Wearing sneakers in Europe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whats the deal with Vejas anyway? Look like Adidas to me but for double or triple the price.

I will be wearing my proudly American Stan Smiths while in Europe.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What? There is no fashion police. Wear what you want, locals will know you’re a tourist anyway. Americans have a look to them - I can always pick out fellow Americans when I’m abroad. no matter what you wear, you are a tourist. Embrace it.

And I can always pick out Europeans when they travel here.

Exactly, same. And why should we all dress alike, anyway? It’s more interesting to see what people look like from other countries. It’s good for everyone. The US is massive and people don’t dress uniformly anyway.

[Anonymous]

I lived in Europe and I agree, however I do think Europeans in general put a bit more effort in their appearance than Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What? There is no fashion police. Wear what you want, locals will know you’re a tourist anyway. Americans have a look to them - I can always pick out fellow Americans when I’m abroad. no matter what you wear, you are a tourist. Embrace it.

And I can always pick out Europeans when they travel here.

Exactly, same. And why should we all dress alike, anyway? It’s more interesting to see what people look like from other countries. It’s good for everyone. The US is massive and people don’t dress uniformly anyway.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wore black clogs in Europe, not sneakers. I actually didn't see a lot of locals in anything but business attire, mostly black leather shoes.

Were you in Milan or Bruges? Europe is not a monolith.

[Anonymous]

Just returned from Spain. I didn’t notice what anyone was wearing on their feet and I’m sure no one cared what was on mine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whats the deal with Vejas anyway? Look like Adidas to me but for double or triple the price.

I will be wearing my proudly American Stan Smiths while in Europe.

When I was in Italy, WAY more people were wearing Stan Smiths than Vejas. I actually saw very few Vejas. These were tourists, of course, since we were mostly at tourist spots, but most of them were Italian or from other European countries. People forget that wages are much lower on average in Europe than in the US, so the masses are not going to be wearing Vejas, they're going to be wearing the trendy sneakers that cost half as much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s silly how so many people romanticize and glamorize Europeans. I’ve taken many trips and have found the dynamic in Europe similar to the US- people in urban/affluent areas are more stylish and attractive, and folks from smaller towns dress poorly and are often overweight.

Right? And what a shock! Having money means you often look better!! Who knew?!

I guess the unspoken assumption with all these threads is that American tourists don't just want to pass for European, but for wealthy European. They don't want to be mistaken for a poor. Lots of anxiety all over DCUM about being mistaken for a poor. Is it low class to worry about being mistaken for a poor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about cargo shorts? Can I pair those with my sneakers?

I’m not being sarcastic—I know this is supposedly a no-no in Europe (and perhaps even here), but at the same time I’m old enough and comfortable enough with who I am to not really care if the locals identify me as an American tourist, which they could probably do anyway.

My DH is from the UK and wears cargo shorts all the time when we go to the UK. His friends there also wear cargo shorts.

[Anonymous]

In Italy right now, the big surprise here is how many European men love jean shorts. I’m so glad they aren’t popular in US cities. Once in a lifetime (80s/90s) was enough for me. I agree most regular Europeans are wearing tennis shoes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s silly how so many people romanticize and glamorize Europeans. I’ve taken many trips and have found the dynamic in Europe similar to the US- people in urban/affluent areas are more stylish and attractive, and folks from smaller towns dress poorly and are often overweight.

Right? And what a shock! Having money means you often look better!! Who knew?!

I guess the unspoken assumption with all these threads is that American tourists don't just want to pass for European, but for wealthy European. They don't want to be mistaken for a poor. Lots of anxiety all over DCUM about being mistaken for a poor. Is it low class to worry about being mistaken for a poor?

+1 I don't understand the DCUMers here who think about looking like "locals" when traveling. Are you worried that some pickpocket is going to single you out or something? Do you honestly care what complete strangers whom you will never ever see again think about you?

I've traveled around Europe. I wore fugly comfy sandals to sneakers to not so fugly sandals around Europe. No one stared at my feet or gave me dirty looks. They largely ignore you. I will say that I had some Italian and French men smile and say hello to me, all while I was wearing fugly shoes.

But agree with a PP.. don't wear something so obviously nationalistic like a tshirt with a huge US flag or a MAGA cap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whats the deal with Vejas anyway? Look like Adidas to me but for double or triple the price.

I will be wearing my proudly American Stan Smiths while in Europe.

When I was in Italy, WAY more people were wearing Stan Smiths than Vejas. I actually saw very few Vejas. These were tourists, of course, since we were mostly at tourist spots, but most of them were Italian or from other European countries. People forget that wages are much lower on average in Europe than in the US, so the masses are not going to be wearing Vejas, they're going to be wearing the trendy sneakers that cost half as much.

I wore Stan Smiths as a teen 40 years ago. I didn't even know they still make those ugly, uncomfortable things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:“Yes, everyone wears sneakers in Europe but it is a very different style than you will see in most of the US. They are fashion sneakers- think adidas, Veja, and the likes. Not athletic sneakers that most of the US wears”

That is absolutely false. I speak several European languages, can tell who is from various countries, who is educated, etc. There are plenty of upper middle class Europeans who wear athletic sneakers, including American brands, while both traveling and during their day to day lives.

Yes but does your flat smell of rich mahogany and leather bound books?

[Anonymous]

The Dutch put basically no effort into their appearance. They pilfer free clothes from trash piles. Let’s not use the Dutch aesthetic as a guide to what “Europeans” are wearing these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whats the deal with Vejas anyway? Look like Adidas to me but for double or triple the price.

I will be wearing my proudly American Stan Smiths while in Europe.

When I was in Italy, WAY more people were wearing Stan Smiths than Vejas. I actually saw very few Vejas. These were tourists, of course, since we were mostly at tourist spots, but most of them were Italian or from other European countries. People forget that wages are much lower on average in Europe than in the US, so the masses are not going to be wearing Vejas, they're going to be wearing the trendy sneakers that cost half as much.

I wore Stan Smiths as a teen 40 years ago. I didn't even know they still make those ugly, uncomfortable things.

Then you aren’t looking at people’s feet because they’re everywhere. Trends are cyclical.