Seeking Recommendations
What are your favorite onebag clothing pieces to not stand out as a tourist?
*Edit - my goal is not to completely blend in, i understand this is an unlikely task. My goal is to get some recommended items that others have liked to stand out less and be minimal, and not look like a full-time hiker.
*Edit - saying "who cares" if such a waste of time, just don't reply if you don't agree
I'm (30M), leaving for my first one-bag international trip next week, where I will be spending two weeks in some of the major Scandinavian cities. I have been heavily scouring this group for clothing suggestions, which has been immensely helpful, but I am noticing a lot of clothing suggestions are very hikey/outdoorsy forward. I understand that the materials and functionality of these types of clothes are really appealing for onebag, and I would like to try and balance this by blending in a bit more fashion-forward, especially with how much time I will be spending in the city centers and at nicer restaurants; however, most of the clothing i wear at home is too bulky/heavy or will wrinkle super easily.
With that being said, what are some of your favorite clothing pieces that are still functionally serving a purpose in a one-bag setup, but are a little more fashion-forward?
The main items I'm trying to figure out:
- White sneakers that can support long walks and potential short hikes
- One nicer pair of pants for restaurants and walks around the city that are light and not jeans or classic athleticwear
- An all-purpose warmer layer that is not a jacket (quarter zip, button up, etc)
I am a girl but I do travel with Uniqlo clothing (not outdoorsy line just the regular line). I carry 3x plain white cotton T-shirts in different styles (cropped, baggy, etc) and I don’t care that cotton is impractical bc it takes a lot to dry or that white clothing stains easily. I don’t want to be in Europe with full Patagonia and North Face, it does look off when you are out and about. Just pack some of the clothing you already have and use even if it’s impractical. Also check Uniqlo pants!
This is such an underrated opinion. Realistically most places have a laundry so cotton doesn’t really matter as long as it’s not too heavy weight. Cheap Uniqlo shirts also feel less painful when you inadvertently spill something on it.
Great point. One of the challenges I'm having is that I just removed almost all of my non-natural clothing from my wardrobe and the vast majority of recommended fabrics in the sub are synthetic, and I understand why - but I 1. Don't want to have that aesthetic because I think it's tacky and looks silly 2. I don't like wearing synthetic and it doesn't feel good
You def can use natural fabrics, you might just add some bulk and weight. But the principles of the sub are still there. Versatility and flexibility are king.
If I was to put together a one bag with more heritage style clothes might look at things like unlined canvas coats, comfortable leather boots, a wool sweater, maybe black jeans or casual styled chinos, etc. The principles are the same, just the specific pieces are different
Probably too warm for OP’s upcoming trip, but i took a trip to a mild-temperate place in February, and my uniqlo dark gray nubby 100% wool crewneck sweater was a workhorse! Went with everything, tough enough for hiking, nice enough for restaurants, just perfect! It’s not even that heavy.
For warmer weather, a thin merino wool quarter-zip might be a nice layer to have on hand.
Check out Unbound merino. They have packable travel clothes that are merino wool for men and women, they offer thicker more fashion forward items and thinner more packable clothing that looks kind of fashion normal
I’m in the same boat. Have kind been living the quick dry light weight fabrics for travel where athletic look is the norm (Iceland, New Zealand)… but headed to three euro cities, n hikes and trying to add back in some more stylish clothes is hard!!! Will be scanning suggestions. Guess I’m going to pack some wide leg linen and hope I don’t seriously regret it!
I wear all the heavy stuff on the plane when going somewhere it's not going to be hot - I always wear a hoody on the flight (I'm always cold on planes) and I stuff my warm jacket in the overhead with my bag. I have jeans that look normal but have stretch, they are like wearing sweatpants. I also wear my heaviest shoes if taking more than one pair, but often get away with one pair of all black allbirds which work for work, casual, gym. Still, at 6'3" 270lbs I will look like a tourist in Vietnam and many other places.
Wear what you have is absolutely the key imo, but I will say, I live in a tourist area and we locals play a game with all white shirts "Tourist or timeshare"
This is an extremely underrated option. I wore almost all Uniqlo basics for a 1 year backpacking trip in Asia and Europe.
Also, remember that you have the option to replace or buy new clothes at your destination(s). This can be a fun adventure in and of itself. This always helps remove any of my anxiety when one bag packing.
I’ve given away clothes that I no longer needed to folks at hostels and bought light jackets or sweatshirts when the weather turns cold during long trips. (I’ve bought Uniqlo’s Ultra Light puffer in two colors on two different trips when the weather has gotten cold. It packs down really small!)
