This summer, my dad and I are going to Paris.

I want to avoid looking like a tourist as much as possible.

I currently wear black skate shoes, baggy shorts, and noticeably baggy t shirts.

So yay me.

http://i37.tinypic.com/se0qcg.jpg

I'm a freshman in high school.

I'm kinda chubby.

My arms/hands look very strange in this picture, but I assure you that they're normal looking IRL.

I speak fluent french, and have been told that I don't have a discernible (sp?) American accent, so I figure if I look the part I won't be ripped off as much when it comes to buying things and such.

Plus the whole noticeably anti American atmosphere.

So Totse, how should I dress in France to blend in?


EDIT: As far as the title goes, we're going to London too, but I figure that all hope is lost trying to blend in there.

http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r427/crocidog/Picture1.png

Doesn't matter how you dress; the locals will be able to pick you out of a crowd easily and you will probably always appear as foreign.

If you don't want to come across as just another tourist don't be a loud, arrogant fool. Pretty simple.

Also, you probably would have gotten better responses in Traveller's Trevails.

Your loud, abnoxious speaking will draw everyones attention. I don't know about everyone else, but when i'm walkin down the high-street in my city theres always got to be one loud-ass American having some over-loud conversation. Just don't wear t-shirts at this time of year as I presume you're living in a warmer climate than us, so just get a jacket and jeans on, you will be fine.

This will be in August when we're traveling.

"Your loud, abnoxious speaking"

Are you referring to the accent, the volume or both?

http://www.zakshow.com/show/tecktonik3.jpg

also tape your sack back and you're golden.

Paris is much more fashionable than London, however like others have said everyones going to know you're a tourist anyway. But try to minimise the obvious signs.

Just wear basic clothes, nothing too flash, you don't want to draw attention to yourself. Don't go walking around with your camera everywhere. Don't go raising your voice and saying shit like "Aww gee look at that" , "That's awesome" etc.

Just try to be the grey man, and you'll be left alone. Not so much of a problem in London or Paris but in poorer euro countries you don't want to be noticed.

This will be in August when we're traveling.

"Your loud, abnoxious speaking"

Are you referring to the accent, the volume or both?

Both!

Dont get stabbed in london lol

http://www.devillefashion.be/i/menswear/corneliani/1.jpg

This actually doesn't have anything to do with your trip, but stop slouching.

mkay then

Smart jeans, t shirt, jacket, smart brown trainers, preferably ted baker, they do some nice ones in brown.

Okay, but what do you mean by "smart"?

A brand?

Or is it simply a word that I'm not familiarized with.(?)

And does this apply to both England and France?

Thanks//

lol...


he means dress neatly, properly.

clothes that fit well, that are reasonably stylish and wear them properly to.

Okay, but what do you mean by "smart"?

A brand?

Or is it simply a word that I'm not familiarized with.(?)

And does this apply to both England and France?

Thanks//

I told you noob, wear blazers, proper shirts and proper pants.

You will pass anywhere in the western world properly. It also must fit correctly.

In London go to the nearest Moss and spend a couple hundred quid on a business suit (maybe less if there's a sale on).

winter in paris everyone wears black. black coats everywhere.

but, you're just a skater kiddie, what you are wearing you will just be skater kiddie.

skater kiddies are everywhere, no one cares.

what is a blazer?

http://www.flipnews.org/italia/underground_3/blog/images/stories-Corneliani%20-Porto%20Cervo%20blazer.JPG
the jacket he is wearing

The centre of London (http://people.reed.edu/~reyn/London.central.gif) is so cosmopolitan that unless you're wearing something that has a distinctly American logo or brand slapped all over it, no one will notice. If all else fails remember that trainers (Reebok, Nike, w/e) with discreet jeans and a white shirt is the international western dress code for anonymous.

But please, don't be one of those stunned tourist cunts who decides that the most logical place to look at a map is directly in front of a subway exit/entrance. Although admittedly this activity is mainly a pastime of German and French school groups. If you see them doing it you have my permission to be as rude and obnoxious as you like and barge straight through them, saying "Hey faggot, I'm American, move out of the way.".

That's what I sometimes do. :D

This thread needs more Gerard Depardieu.

i noticed that i fit in paris quite well with grey chuck taylors, jeans, and a white button-up long-sleeved collared shirt.

Don't dress like an emo fuck, and don't talk loudly in public. Blending in is not hard if you just see what the locals do and copy them.

Handlebar moustache, mullet (covered with a trucker hat), sleeveless t-shirt that has a giant american flag on it, black jeans, and some boots.

They'll love it. I promise.

Oh and a giant fcking belt buckle.

Paradox, go camden town sometime

You remind me of this kid in my town who all the skater kids are against; they even made t shirts of this:
http://photos-a.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v371/96/93/1487014288/n1487014288_94360_1622.jpg

But yeah, just wear nice jeans, sneakers, t shirt or button down. I'm sure you'll be fine, really.

Get a black leather jacket like the one shown. All the Euros wear them. You'll blend in easier.

http://www.sheepskin.co.uk/images/Leather_jacket.jpg

I don't think you should try any blazers or leather jackets. Style for high schoolers in Europe really isn't much different from kids here, you'd blend in fine wearing what you do usually, especially in London. Just look and act confident, and don't draw too much attention to yourself.
Don't try to look older than your age; very awkward indeed.
As for shirts, just don't wear shirts that are too baggy, you'll be fine.

EDIT: believe me, it will be much easier to blend in in london than in paris, when I was in london I found the people your age dressed very American-like, but noticeably preppier, much less hip-hop influenced stuff

EDIT:

You should go wearing an AK47, tactical black clothing, and a backpack full of grenades and 30 round banana clips. What you do from that point on should be obvious.

I traveled to Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam this past August, and people can usually tell you're a tourist, especially in Paris. The Parisians aren't too fond of Americans, and it is usually quite rare you'll find one that speaks English well enough to understand. Not to mention, as soon as you open your mouth, they'll either a) ignore you, or b) respond in French. This isn't always the case, but it is for the majority. Therefore, the way in which you dress will not overcome the inevitable- you're a tourist. Just try not to piss anyone off, have a good time, don't dress like a tweeny American douche, and enjoy everything Paris has to offer.

Cut a hole in the center of the American flag.

Wear it like a pancho.

That is it.

Lol, just wear chavvy clothes in London, you will fit right in!
:D

you'll also need an unbuttoned plaid flannel tee shirt and a can of budweiser in your right hand.