Avoid looking like a tourist in Europe by an American living in Europe
- Avoid safari clothes (e.g. travel vests and bucket hats)
- Don’t go too casual.
- Leave your designer items at home.
- Rethink your backpack and go with a more subtle daypack (if you need a backpack).
In this post
How can I travel and not look like a tourist?
Here’s how to NOT look like a tourist in 14 easy steps
- Book a central hotel.
- Dress appropriately for the place you’re visiting.
- Become familiar with some language basics.
- Be a skeptic to avoid looking like a tourist.
- Fake it ’til you make it.
- Use public transport where you can.
What should you not wear in Europe?
6 Things You Should Not Wear in Europe
- A Non-Ironic Fanny Pack. Are you a hip teenager with the confidence to ironically wear a designer fanny pack slung over your shoulder?
- Head-to-Toe Sports Gear.
- Hiking Clothes.
- Flip Flops.
- Regular Sneakers.
- American-Only Branded Clothing.
How do people dress in Paris without looking like a tourist?
Dress Appropriately
Skip the baseball caps, white socks, sneakers, large colorful backpacks, and fanny packs. Instead, opt for dark skinny jeans, plain shirts without logos, and leather shoes. Top it off with a scarf and you will look tres French.
What should you not wear in Paris?
Of course, no one will “arrest” you if you wear any of them but the best way to enjoy Paris is to blend in and dress like a Parisian, or at least try!
What Not to Wear in Paris
- Baggy T-shirts With big Colorful words Printed on them.
- Sportswear.
- Pum Pum shorts.
- stilettos (High Heels)
- Cargo Pants.
- Sandals.
- Sweat Pants.
What should you not wear in Spain?
Nix the dirty denim, sports t-shirts and shabby shoes, especially if you’re visiting style-conscious cities like Madrid and Barcelona. It’s all in the fit. Baggy shirts and shorts just won’t cut it in Spain.
How do you dress like a European?
Clean lines and classic looks. Europeans tend to dress up a bit more than Americans and they prefer a sleeker and more fitted look. Shorts, oversize styles and athletic wear like sweatpants and T-shirts are not acceptable to wear out in public. Think tailored, classic, and neutral and you can’t go wrong.
How do Europeans look less American?
Wear clean-cut conservative clothes
Europeans dress up more than Americans, especially for meals and special occasions. With that being said, don’t show up at dinner wearing sweatpants, shorts, or a T-shirt, and especially not pajama bottoms. They are NOT fashionable in Europe. Another tip: Don’t wear workout clothes!
Is it OK to wear leggings in Europe?
It’s fine, though it will make you more even more readily identifiable as a non-local than you already are so just make sure you have your wits about you while walking about. As much as I love yoga pants, I like to at least somewhat look the part of a local so I usually wear jeans and flats.
Are jeans popular in Europe?
Jeans are a staple of any European wardrobe. Most women I saw wore skinny or slim jeans. In general, they mostly wore dark jeans without a wash or with a minimal wash (i.e., only a small amount of distressing). Grey jeans are also a popular choice.
How do I not look like a tourist in Spain?
Here’s how to NOT look like a tourist in Madrid, Spain
- Do make sure to drink beer.
- Do eat a big lunch then tapas late at night.
- Don’t go to a night club before 1am.
- Do have a go at jogging in Retiro Park.
- Don’t bother wearing flip flops.
- Do always wear or carry sunglasses.
What is considered rude in Italy?
And please, do not burp or fart in public, it is considered extremely rude. Also, loud swearing and drinking alcohol from a bottle while walking the street, is frowned upon. Most Italians like some alcohol, but usually avoid to get drunk. Public scenes of drunkenness are much less tolerated than in other countries.
What tourists should not wear in Italy?
You should avoid wearing tank tops or other clothing that exposes the shoulders when entering the Vatican or a church. Try not to wear anything that is too revealing as that can be interpreted as a sign of disrespect. Wearing mini-skirts or short shorts would be frowned on in the Vatican.
What does a typical Italian woman look like?
Being Mediterranean, Italian women have very distinct characteristics that set them apart from other ethnicities. Italian women are known to have an intense gaze, olive skin, dark eyes, and dark hair. High cheekbones, a small or Roman nose, long hair, and soft lips are considered beautiful in Italy.
What should I not wear in France?
What NOT to Wear in Paris
- Red Beret With White/Black Striped Tops and Skirt. Yes, Parisians occasionally wear berets, but they tend to wear more muted colored ones.
- Tight Clothing. Parisians are very sex-positive, but they dress fairly conservatively.
- Stilletos.
- Heavy Hair/Make-Up.
- Sweatpants and Athletic Wear.
- Shorts.
Do they wear leggings in Paris?
Most Parisians do wear sort of business casual clothing when going to work, and more casual, relaxed clothes on the weekends. However they don’t sacrifice style to comfort. It’s not typical to wear yoga pants or running style leggings to walk in Paris.
Do Parisians wear jeans?
So back to the question, Parisians wear jeans and even T-shirts, but only occasionally. Parisians will wear jeans in most casual or semi-casual events but not as regular as tourists do. From miles afar, Parisians could tell if you are a tourist just by what you wear.
Do the French wear bras?
Lingerie is an integral part of a French woman’s fashion wardrobe. Yes, a great bra also plays a practical role in her life – French women covet comfort and support in their bras like everyone else.
Can you wear jeans to dinner in Paris?
Jeans (besides dark or black-wash) are usually safest to avoid. I’d recommend a skirt, tights, and a nice blouse—paired with either boots or heels. If you’re ever unsure of what would be allowed, opt for semi-formal attire: a dress or skirt (always with tights) or slacks.
Is it OK to wear shorts in Spain?
People wear shorts – there is no taboo about it, but you will find that older people, people working and in more formal situations people wear longer trousers.
What should I avoid in Barcelona?
What Not To Do in Barcelona: Top 10 Tourist Fails To Avoid
- Expect people to speak English.
- Leave a tip.
- Pay for basic tapas.
- Pay for a walking tour.
- Go to a Flamenco show.
- Show up at La Sagrada Familia without a ticket.
- Buy anything on Las Ramblas.
- Order paella that’s advertised with stock photos.