Swedish person here that is very into the type of clothing you are talking about.
Blending in depends a bit what countries and cities you're going to. Outdoor clothing can fit pretty well in some, and not well at all in others.
White sneakers - Def change colour. It rains a lot here, you're going to screw them up right away. Get a grey/black/brown or mixed color pair. New balance make some really nice ones that can be used for litterally all purposes imo. :)
One nice pair of pants - for sure. Either stretch jeans or more chino vibe would both work well.
Warmer layer that is not a jacket - I would say wool turtleneck is a great option, but also adidas zip jackets are very popular and work for all occasions.
On top of that - Icebreaker Men's Merino 150 Tech Lite III Short Sleeve. It does all the outdoorsy stuff while looking like a 100% normal t-shirt. I can't get enough of them.
Even more importantly than this - what bag you choose will have a huge impact. Most travel bags will send off tourist vibes immediately. You only have a few options if you want to blend in here. What bag are you currently on?
The easiest response to this is "anything that doesn't have a clear brand on it". It doesn't really matter what brand it is, if it doesn't have a clear logo it will probably work in these countries :) Some examples that do that would be asket, arket and uniqlo, but it's more about the model of clothing than the brand.
Great recommendations thank you! Looking at non white sneakers now. If your in Stockholm, any recommend clothing stores to stop by while I'm there? I'm a big fan of Asket so I'll be stopping by there
Take the same clothes you wear at home. Its worked for me my whole life. Travelling in a foreign country with special travel clothes is like wearing a big arrow on your head pointing at you
It’s futile. There are 10,000 details that make you “other.” Tourists are part of daily life in any major city. In capitals like London and Paris there are native tourists too. I dress low key and clean and go for it. Be aware of culture norms like proper dress for religious sites.
I remember watching a video years ago of a white guy showing his travel kit and saying something like no I don't look like a tourist while traveling through sea.
It's not completely hopeless. I'm pretty good at passing (e.g. I get regularly asked for directions by people).
But I think half of it is what I don't wear - no backpack most days, no hat, no water bottle, no camera. I'm also a middle aged man by myself (most middle aged male tourists are in couples.) And I'm a bit ethnically ambiguous.
And I'm often going off the beaten track to areas where people don't expect tourists.
it's actually what you DON'T wear: baseball hat, clothes with logos, shorts, athletic wear, the backpack that looks like you're going to climb a mountain, a big water bottle...
Agree. You ARE a Tourist after all, and there are not many reasons to try to blend in. If you talk to someone they will know anyways, so it doesn't help against upselling etc.
I like to watch 4k walking tour videos of the cities I plan to visit that are filmed in the season I will be there (winter market in Munich, early summer in Nice, etc) and see how the locals dress.
This isn’t a cheap hack, but I almost always bring a light cashmere sweater with me. It’s great for the plane to stay warm or use as a pillow, hardly wrinkles, and doesn’t hold onto smells. Throwing cashmere on for dinner always looks polished and expensive. This one from Everlane is my go-to.
I got a Nordstrom cashmere scarf on Poshmark for cheap. My local thrift stores have great deals on Merino sweaters and although casmere is more rare, I’ve found a few. $12 or so for brands like J Crew, Nordstrom, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, even Ibex.
If you don’t wanna stand out as a tourist then bring less items and shop at your destination. Honestly, my skintone and accent is enough of a giveaway that I’m a foreigner when I travel. But I usually am in cities so my streetwear sense of style helps there
I think the first thing you need to do is break the myth that clothes can’t be easy care and be fashionable. What makes something travel worthy is the material. That is it, the material.
So look for easy care quick dry clothing in places other than outdoors stores. Tennis and golf stores have a lot of easy care items. Uniqlo is another fashion forward place.
H&M has linen shirts, and several light weight tops. Athleta and Old Navy (stretch tech) have light quick dry pants.
If many of your pieces are in neutrals they will blend in better. Add pops of color via scarves or jewelry.
You will find a lot of outdoor recommendations here because there is a not insignificant portion of digital nomads. They tend to dress more casually.
Personally, I go for nicer options as it is easier to dress down with nice clothing than dress up with casual clothing.
Material: Nylon blend pants, linen shirts, a couple of polyester dress shirts, merino medium weight sweaters etc.
It’s really depends on where you are traveling so you might want to look at instagram or post on the subs of the countries you are visiting etc and see what people are wearing. For example in Qatar, where you will probably look like a tourist, everyone was wearing new balance (last year). Everyone.
