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So, what are you going to wear on your European vacation? Hey there, fellow travelers. Mark here with Wolters World and I am not a fashionista, but I've traveled Europe for decades now and I've noticed some things that are important to wear, but also what not to wear when you come to Europe. And so, what we have here today are what you shouldn't wear as an American tourist coming to Europe. And the thing is, you have to realize when you travel throughout Europe, whether you're here in France, you're going to Spain, you're going to Lithuania, culture and style is different everywhere. So, you're going to have to make some accommodations and some changes depending where you're going to be. But, what I want to kind of
give you is this kind of overall idea cuz here in Europe, what you tend to see is people are more put together with their outfits than more laissez-faire, all right? So, let's get started with the first thing I think Americans should know about and that is don't wear athleisure when you're going around town. Now, don't get me wrong. If you want to wear your yoga pants in the hotel or your sweatpants when you're on your plane rides, that's fine. But, when you're going around town, athleisure is not a thing when you're here in Europe. People wear their athleisure when they're going to the gym or when they're coming back from the gym. They don't wear around town to go to the museums,
go out to eat like we do in the US. So, that is one thing I think you really should know. Because you might get some side eye from some French people going, "Why are they going to the gym at midnight?" You right? So, be aware of that. Now, another thing I don't recommend you wear are your sports jerseys. You know, your team jerseys. And I know you might say, "But, I came to the UK. I wanted to see Manchester City. I want to wear my jersey when I'm here to celebrate." Look, if you want to wear a jersey when you're going to a match of that team, that's totally fine. However, around town, unless you're 12 years old or under, you don't really wear your jerseys very much here in
Europe. And I reason I say that, if you go to some place like the UK, some pubs will not let you in if you're wearing a jersey, all right? And be aware of that. And I'll tell you, you might meet someone that is a very big fan of the opposite team of that jersey you're wearing and that can cause some problems. But, I'm not saying don't get them. So, if you want to pick up a jersey when you're here in Lille, get the jersey and then wear it back home because no one's heard of Lille's team. Now, if you're watching this video, you probably have a much better body than I do. But, I want to tell you is you don't want to flaunt your body and your skin when you're traveling around Europe. I mean, don't get me wrong. You've worked
out. You want to show off those muscles and those abs and all the good stuff. But, I will tell you a lot of times in Europe, it'll be seen as inappropriate. you go to Italy, they won't let you into some churches because you're not dressed right. And when I say it like don't wear too revealing of clothing, it's almost like I don't maybe say this. Don't wear your beach attire unless you're at the beach because honestly, if you're like in Barcelona and you try to go into town with your bikini on and your beach stuff on, you can get fined from that. And that's one of those things when people get upset with over tourism and the tourists not respecting culture, a lot of times it's the outfits they're wearing and where they're wearing
them. Nobody minds you wearing your bikini on the beach, but if you're in town doing that, you might get some side eye and told no, you cannot come in here. But, hey, if you've got it, go ahead and flaunt it, but don't be surprised if you get a little more than side eye when you go to certain situations and certain places in Europe. Now, the next thing I don't recommend you wearing are bold colors, bold patterns, bold graphics on your shirts because here in Europe, you'll notice all the people walking behind me. You'll see a lot of browns, a lot of grays, a lot of blacks. They have much more muted colors and fabrics and patterns here in Europe. And if you're wearing that
bright orange, that bright yellow outfit, you will be noticed. I mean, there's a reason why when you have your car safety kit here in Europe, it comes with an orange vest so you'll be seen and you'll be noticed. And you don't want to do that because that draws attention to you. That could also be said with your jewelry. You don't want to wear the big flashy jewelry when you're here because I mean, here in Lille, I'm not too worried about it. But, if you're in a city like London or Paris where there's a lot more pickpockets, you become that target. So, the bold statements, maybe tone it down a little bit when you come here. Now, let's talk about shoes. Always an important topic. I know it's one of Jocelyn's most viewed videos and most
commented on videos, but I want to tell you, in general I'll tell you, don't bring non-travel shoes. You know, like high heels. Look, high heels and cobblestones equal broken ankles to people who did not grow up walking on cobblestone in high heels, cuz you will see people walking around in high heels in some places, but they're used to that. And if you're used to walking on flat surfaces all the time with no bumps in it and heels, you could have some problems. So, I recommend maybe don't bring the high heels unless you're going to go out to a specific thing, because it'll just be taking up space in your luggage that you could put in for buying new shoes when you come here, cuz one
