Sneakers and Jeans?

[Guest]

This will be my first international trip (Ireland& London in Sept). MANY years ago I read it was viewed poorly to wear sneakers or jeans. True? I usually wear capris and can avoid jeans, but I'm trying to pack just a carry-on (14 days) and am stumped on walkable shoes.

[Tom]

There's a difference between sneakers and athletic shoes. Sneakers are fashionable, athletic shoes are for the gym.



I’m in Italy right now and can verify that locals are wearing athletic shoes all over the place. They are frequently subtly different than the us ones, but I sat on the train three days ago next to two Italian women in their 70s and they were wearing On Clouds and Hokas. And one asked me about my Altras!

as in EVEN older people (who typically are more resistant to change) not just younger ones are wearing athletic shoes. The only place I’m not seeing them on locals is higher end restaurants.

[Debra]

No. No-one wears jeans in the U.K. or anywhere in London ever. The men all wear full 3-piece suits with a top hat and the women wear ballgowns and high heels.

[Julie]

No problem with jeans but a post on this site reminded me that if jeans get wet in the rain, they take longer to dry. (Thinking ahead for my Ireland trip next year. Have fun!)

[Ansh]

This seems very random. People wear jeans and sneakers all the time in Europe.
You'll only need fancy shoes if you're going to fancy restaurants and bars

[Christine]

More to the point, check the daily weather forecast and pack accordingly. September can be very variable. We went in mid-August a few years ago and were freezing half the time because the weather flipped between sunny/dry/hot and chilly/rainy/windy, every other day! Layers and scarves are a must.

[Marien]

Don’t worry about dressing like a tourist. That’s what we are and we aren’t fooling anyone!

[Tory]

Considering teenage girls everywhere seem to be wearing “mom jeans” and often pair them with white dad-sneakers-worn-during vacations-to-the-amusement-park-in-the-early-1990s, I’d say throw anything you ever heard out the window and wear what you’d like.

[Alex]

I'm from England and in London a lot. Guarantee that jeans are fine, same with sneakers. Exception is for sneakers if you try and get into a fancy bar, but otherwise you're golden.

[Alice]

Ahhh walkable good looking shoes that go with all outfits—The perpetual search!!! The bottom line, you MUST try several and break them in well BEFORE your trip. Dansko clogs work for me. I’ve hiked in them even. Leggings are good. Can layer with jeans when cold or wear under dress, pair with long sweater. Layers are good. But definitely pass on the jeans with tennis shoes if you can. And bring scarves— dresses up any outfit and keeps you warm. Better yet bring one and buy others there as souvenirs! Get travel umbrella and or waterproof shell. You will have a great time!