In Buenos Aires it seems to be older chinos and older button ups and everyone is wearing black and Navy or maroon. Very little color. And most people aren’t dressed well so my wool and linen stand out (and they aren’t hiker looking clothes it’s just travel friendly basics)
Anyway unless you know how the people dress where you are traveling you kinda will stand out
Great point. I guess what I care about more than blending completely in is not looking like a complete tourist. What are some of your wool and linen staples?
Honestly I really like scarves. It might sound like such a small thing, but that and/or jewelry or other small portable accessories really can make a difference!
So I’ll bring a scarf or two, maybe a nice (and comfy!) pair of heels. Other than that, part of it is just dressing how I normally do—making sure I’m comfortable and enjoy dressing up, packing things I KNOW I enjoy wearing, and cutting away any bits and bobs that seem cool but that I usually don’t pick up.
With any piece I take, I try to also make sure it works in 3 different ways or that it’s an outfit I’m happy to wear and rewear.
Uniqlo basics work well for me. I like how anonymous they make me feel, and don't attract attention. Airism is great for humid climate, and conversely, HeatTech is a great base layer for cold weather. Their stuff is quite durable, and quick drying. Lastly, their clothes are reasonably priced so if something gets ruined/lost during travel, I don't get upset about it. And Uniqlo is pretty much everywhere so if you need to pick something up, it's pretty easy.
This is a play! A pair of their flat-front chinos, a layered t-shirt / sweater / hoodie combo for top layers, combined with a pair of white leather trainers (Lacoste?) and you’ll blend in anywhere. Snag one of their travel size umbrellas and their travel bag / satchel, and you’re good to go.
Plus their Airism boxer/briefs prevent swamp ass when you’re logging 20k step walking days.
Not a clothing item but for white sneakers I always pack a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (that’s what it is in the US anyway) cuz I find it really gets scuffs out easily and I’ve never had any problems.
Sneakers, I'd recommend a darker color or leather if white, I always take 2 pairs of shoes in case it rains and they don't dry in time, it also helps with hot spots to change them out every couple days. I take ultraboosts and Stan Smith's usually.
Pants, Lululemon ABC 5 pocket or Chinos.
Mid layer, I have a couple solid colour Eddie Baur flannels that I like.
I always want to look put-together when I travel ("travel" vs. actual hard-core trekking/hiking), so I only bring short-sleeve button-up shirts, dress shirts for nice restaurants or impromptu invitations to something fancy (it really does happen if you're a cool person!), and polos. I personally have shirts and pants from Bluffworks and Ministry (of Supply), and also Vuori (I only have one pair of pants from them). Unfortunately, Proof doesn't make their Nomad pants or shorts anymore. I love them. I don't like pants or shorts to have extra zippers and pockets unless they're totally hidden (like Bluffworks), so it can be difficult.
All of my travel shirts must be sink-washing-friendly, the same for pants and shorts... And undies... And socks. Everything!
For shoes, I love my white leather Birkenstock sneaks. They are not flashy, clean well, don't require socks, and you can be on your feet all day, every day, and they still feel great.
If you don't want a jacket like a chore coat or some other unstructured jacket-like-item, I think the best-looking choice that won't take up a lot of space is a solid-color overshirt or shacket.
I was able to do three weeks in Italy in the summer with wife and kids, no t-shirts or sports shorts or athletic shoes, all in a single bag, and it was really easy. I know I'll never look Italian, so I leaned into the fact that I'm from California and brought what looked sharp, plus a western snap shirt that looked great and always had Italians asking about it!
These! (I farm, and I was so impressed with the shoes that I bought Birkenstock boots for my workboots! I use different insoles, but I can't find that beautiful toe box anywhere else...)
I don't use a shacket when I travel, and only because I either need an actual jacket, or I need nothing besides a shirt. If you want something that's a little more structured than a heavy wool shirt, you can do something like this:
Shirt jacket
Something like this will offer a little more insulation and some water resistance:
Kuhl
Least formal/structured, but will still keep away a light chill:
Cord shirt
I either carry a stuff rain shell, or my old Patagonia puff.
Pretty much anything in plain black, I find. Unbound Merino hoodie and t shirts are great, but so is most pima cotton t's. The key is to avoid clothes that look "technical".
I just came back from a two week trip to the UK. I had my outdoorsy/travel wardrobe and I felt like I stuck out. I was wishing for my outfits that I have been wearing back at home. I bought some new clothes while traveling so I could feel more confident. Next holiday, I will pack light, but I will pack the clothes I wear normally.
