What distinguishes your attire as American?

[Anonymous]

Wearing almost all black all the time

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve heard Kate Spade is a giveaway but what do you think distinguishes someone in say London or Paris as an American before they even open their mouth to share that information?

What do you wear that you feel makes you appear American?

Kate Middleton wears Kate Spade.

Pippa's been photographed carrying their purses, too. You'll see young women in London with their bags or wearing their dresses, maybe because of the kate/pippa conneciton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kate spade isn't that much of a giveaway anymore...back when it was those nylon bags, yes, but not so much now.

I would say Lilly Pulitzer is a DEAD giveaway, though. So is Vineyard Vines, Simply Southern, and anything like that.

Before I moved to the US I would never have known those brands, and I'm not sure I saw a lot of people in them as tourists either. Now that I've lived here a while I do recognize them

[Anonymous]

college sweatshirts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Kate spade isn't that much of a giveaway anymore...back when it was those nylon bags, yes, but not so much now.

I would say Lilly Pulitzer is a DEAD giveaway, though. So is Vineyard Vines, Simply Southern, and anything like that.

Agreed. These brands plus Jack Rogers sandals. And athleisure outside the home. And being loud or doing things like taking your shoes off on the plane or train as if you were at home. Americans do a lot of things in public that are better left to the privacy of their home (I say this as am American).

[Anonymous]

From daughter living in London:
Light wash denim, skinny jeans, leggings, puffer jackets with winched waists, anything from GAP, men with badly fitting pants.

[Anonymous]

Almost all the things people are citing as distinctly american are found all over the rest of the world. Middle aged mom jean capris and Born ugly walking sandals? I mean, have you seen a 55 year old German tourist visiting the US? That's their uniform.

The ONLY distinguishing factor is US college shirts.

You find someone with a cinched waste puffer jacket - maybe there's a 90% chance they're from the US. But it's not super rare to find that in europe.

But you find someone on planet earth in a real college shirt (not a faux made up name) and there is a 100% chance they are from the US (or their US friend/family gave it to them).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:college sweatshirts

Nah....these are very popular with the younger crowd in France and Italy.

[Anonymous]

highlighted hair and super straight white teeth.

[Anonymous]

This is getting harder to distinguish thanks to Instagram/social media. Everyone is morphing into a Kardashian, yes even the non-Americans.

[Anonymous]

Going out in no makeup and sweats. I just don’t care and it shows! In my native Eastern Europe this just isn’t done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Almost all the things people are citing as distinctly american are found all over the rest of the world. Middle aged mom jean capris and Born ugly walking sandals? I mean, have you seen a 55 year old German tourist visiting the US? That's their uniform.

The ONLY distinguishing factor is US college shirts.

You find someone with a cinched waste puffer jacket - maybe there's a 90% chance they're from the US. But it's not super rare to find that in europe.

But you find someone on planet earth in a real college shirt (not a faux made up name) and there is a 100% chance they are from the US (or their US friend/family gave it to them).

You won’t find Lilly in Europe. I love Lilly but only wear it in specific places, like Kiawah or Palm Beach or Sea Island etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Big athletic shoes when not exercising.

Have you been out of the country lately?

I think a PP nailed it on the head - fashion sneakers vs. exercise shoes. There IS a difference.

[Anonymous]

European here. Moved to US for uni. Still go back. Everyone has the fashion well covered. But I want to add loud voice, gregarious mannerisms and extra friendly.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned obesity.

I can pick out the Americans by their morbid obesity.

It is rare that Americans are not overweight.