thing I want to tell you, shoes are very regional here in Europe, and so you can buy shoes that really fit in with the locals. I know Jocelyn, one of her favorite things to do when we go to Spain and Portugal, she always buys a few pairs of shoes when we go because she loves them so much, and then she has super cool shoes when she goes back home. Now, another kind of shoes I would tell you not to wear when you're going to be coming to Europe are new shoes. Look, we all like to get new shoes. I just talked about Jocelyn getting new shoes when she's here, but she doesn't wear them when she's here because they're not broken in. Cuz you're going to be walking 20, 30,000 steps a day
going all over these beautiful cities, enjoying the museums, and if you have new shoes that aren't broken in, that's going to give you, you know, painful feet, maybe, you know, give you some cuts and, you know, calluses and stuff. It's going to make it much more of a painful experience in Europe, so make sure you're bringing good, worn-in shoes. And if you are going to buy new shoes for your trip, get them like a month before and wear them to break them in, so your feet are ready and the shoes are ready for all that walking. Now, another thing I recommend you not bring, this is especially for my study abroad students, you don't need to bring your school colors with you. You know, like
your big Harvard sweatshirt or Illinois or Michigan sweatshirt kind of thing. Ohio State, The Ohio State University. Yes, we are all proud of the universities we went to, but one of the things is that honestly gives you away as a tourist right away, but it's not just like the big Illinois orange and blue that's on you. It's also the fact that a lot of times those sweatshirts are actually cut very wide and clothing here is much more fitted, and so therefore it's kind of a giveaway that oh, they're not from around here. So, just be aware of that. So, if you need a sweatshirt, just hit up the local shop and get a jumper or a sweatshirt or a coat or something while you're here to
kind of fit in better. Another no-no I have you are baseball caps. And this is one that when I made this video years ago, I got a lot of pushback from people from the UK and the Netherlands. And yes, if you're in the UK or the Netherlands, you will see people wearing baseball caps occasionally. What you have to realize in the US, like I teach in university and literally half my students will be wearing baseball caps every day. The number of people wearing baseball caps in Europe is a minimal compared to the US. So, that's why it's sometimes a giveaway. And here's the thing, if you see baseball caps here in Europe, it usually is a New York or LA baseball cap, and that's kind
of it. Anything more, you like if you got a Savannah Bananas one on, it's probably going to give it away that you're not from around here. But, I will say if you wear your baseball cap backwards, 100% guaranteed it's a tourist, all right? Now, I don't want you not to have head coverings, but the thing is you can go to stores around here and get hats that fit in better, okay? But, honestly, if you don't want to get a hat when you're here and you want to wear your baseball cap, I would rather you have that baseball cap that said I'm a tourist and not burn your beautiful few last bits of hair left on top of your head. But, baseball caps not as big here. Now, if I kind of want to sum up what it is when you're thinking
about what not to bring and not to wear when you come to Europe, think about anything that kind of makes you look slobbish or oafish kind of things, you know? Like the cargo like the baggy cargo pants, the baggy sweatshirts, anything with a pajama vibe is not something that really works here, that what people really wear around here. Because I'll be honest with you, how you dress will impact how people treat you when you're here. Because how you dress shows respect to other people. And that is something that's very important here in Europe. So, if you're going into shops, you're going into restaurants, and you're looking very slobbish and oafish and kind of things, don't be surprised if they treat you a little bit slobbish as well. But, if you
look put together, look, I'm no fashionista. I just have a nice jacket and a nice kind of hoodie that goes on here with my light little jeans on, and I get treated much better than if I would wear a really slobbish outfit. I know this is a very touchy subject for a lot of people, and no, I'm not a fashionista, as at least a thousand people will comment down below, but these are things you should know about your clothing when you come to Europe to be treated better because yes, it does make a difference, whether it's a safety thing, i.e., wearing those bold colors and bold jewelry everywhere that makes you a target, or just to fit in better so the locals appreciate you better,
they can make for a better time. Anyway, what are your do's and don'ts what you bring when it comes to packing into Europe in terms of your clothing. Let us know in the comments below, and I wish you all the best, and have a great time. I want to say thank you to our patrons on Patreon or our members on YouTube who help make videos like this possible. I wish you all the best, and I'll say bye from here in Lille. But, honestly, wear what you want, the locals really won't be that mean to you if you look bad, but it does make a difference in your pictures later on. Bye.
