https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:18:37 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe/page/2#post-2062679 Fri, 20 Sep 2019 23:50:11 +0000 LaPed 2062679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>FI</b> --&nbsp;I'll definitely let you know if we end up further north in Germany next time!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Rachylou</b> -- Perfume is such a tricky thing! What smells great to one person smells toxic to another. At least cigarettes are just universally nasty-smelling and we can all enjoy our collective disgust.&nbsp;<b></b> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe/page/2#post-2062678 Fri, 20 Sep 2019 23:44:38 +0000 LaPed 2062678@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of my favourite Prague moments was eating breakfast on a cafe balcony (Grand Orient Cafe above the Cubism Museum, if anyone is that curious), and a city garbage crew stopped their truck in the middle of the plaza below us,&nbsp;<b>blasting&nbsp;</b>Metallica, while they did their job. The cafe servers all came out onto the balcony to listen and rock out for a bit. I think you're right, <b>Suntiger</b>; Metallica is our Beatles/Stones.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Karen13</b>,<b> </b>Prague is very worth a visit! It can be&nbsp;<b>extremely&nbsp;</b>touristy, but if you make a point of venturing beyond Mala Strana/Prague Castle, the outlying neighbourhoods have lots of quirky, charming places to visit. On the recommendation of a Czech co-worker, we watched the "Honest Prague" videos on YouTube and liked them so much we bought the beautifully-made and clever "Honest Prague" guidebook when we arrived. It's not a traditional guidebook, but rather a crash-course in enjoying the city without getting taken advantage of as a tourist. It's the first place in Europe where I arrived not speaking a scrap of the language, and it was also the only portion of the trip where I traveled solo with DS (since DH was there for work); a steep learning curve, but we had an&nbsp;<b>amazing&nbsp;</b>time. The public transit is, honestly, quite straightforward (and cheap!) compared to, say, Paris.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>SarahD8 </b>-- I hope you'll tell us all about your Sweden trip! I've never been to Scandinavia, but I would love to. The Kunglseden in Lapland is on my hiking bucket list. :)&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe/page/2#post-2061724 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 19:11:54 +0000 Anonymous 2061724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Full. On. Metallica. I forgot which, but wasn't "Nothing Else Matters", was a heavier one. When you think about it though, Metallica to us is like Beatles/Stones to our parents!<br /> I also heard "Coming in to LA" in the grocery store, also nobody noticed... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2061719 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 18:59:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2061719@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger, full-on Metallica, or an instrumental without lyrics? I've noticed Justin Bieber's Despacito being played by buskers in surprising mixes. One guy played all Beatles, Journey, and Dire Straits, except for that song, on electric guitar. Another was playing When the Saints Go Marching in or something stereotypically New Orleans like that on his trumpet, then played Despacito as his next number. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2061709 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 18:37:27 +0000 rachylou 2061709@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Suntiger - ohmigosh, Lol, I’m trying to get my head around that. Metallica is forever a thing you listen to in a basement rec room to me... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2061707 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 18:33:31 +0000 Anonymous 2061707@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Rachylou- I heard Metallica in the convenience store, as Muzak, recently. And I was the only one that noticed it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2061689 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 18:01:28 +0000 SarahD8 2061689@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Really fascinating post, La Ped. I appreciate the level of detail you captured and I especially like the idea of noticing (and maybe trying to recreate) favorite outfits. </p> <p>We have a trip to Stockholm coming up and you’re inspiring me to try to be more deliberate/organized about style watching while we’re there. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2061670 Tue, 17 Sep 2019 17:36:49 +0000 rachylou 2061670@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Absolutely fascinating! I have to ponder this Metallica thing. I’ve seen that here in California too. What is with this surge of Metallica popularity? I mean, Metallica performed with the SF Symphony for goodness sake. </p> <p>Also: I’m completely afraid of Paris now. I’d rather sit in a locked train cabin full of smokers than be near perfume... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060363 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 08:45:34 +0000 karen13 2060363@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating post! I've always wanted to go to Prague! On past trips I always found London and Paris to be more dressed up than similar U.S. cities (San Francisco is my main reference point) but on my last few trips, it seemed to have trended a bit more casual. Is that trend continuing? Was it different in Eastern vs Western Europe? