket and not go any more informal.

 

These jackets are terrific and in a plain dark color or khaki are appropriate for Europe.

 

The other thing to consider is that Europeans dress better than most Americans for day to day activities such as shopping and eating out. How you are treated in shops and restaurants overseas will depend a great deal on what you are wearing because you will both be judged solely on appearance upon entering shops and restaurants for the first time. Think business casual - that is your best bet. Chinos or trousers a shirt with a collar and a jacket for him with black shoes. For you, a sundress that goes to just below the knee and sweater and walking shoes. Also, it is best to NEVER carry a purse anywhere in Europe as many thieves will snatch your purse and could injure you in doing that. Also, never wear jewelry that looks real. I even have an inexpensive plain wedding band I wear when walking around in Europe. And then I wear obvious costume jewelry earrings and a cheap watch. Since I don't appear to have anything of value on me, thieves give me a pass and go on to someone else who would be easier to rob. BTW, the reason I wear a sundress is because many European public toilets don't have toilet seats, so it is much easier to use them with a dress on than pants.

 

Here are many links describing appropriate attire for touring in Europe:

 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/passports-and-international-travel/10-things-you-should-never-wear-when-traveling-abroad

 

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap05/clothes.htm

 

http://thesavvybackpacker.com/how-to-dress-avoid-looking-like-an-american-tourist-in-europe/

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5614.html

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5535.html

 

http://offtrackplanet.com/magazine/articles/what-not-to-wear-how-europeans-know-you-are-an-american

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Looking-Like-an-American-Tourist

 

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/in-fashion/the-tourist-fashion-trap-what-not-to-wear-while-traveling.html

 

http://tripsbylance.com/2013/04/what-not-to-wear-tourist-edition/

[WatchHill]

DH bought a NE Patriots wind breaker when he was Patriot Place in January to see the trophy and have his pix taken beside it. He plans to wear the jacket on the upcoming British Isles cruise. British sports fans???? A friend we are meeting in Salisbury told us of her all nighter at a local pub wherein everyone was glued to the TV watching the Super Bowl.

 

Biggest give-way of being from the US - wearing "sneakers" - boots are the norm! When I travel, what I wear goes toward comfort.

 

Darcy

[dickinson]

 

?? He survives in Oriole country being a Red Sox Fan. Does he risk being a Patriots Fan too? I went to a Ravens game vs the Browns a while back with my brother and his son who are huge Browns fans. Thank God the Browns lost big that day or we may have never made it out of the stadium!

 

Yes, he is a Patriots fan. Has that jacket too :( Living where we do there are loads of people from other places. Yes during football season one sees a lot of Ravens jerseys but Orioles went a loooong time being bad so people don't wear a lot of their apparel.

 

Suitetraveler - I appreciate everything you have said however I leave in less than a week to fly to FLL and can't buy a whole new wardrobe just for this trip.

 

All of our excursions are ship sponsored however in 3 ports we are doing it on our own. Then 2 full days in London on the HOHO bus visiting touristy sites. We are aware to be careful of pickpockets.

[OCruisers]

You're going to the British Isles! No problem. Wear whatever you wish. They rather like their American colonist. :D

[dolittle]

Do both of you a favor and buy your husband a nice comfortable sport coat they go with everything jeans,slacks or dress pants and any kind of shirt ,collar or not .He will look better and feel less out of place .

[AKman2495]

I come from a family that lived overseas. (Italy and Germany) And I also have traveled in Europe extensively. What you have been told by most here is flat out wrong. You husband should NEVER wear a Red Sox jacket in Europe and hoodies are absolutely unacceptable almost everywhere in Europe. They really are only worn for working out at the gym.

 

Tourists get pick pocketed or mugged overseas everyday (especially in Spain and Italy, but this can happen in the UK and any other European country as well) and wearing something like this Red Sox jacket or a T-shirt and hoodie will alert every pickpocket to the fact that your husband is an American tourist. From that they will deduce he likely has a bunch of cash on him and may attempt to pickpocket him. Even if that doesn't happen, people will attempt to pull your husband into various tourist traps when they see he is an American. The other thing to consider is possible terrorist activity and this jacket could make him a target unfortunately. There is also some anti-American sentiment in the UK and in Europe. Some people, if they saw this American wear, might even attempt to call you or your husband out and debate you on US politics or military action - even though your husband probably has no input or control over these things. Because of all of these issues, flaunting that you are an American by wearing clothes or shoes with obvious American labels is not a good idea anywhere in the UK or Europe. I truly hope that none of these things ever happens to you and your husband but there are steps you and your husband can take to blend in, make yourselves far less of a target and protect yourselves from thieves.

