What to wear abroad this summer so it doesn't scream tourist

[Cupcakeicecream]

It's pretty much a given that you can spot a British tourist a mile off. I'm going abroad this summer and it'll be hot I want to be cool comfortable stylish yet blend in so I dont scream tourist. When I think off a British tourist its maxi dresses linen pants walking around town with swim wear and flip flops football tops basically the show benidorm. Americans always seem to be in Hawaiian shirts socks with sandals fanny packs and clothes with the American flag on couldn't be more obvious.
Basically what to wear without looking like a tourist.

If sunny- wellies and a sou'wester - that will fool them

The fact that you didn't it was important to tell us your destination makes me think you're destined to fail to be honest.

So much this. In America you'd need significantly different clothes to Italy. And being blond in Italy singled me out even with fluent Italian and local clothes.

I live in a tourist area in Italy. Tourists wear

• cropped trousers or short shorts
• bikini tops
• flip flops
• strapless maxi dresses
• 50% less clothing than anyone else

Not saying there's anything wrong with these mind!

@Ces6 I want to go to Italy this year but not sure where to go. Where are you or where would you recommend for families? Sorry to derail.

Coral pink, salmon pink, luminous pink, palm prints, any prints - these always say 'tourist'.

You don't have to wear bright colours just because you're in a warm climate.

And when I become Empress of the World I'm going to ban men from wearing those trouser short things. They're too short to be trousers but too long to be shorts, so they just flap about 4 inches above the ankle, they're usually grey. Hate 'em.

Why does it matter if you look like a tourist? You will be one. Why so invested in how other people will label you by your clothes. Just wear clothes you like.

Why does it matter if you look like a tourist?

Various reasons. In some places you'll be charged more or even not served if you behave as a tourist. In some, you're more likely to be a victim of crime. In some, you'll look like a twat. In some, you won't be able to enter certain places. In some, it's seriously inappropriate.

It's pretty much a given that you can spot a British tourist a mile off

You spot people who look like a cliche of a British tourist. People often assume I'm Danish or German.

Oh and unfortunately sexual harassment.

@herland Depends when you're going and what you want to do. In July/August it's too hot for me unless you are by the sea or in the mountains - unfortunately for me I'm not!

Buy a postie's uniform fot the country you are visiting and carry a huge letter filled sack with you at all times. Likewise get your children to lug school books and games kit with them at all times, you'll have a miserable holiday but you'll blend right in.

In our part of Spain most the local women wear skinny jeans with a t shirt and flip flops or leather sandals. Usually black or dark colours.

Where are you going, OP? We really need this information in order to answer your question.

Also, why do you not want to look like a tourist? Are you concerned about safety, or do you just want to try and blend in a little?

Where are you going, OP?

My money is on Prestatyn.

Honestly, bothing will make you stand out motr than clumsy and gauche attempts to 'pass' as a local.

Locals here (south Italy) also would wear what unicorns says about Spain.
The whole "Next direct summer holiday wear" stuff IS worn. But on the beach. Not the street.

And people don't necessarily start dressing in head to foot pastels the minute the sun comes out. I was at a wedding yesterday, it was 27 degrees and the majority of the women were in elegant black outfits with tights.

Mind you, the white skinnies and ice cream seller jackets are starting to pop out as well.

bothing will make you stand out motr than clumsy and gauche attempts to 'pass' as a local.

Know your place, OP!

(what a load of shite.)

This thread is so funny. I just returned from Spain. The locals were sensibly wearing padded coats most days. Me shivering looked like a tourist. Should have worn a fleece onsie.

Of corse it will, who in thwir right nind will spwnd their holiday sweltering away in the kind of clothes that locals wear for going about their work and home life on holiday? Even if they speak whatever the language is they'll speak it with a non local accent. Plus, doing holiday type things, rather than workaday things will suggest they're on holiday.

whole "Next direct summer holiday wear" stuff IS worn. But on the beach. Not the street.

I actually think, having lived in a couple of countries, that this is very true. Clothes out of place is the issue. Bikinis are for the beach. Pyjamas in the bedroom. Yoga bottoms in a yoga studio. Gym wear in the gym. Actual clothes walking around the streets.

Make your own

But MrsTerry, regardless of how the OP dresses, she’ll be obviously non-local as soon as she opens her mouth, so won’t be served, or will be overcharged in shops or cafés that don’t care for tourists, anyway.

Impossible to help unless you say which country (‘abroad’ is a little bit vague). As others have said, our area of (southern) Italy most women wear a lot of black. I always stand out because I wear brighter colours. That said, pleated midi and maxi skirts have just started to make an appearance (they’re behind London in fashion) but in more muted colours.

Beach wear is for the beach. Puffer jackets until at least May.

The city 90 minutes up the autostrada from us has a slightly different dress code - there both young men and women favour tight white jeans and t-shirts with lots of diamanté.

If you're in southern Italy and not wearing a coat (preferably with a vest and a fur hat too), before the end of May, you will stand out regardless.

True. Depending on the country, even a few words of the language really help. And possibly it's wrong but tourists who try to blend a little have a different experience to hot pant/no shirt wearing, lobster-red, drunk tourists speaking English without even trying.