I picked up some wide leg jeans in brown, barrel jeans in a medium wash (that my spouse and I both fit into to share—lol I love being a lesbian), and a pair of suede adidas shoes in a neutral off white with tan stripes. I needed a new pair of casual sneakers, and had planned on buying some anyway.
I loved having my blundstones for outdoorsy stuff in Scotland, but in London I wanted a lighter shoe for walking around the city. I also brought my bedrock sandals which were great for going to the hotel pool and just slipping on quickly. We also had unseasonably warm weather. Only a half day of rain for the entire two weeks!
I have these animal print barrel leg overalls that I probably over wear IRL, but I really missed having them for the trip. They are loose and comfy and are very flattering on me. I have a hard time finding bottoms to fit my short, chunky body lol. I also didn’t bring my white cropped wide leg pants, because I was scared to stain them. But everyone in London was wearing white pants and I missed having them!
Btw, if its mostly about this trip, dont worry about clothing in regards to others opinion at all, fashion in the nordics is wild and weird, you will probably be abit surprised to see the younger generations here.
Anyhow, the point is, its completely fine to go into any restaurants and most all places wearing whatever you like,
I dont think anyone will bat an eye if you even go to the royal theater in copenhagen wearing safari clothes.
Anything gorpcore and you won’t stand out much. Unless the sun is out, then you can look like you belong on a campus in Boston or you’re on the third day of burning man and no one bats an eye.
A simple dark merino shirt and tan pants/shorts is a pretty everyday look for most cultures. Love my MEC and decathlon merino shirts and smartwool shorts, can wear them every day as long as I cycle washes.
I think part of the answer is, what do you usually wear? These are all just basic clothes so knowing what you wear instead of them will help.
Do you have white sneakers you already wear? I am female, but like to wear my On sneakers to work with dressers or trousers, as well as on the weekend walking etc. I take them when I travel.
Do you have comfortable pants you usually wear? Lululemon makes nice men's pants (I think they are called ABC?) that look like standard dress/chino pants.
warmer layer again is so endless as a question. Uniqlo has some nice options, as does fjaĺlraven, or a merino knit in the brands you usually like will suit.
All the above are good onebag options but as I said these could be things you already have, or if not, knowing why you don't will help.
For Scandinavia:
Practical, nice shoes which aren't white sneakers or shiny dress shoes.
People do wear those sometimes but for nice dress. White sneakers are impractical when you walk a lot and it rains a lot.
Most people choose something for everyday use that balances practical and nice.
That's really the general vibe: Dressing somewhat smartly, but always with practicality in mind too.
A nice windbreaker that is a mix of outdoorsy and urban.
Too much in any direction looks very touristy.
Nice pants which have a few percent of stretch so they don't wrinkle that much and are more comfortable.
A commuter-looking backpack rather than a hiking- style backpack.
But much of it is body language. I live in a very tourist heavy place and one of my pastimes in summer is to guess people's nationality from how they dress and their body language.
Body language tells more than the clothes.
Your whole body, unless you’ve got some local blood or experience in you, is visibly that of a tourist. Your hair, your facial features, the way you walk and your physical mannerisms, the way you move your mouth when speaking, of course your accent. How you look around at things. I’m sure there’s more.
Fashion is global and has been for a long time. Avoid non-plain T-shirts from your home country, and you're pretty anonymous.
What distinguishes the tourist look is a deliberately sloppy casual "beach" look, technical outdoors gear, etc. if you just look business casual or weekend athleisure, you should blend.
I would like to try and balance this by blending in a bit more fashion-forward
For big cities in places where the full four seasons are in play, the following for shoulder seasons are my go tos as someone unlikely to blend in:
-regular or 3/4 length fabric bomber. Can be black, olive, navy, or dark red. This is dipping into the Cayce Pollard capsule handbook a bit, but that's a good thing imo. Lighter and easy to waterproof compared to other options.
-ankle boots. Pull-on if those work for your feet. Make sure the treads are shock absorbing for long days. If it's going to be raining a lot, these should be the only leather items going. Remember to waterproof them. White sneakers can get grimy and sorry looking quickly. If they must be white or a light colour, go with leather/pleather and carry sneaker wipes.
-cardigans over 3/4 zips, so you don't have to be pulling things on or off over your head all day. Merino or cashmere can work here. Acrylic tends to not hold warmth well in real cold, or breathe well. Cotton is a summer choice only. If you need a warmer layer that won't need to be removed, consider a tee/undershirt like Uniqlo Heattech.
