What Are They Wearing on the Côte d’Azur?
Côte d’Azur, France
When I’m doing online research for a trip, I always come across articles and videos titled “How Not to Dress Like a Tourist.” I have read quite a few of them. But the idea of not looking like a tourist is kind of laughable.
First, there is the obvious stuff. You are walking around in the middle of the day, when most people are at their jobs. You are looking at everything as though you’ve never seen it before, because you haven’t. You are probably carrying a large bag or backpack and a water bottle. Your phone or camera is at-the-ready to grab multiple photos. And you are in a place where many tourists come to visit. If you are walking through the shops in Old Town Nice, you are probably a tourist.
But let’s set that aside for a moment. Let’s say you are walking along the Promenade des Anglais, where there is a mix of locals getting in their exercise and tourists walking for the view. You’ve read all the articles and you are wearing boots, stylish black pants, and a collared shirt or silky blouse. I’m here to tell you that you will still look like an American. It’s probably subtle, like the brand of clothing, the way you style your hair, and what you do with your hands. There is something about the way we carry ourselves, look at others, and move through the world that is uniquely American. It’s difficult to define, but it might be something like entitlement. With some people, it’s ugly entitlement. With others, it’s polite, aware entitlement. But we never question our right to be wherever we want to be.
When I went to a chamber concert this week, I wore a black, light wool dress with a silk scarf I bought in Italy. I was carrying an Italian leather purse I found at the Nice flea market. The gentleman taking my ticket immediately gave me directions to the auditorium in English, even though I hadn’t said a word. I’m still trying to figure out how he knew.
It’s been a fun game trying to pick out the nationalities of people in the streets. It’s nice when I’m close enough to hear a conversation so the language can confirm or deny my guess.
I have seen style trends on display: boots, leopard prints, leather. Many, many people are wearing stylish athletic shoes; that’s a new development in Europe. I’ve seen the obvious Instagram influencers and followers: lace, white dresses, colored tights. I’ve seen plenty of quiet luxury, but it’s more likely they actually have lots of money rather than following an Insta influence. It is the French Riviera, after all.
But most of all, I’ve seen confirmation that you can dress pretty much however you would like to dress, and it’s okay.
Tips & Recommendations
Contrary to everything I just said, there are helpful points in a lot of those “How to dress…” sources. This one from the Savvy Backpacker is good, especially for guys. This one from Travel Notes & Beyond is more focused on the girls.
Pockets: My favorite piece of clothing for travel has become my jean jacket. It has two inside pockets that fit my phone and my passport perfectly. The important things are easily accessible, and safe. Plus, there are four outside pockets for holding other items.
Scarves: I’m no style expert, but scarves are easy to pack and can make a neutral base of black, navy, tan, or white look fresh and different every day.
Shoes: Most important: comfortable shoes. My brother never gets tired of making fun of me for the “comfortable” sandals I brought to Japan. They were comfortable for a day of shopping at home, not for sightseeing 10-15 miles a day.
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I traveled to France for 30 days in September and October of 2024 to see what it would be like to “live” internationally. The plan was to stay in Nice, spend time writing, and find out what happens when you’re not pressed to see every significant site in seven days.