Do you dress to stand out or blend in? - YouLookFab Forum

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Do you dress to stand out or blend in?

froggiebecky

Veteran

I've been doing some online browsing this evening, and despite my interest in Beatle booties, I'm finding myself drawn to styles with a heavier profile. Cowboy boots. Frye engineers. Biker boots. I know I'm going to the UK, where cowboy boots are probably Not A Thing, and that I want something with a more elegant profile. But I'm a Texas girl by birth, and know I could rock a pair of cowboy boots. But I also know that I would be self conscious about looking for the Loch Ness Monster in Justin Ropers.

Which brings me to my question: When you're travelling to a new place or going on a holiday, does "blend in with the locals" figure in your packing decisions? Or do you realise you'll stand out and accept it, or even make a point of it?

As much as I like beautiful clothing, I'm on Team Blend In.

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from

Anonymous

I dress to blend as much as possible.

I don't know if it is my family, but my UK cousins wear tailored neutral (high end ) clothes. I came into the kitchen with an Old Navy flowered cardigan and jeans, thinking I was rather demure and cute and their eyes popped out of their head. Lol

MuseumGal

Veteran

I very much dress to blend in. That said, I think a pair of cowboy boots under jeans would not stand out at all, even in the UK. And when I've got to go mucking about in the mud or hiking, I often wear my Ariats instead of actual hiking book just because they are actually more comfortable and more durable than anything but sooperdooper high end hikers. I vote go for the cowboys - you'll enjoy having a part of home with you as you search for Nessie.

kkards

Veteran

when traveling overseas, i don't think anything will make me not stand out as an american. not saying that i dress like the old sterotype of the "ugly american", just that i think there is a certain something to how i dress and carry myself, that says who i am.
that being said, when i travel to NYC, i do try to take my style up a notch, so that i don't look like i'm coming from a city that is a year behind.

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

I think I am doing neither both at home and when I am travelling. I dress to my style preferences and honestly can care less if I blend in or stand out if I am true to my own style

Anonymous

I just couldn't help but reply to this thread I'm from the UK and I'm surprised and also mildly amused and maybe even a bit flattered on behalf of UK people that you think wearing cowboy style or biker style boots isn't the done thing
As far as I'm concerned and from what I've seen people wear over here, anything goes. Be yourself and dress how you want. BTW heres a link to a few styles of boot that are on offer by British company Dune : http://www.dune.co.uk/boots-de.....tAodZhsAcA As you can see there are quite a few chunky style of boots.
Enjoy your clothes and pack what feels like you.

ETA, when I said anything goes I don't mean to the other extreme either, just that there are smart people, arty people, trendy people, scruffy people. Much like anywhere else.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

What Sveta said. I try to please myself. I do, however, try to dress for the weather conditions, because nothing makes me grumpier than being uncomfortable in the elements.

Adelfa

Veteran

I'm on the side of "I will look like an American no matter what I do" so I don't try too hard to blend in. Having said that, my style leans toward simple/classic, and I try to be appropriate e.g. when dressing for church.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I can't say I dress to intentionally do either to a great degree, but I don't mind standing out a little bit for the right reasons. I agree with Suz about weather conditions. I've been too cold in San Francisco and London, and that's no fun.

Although my orange flat thong-style sandals (no longer in my wardrobe) got a very obvious side-eye from a pump-wearing Parisian woman some years ago. I think the Repettos were more of a blend-in choice.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm with those in thinking that, as a non-local, it's almost impossible to not stand out in some way--hairstyle, mannerisms, accent, or whatever. And I also think that functionality, comfort, and personal style are also important considerations. That said, though, I've also always thought it was respectful to be conscious of the environmental and cultural expectations of the place where I am visiting, and to modify my style accordingly so I don't look too out of place. That usually means opting for more coverage and formality than I might be accustomed to in North America, especially if I'm traveling outside of the tourist areas.