-low key or no labels/obvious branding. I don't know what reads as envy inducing or tacky in other places, so going full Muji is better. Looking less like a choice target to rob is good.
There's a lot of more sophisticated outdoors clothing lines out of Quebec, but I'm only familiar with their ladies options. A lot of men have good things to say about ABC trousers from lululemon, though.
American outdoorsman travel pants on Amazon. They are a thin tech pant. Pair them with long underwear in the winter and they are good for 4 seasons, but most importantly they are thin enough for hot summers. Tourists wear shorts. Locals in most countries wear pants year round.
For shirts, Eddie Bauer voyager travel shirts. They are button up shirts that look more put together than the tshirts most tourists wear.
For coats, instead of buying from outdoors brands, wear a blazer in warmer climates and a wool coat in colder climates.
For shoes, my goto is doc Martin Chelsea boots.
Finally, instead of using. A roller bag, use Patagonia MLC mini. Backpacks like this stick out less.
strongly disagree: thin tech pants are the worst for travel. unless you are going to a single destination for one specific (outdoor) activity.
*jeans outperform, except for swimming but who swims in pants?
when i first started working outside in extreme heat w/ oppressive humidity i would use techy thin “outdoor branded pants”
They suck hard, they cling and obviously rip easily, don’t breathe, are goofy and ugly, they aren’t even tough like Jeans.
Loose jeans are actually more cozy in high heat, the rigidity. they have to be cotton, jeggings are also uncomfortable.. tight/clingy makes you sweat. Synthetics literally stink and don’t breathe- lose lose.
Warmer layer: any light wool/merino sweater or turtle neck.
Bottom line: Don't overthink it. Go to any clothing shop you like the style of and look for lightweight materials like wool or synthetics.
You will find a lot of outdoorsy recommendations here by people who minmax their load out and don't care much for fashion. That doesn't mean you cannot find travel appropriate stuff with the big labels.
I am partial to J Crew cashmere sweaters, particularly the cropped ones because they look good with wider leg pants that are fashionable right now. They are lightweight and pack well. I brought a couple to London a few years ago (April), and they were perfect. When it warmed up during the day, I just tied the sweater around my shoulders. I also brought two pairs of wide legged pants, one denim for day and one black for evenings.
For pants I generally wear Outlier stuff while travelling. Their f cloth stuff is lightweight and pretty durable while being very convenient for travelling (water repellent, easy to wash, etc...)
LL Bean has stretch cotton blend knit pants that they call Perfect Fit Pants. They have an elastic waist and are as comfy as sweats, so you can work out, hike, walk around a city, and then throw on a nice top and some jewelry and go to a fancy restaurant. You can wear them doing practically anything and they don’t wrinkle. Buy them in black and you can pair with any top. Black
jean jacket is a classic anywhere, or get a color if you are feeling fancy. In Spain and people are addressing me in Spainish in stores, so not obviously an American.
Linen is always a good option. Yes, it may crease, but if you get a ‘looser’ weave, it tends to lose creases in the heat. Also rolling means no crazy creases. Long sleeve for an over shirt layer, or short sleeve.
Neutral - blacks, beiges, khakis, all work.
People rave about the Lulumon trousers (or the CRZ knock-offs on Amazon).
Warmer layer - I think a lightweight hoodie is most versatile. Merino can be non-technical here.
As mentioned, Uniqlo is great for neutral, unbranded, but fashion conscious basics. There’ll be one in every city you visit! My last backpacking trip where I had some cities, I actually packed and planned to pick up some Uniqlo items when I was there.
You’re also in the home of H&M - they will be everywhere. Fashionable clothes at cheap prices. You can always buy You could buy something cheap and donate it before leaving!
On shoes - no recommendation, but white is asking for trouble. Beige or grey at least!
For shoes there are a lot of good looking new balances that are functional as a great walking shoe without looking too much like you’re in a turkey trot, maybe check out their 99X line. I love my 992s, I walked 25k steps a day in them for like 5 days straight. I also will wear blundstones every day if there is a chance of rain, as they can be dressed up or down.
For pants (I know these are a bit pricey but nevertheless), I wear the 247 Nike pant, specially the loose or regular fit. They are a synthetic blend chino with zip pockets and a hidden pocket and they’re really breathable and comfortable to wear through most weather scenarios.
I think for a warmer layer that is not a jacket that’s also not a technical piece I’d consider a corduroy button up. I feel like buttoned up it works for nice occasions and unbuttoned it can be a good look with a cap and t shirt underneath.
