How to Dress to Avoid Looking Like a Tourist

There's nothing wrong with looking like a tourist, if you are one. But you also don't want to stick out in a way that makes you look like a country bumpkin or a clueless visitor. Explore these tips to aid you on your next trip.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Men's Casual Tops
• Men's Khakis
• Men's Sandals
• Sunglasses
• Travel Kits
• Women's Casual Tops
• Women's Khakis
• Women's Sandals
• Cameras

1. Investigate the local custom of the place you'll be visiting and show your respect. Is it discouraged for women to wear pants, as in Muslim countries? Should your skirt cover your knees? Should your head be covered? Keep these thoughts in mind, especially when traveling abroad.
2. Make your packing easy by sticking with neutral colors based on the climate and type of city you'll be visiting. In cosmopolitan centers black, navy, khaki, camel and gray are the best neutral colors to wear. Stay away from too much black in smaller cities and towns. In more rural places focus on khaki, camel and navy. For those really hot spots, khaki and white are your best bet.
3. Find comfortable walking shoes that don't have huge logos (for example, avoid athletic shoes). Hush Puppies, Rockports, Timberlands and Birkenstocks create a more classic look. Clean sneakers are OK.
4. Use a sturdy nylon messenger-type shoulder bag that goes across your body for easy access to your guidebook, sunscreen, camera and water. Keep it from being too tight, or consider a backpack.
5. Make sure your shorts are not shorter than about 3 inches above your knees. Avoid wearing shorts entirely in cosmopolitan cities like New York, London, Paris, Rome, Hong Kong and Tokyo.
6. Look clean and well-groomed by packing more tops than bottoms. A new top makes it seem as if you've just put on a new outfit.
7. Remember to bring along a fold-up nylon rain poncho.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that more colorful clothes are worn the farther south you travel.
• Remember, the smaller the city, the more conservative the dress.
• If you're a female traveling alone, consider wearing a wedding ring.
• Avoid wearing promotional clothes in the place being promoted. In other words, avoid "I Love Seattle" shirts when visiting the Emerald City.
• Leave the short shorts and tracksuit at home. Remember that denim isn't appropriate in many restaurants in the evening; better to err on the side of being too dressy than too casual.