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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Update.

In Italy now.

Most people under 60 are wearing sneakers. Italians included.

Unless our friend assures us all these white Italians are actually not Europeans. Even the Dutch and Germans are wearing sneakers in Italy, going by what the others in my hotel are wearing.

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.

Not sure where you live, but most Americans wear fashion sneakers. I saw no difference in footwear except lots of American kids wear converse and most UK teens were wearing Nike

We were in London in April and I found most people wearing trainers on the Tube. (I didn't really look at people's feet when I was out and about.) I also noticed a lot of Docs (even on "older" people) which made me nostalgic for my younger days.

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.

I suspect you are German. This is such a German thing to say.

I also speak several European languages and can tell you that once the sun is down, no self-respecting European is in sneakers.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no Europeans in Amsterdam anymore

Signed, a Dutch person

Correction: Signed, a xenophobic Dutch person.

Hahaha, what? The majority of people are French and British. I'm not saying the Dutch aren't xenophobic but have you been to Amsterdam? Or the Netherlands? Sounds like a big no.

I forced my son to bring nice shoes for our Italian soccer match as we were sitting in the expensive club seats with a “smart casual” dress code and Google told me this meant no sneakers/trainers. Guess what? Pretty much everyone except us including all the Italians were wearing sneakers. There was a row of Japanese businessmen in suits and dress shoes.

Just don't be obese, wear plaid pants with the sneakers and a MAGA hat.

and you'll be fine.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In Amsterdam now, following London. Remember a few recent threads on this topic.

Let me assure you everyone, resident and tourist, is wearing sneakers if not in professional dress. And sneakers look the same as in the US.

In short, no one cares. Be comfortable. That is why Europeans are wearing sneakers!

BS.

The vast majority of Europeans, including Dutch, only wear sneakers for sports.

Only exception may be white cute ones.

Wrong. Bethesda mommy.

There are so many types of sneakers.
I love cargo pants and I'm not a man. I just like pockets and more pockets to hold things since I don't like carrying a purse or bag of any type. If I do carry a bag, it would be to put my light sweater/jacket in case it gets cool and a bottle of water. I guess i will be carrying a bag of some sort.

I'm amused at the insistence Europeans don't wear sneakers or the right kinds of sneakers or only special fashion line sneakers. I'm in the third European country of this work-pleasure trip and most people are wearing sneakers indistinguishable from what Americans wear. Whether they are working class or professionals, kids or adults.

Speaking of oversized American style sneakers, they seem quite popular in Italy. Admittedly among more working class men and boys. But from what I can tell, that represents most Italian males.

I can usually pick out the foreigners here in America. Should the feel embarrased?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Good for you. I live in Europe and see people "in the wild" every single day. You can definitely tell who is American. That isn't a bad thing just a different way of dressing and sneakers/brand of sneakers are definitely a dead give away.

DP.

You are making a common mistake, which is that you are ignoring all the people whose opinions you don't care about. I guarantee you see people all the time wearing regular sneakers that aren't the fashionable kind you like. They are middle and working class people who are largely invisible to you. I guarantee you all the housecleaners and food workers and construction workers aren't wearing Vejas. It's just that you don't consider those people peers and don't care what they wear.

When I traveled to Europe last year, I dressed very “American”. I wore shorts, athletic tops, and sneakers. I wore what I was comfortable with. Do you know who didn’t care if I wasn’t visually appealing to Europeans? This lady right here. ( I wore respectful clothing when going into churches. )

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.

Good for you. I live in Europe and see people "in the wild" every single day. You can definitely tell who is American. That isn't a bad thing just a different way of dressing and sneakers/brand of sneakers are definitely a dead give away.

“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.