Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wore leggings around Spain and France in 2019. No one seemed to care.

+1. No one cares what people in those big tour groups are wearing.

You must not have toured any religious places or churches. Let me tell you, they care A LOT!!! They want pants or skirts down to almost your knees and no bare shoulders. If you somehow get in and you're inappropriately dressed, they will escort you out if you can't modify your attire in some way to meet their requirements. We saw it happen in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The first rule of being a good tourist is to respect the rules of the hosts, whether that be the host country or the host facility or a private home.

They care that your are covered up, and leggings meet that requirement.

Anonymous wrote:I just bought some Rag & Bone pants at a consignment store that would be perfect for this. I had to purchase a whole new wardrobe, so I snagged two more pair at The RealReal for $12 each. They are almost like leggings (skinny pants), but the stretch poplin (I guess) fabric and style makes them more clearly pants. They don't seem to wrinkle too easily. So-- I'd say something like that-- at least a pair or two-- so you don't have to rethink your whole wardrobe. You can just wear whatever slightly-nicer-than-athleisure tops you'd normally wear with leggings. Then, sure, bring a dress or skirt too, but I'd get a couple of nice skinny pants as my mainstays. (I don't see linen on a walking/touring vacation! Maybe I'm missing something, but who wants to iron or look disheveled?)

https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/clothing/pants/rag-bone-skinny-leg-pants-b5si9

Ooh! Also, these really are leggings-- Sanctuary-- and the look and feel is closer to actual athleisure leggings BUT they are slightly less form fitting and have faux pocket/pant/jean details that dress them up a bit-- especially if you get a check or plaid or stripe pattern. Very packable:

https://www.bhfo.com/products/sanctuary-womens-runway-plaid-high-rise-leggings?CATARGETID=120147090002784185&CADevice=m&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2vS91aDX9gIVkQiICR26cA9FEA0YCyABEgK80fD_BwE

I just bought some Rag & Bone pants at a consignment store that would be perfect for this. I had to purchase a whole new wardrobe, so I snagged two more pair at The RealReal for $12 each. They are almost like leggings (skinny pants), but the stretch poplin (I guess) fabric and style makes them more clearly pants. They don't seem to wrinkle too easily. So-- I'd say something like that-- at least a pair or two-- so you don't have to rethink your whole wardrobe. You can just wear whatever slightly-nicer-than-athleisure tops you'd normally wear with leggings. Then, sure, bring a dress or skirt too, but I'd get a couple of nice skinny pants as my mainstays. (I don't see linen on a walking/touring vacation! Maybe I'm missing something, but who wants to iron or look disheveled?)

https://www.therealreal.com/products/women/clothing/pants/rag-bone-skinny-leg-pants-b5si9

You're in a group tour. You already don't care how you look as a tourist. Wear whatever is comfortable. Leggings and fanny pack are fine. Carry a shawl to wrap around yourself for particularly strict churches. Most on the group tour circuit don't care how you enter or will provide coverings as necessary.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wore leggings around Spain and France in 2019. No one seemed to care.

+1. No one cares what people in those big tour groups are wearing.

You must not have toured any religious places or churches. Let me tell you, they care A LOT!!! They want pants or skirts down to almost your knees and no bare shoulders. If you somehow get in and you're inappropriately dressed, they will escort you out if you can't modify your attire in some way to meet their requirements. We saw it happen in France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.

The first rule of being a good tourist is to respect the rules of the hosts, whether that be the host country or the host facility or a private home.

Leggings are perfect. Pack small, dry fast, dress up or down.

Leggings + blazer + Chelsea boots for dinner out. Leggings + sneakers + tee for hiking/touring cities.

How about these ankle pants from Travel Smith - https://www.travelsmith.com/itemdy00.aspx?ID=726,6180&T1=ME2552+S+BK

Anonymous wrote:wear what ever is comfortable but I'd pay to have my laundry done professionally. lots of laundromats with drop off wash/fold service, plus dry cleaners sometimes have same day laundry service.