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060340 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 04:32:45 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2060340@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh--lmk if you want to meet up in Berlin! </p> <p></p> <p>Sal, I loved stopping at playgrounds when DS and I traveled when he was little--puts you right in the middle of people's everyday lives. Crazy when you think of all the efforts people go to to meet folks "authentically" when there are playgrounds all around. </p> <p></p> <p>La Ped, I agree with you on German playgrounds--they can be quirky and imaginative, and while the US was stepping back from swings and see-saws, they seem to have been getting into zipline swings. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060306 Fri, 13 Sep 2019 00:54:08 +0000 kkards 2060306@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>such a great recap and so interesting on the difference by city...and thank you Laurel for the fascinating tidbit about the hair coloring history! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060288 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 22:01:27 +0000 LaPed 2060288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The perfume thing is really interesting to me. I'm a perfume wearer and have been for many years, but tend to avoid synthetic scents because some of them make me headache-y. I feel a bit self-conscious about it where I live because fragrance is not common at all. It's a region where a very high percentage of people work in medicine/health-care and are thus banned from wearing perfume by workplace dress code. It also means that every other person you meet is wearing Dansko clogs. My current school doesn't ban the use of fragrance (some teachers are even really into using essential oil diffusers in their classrooms for the supposed calming effects), but I have worked in schools with fragrance-free policies due to students with extreme allergies.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060273 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 21:16:10 +0000 Sal 2060273@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are a great observer and I loved reading this.&nbsp; We spent three weeks in Italy and I loved the people watching.&nbsp; And travelling with younger children does make you slow down.&nbsp; We have been to the US twice with our boys and I did see lots of parks and playgrounds and see a real slice of life which I loved.</p> <p>Interesting about the short haircuts - I am pleased to see that happening.&nbsp; Teen girls here pretty much all have long hair. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060268 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 20:59:28 +0000 LaPed 2060268@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks all!<br /><b><br />Jane, Kaelyn, Janet</b> and others who are interested in the Camino, I'm happy to talk more about it! (And I highly recommend doing it!) In 2009, I walked the Camino del Norte, beginning in Irún, at the very northern edge of the Pyrenees. The Northern Way follows the coast through Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia. Highlights for me were getting to walk through Guernica, seeing the Guggenheim Bilbao, and getting acquainted with the amazing community of albergues (hostels) along the way. The route I took has much less traffic than the Camino Frances, so it's a very different experience. There were nights in some smaller villages where I was the only pilgrim in town. I went in midsummer, but if I went again I would go in September I think, for cooler weather. And&nbsp;<b>Kaelyn</b>, that is so cool that you were in A Coruña! I loved the weather and landscape in Galicia, but it's the Basque Country I really long to go back to. The Pyrenees are some of my favorite mountains in the world, the language feels almost otherworldly, and there are sheep everywhere!&nbsp;</p> <p>Side note: My 5yo has decided he wants to walk the Portuguese Way, which I'm pretty sure is the second most travelled route, after the Frances. So we'll definitely go back at some point. I'm not too picky, but personally I'd really like my next long walk overseas to be the West Highland Way. I'm roughly half-Scottish and still haven't made it Scotland!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Nemosmom</b> and <b>Xtabay</b> -- I'm a die-hard notetaker. The things I really want to remember can be hard to capture with a camera. This is the first time I've travelled overseas with kiddo, and it meant I got to spend a lot of time wandering around parks, sitting on benches while he explored playgrounds (German playgrounds are hands-down the best I've seen!), and rode a lot of public transit (trolleys were a novelty for him), and it all made for great people-watching.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Toban</b> and others -- I'm glad you enjoyed the outfit highlights! I tried to write down things that I'd want to replicate at home. I'm definitely hoping to find some good bootcut jeans for the fall, and am keeping an eye out for a chestnut-colored breton top too. :)</p> <p><b>Laurel</b>, that's fascinating that there's a historical reason for the red hair dye. I want to go do more research now!