# Brits, what do you wear when dressing casually? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 5, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519 "2019-05-05T19:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/21 "2019-05-06T03:11:26Z")
What is the sunglasses question? ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/22 "2019-05-06T03:54:41Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > What is the sunglasses question? Same poster who proposed the Panama hat purchase if it’s a bit sunny. One who can safely be ignored ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/23 "2019-05-06T04:04:12Z")
Why in the world would you need sunglasses in England anyway? [_ducks, runs_] ---
**Author:** ![Seren359](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@Seren359](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seren359)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/24 "2019-05-06T04:57:09Z")
From a British person. First, wear comfortable shoes that you can walk all day in. Do not worry about style or fashion. To carry “things” a small backpack is OK, or a shoulder bag (man bags, shoulder bags for men) are acceptable. Clothing again what YOU feel comfortable wearing. In layers that you can alter. Also have a rain coat that you can pack away. British weather, complaining about the weather is a British sport so it is always too hot, too cold or too wet! If you are visiting Bath and are eating in the evening then “Smart casual” dress is normal. For ladies almost anything not too bright or shocking. For men avoid jeans and trainers. Casual shirt and Chino type trousers are fine. Very up-market restaurants or hotels might ask the man to wear a shirt and tie. Full dress suit or black tie outfits only required for visiting royalty. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/25 "2019-05-06T05:09:26Z")
FUBU, you Geezer! ---
**Author:** ![SciFiSam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@SciFiSam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SciFiSam)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/26 "2019-05-06T05:11:05Z")
Honestly, wear anything you like and pack for both very cold and very warm weather because it varies a lot in May. The only thing that would make you look like a tourist is the bum bag/fanny pack. Baseball caps are far less popular here than in the US (Panama hats are also rare though), especially if you’re white and over 30, but they’re not unknown. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > Been to both those destinations fairly recently. Lots to take in and enjoy. In London especially, people do tend to dress quite fashionably. > > That said, tourists abound. If you don’t want to be instantly identified as one, avoid wearing the following: > > - Sandals > - Hiking shoes or running shoes > - “Comfortable” dad/mom blue jeans > - T-shirts that say things on them > - T-shirts, period > - Shorts > - Sweatshirts > - Hoodies > - Sweatshirts that are hoodies that say thing on them > - Shorts > > I know you asked what to wear, but what not to wear is a bit easier to itemize for its notable absence among the well dressed locals of all ages. Huh? T-shirts? That’s what most people wear most of the time, with hoodies. And people do wear shorts and sandals in the summer. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Wrenching\_Spanners](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecb155/32.png) [@Wrenching\_Spanners](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wrenching_Spanners)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/27 "2019-05-06T06:47:23Z")
> [@Ashtura](#): > > I’m going to England (Bath, London) with my wife at the end of May and I don’t to look like a tourist. Recommendations please from both men and women are appreciated. We’re both in our 40s. Generally, English city residents dress warmly and slightly conservatively with a tendency towards darker colours. Wear a couple of layers such as a T-shirt and jumper (sweater) or rugby shirt and also a coat or light jacket. Jeans and walking shoes are both fine. But also don’t worry about it. What will mark you as a tourist is that you’ll be pausing and looking at things, not what you’re wearing. If you’d like a “disguise”, the best way to send out a signal is with a local carry bag. In London, stop by Daunt books in Marylebone (worth visiting anyway if you like bookshops) and buy one of their canvas bags. Or, for your wife, stop by a Cath Kidston shop. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/28 "2019-05-06T08:35:57Z")
One thing I noticed in London is the amount of care the men there placed in their personal grooming, especially their hair. I swear to God, the UK must spend a notable portion of its GDP on hairspray, because every single strand on every sing guy’s head was perfectly placed and molded at all times. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/29 "2019-05-06T08:42:53Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > One thing I noticed in London is the amount of care the men there placed in their personal grooming, especially their hair. I swear to God, the UK must spend a notable portion of its GDP on hairspray, because every single strand on every sing guy’s head was perfectly placed and molded at all times. Hairspray is _so_ 1975 dahling. If your stay was more recent than that, it was more likely mousse or styling gel. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/30 "2019-05-06T08:43:26Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Same poster who proposed the Panama hat purchase if it’s a bit sunny. One who can safely be ignored You’ve clearly never had sunburn on your bonce. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/31 "2019-05-06T09:01:41Z")
> [@RobDog](#): > > Hairspray is _so_ 1975 dahling. If your stay was more recent than that, it was more likely mousse or styling gel. I really have no idea. My own hair care products consist of water, shampoo and a comb. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/32 "2019-05-06T09:04:32Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I really have no idea. My own hair care products consist of water, shampoo and a comb. Mine consists of a cardboard box under the bed, which I occasionally open the lid of, and wistfully sigh at the contents therein. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/33 "2019-05-06T09:09:11Z")
Don’t overthink it. I’m on a UK train right now and I’ve been to the UK several times. The weather alone means you probably won’t be wearing the worst of tacky tourist clothing. Hoodies are fine, although it isn’t common to see adults wearing ones with the name of a college. Which makes sense as they don’t have a college sports tradition like the USA. While you’ll see people up to about 25 wearing nice sweatpants, it doesn’t seem to be common once you’re past that age. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/34 "2019-05-06T09:24:25Z")
All American tourists look like [the couple in this top photo](https://www.carpentersunion.org/news/carpenters-retiree-turns-satisfying-career-american-dream). I mean, they all look exactly like this. Every single damned one of them. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/35 "2019-05-06T10:31:32Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > Could you give some examples? I’m thinking of how different people are acclimatized to different types of weather and wondering if they dress wrong and then bitch about being too hot/cold, or if they’re dressing in a way that a native would feel too hot/cold in, but they feel comfortable. Often they will dress like it’s Southern California weather, and it’s going to stay like that all week - when it probably won’t stay like that all day. A maritime climate changes quickly, and even a summer evening is often cool/cold. Shorts are seldom appropriate, except for a few days in the summer. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/36 "2019-05-06T11:27:03Z")
The social/moral judgement that shorts should only be worn in climates similar to southern California is definitely useful to the OP (I’ve seen it expressed in other discussions about the appearance of American tourists), but as an American who wears shorts regularly, I’ll say that a lot of those people you’re seeing would be wearing shorts in the same temperatures back home. They’re not necessarily mistaken about the weather (nearly every tourist in 2019 has a weather forecast in their pocket), they’re just not making the same choices that you would. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/37 "2019-05-06T11:32:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Is there really a difference in what casual clothing would be worn in England vs. the US? I’ve never noticed any difference. Different concepts of what is proper fit, different prints, different colors and color combinations. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/38 "2019-05-06T11:37:26Z")
Aren’t shorts more of an age thing in the UK, i.e. children wear shorts, adults don’t? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/39 "2019-05-06T11:38:39Z")
Yeah, not checking the weather can be a problem. It’s the early May bank holiday today. Last year, I was here and it was quite hot, around 26 C in London. This year, I’m in Durham and it’s 6 C. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2019, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519/40 "2019-05-06T12:21:39Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > You’ve clearly never had sunburn on your bonce. I don’t leave Kennywood open, so no!:eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brits-what-do-you-wear-when-dressing-casually/833519.md?page=3)