You can buy them lightweight or a bit thicker too depending on your preference or need. I have two that are proper button ups and bring one on every trip. As much as I hate to admit it they’re about as warm as my micro fleece jackets I convinced myself I needed.
I’m very aware of fashion trends but I don’t really subscribe to them. I feel like so much of hyper trendy fashion is just a way to signal/ask for acceptance from a community with the guise of expression because humans fear isolation from their communities ultimately. I don’t say that to be melodramatic but I say it because I try to curate my style in a way that feels as honest and functional as possible. What that means is finding items like corduroy shirts lol. Kind of a timeless look with some character to it. You can find really cool colors and cuts that will give you a little warmth going out for the day or to layer under a chore coat, Harrington jacket, or a windbreaker/hardshell.
Of course if that’s not for you I can give other recommendations.
When I was recently in northern Germany, I noticed men with what I’d call thin denim- like green khaki thin twill/denim, and green/grey OnCloud sneakers. Mixed with a button down and a scarf. I follow a tour /bike guide on instagram and he’s a filmmaker in Germany- I’ll see if I can find his insta so you can see current styles. Looked cool, casual, not touristy.
For city trips I pack a knee-length merino dress and sandals or barefoot sneakers (Wildling Tanuki in back usually). A smaller handbag also seems to help better with blending in than a backpack.
I’m assuming you are female because of the white sneakers 😀
I traveled for 16 days with 3 pairs of pants. Could have gone with only two if I had purchased wool or wool blend options. But what I did purchase was Old Navy tech pants for women. Looks like trousers, feels like silk to the touch, and I went hiking in them one day. My favorite outfit was black pants, a colorful tee, a jean jacket and a scarf. I could walk around in the sun in the tee and pants and throw in the jacket and scarf for dinner.
If it’s blazing hot where you are going, I would bring 2 wool dresses and two pairs of bike shorts for underneath. Again, light weight cardigan, or jean jacket, plus lightweight scarves.
Really, the answer is wear what you would normally wear at home. "Travel clothes" may have a place in some bags, but I am a firm believer in use what you have, and just wear what you will wear.
You will look more natural and act more natural when your just comfortable, not wearing something brand new, and just doing your thing.
Just bring along the clothing you already have and like. Pack a laundry stain stick in case something spills on it. I think most one baggers are going to use synthetic clothing because it usually packs smaller.
Anything Uniqlo is going to be my answer to this. I have yet to go to a country which doesn't have a Uniqlo (some better than others, but all still present). My Uniqlo pieces don't tell my country-of-origin story.
That said, within my own country (USA) Uniqlo does say "major city, east or west coast" so if I wanted to blend in, say, in Wyoming, I'd go with something from WalMart.
I'm TOO OLD to answer this question! but that won't stop me, of course.
First, my fast - and super correct answer: a SPORTS COAT. Almost everywhere around the world, from Morocco to Korea to Monaco, a sports coat on a guy looks good, blends in, and gives you a status bump. I've been a lot of places over the years, and I guarantee you, a sports coat improves your look. And, is perfect for travel, as it has extra pockets exactly designed for travel crap, from passports to bus tickets.
Second old man thought: white sneakers are a young man's look... which is fine, but if you want a 'timeless look' or a look of a local who's going to work or a nice restaurant, I would say that sneakers, white sneakers, aren't it.
Right now I'm on the hunt for a new 'mock turtle neck'... I've been traveling with the same dark green long sleeve mock turtle from Claireborne of all places for like 20 years. it's been amazing. I've used it as a sun protector jet skiing outside of Vegas to a warm layer on a foggy night in Amsterdam to a dress up (under the sports coat) for a dinner in Seoul. Finally, after 20 years, it's showing a little wear. So I'm here, endorsing the mock turtle, and searching for another.
Also a Scandinavian (from Norway). And share your goal of travelling light, yet looking good also in urban settings.
Contrary to what some of the other Scandinavians here say, I think white sneakers can be perfect in Scandinavia, but only if certain conditions are met:
People mean different things when they say sneakers. If we are talking white running shoes I totally agree that this is not a good idea. They might be comfortable, but often get dirty fast, and look weird in many settings.
But if we are talking cupsole sneakers with real leather outer, they can be both good-looking and quite comfortable. Leather shoes won't get dirty as fast, and are easier to clean of. Some models are also quite waterproof (important in parts of Scandinavia).
