Wouldn't simple common sense, based on where you're going, trump any suggestions made here? :rolleyes2:

 

I am also interested in what others do. I have little more than cargo shorts, polyester golf polos, and running sneakers for casual summerwear. I don't want to hijack the thread, but I'm going on a vacation where I'll be walking around in 90-100 degree heat for two weeks straight, and don't want to look like I am on my way to the gym (or alternatively sweating to death), so I have the same question.

My question are:
-Are Sebago Docksides any good for walking around for 4-6 hours, day after day, on a vacation? If not, what would you wear?
-I am looking at some cheap (G.H. Bass) cotton button-down short sleeve shirts with understated plaid type patterns. I have two plaid pairs of shorts which I like, but obviously wouldn't wear these at the same time. Who do you all recommend for those looking for plain, sand/stone/tan colored shorts?

 

It would help to know where you are going. But comfort and blending in with the locals is always a goal when I am traveling. take it up a notch, but as you already found going to far just made you stand out of place and uncomfortable physically as well.

 

I'm going to Toronto for two weeks, for school. I will have a couple days off to play tourist.

 

If I go to a zoo, an attraction park (eg Canada's Wonderland) I will wear cotton shorts and either a polo or casual short sleeved button down shirt. Will also wear sneakers/running shoes.

My comments apply also to Big Baby's query,

 

After rereading your OP, I noticed you said you were going to Toronto. Sorry for asking again!

I've never seen someone look out of place in a polo & shorts in the summer. If all else fails Rush t-shirt.

 

I have found that cargo shorts, PRL t-shirt, and Birkenstocks are globally accepted.

 

If I go to a zoo, an attraction park (eg Canada's Wonderland) I will wear cotton shorts and either a polo or casual short sleeved button down shirt. Will also wear sneakers/running shoes.

My comments apply also to Big Baby's query,

Thank you. My wife has thought that the fact that I have 8 pairs of Allen Edmonds, 15 or so BB dress shirts, etc., but have one pair of presentable sneakers and 2-3 polos for summer was ridiculous. I agree and want to add some items. Do you have any recommendations for cotton shorts? I was just touring the mall today with my wife, through DSW Shoes, Macy's, JC Penney, etc., and was hesitant to get much because of the price/quality ratio. Not that anything was ridiculously expensive, but, I know from learning other sartorial areas better that you can waste a lot of money on garbage quality stuff if you don't know what you're doing... and unfortunately when it comes to summer clothing, I don't know much.

For my context, I am going on a two week European cruise (Italy, Greece, turkey). I am clueless to the point where your recommendation to wear "cotton shorts" leads me to google "cotton shorts", and be stuck with tens/hundreds of retailers. Is quality not so much a concern with a summer short, so long as it's 100% cotton? I can't help but notice that people don't really talk much about this type of clothing, perhaps because one's particular choices are more irrelevant than I would have thought?

 

While I am a staunch supporter of shorts, I do abide by local customs and dress codes. I see where you are visiting Italy as part of your cruise. Do be advised that they take their dress codes seriously when it comes to their edifices of religious significance. Shoulders, abdomen, and knees must be covered to be allowed entrance.

 

I came back from Orlando yesterday and was wearing a t shirt, Uniqlo cotton shorts and a pair of blue sneakers going through theme park. The cotton tee and shorts are soaking wet from the heat and my feet ached wearing the sneakers. If I were to do this again, I would wear a piqué polo, poly cotton shorts and a pair of running shoes.

 

Dress as you would at home. Base it on the venue, weather and most of all comfort if you're going to be walking about.

 

I've never understood the edict to dress as though one were a native of the place being visited.

Alert! I'm not a native in Slovakia! And regardless of how I were dressed, no one there would think I were. I dress for comfort and practicality, which means clothing suited to the climate, my likely activities (a lot of walking, usually) and ease of cleaning in the sink if I'm out of the country or out of town for more than a week.

