Do you dress like an American when you travel?

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I have been seeing some travel articles lately on "dressing like an American tourist".
When the hubby and I travel when we are sitting in the park, etc. we like to play "guess which folks are the American tourists" - it is actually pretty easy to do since Americans seem to be the only ones that wear shorts, sneakers, goofy t-shirts in cities and towns.

Most of the time when we are in another country locals think we are Canadian or European since we do not dress in typical American fashion, in fact, I don't even own a pair of sneakers (except for an old pair of keds) and usually do not even wear shorts when I am out and about on the Philadelphia streets let alone in a foreign city. I personally feel that when in another country, shorts and flip flops are fine for a beach resort but you should try and dress more like the local population when in a big city or town. I have had numerous locals mention to me that they can always tell the Americans by the way they dress and they wonder why some of them dress so weird or why they feel they can go into local churches wearing shorts, don't take their ball caps off, and otherwise don't respect the local cultures.
So I am curious - if you are American - how do you dress when traveling in a foreign country?

[kyshel]

we hardly ever wear shorts in ANY city. no sneakers/trainers (too bulky to pack) nad not preferred for footwearr period
no hats except in sun on a boat
No jeans in Asia (too hot) and not often in EU except winter.
I think age makes a difference, too.
I'm getting ready to donate my sneakers to Goodwill, that's how often I wear them!
I have specific travel shoes and light pants for long haul flights and several cashmere sweaters to suit my travel needs( sometimes I want to go w/out a jacket) I can wear silk thremals and no one has a clue that I am warm.
We had to deal with local cultures in BAli and Thailand for temples etc. Always mindful of local customs and mores.

[bonniejoy03]

I dress for comfort!

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I dress for comfort but always keep in mind what the general mode of dress is in the area I am visiting. There are so many comfortable shoes out there for walking that you don't need bulky sneakers anymore. I have become addicted to Merrell, Privo by Clarkes and Sperry boat shoes!

[omegaet]

I have been seeing some travel articles lately on "dressing like an American tourist".
When the hubby and I travel when we are sitting in the park, etc. we like to play "guess which folks are the American tourists" - it is actually pretty easy to do since Americans seem to be the only ones that wear shorts, sneakers, goofy t-shirts in cities and towns.

Most of the time when we are in another country locals think we are Canadian or European since we do not dress in typical American fashion, in fact, I don't even own a pair of sneakers (except for an old pair of keds) and usually do not even wear shorts when I am out and about on the Philadelphia streets let alone in a foreign city. I personally feel that when in another country, shorts and flip flops are fine for a beach resort but you should try and dress more like the local population when in a big city or town. I have had numerous locals mention to me that they can always tell the Americans by the way they dress and they wonder why some of them dress so weird or why they feel they can go into local churches wearing shorts, don't take their ball caps off, and otherwise don't respect the local cultures.
So I am curious - if you are American - how do you dress when traveling in a foreign country?

We basically pack light weight (washable) synthetics, with an eye toward layers....depending on the climates we are headed into. Merrell Moab Mid Hikers are always included as footwear....comfortable, great support and will go almost anywhere in any weather (maybe not in more than six inches of snow)....conservative enough to wear in a nice restaurant. We also take along (and change into) British Airways First Class Sleepsuits for long haul flights...don't mind the occasional odd glace from other passengers when we settle in for some sleep.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi O....please tell...what is a BA First Class Sleepsuit???

[omegaet]

Hi O....please tell...what is a BA First Class Sleepsuit???

British Airways sleepsuits are given to First class passengers on long haul flights (a neighbor brought each us one last year from a trip to Europe)....they are light weight, well made and more of less like lounging PJs, black in color with the BA logo and the word First embroidered on the top. They roll and fold up to a compact size, easily stored in carry-on.

Once we're in flight, we slip in the restroom, change into the sleepsuits and chill for an overnight flight! We're not looking for style points, just comfort on long hauls.

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I love the sleep suit idea! I have travel socks and slippers that I sometimes use on long flights and a blanket and pillow - I want a sleep suit ;-)

[omegaet]

Let me talk to my neighbors and see when they are scheduled for their next BA flights.....or maybe LLTravelfan is using BA soon and can nail you an outfit.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi O....would love a BA flight suit!! Might be useful to wear this strolling the aisles!! (or just in my neighborhood-only kidding!)