Probably a silly question, but I'll ask nonetheless. Let's say I'm a new convert.
How often do you wear dresses for sightseeing? Note I don't mean "do you pack dresses to wear to dinner/nice places", I mean general sightseeing.
I would usually pack a few dresses but only wear them to dinner (and typically with ballet flats, which are OK for some walking but not tons of sightseeing). I just got home from three nights in Madrid and exclusively wore dresses/tights/boots while there. Very comfortable and I looked a bit smarter than my usual trousers or jeans.
The key is finding comfortable shoes for all day walking (and for me, I do mean ALL day walking - I hit the ground and only stop for meals) that don't look dorky with a dress. Sandals don't usually cut it because eventually they cut.
Winter is actually easy because I have stylish boots that are great for walking and tights really help with leg warmth, not to mention the boot itself covers a good part of your leg better than any pair of pants would.
What do you do? I guess my next step is finding stylish and comfy walking shoes that look decent with a dress. My shoes that look decent with pants won't do for a dress.
When I say stylish I don't mean "runway", I mean "cute, hopefully hip, definitely non-dork".
Chuck Taylors might fit the bill for a certain type of dress, especially with a jean jacket.
In the summer I wear mainly dresses and skirts sightseeing. I wear either sandals (Tropésiennes, which never cut) or Repetto pumps with them. In the evenings or on a cool day I may wear trousers. Won't be caught dead wearing, ugh, shorts. In the winter I too wear a dress/skirt with boots and thick tights to restaurants. But with the kind of sightseeing and long walks that we do, I often wear leather trousers.
My experience is almost the same as yours, Woodstock. I wear skirts or dresses (usually skirts) sightseeing with boots in the fall or winter, and that's very comfortable. I wear sandals when the weather is warmer--it's not always easy to find comfortable and fashionable ones, but when I do they don't cut me. I have looked for YEARS for other shoes that are not orthopedic-looking that look good with a dress and I'm convinced they don't exist. I wear Aravon Tonya Mary Janes to work with skirts and dresses, and I'm wondering if I should take these to France in May and try them, but I'm not sure how they'll hold up with miles and miles of walking.
One thing I always do is replace the footbed in the shoe with a Superfeet insole. They have so many kinds these days there is bound to be one for any kind of shoe. My 42 y.o. feet are so much happier when they have some good footbed support.
Dresses are definitely smarter looking, less to pack and great for sight seeing. The issue, which you have identified, is the great S.I. (shoe issue). I'm off to check out Americana's Tropésiennes...WOW! Super cute! (Might not work for me, I need a tiny heel for plantar fascitis)
Christy's suggestion of replacing footbeds w/Superfeet is great. Actually, many comfortable sandals have replaceable insoles and a long trip is the perfect time to replace them in a tried and true shoe.
Laura
Posts: 1342 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
I've been wearing dresses and sometimes skirts for sightseeing in the summer or where toilet facilities are "different". In good weather I wear either black leather sandals I bought in Italy which are flat but strappy and very comfortable, or Ecco lites in black.
I also wear a scarf around my neck which is big enough to cover my shoulders if I'm too bare for churches. Depending on whether or not the dress can take a belt, I also wear a SPI belt to carry small things (although it will stretch to take a passport. This is because I may be wearing a money belt under the dress and so I use the SPI belt as an extra just to keep small items in if I want to be free of a purse.
I am so happy to know that others too believe that one can travel in comfortable wear and not look dorky. Chachalaka, for shoes, check out low-heeled Repetto Ballerine pumps. (Repetto seems to have an exclusivity contract with FLOTUS…)
In the summer months, I wear skirts/dresses nearly 100% of the time around home--everywhere I go, but that travel is usually in the US, so I wear sandals--I have several that are stylish and comfortable.
I hate shorts other than for gardening and I refuse to ever wear capri pants.
We tend to go to France in April or May--too cool for summer dresses and too warm for boots, so I pack slacks and jeans to disguise my walking shoes.
Like you, I find winter boots/tights/skirts to be so stylish, easy and comfortable compared to choices in warmer weather shoes to wear--with dresses or pants. That said, I'm looking for a mid-weather "bootie" style that will work with tights and skirts. So far, I've not found what I've got in mind.
Every time I look for walking shoes, I'm just totally frustrated that shoemakers don't address our traveler needs!
I still pack a sleek, stylish pair of leather ballet flats (Gentle Souls by Kenneth Cole) for dinner, but I'd hate to walk more than a few miles in them at a fast pace.