 

IMO, dressing for touristy, out-in-the-hot-weather-all-day activity does take some forethought and planned purchases. There is a narrow set of options between overdressed and uncomfortable and looking like the schlubby mass of men dressed like children.

My key article for this scenario is light-weight stone or khaki colored five-pocket pants. I might wear tasteful minimalist sneakers on my feet, and then the shirt is easy with tons of options...either polo shirt, short sleeve button front shirt, or long sleeve button front shirt with the sleeves rolled up, in a summer material (madras, seersucker, linen, light cotton etc). Of course the shirt should be of decent quality and a good fit.

My personal preference is to avoid anything resembling an "American dad taking kids to the zoo" look...stuff like cargo shorts + golf shirt + running sneakers. While you might technically "fit in" like that, I'd rather not conform to that look. I also prefer to generally avoid anything too dressed down like tshirts and I don't wear any open-foot shoes (flip flops, sandals/mandals, etc) away from water. I don't like clothes that say "my maximum personal comfort is all that matters."

I am much more cautious about shorts than others in current society, although I'll contend that they can be OK when done right in the correct context. I think a long sleeve summer shirt with the sleeves rolled complements shorts better than a short sleeve shirt + shorts. IMO, the long sleeves help bring a touch more civility, despite everything still being quite casual.

 

-Are Sebago Docksides any good for walking around for 4-6 hours, day after day, on a vacation?

They work for me, but as always YMMV.

 

They work for me, but as always YMMV.

Thank you, I believe I will give them a try. I see the Horween Leather version on Amazon and will probably get those unless somebody advises otherwise in the next few hours. As far as sizing, I did try on A/O Sperry (came in 1/2 size smaller than usual) and am hoping that the docksides will be the same (comments seem to say that it runs a half size to a full size large).

alkydrinker: I hate to be annoying, but do you have any specific recommendations (i.e. brand and model) for light-weight 5-pocket pants? I have khakis that I got years ago, probably/sadly Dockers, that don't fit your description I'm sure.

 

alkydrinker: I hate to be annoying, but do you have any specific recommendations (i.e. brand and model) for light-weight 5-pocket pants? I have khakis that I got years ago, probably/sadly Dockers, that don't fit your description I'm sure.

Well, my best summer 5-pockets are by Hickey Freeman. I picked them up awhile back on ebay as what appeared to be a closeout...I doubt this model is sold anywhere at the moment.

5-pocket chinos are sold by many brands and probably the biggest challenge would be finding a particularly light-weight fabric (and the fit you want). However, a mid-weight cotton in a light color may be OK.

I know LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, Polo Ralph Lauren carry them...you could search out others too. A german brand called Hitl makes nice 5-pockets, though they are hard to find, but do pop up on Sierra Trading Post. Amazon has some Izod 5-pockets for ~$30 in many different colors including light summer colors.

I think non-5pocket chinos type pants could also work just as well in a casual fabric, like a soft washed cotton or linen blend.

 

Are canvas pants or jeans ever acceptable? Basic, Levis or Wrangler jeans. Nothing trendy. In blue, either dark denim or light.

What do you all think about jean style pants in a lightweight canvas or a polyester pant?

C.

 

^ acceptable for what?

 

^ acceptable for what?

Guessing for summer tourist attire (i.e., walking around various attractions in the heat all day).

Regarding jeans, they'll be a bit hot IMO, hotter than 5 pocket chinos. However, while I'm not a huge jeans guy overall, I did recently order a pair of Gustin's ultra light Zimbabwe cotton jeans. They haven't arrived yet and I'm not completely sure yet how I'll work them into my summer attire. But, that's another option....Gustin has offered a few different light-weight summer jeans. They currently have an 8 oz Italian blue denim with linen blended in for $115.

https://www.weargustin.com/store/1847

 

For my context, I am going on a two week European cruise (Italy, Greece, turkey). I am clueless to the point where your recommendation to wear "cotton shorts" leads me to google "cotton shorts", and be stuck with tens/hundreds of retailers. Is quality not so much a concern with a summer short, so long as it's 100% cotton? I can't help but notice that people don't really talk much about this type of clothing, perhaps because one's particular choices are more irrelevant than I would have thought?

