What distinguishes your attire as American?

[Anonymous]

Too much makeup.

A lot of smiling. Smiling even with the eyes.

Obesity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Have you been to the UK recently?

[Anonymous]

Have you all been to rural UK or France …so many of these are more rural/big city differences than country differences.

[Anonymous]

European here, so IMO:
athletic shoes, NOT fashion sneakers
shorts
baggy clothes
stiff hair for women
bright makeup colors
full face of makeup, especially full coverage foundation, during daytime, also while wearing athleisure
sweatpants

additionally
very overweight / obese - sorry PP, UK is the fattest country in Europe (27% obese) but significantly lower than US (36%)
short men - almost all European countries have taller men than Americans
walking in groups and blocking the sidewalk
being loud
not smoking

[Anonymous]

Erm. Everyone on DCUM would pass as a European. Who even dresses like these descriptions..? Seems a caricature, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

you've never left the us, have you.

[Anonymous]

In a more general sense it’s just the overall fashion trends. Styling and trends are always different in Europe and Asia then the US. The biggest give away to me are shoe styles and jeans. Jeans are a rare outside of the North American continent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My clothing (inadvertently) seems very nun-like. So I don't look American, but I also don't look like anything else. Except maybe the Vatican.

Does that include a wimple, LOL?

LOL, I do have a couple of winter hats that do give off that vibe according to my DH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t know...a lot of what are considered fashion sneakers can be more bulky now and possibly into running shoe territory such as the retro looking new balances

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

I don’t know...a lot of what are considered fashion sneakers can be more bulky now and possibly into running shoe territory such as the retro looking new balances

Hoka Bondi is another example. Spreading like wildfire amongst the IG/TikTok generation and influencers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not really attire but I always signal Americaness by my big smile. Jane been told this in many different places around the world

Agree with this - it's always a tell.

[Anonymous]

I agree with most of the things mentioned and would add white crew socks, and carrying a water bottle. But it's the whole picture rather than one specific item.

[Anonymous]

It’s a general vibe. The smile, athletic shoes, athleisure wear, shorts, ponytails, too much make up or two little make up.

[Anonymous]

In Tokyo: looking casual/relaxed in public, wearing sneakers. Just generally not looking super intentional in your look. Although this was general to all Americans not just people from the US. Canadians and Brazilians weren’t distinguishable at first glance.

[Anonymous]

I typically notice volume before anything else. LOUD voices are my trigger to look. I think just shutting up occasionally will help hide Americanism a good deal.