The Distinguished Traveler

We’ve all seen him. The clueless man in the Bermuda shorts, with the too-bright Hawaiian shirt, zinc oxide slathered on his nose, safari hat planted on his head, and camera hung around his neck. No one wants to look like the ubiquitous “ugly American” while traveling overseas. But for any of us who have been to Europe, Asia, or the Caribbean, it becomes obvious why that expression was coined. Everywhere you look, there are men and women wearing tattered denim shorts, concert T-shirts, and baseball caps. And unfortunately, most travel-related fashion disasters are men (sorry guys!). Americans can tend to stick out like a sore thumb while abroad, and often this results in sub-par treatment by the locals.

The problem is, most men travel with clothes that they deem “comfortable.” These clothes often include old T-shirts and denim shorts, as well as tattered old sneakers that have seem a few too many pick-up basketball games with the boys. But while these items may be perfectly acceptable for poker night, they are not appropriate for travel, especially when your itinerary includes an overseas destination.

Europeans tend to regularly dress in a more formal and more fashionable way than Americans. With Paris and Milan as the capitals of the fashion world, Europeans have developed a very modern sense of what is chic. The key is not to copy the look, but to adapt it to fit your personal needs, i.e., comfort and versatility. You are not expected to look like you just fell off the runway of the Yves Saint Laurent fall collection, but you also should try to avoid looking like you just fell out of bed.

The first thing to think about when packing for a trip is the climate of the area and what you will be doing once you get there. Shorts and T’s may be acceptable for the beach, but if you are going to be in a location like Paris or Rome, and be visiting museums and ancient cathedrals, you must pack appropriately. You cannot wear shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers everyday. And NO caps or hats. It is considered very rude to wear hats indoors, particularly in religious sites and dining establishments. Pack lightweight chinos or trousers, and comfortable footwear with a stylish edge. Splurging on a good pair of fashionable walking shoes can be a great investment—you will wear them on your trip and also when you get back.

As for shirts, try out a few cotton button-down shirts or polo shirts, which are more stylish than T’s, but almost equally as comfortable. Use layers that work, such as light jackets over shirts. If you get too hot or cool, you can add or subtract a layer. Keep in mind that many places, including sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, have dress code requirements that can include things like “no shorts.” Also, many museums are very cold and air conditioned, even while the outdoor areas are exceedingly hot and sunny, and layers will help you look great and feel comfortable. If you plan to dine out a lot, bring a tie and a jacket, even for the Caribbean, because no one wants to get caught in the horrible, ill-fitting jacket restaurants keep at hand for unprepared travelers. Remember that you can still bring T’s and shorts, but only wear them in the right settings, such as at the beach or pool, not while dining out or sightseeing. And for heaven’s sake, invest in a chic camera case or messenger bag. Nothing screams “tourist” quite like the dreaded camera around the neck, or much, much worse the “fanny pack.”

Keep in mind that the way you pack will also affect the way you look once you arrive. Do not jam everything into your suitcase; roll clothing neatly and do not overstuff your luggage. This will help you avoid wrinkling. Pack suits and jackets in a collapsable garment bag to avoid mussing them. Pack your valuables and your socks inside your shoes to free up space and keep your things secure. If clothes do look worse for the wear when you unpack, be sure to iron them or send them to housekeeping in your hotel to be pressed.

You want to look neat and polished, and dressing carefully in the morning, with layers, can allow you to avoid unnecessary trips back to your hotel room to change throughout the day. This way you will have more time to sightsee and enjoy your trip. Also, you will get much better treatment from the citizens of the area you are visiting. They may still know that you are American, but they can’t call you “ugly”!