Perhaps Duvel has some suggestions for you.

 

Are canvas pants or jeans ever acceptable? Basic, Levis or Wrangler jeans. Nothing trendy. In blue, either dark denim or light.

What do you all think about jean style pants in a lightweight canvas or a polyester pant?

C.

Considering that jeans are worn worldwide, Levis and Wranglers are obviously acceptable worldwide - despite the views of some very few people who do not care to know that. One would, of course, respect any particular customs regarding different attire.

 

Would I be out of place in Toronto, going to the zoo or aquarium in shorts, a polo and a Panama hat? How about a ballcap and jeans with a tee?

As someone born, raised and currently living in Toronto, I feel that I'm authorized to say that you don't have to worry about competing sartorially with a majority of the locals, if that's the concern. Compared to cities such as Milan or Tokyo, Torontonians aren't particularly well dressed. So in other words, if you are not dressed like a slob, then yes...you make look out of place in the venues you mention, but that may not be a bad thing.

But honestly, if you're here in the summer it can get pretty hot. It's already nearing the 80s and it's only May. Check the forecast before you go out and wear what you'd normally wear in that weather. Don't wear a hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandals with socks when it's cold, not a 3-piece tweed suit when it's hot. Dressing appropriately for the weather and the venue is a large part of being stylish, which I can only assume is part of the question since it was posed on this board.

Myself, in the summer if it's really hot and an ultra-casual environment then I may wear well fitting shorts (no "board-shorts" or baggy cargo shorts). I have some cotton or linen button up shirts that I either roll the sleeves up with or they are already short-sleeved. Cotton polo shirts as well. If it's a situation where shorts would be too casual, then I have a number of linen, linen-cotton and lightweight cotton trousers in various colours such as cream, light blue, etc., which may be more appropriate. Chinos can work, but you'd want them to be of the more lightweight variety.

 

+1

The shorts I had in mind in my previous post are Brooks Brothers walking shorts.

Btw, the only place I could not visit in shorts in Italy was Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel.

Tilley Endurables makes light weight travel pants. Some may be available on eBay. Otherwise chino/khakis would be OK.

 

It doesn't really matter; for our American members visiting Europe the important thing to remember is that you must speak very loudly, make unfavourable comparisons with "home", complain loudly, ask questions (loudly) that reveal your ignorance/stupidity, or make loud remarks that reveal your stupidity/ignorance, or patronising comments about how quaint things are. And, of course, make sure that you make no attempt to learn anything of the language or the culture of the country that you're visiting. If you follow these simple rules the locals will be able to overcharge you, serve you inferior food and drink, safe in the knowledge that you won't realise, whilst confirming all of their prejudices about you, and thus enabling their stereotyping to continue, and, coincidentally, ensuring that your compatriots who have sought to make themselves inconspicuous and have learnt something of the language and culture are profoundly embarrassed.

 

It doesn't really matter; for our American members visiting Europe the important thing to remember is that you must speak very loudly, make unfavourable comparisons with "home", complain loudly, ask questions (loudly) that reveal your ignorance/stupidity, or make loud remarks that reveal your stupidity/ignorance, or patronising comments about how quaint things are. And, of course, make sure that you make no attempt to learn anything of the language or the culture of the country that you're visiting. If you follow these simple rules the locals will be able to overcharge you, serve you inferior food and drink, safe in the knowledge that you won't realise, whilst confirming all of their prejudices about you, and thus enabling their stereotyping to continue, and, coincidentally, ensuring that your compatriots who have sought to make themselves inconspicuous and have learnt something of the language and culture are profoundly embarrassed.

I trust you're not a member of the tourism commission.