I've found, by doing this, my lapses are more easily overlooked and people are more friendly and willing to help me. I've also found that looking discreet and not standing out too much also makes me less of a target for touts and pickpockets. The only downside of this approach is that I quite often get asked for directions by other tourists.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I still dress to please myself, but mindful of my surroundings. I mean, a LBD and heeled shooties to go out to eat here in a southern small town is going to stick out. In Miami South Beach's Lincoln Road Mall it's practically tame.

Kristin L

Veteran

I don't think I try to blend in or stick out, but I will dress how I feel is appropriate. Like the others have said, I won't wear jeans to a nice wedding, but when I was doing a short study abroad many years ago, I wore tennis shoes in Florence and Paris because I was walking so much.

MovingFashionForward

I am British, and I can assure you that cowboy boots are fine. One of the things I like about at least many parts of Britain is that there is less style conformity, more diversity and more creativity (*I* think!) than in some countries. Wear your cowboy boots with pride.

And BTW, it seems as though chunky footwear is more in here than in USA, so really, wear what you love and don't worry about it.

Hugs,

Sarah

rachylou

Veteran

What Gaylene said. I try not to be offensive when crossing cultures. Which is why I did the PIB (Person In Black) thing last night for the gypsy flamenco shindig. It was a bit too much, too city slicker, but to show up in a wrinkled coat like I didn't care and had no respect... rude.

That said, it's an interesting question. I think I stand out and blend in at the same time. That is, I have this thing about dressing to match my environment, the spirit of a place. I don't dress to be part of the crowd really, but to be one with the architecture and decor. Lol. I don't know why. I just feel strongly compelled.

And of course it's all according to my own notions of what would go with

jayne

Veteran

I have tried several times to blend in, that is, pack what I thought would blend in, only to get to the country of choice and find I did not have a clue. We are who we are. I am now on team 'dress as myself' because local customs are local and unless you are pretty familiar with them, you will always stand out. Sometimes that is uncomfortable, but pretty hard to avoid except for the obvious. I think what we should not do is dress like a tourist. How many people really wear fanny packs at home? Yet on a trip they are used?

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with Sveta and Gaylene. I dress to please myself, keeping in mind local sensibilities. For example, when I went to Southeast Asia last year I covered up more than I would have in similar weather conditions at home, because I did my research and discovered women in the places we visited dress more modestly than they do here. But I didn't try to duplicate or even approximate what the natives were wearing.

ETA: If you watch a little BBC America, you will see that almost anything seems to go in the UK!

Prudence

I'm with Jayne. Also, I'm not even sure how I would start to figure out how to blend in with a place I don't know well. If you're there enough to "dress like a local" then can you still consider yourself a tourist?

Anonymous

I agree with Suz and Gaylene. First the weather, which in England can mean wet uneven pavement so that thick soles are helpful. Then what Gaylene said. Often I'm not taken for an American even when speaking English. We often get asked for directions.

In My Joi

(website)

Veteran

In my head: Team Blend in all the way. But in reality, my clothes tend to stand out.

Carla

Veteran

Since I tend to favour dressy casual clothes, but in a classic/ sporty style for regular day to day wear, I don't change up my formula when travelling abroad. When working out a travel capsule, weather, and the activities planned inform the clothing choice.

Currently in week 2 of a 4 week vacation in the UK, and can report that by rotating a pair of well broken in Steve Madden Chelsea boots, Rockports leather sneakers, and Guess slipper flats, I am having no problems with averaging 6 hrs on my feet on a variety of terrain: cobbled roads, hiking trails, or beaches.

Bring at least 1 warm and cozy layer and a trench. I brought a pair of light leather gloves, and a beret...and have used them, though it is now warm and sunny ( in Inverness, Scotland!)

Anonymous

I try to dress appropriately and in a way that best suits me. I don't intentionally try to blend in or stand out, but if I stand out because others are poorly or inappropriately dressed, then so be it.
In the end, I think it's important to be true to myself and how I want others to perceive me. The other day, with time to kill, I watched an episode of QVC that featured Joan Rivers. She said, and rightly so, that while your car stays parked outside, your outfit speaks for you and tells who you are. I agree!