&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Suz</b>, we got really lucky with the weather and seemed to be just ahead of the heat, right up until our last day. We spent one last night in Paris before flying out, and it got up into the 90s, but we spent that whole day at the Louvre so the heat wasn't really an issue. Everywhere else was really tolerable. Smatterings of rain, but not a single downpour, which is all we ever get in New England. I really miss living in places (like the PNW) where there's such a thing as drizzle!</p> <p><b>Notsaf</b>, I thought I remembered reading that Veja was a French brand, but I also had the impression that they were a pretty small company and didn't expect them to be so widespread, even in their country of origin! I wish they were more comfortable because I love the way they look and it seems like they have a solid ethical approach.</p> <p><b>FashIntern</b>, it doesn't take much for me to feel short (I'm 5'4") but it's definitely more pronounced in certain places. I can't even imagine how I'd feel in, say, Sweden. I had a remarkably tall friend in school who married a Swede and moved to Sweden and I have a feeling she fits right in. And my tallest cousin (6'4ish) is a German major who's lived in Germany and Austria (very grateful to him for many trip-planning tips). I get the impression that Berlin, and northern Germany in general, is edgier than the south. We're thinking of going to Berlin and Dresden the next time DH goes to Prague for work.&nbsp;</p> <p><b>Angie</b>, thank you for corroborating my impressions! Yes, I love the German/Dutch approach of colorful-yet-practical.<b>&nbsp;</b>Spain is one of my favorites too -- although women there have much greater heel-wearing stamina than I ever will!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060199 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 16:17:22 +0000 Janet 2060199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wonderful observations, thank you!</p> <p>I want to walk the Camino someday. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060168 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:55:50 +0000 RobinF 2060168@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun observations! I would definitely not fit in in Prague with high heels and bodycon!</p> <p>My SIL is walking the Camino right now! She just started in St Jacque on Saturday and will be walking for six weeks. From what I have read there are various routes. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060167 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 13:55:09 +0000 Anonymous 2060167@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You're an excellent observer, and this was a pleasure to read! &nbsp;I enjoy hearing what's being worn by regular people going about their daily lives in different countries. &nbsp;I usually keep a journal when I go on trips, and make notes about the styles, but nothing as wonderfully detailed as yours. &nbsp;The favorite outfits are inspiring me! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060161 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 12:59:49 +0000 Kaelyn 2060161@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>If you're up for it, I would so love to hear about your experience on the Camino de Santiago!&nbsp; I haven't walked the camino, but I've been to Santiago de Compostela and Finisterre (and spent a good bit of time in A Coru<em></em>ñ<em></em>a, where I was based during my trip to Spain)<em></em>.&nbsp; Learning about the pilgrimage route and its significance to multiple cultures and during multiple eras was so fascinating to me.&nbsp; I have a friend who made the pilgrimage close to the time that I was in Spain.</p> <p>These observations are so interesting to me, especially because I want to visit all of these places but haven't yet.&nbsp; Germany and especially Prague sound like places I'd fit in fairly well, style-wise. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060140 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:34:10 +0000 nemosmom 2060140@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What fun observations, LaPed! Thanks for taking the time to write it all out. I have never been to Europe, so it was super fun to experience the fashion side of it through your eyes. The variation of outfits is so interesting! Prague sounds like a cool place to visit! They had me at Metallica memorabilia </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060137 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:11:40 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2060137@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Your comment on height is interesting, because we've looked at average heights for Europe. The jump between France/Switzerland and Germany isn't as big as we expected, and the average height for Germans seemed small to us. People around Berlin don't seem all that short, and the people I know from the coastal regions are definitely tall, so we thought all the short people were down South. Hm. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Perfume--thank goodness Berliner don't do much of it! They certainly are still puffing away on cigarettes and sometimes vaping (in addition to hookah lounges). <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Your comments on Prague made me laugh in recognition--my stereotype of E. European women when I was here in the 90s included teetery high heels, obvious make-up, tight, possibly distressed, cropped jeans, and ultra-feminine tops, often white with eyelet lace. There are shops in Berlin that sell distressed jeans, hard rock T-shirts, and lots of black and metal; I associate them with the East, and am apparently not mistaken. One of these days I want to get to Prague!