 

Your husband would be far better off with a dark sports coat or business casual type jacket. You husband and you also should not wear American brand athletic shoes as this will also peg you as a US citizen. Instead your husband (and you) should wear European walking shoes.

 

Here is a good brand of travel jackets and clothing that work very well and keep your valuables safe:

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_mens.shtml

Of these, I would choose the sports coat or Revolution Jacket and not go any more informal.

 

These jackets are terrific and in a plain dark color or khaki are appropriate for Europe.

 

The other thing to consider is that Europeans dress better than most Americans for day to day activities such as shopping and eating out. How you are treated in shops and restaurants overseas will depend a great deal on what you are wearing because you will both be judged solely on appearance upon entering shops and restaurants for the first time. Think business casual - that is your best bet. Chinos or trousers a shirt with a collar and a jacket for him with black shoes. For you, a sundress that goes to just below the knee and sweater and walking shoes. Also, it is best to NEVER carry a purse anywhere in Europe as many thieves will snatch your purse and could injure you in doing that. Also, never wear jewelry that looks real. I even have an inexpensive plain wedding band I wear when walking around in Europe. And then I wear obvious costume jewelry earrings and a cheap watch. Since I don't appear to have anything of value on me, thieves give me a pass and go on to someone else who would be easier to rob. BTW, the reason I wear a sundress is because many European public toilets don't have toilet seats, so it is much easier to use them with a dress on than pants.

 

Here are many links describing appropriate attire for touring in Europe:

 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/passports-and-international-travel/10-things-you-should-never-wear-when-traveling-abroad

 

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap05/clothes.htm

 

http://thesavvybackpacker.com/how-to-dress-avoid-looking-like-an-american-tourist-in-europe/

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5614.html

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5535.html

 

http://offtrackplanet.com/magazine/articles/what-not-to-wear-how-europeans-know-you-are-an-american

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Looking-Like-an-American-Tourist

 

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/in-fashion/the-tourist-fashion-trap-what-not-to-wear-while-traveling.html

 

http://tripsbylance.com/2013/04/what-not-to-wear-tourist-edition/

 

I agree with this guy...

[Ms Jo UK]

I come from a family that lived overseas. (Italy and Germany) And I also have traveled in Europe extensively. What you have been told by most here is flat out wrong. You husband should NEVER wear a Red Sox jacket in Europe and hoodies are absolutely unacceptable almost everywhere in Europe. They really are only worn for working out at the gym.

 

Tourists get pick pocketed or mugged overseas everyday (especially in Spain and Italy, but this can happen in the UK and any other European country as well) and wearing something like this Red Sox jacket or a T-shirt and hoodie will alert every pickpocket to the fact that your husband is an American tourist. From that they will deduce he likely has a bunch of cash on him and may attempt to pickpocket him. Even if that doesn't happen, people will attempt to pull your husband into various tourist traps when they see he is an American. The other thing to consider is possible terrorist activity and this jacket could make him a target unfortunately. There is also some anti-American sentiment in the UK and in Europe. Some people, if they saw this American wear, might even attempt to call you or your husband out and debate you on US politics or military action - even though your husband probably has no input or control over these things. Because of all of these issues, flaunting that you are an American by wearing clothes or shoes with obvious American labels is not a good idea anywhere in the UK or Europe. I truly hope that none of these things ever happens to you and your husband but there are steps you and your husband can take to blend in, make yourselves far less of a target and protect yourselves from thieves.

 

Your husband would be far better off with a dark sports coat or business casual type jacket. You husband and you also should not wear American brand athletic shoes as this will also peg you as a US citizen. Instead your husband (and you) should wear European walking shoes.

 

Here is a good brand of travel jackets and clothing that work very well and keep your valuables safe:

http://www.scottevest.com/v3_store/subindex_mens.shtml

Of these, I would choose the sports coat or Revolution Jacket and not go any more informal.

 

These jackets are terrific and in a plain dark color or khaki are appropriate for Europe.