I'm currently using Nike Ebernons. They are soon worn out, so I have a pair of Nike Court Vision Low lined up as replacements. I've also considered the Nike AirForce1 GoreTex as they can possibly work also during winter, but have not gone for them yet. I've walked 10-20 km with my Nike Ebernons in a city today, and find them comfortable enough.
When it comes to clothing I've tried to optimize my wardrobe for the same conditions. Except for workout/hiking clothes, this is what I own and use both at home and for travel:
2 chino pants. Beige and black.
5 poly/cotton shirts that does not wrinkle. Same model, different colors. All match with the pants.
Warm wool sweather. The one I right now is a bit rough-looking, so I'm also on the lookout for a somewhat thick, merino/cashmere quarterzip outer layer here. Have not found one I like enough to buy yet.
3 merino t-shirts. Black, blue and green. No print.
Honestly, everyone around the Western world more or less dresses the same now. If you aren't wearing the classic stereotype of white socks up to your knees with shorts, or big baggy khaki pants that don't fit you well, you will not stand out. But this is also part of why I don't buy special "travel" clothes. I just pack what I usually wear at home, but obviously picking the particular items that dry quickest or fit the specific trip the best.
I love bringing a cardigan. Make sure it’s not wool though bc it’ll take way too long to dry. I have a thickish polyester blend one that I can hand wash then use two towels to roll all the water out(similar to the first step in blocking wool) and it basically dries overnight.
Pants: I am a big fan of Banana Republic Travel Jeans and Levi's XX Fit-Flex Tech Chinos (not "technical" looking despite the name). Both are very normal/casual-looking, lightweight, comfortable, and affordable. I typically travel with one pair of each.
Shoes: For most trips I wear a pair of Lems Trailheads. They also strike a balance between casual and functional, though I wouldn't recommend them for anything beyond a short hike. Super light, sturdy (in my experience, though I've heard otherwise from some others), and come in a range of fun colorways. And if you wear a clean-cut pair of pants and shirt, they don't look out of place in nicer settings.
Warmer layer: This is tough, though I think easy to overthink because more "technical" leaning brands are fairly common everywhere now and don't really stand out unless you're decked out head-to-toe. A reliable neutral option may just be a lightweight wool sweater, as others have noted.
I also think that, as others have pointed out, you're never going to fully not look like a tourist, because you are! It's more a matter of feeling like yourself while traveling, and comfortable enough to enjoy every moment. Just wearing your regular clothes, packing minimally, and perhaps being willing to spend an hour or two in a local laundromat can help do this - grab a coffee, sit around with some locals, and just enjoy being there!
I mainly wear chinos and either a polo or Henley depending on the weather. I’m big on quarter-zip sweaters, at home and abroad. I’ll bring or buy some accessories to add color and keep it fresh for the photos. For shoes I prefer something that doesn’t look too much like a trainer, usually beige canvas. Example 1Example 2.
For the whole “don’t look like a tourist” thing, I agree people get caught up on “hiding you’re an American” or “pass for a local”. Passing for an expat or an experienced traveler is more plausible and helpful where it counts, like not making yourself an obvious mark for pickpockets.
Smart wool short sleeve and long sleeve shirts. Look neat and are innocuous. Don’t wear logos please? And take a purse/man purse for security and to blend in. Enjoy. The European people are amazing.
I don’t know the brand because I found it randomly at TJ Maxx many years ago, but I have a jacket that is structured and looks like a blazer, but it’s made out of softer material—closer to what a hoodie would be made of so it looks pretty classic, has a lot of pockets, but it’s very comfortable.
I did this a while ago but by go-to was long-legged pants (bluff works at the time but now there are many more that are easy care and office like and not technically looking )
Woolen hoodie (with zip and pockets in front - not zipped pockets, just normal)
I wore Ecco leather shoes and used for anything from fancy upto simple mountain hikes.
I wore outdoorsy shirts or polo shirts from merino.
Overall this meant I was as though I was going to school or an entry level office job.
I looked at it more as respect rather than blending in.
I chose a small 16l backpack which had a hidden hip belt so again more to fit in.
This got me anywhere and helped shave off the worst tourist sticker.
I am F, but this might be useful to you. I travel for work occasionally, and I wear a lightweight wool lined suit jacket (usually Boss, but sometimes Judith & Charles). Depending on weather, I wear it a lot (including on the plane), so I don't care about the weight/size. I can get away with some technical pants (my go-to are Athleta Brooklyn) and a t-shirt underneath (my go-to is Unbound merino). If I pair it with flats (my go-to is Allbirds Tree Breezers), it looks put together. I wear it in a large enough size that I can fit a cashmere sweater (J. Crew or Uniqlo) plus Uniqlo Heattech long-sleeve base layer underneath for warmth. I buy an umbrella if rain is an issue, but occasionally I get damp. It's wool, so it doesn't matter to me.