Some hotels have laundry service as well, though it sounds like OP's trip might be too much of a whirlwind for this -- usually you need to be somewhere for at least a few days to guarantee you get things back on time.

wear what ever is comfortable but I'd pay to have my laundry done professionally. lots of laundromats with drop off wash/fold service, plus dry cleaners sometimes have same day laundry service.

I would 100% bring at least one pair of black leggings for the kind of trip you are talking about.

As others have said, I would also bring a dress that I could easily layer over them. I'd look for a simple t-shirt or shift dress that comes to a few inches above the knee. You could wear it on its own or layered over the leggings easily. Look at places like Athleta or pact for packable travel dresses that will dry quickly after being washed in the sink. There are lots of dresses designed precisely for this purpose.

I'd also bring at least one pair of jeans. If you are traveling light, make it the most versatile pair you have. It doesn't need to be what is "in fashion" in Europe right now (which would likely be a straight leg pair with a high or mid-rise that hits at or slightly above your natural waist, hemmed at or slightly above your ankle). If you wear skinny jeans a lot and they look good with a lot of your tops and you find them comfortable, take those. I will note hear that black, gray, or dark blue washes will usually be most versatile for travel because they don't show dirt as much and tend to go with more things. I would not wash these jeans while you're traveling but I I would make sure to turn them inside out and spray them with a clothing refresh spray (you can buy these in a travel size or make your own with vinegar and water, though the ones you buy will smell better) which should kill any bacteria and keep them from getting rank. Denim really doesn't need to be washed frequently.

AND I'd also one more bottom that is not leggings or jeans. Either a pair of long or cropped pants, or a midi/maxi skirt. You will appreciate having another option that can be dressed up or down. I have black wide leg pants with a smooth elastic waistband in a no-wrinkle fabric that I use for this purpose, but a no-wrinkle a-line midi skirt would fit the same purpose. Something you could tuck a t-shirt in and wear for with flat sandals for sight seeing, but you could also put on a slightly dressier pair of shoes and black blouse and look appropriate for dinner or even a play or musical concert or ballet (which are things I often do when traveling in Europe because it's a wonderful way to see the inside of some of the most beautiful buildings in those countries while also taking in local culture and getting out of your comfort zone a bit).

You will also want to make sure you bring one or two long sleeve layers. I like a simple thin black cardigan in the spring/summer because it can easily be removed and tucked in a purse or even tied around my waist if I get very hot. In fall/winter I have a tweedy gray blazer in a soft knit that offers a bit more warmth and also tends to dress up the rest of my travel clothes a bit. People dress up more in most European capitals than they do in the US, especially in colder weather, and I find it helps me feel a bit more at home if my clothes echo what others are wearing at least a little. I don't care if people recognize me as a tourist, but I don't like feeling like I've severely underdressed in a disrespectful way.

Anonymous wrote:I wore leggings around Spain and France in 2019. No one seemed to care.

+1. No one cares what people in those big tour groups are wearing.

It's fine but you also want to have better options. Linen pants a light weight and dry easily.
https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=4472440420004&mlink=1059471%2C28355922%2CNewArrivals_0118_CaboWideLeg&clink=28355922&vid=1#pdp-page-content

I wore leggings around Spain and France in 2019. No one seemed to care.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve done a lot of travel like this.

What you need is pants like this instead. If they’re labeled travel pants, they’ll be easy to hand wash, but look more appropriate than leggings.

Buy 2 of these, a dress that doesn’t wrinkle, a few shirts and a cardigan and you’ll be set.

https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=988039

Something like this is good too:

https://vuoriclothing.com/products/womens-miles-ankle-pant-black

I’ve done a lot of travel like this.

What you need is pants like this instead. If they’re labeled travel pants, they’ll be easy to hand wash, but look more appropriate than leggings.

Buy 2 of these, a dress that doesn’t wrinkle, a few shirts and a cardigan and you’ll be set.

https://athleta.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=988039