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here in Berlin, we do see Birks, but obviously I can't comment on if there are more or less of them than where you are from. Sporty/comfort shoes, messenger bags and backpacks, yes, yes, and yes for men and women. Also lots of piercings (Prague isn't that far away!)<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060120 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 09:16:37 +0000 Style Fan 2060120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Excellent travel report.&nbsp; Love the favourite outfit.&nbsp; I have felt short when I have been around a group of Dutch women and I am 5'7".&nbsp; Interesting perspective for me. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060118 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 08:22:22 +0000 Sisi 2060118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I always like to hear the impressions of foreigners&nbsp;(I am European).&nbsp;&nbsp;Thank you for the report. The observation about the use of perfume is particularly interesting. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060112 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 06:00:37 +0000 Jane 2060112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating! A great read, thank you. The perfume thing in Paris was evocative. I’m nodding on the height of some Europeans, I have felt very weeny sometimes in Germany and Austria.</p> <p>I’d love to walk the Camino. I walked Hadrians Wallin northern England and loved it. Walking with Southern European weather would make it all together difference! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060059 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:44:38 +0000 Toban 2060059@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating! I especially love the inclusion of a favorite outfit in each location. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060053 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:31:40 +0000 Anonymous 2060053@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Love your report- and you cracked me up about all the tall people in Germany! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060044 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:23:17 +0000 Jaime 2060044@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an excellent report - thank you! Your observations pretty much match in a general way what I see here among tourists and immigrants. There is a huge influx of French immigrants in my area and a strong Russian presence and I can usually identify each by how they dress and the color of their hair (confirmed when I hear them speak). The explanation of that shade of hair - which is still seen here-&nbsp; is fascinating Laurel! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060041 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 01:14:14 +0000 notsaf 2060041@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Veja is a French brand so that's not surprising!&nbsp;<b></b>Laurel,<b></b>&nbsp;<b></b>I did not realize the history of eastern European red: fascinating.</p> <p>Thanks for the report, LP!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060034 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 00:27:45 +0000 Angie 2060034@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fun report! I loved it! Thank you :)</p> <p>You are dead right, <b>La Ped</b>. SOOO many funky and spunky short haircuts on women in the Netherlands and Germany. I'm inspired.&nbsp;</p> <p>We used to live in France, and have been back a few times. I also used to go Paris twice a year when I was a retail buyer. It's <i>very</i> neutral. Lots of dark blue, black, white, tan and brown. Modern classic.....classic, classic......trendy.... and modern classic. No heels. </p> <p>I find the Euro street style in Germany, Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK a lot more exciting than France. More colourful, playful, fashionable, and creative - yet still very practical because of mega walking and commuting with public transport. Maybe it's just more to my taste.&nbsp;</p> <p>But the street styles in Hong Kong and Japan are my favourites.</p> <p><b>Laurel</b>, that's fascinating.&nbsp;</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060026 Thu, 12 Sep 2019 00:15:55 +0000 Suz 2060026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fabulous report -- sounds like you had a terrific trip! I hear the weather was veyr hot in Germany; a friend of mine was in Berlin and Amsterdam during the same period.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/some-travel-observations-europe#post-2060019 Wed, 11 Sep 2019 22:23:25 +0000 Laurel 2060019@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting observations! &nbsp;I am just home from three weeks in Central Europe---mostly spent in small towns, but a few days in Budapest and Krakow, along with a. trip to Vienna. &nbsp;I just wanted to add that according to locals, when Poland was under the "regime", there was ONLY one color of hair dye available--- a distinctive magenta-ish red. &nbsp;If you wanted to color your hair, THAT was the only color. &nbsp;I still saw a LOT of women with that color hair. I imagine that it is also true for the Czech Republic, but I'm not sure. Meanwhile, I shopped in COS in Vienna and Budapest, and brought home some goodies. &nbsp; </p>