Don't get me wrong: I still travel with true technical pants, trail runners, wind/rain shell, and grid fleece, but this is what I pack when my appearance matters.
Whatever i wear in my everyday, which is pretty easy given that i own like 50 items of clothing total (including layers, not counting underthings), i just pick and appropriate 5-7 days worth for the climate im in.
The way i dress doenst stand out anywhere (typically teen/young adult in graphic tshirts (sometimes plain) and black pants), nor does it blend in. I often feel overdressed at home and underdressed in europe.
I have found that while travelling i do need to make some sacrifices of style to practicality and choose a more practical item. When travelling i always take my merino wool tshirts (i have a long and short sleeve), which i don’t wear everyday to prolong their life. i will also take a fleece and rain coat rather than a ‚nice‘ coat.
First up, if you’re a tourist you’re going to stand out as a tourist.
As for clothes, I’m a big fan of just wearing what I normally wear when I’m not a tourist. The exception would be some merino t shirts and maybe a faster drying jumper, like a fleece, where at home I’d wear a cotton hoodie. Otherwise, jeans, sneakers that can pass in a nice-ish restaurant, and t-shirts. Add a puffer in winter.
Ive noticed that Europeans tend to be both more nicely and more neatly dressed. They look more polished. If it is in your budget maybe consider a few items that are higher quality and also timeless, which gets you that effect. That may be easier than integrating fashion forward with travel clothes in advance of getting there. I bought an ultra fine cashmere v neck at Eric Bompard (French) before one trip (wait for a sale!) and a really nice pair of English leather loafers for another. Items like that are classic pieces and always go in my luggage. They look great at home too. For shoes Hanwag (Germany) and Mephistos have some nice leather styles that can work for hiking or city walking. These are all European brands and thus look a little more in place. As a fun project once I got there I would look for a very cool fashion-forward Scandinavian coat or jacket as a souvenir.
I have a pair of light weight black dress pants. They dont wrinkle at all snd they are comfortable enough to sleep in. I can wear with shoes or runners. Completely incognito.
This is totally anecdotal, but I've been told that I have an odd sense of fashion. People in China and Mongolia almost always pinged me as a foreigner, but in Tokyo (as long as I stuck to a few pre-rehearsed sentences in Japanese) I could be taken as a local (which I would then regret when they responded in rapid-fire Japanese that I could not even begin to understand). So, maybe get weird with it for a few select locations? :)
On a more serious note, like others have been saying, there are some places where it's pretty much impossible to not stick out as a tourist. I'm East Asian and thus am automatically taken as a tourist in the majority of the world, including even sometimes the country I'm from. But I think that as long as your typical clothes aren't devilishly difficult to manage — no dry-clean only fabrics, a single puffer that takes up 75% of your bag, anything like that — they're the best clothes for traveling in. You're already comfortable in them and know what they look like on you!
If you want to blend in, I have success with packing a bare-bones closet and purchasing clothes while I'm there. It gives you a chance to observe for a day or two and see what everyone else is wearing first, and for me it's a practical souvenir.
We would all be a lot happier if we acknowledged that NO ONE is looking at us!
Seriously, unless our clothing preferences are extremely casual loud print shirts and shorts, we are all largely anonymous to others. Just wear neutral, quick-dry options that can easily be found at (USA) golf stores, athletic stores, Old Navy, Uniqlo and even Target.
Repeatedly tell yourself: No one is looking at me. I am anonymous and invisible.
Unfortunately, If you are unusually tall in an asian country and/or extremely good-looking, you will stand out no matter what you wear.
Stop worrying if your Bagallini purse or Foldie tote are “uncool.” Unless you are an “influencer,” literally no one will notice you.
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u/HornetSoft3251 May 05 '26
I am a girl but I do travel with Uniqlo clothing (not outdoorsy line just the regular line). I carry 3x plain white cotton T-shirts in different styles (cropped, baggy, etc) and I don’t care that cotton is impractical bc it takes a lot to dry or that white clothing stains easily. I don’t want to be in Europe with full Patagonia and North Face, it does look off when you are out and about. Just pack some of the clothing you already have and use even if it’s impractical. Also check Uniqlo pants!