 

The other thing to consider is that Europeans dress better than most Americans for day to day activities such as shopping and eating out. How you are treated in shops and restaurants overseas will depend a great deal on what you are wearing because you will both be judged solely on appearance upon entering shops and restaurants for the first time. Think business casual - that is your best bet. Chinos or trousers a shirt with a collar and a jacket for him with black shoes. For you, a sundress that goes to just below the knee and sweater and walking shoes. Also, it is best to NEVER carry a purse anywhere in Europe as many thieves will snatch your purse and could injure you in doing that. Also, never wear jewelry that looks real. I even have an inexpensive plain wedding band I wear when walking around in Europe. And then I wear obvious costume jewelry earrings and a cheap watch. Since I don't appear to have anything of value on me, thieves give me a pass and go on to someone else who would be easier to rob. BTW, the reason I wear a sundress is because many European public toilets don't have toilet seats, so it is much easier to use them with a dress on than pants.

 

Here are many links describing appropriate attire for touring in Europe:

 

http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/passports-and-international-travel/10-things-you-should-never-wear-when-traveling-abroad

 

http://www.enjoy-europe.com/hte/chap05/clothes.htm

 

http://thesavvybackpacker.com/how-to-dress-avoid-looking-like-an-american-tourist-in-europe/

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5614.html

 

http://www.fodors.com/news/story_5535.html

 

http://offtrackplanet.com/magazine/articles/what-not-to-wear-how-europeans-know-you-are-an-american

 

http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Looking-Like-an-American-Tourist

 

http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/fashion-and-entertainment/in-fashion/the-tourist-fashion-trap-what-not-to-wear-while-traveling.html

 

http://tripsbylance.com/2013/04/what-not-to-wear-tourist-edition/

 

 

This has given me the lol of the evening.

 

I live in the UK and I own 5 hoodies and never go to the Gym. US sports wear is acceptable everywhere. OP don't worry and we don't eat US tourists.

[WatchHill]

Long after the fashion police have returned to Bond Street, you as an American tourist should be remembered for how you behaved, not for how you dressed.

 

Darcy

[Flatbush Flyer]

Just don't wear shorts and white sneakers in Italy.

[LMaxwell]

OP for the climate you are talking about and looking a bit understated how about a windbreaker? Or if that's not warm enough maybe a Columbia jacket like this?

 

http://www.columbia.com/mens-lookout-point-fleece-lined-jacket-1580281.html?dwvar_1580281_variationColor=464&cgid=men-jacketsVests-windbreakers#start=3

 

Edit; you can probably find this or somilar in a sporting goods store if they aren't in season for department stores.

Edited April 18, 2015 by LMaxwell

[t_car]

This thread is actually very amusing.

I do have to agree somewhat on not acting and dressing like a tourist in Europe.

Hoodies, sneakers, jeans, T-shirts and ball caps are not usually worn in Europe like in North America.

I think it does help to blend in and not get targeted.

 

Thanks for the entertainment.

[sail7seas]

No matter what an American is wearing, they are usually very easily identified.

 

I was standing perfectly still in the terminal at the airport in Rome while DH did a quick errand. I did not speak, walk, have anything in my hands that would indicate language I spoke. I was wearing shoes, skirt, sweater, jacket and handbag I had bought in Italy. All my garments were the latest Italian fashion. No fewer than three people approached me and spoke in English. :eek: I laughed and asked the third how he knew I was an 'English speaker'. He said you look American by your posture and bearing. Didn't matter all my Italian clothing. :D

 

[SPacificbound]

This has given me the lol of the evening.

 

I live in the UK and I own 5 hoodies and never go to the Gym. US sports wear is acceptable everywhere. OP don't worry and we don't eat US tourists.

 

I would pay more attention to this response then the ones posted by Americans

judging other Americans.

[Slopoke15]

For those suggesting a sport coat…. well he would freeze spending the day in 50 degree weather with some wind. Something more substantial is needed especially for some of the excursions we are going on.

 

Ms Jo UK - thank you. Glad to know you don't eat tourists

 

I will definitely tell him to leave the Red Sox jacket at home. He will make do with what he has (sorry to some folks but a sweatshirt hoodie it may be). There are hardly any jackets left in the stores around here.

 

Hope this helps. When I went to Europe last fall, I packed a few clothes that I would wear in cold, windy, rain conditions on my golf course at home. A good quality golf rain coat (plain black), cold gear from underarmour, maybe even a pair of long underwear ... if the weather is crappy and he has to wear it ... then is anyone really taking notice ??? .... there are lots of nice golf courses in the Maryland area, and the weather can get funny, so if hubby has proper golf attire for crappy conditions, then maybe he could take that ... just saying

Edited April 18, 2015 by Slopoke15

[elleks]

If he decides to wear a hoodie, watch out going into banks or shopping centres- a lot of them won't allow you in with the hood up.