How to Spot an American When Abroad

We were spending our first evening in Rome wandering the streets and hunting for pasta. That’s when we saw her. A gorgeous woman in an airy evening dress, a sparkling necklace, and curls. She walked straight to a Vespa and hopped on, stilettos and all. We stood there in awe as she sped away. How do European women do it??

I think my mouth was hanging open.

When studying abroad, it’s like every local glances at you for a grand total of 2 seconds before labeling you as “American tourist”. They speak to you in English before you even let a word out. I was always left wondering HOW they could possibly identify my nationality at first sight. Come on. I’m a pale, blue-eyed brunette - I could be French royalty or something!

I soon realized that it had to be how I was dressing. After living in Europe for five weeks, I found that my own style was slowly changing to blend in with the locals. No, I wasn’t anywhere near to being mistaken for the kind of perfection that slips onto a Vespa in high heels. But at least I could get away with ordering gelato in Italian with a “Grazie” without the shopkeeper laughing and responding “You’re welcome” in English.

 I eventually found that even I had the superpower of spotting another American from a block away - which inspired me to write this post!

How to spot an American:

1)      Any casual shoe.

Flip flops, Converse, Vans, you name it. I’ve heard it said that a Roman woman can and will judge you solely (haha – sole. Get it?) based on your shoes. Unfortunately, thousand-year-old cobblestone, slippery marble, and long walks to the metro make strutting in heels no easy task. If you tend to gravitate toward the casual side and aren’t ready to bust out the stilettos, try exchanging your Rainbows for a pair of ballet flats once in a while. You’ll instantly look more put together.

2)      Tanks and shorts.

I don’t care how hot it is outside -- You will never see a Roman woman rocking a tank top. Similarly, if you are sporting a pair of cutoffs around Paris, you will stand out. Not to mention you won’t be let into any cathedrals. Try pairing your favorite tops with cropped pants or a casual skirt for a more European look.

3)      Excess makeup.

Europeans love a more natural look. While abroad, I found that you can wear minimal makeup with a bright lipstick and look just as put together as if you had spend 45 minutes on your face. You will save on time, product, and money – and your natural beauty can shine through!

4)      Floppy beach hats.

Embrace that you will look like a tourist with one of these bad boys. However, I personally find them adorable and will not stop you from putting one on. The tough part is pulling it off without looking like you’re eternally headed to a tea party. Try it with a casual sundress or high waisted pants. Or tuck a blouse into an A-line skirt and rock your sun hat.

5)      Any form of sweats or exercise clothing in public.

(e.g. walking around Athens in a pair of leggings, sports bra, and bro tank = tourist).

I’m not going to lie – I’m guilty of this one. I like to be comfortable. If that means wearing what I wore to bed in public, so be it. Pair it with yesterday’s makeup for a complete ensemble.

However, as I get older, I’m learning that my perception of my worth is often reflected in the way I dress. Sure, everyone has those days where they just need to go to school in sweatpants, #thestruggle. But if it’s becoming a habit to never dress for the day, it begs the question: Do I expect others to think that I value myself? Do I value myself?

SDWP’s motto: “Revealing self worth through personal style” 

-Brenna.