Americana, either your shoe budget is a lot higher than mine, or those shoes are a lot cheaper in France! When I googled the brand, all those on offer in the US seemed to cost somewhere around $300 a pair (some even higher).
Nice! I bet they look lovely and make you feel like adding a few dance steps in on your walks
My daughter's room is full of scattered shoes like that, but only in boring old black - she spends a lot of (our) money on dance classes and dance related things. Trouble is, she is half a shoe size smaller than me. I love looking at the dance kit sites. They are very light and flexible but a bit too unsupportive for me.
Posts: 3555 | Location: London, UK | Registered: 20 September 2006
either your shoe budget is a lot higher than mine, or those shoes are a lot cheaper in France!
Well, definitely the latter. Repetto has an outlet practically down the street, on rue Chateaudun. It is having sales right now. Those shoes you see are marked down at 80 to 100 euro.
Panda, the Zizi design has better support than the pumps. Indeed repetto had started as a dance shoe supplier, and its shoes always prioritize comfort.
I wear skirts and dresses most of the time, and I walk miles and miles and miles.
Little ballet flats are not an option. I also swear that you need more than one pair of shoes on a trip, because you need to vary the wear and pressure on your feet or you'll have problems even with good shoes. And NEVER wear a new pair of shoes on a trip! Wear them on some long walks for at least a week first.
For me, Merrell's work. I just went on their site and they don't have the shoes i bought last year, but the Mimosa series, the laceups, are close. The Barefoots don't have enough support, but are super lightweight and comfortable if you don't plan to do a lot of walking.
With some low ankle socks that rise a little higher than the shoes, I'm not going to show up on any fashion blogs, but I'm not going to look like I'm a refugee from Working Girl.
In thinking of this upcoming trip, I'm considering buying some simple black (or red, or navy/striped) dresses in a sort of jersey fabric - not heavy but not too light either. I figure if I throw three dresses into the mix, I am totally set. Plus they would be lightweight and foldable - not an awful lot more than a long T shirt really.
Has anyone tried Travelsmith simple dresses, or, J Jill Wearever?
Plus they would be lightweight and foldable - not an awful lot more than a long T shirt really.
You don't have to purchase "travel clothing" and items labeled such can be more expensive than other brands.
The key is to look for fabrics that have at least 2% spandex listed with the cotton knits. That little bit of stretch goes a long way of giving you the same no-wrinkle look as the so-called travel clothes, in lightweight, or even heavier knits.
Clothes that I pack come from so many different brands and stores. I always look at the label for that stretch content, scrunch the fabric in my hand and if it releases wrinkles quickly, it's good to go. I rarely put those items in the dryer (hang instead), but I do look for machine wash.
My favorite black slacks are from Eddie Bauer, called "Shaw" and they are zip-front, low-rise wide/flat waistband; cotton with spandex that you'd see in a suit for business casual. Amazingly comfortable, wrinkle-free and stylish! They aren't sold online, only in the stores. My problem is that I require a tall/long, so my length is difficult to find.
Usually do almost all travelling in a skirt - not so much dresses as I find them hard to fit. I wouldn't mind packing a pair of black jeans, and certianly would if iI were doing more walking in brambles and such, or rugged terrain, but they are so heavy and bulky!
Now there are lots of warm tights and leggings, and I'm perfectly comfy wearing a skirt with such even here in Montréal in the winter, except days so cold that I wouldn't walk anywhere except to the bus stop or a nearby grocery shop.
Yep, the key problem as everywhere is footwear.
Thanks! This is NOT a silly topic.
Posts: 929 | Location: Montréal | Registered: 29 January 2006
I'd love to wear dresses & skirts for sightseeing, esp in summer, but as a "larger" woman I have problems with chafing after a few hours - not comfortable when we spend all day walking
Posts: 733 | Location: Adelaide, South Australia | Registered: 09 May 2005
I've tried on several Travelsmith dresses that I've run across in thrift stores. The fabrics have been much shoddier than they sound on the website. I agree that many knit dresses that aren't marketed specifically for travel are great - I have both Eddie Bauer and L.L. Bean t-shirt dresses that travel well and take up very little space.
Chris B - Two things that help - bicycling undies (but not the padded ones, just the thin longer legged ones) or one of those sport sticks that a lot of athletes use for chafing (marathoners for under the bra area, bikers for thighs, etc.). There are many different brands, and come in all sizes (chapstick size, deodorant size, tubs...). It looks and applies a lot like deodorant. One brand is called "Bodyglide" I think.
Laura
Posts: 1342 | Location: Edmonds, WA | Registered: 01 April 2006
Yes, any kind of panties with legs, unpadded cycling shorts etc. One needn't be "larger" - even when I was a size 8 I had that problem because of the angle of my thigh bones. I'll try to find the athletic anti-chafing stuff, especially for the band of one's bra.
I just love being in a skirt - this is naughty but at times it makes rogue peeing so much easier and more decorous!
I'm a utilitarian cyclist and most often cycle in a skirt as well, of course with the cycling shorts if I'm going a long way. No way would I cycle in those things alone (I'm a boomer, not a young thing).
Posts: 929 | Location: Montréal | Registered: 29 January 2006
I use bodyglide, which is invisible and silicone-based, to keep my wetsuit from cutting into my skin during swims. Triathletes also use it. I haven't noticed that it's stained my tee-shirts, and it does stay on in salt water.
If you are a cyclist, you'll probably see it behind the counter if you go to a sporty cycle shop or a big-box sports shop.
Bluehour, I said I was a utilitarian, everyday cyclist. The sporty stuff you talk about isn't even on my radar - I've never seen it - though it can be a useful thing for walking many hours. I'm not a Tour de France cyclist - I'm a person who uses my bicycle as my main form of urban transport, in normal clothing. Though I do adopt non-padded lycra shorts if I'm travelling a good number of Km.
Posts: 929 | Location: Montréal | Registered: 29 January 2006
That's why I pointed it out, on the understanding that you might not go to a sporty shop, but if you were to go to one, you would likely find it there. Better?
I also ride a bike around town as a car alternative many days. Sometimes in a skirt. But it's cold, dark, wet, icy and hilly here.
This is not a silly question at all. For me wearing a dress for site seeing is essential. Living in Italy has made me a bit self conscience of my height(aprox 6ft). Wearing a dress keeps me cool and I feel like a girl and not just a giant. The shoes are always a problem. Last summer I trekked all around in Chaco sandals. These sandals consist of a sturdy footbed with adjustable nylon uppers. You definitely have to get the hang of how they adjust but once I got it down there was no cutting, even with my feet swelling a bit. Another bonus is you can throw them in washing machine. http://www.chacos.com/US/en/Women-Styles-Sandals
I also found some wonderful dresses by Patagonia. Pretty, nice colors, easy to dry and no need for an iron.
Now back to perusing the Repetto ballet flats . . .
Amy
Posts: 1 | Location: Mattarello, Italia | Registered: 12 March 2011
Charity, I heart Josef Seibel - and money permitting, Mephisto - though no one comfort shoe fits everyone. I have friends who swear by Birkenstocks, but for friend K and I, they were an expensive experiment, as the toe spaces didnt correspond to our crooked toes.
Posts: 929 | Location: Montréal | Registered: 29 January 2006
Hullo Woodstock, for what it's worth I have been travelling our beautiful planet for more than half a century (I'm 65) and my fashion dictum is never cross-dress*!!! We are women, and trust me dresses, skirts, tunics, the layered look, sandals (of course sandals don't cut - try Mephisto, Reiker, Arche, Ecco etc etc) and inevitably a hat. I could write a book on the passing complements I've had from all ages and in all places. I should send you part of my Two Middle-Aged Women On Walkabout journey to the Aboriginal Rock Art in North Queensland - I had the best of all complements that trip. Go forth, look gorgeous - and wear sandals... love Zoé And PS cross-dressing? Women wearing trousers, pants, jeans, shorts (and I know I'll get flak for saying that, but hey, try it - it's cool, comfortable and you always feel wonderful!
Zoé, while I love skirts, dresses and sandals (weather permitting), I certainly wouldn't necessarily think of trousers or jeans as necessarily cross-dressing, any more than men are cross-dressing in a kilt or many other traditional "skirt-like" garments, or the regal African men in their robes (even in Paris). Jeans and trousers can have a definitely "female" cut.
I hate shorts except for gardening, housework in summer or serious athletics - I don't mean cycling around town on a Vélib, Bixi or Boris Bike.
Actually, I have nothing against cross-dressing either if that is one's thing - it just isn't mine.
Posts: 929 | Location: Montréal | Registered: 29 January 2006
I love wearing skirts and dresses while travelling, they're often more comfortable than most of my pants. My favourite shoes in spring and summer are my Geox ballet flats - very pretty silver and white, super comfortable, and breathable. For my fall trip to Chicago I wore my flat black Aldo ankle boots - also amazingly comfortable and were great with black tights or black lacy tights for dress-up.
