Rick Steves' Son Says It's A Bad Idea To Pack This Common Color Of Clothing On A Trip To Europe

For decades now, travel pro Rick Steves has been giving the world advice on everything from the best European cities worth visiting to how to dress while you're there. In the process, he's saved us from making a lot of fashion mistakes in a place we might not all be familiar with. Well, it turns out that his son, Andy Steves, is also in the travel game — and he's got even more great tips on packing and dressing for your trip to Europe as well. On his website, Steves shares some ideas for what to wear; more importantly, however, he also has some pretty clear guidelines on what not to wear. Because, as it turns out, there is an entire color family that he says is best to avoid: pastels. 

While you may love pulling out the sky blue, baby-chick yellow, and ballet pink in the spring, or any other time of year, in Europe, Steves argues that it's only going to make you stand out in a way you might not like. In his own words, Steves explains: "Europeans can identify Americans from a mile away when they see ... Pastel colored pants, shorts or shirts (think: frat boys at the U Alabama football game)." So, if you don't mind standing out as an American traveler, that might not be a big deal to you. However, it's also worth noting that, in some cases, standing out as a tourist because of your fashion choices can easily make you a target for pickpockets — something none of us wants.

No one is saying you can't dress in pastels at home, it's just that Europe has a different clothing aesthetic than we do. That goes for more than just color. Another thing both Andy Steves and his father recommend is to avoid making an embarrassing clothing mistake and skip shorts. Unfortunately, that means your favorite pair of mint-green shorts are better saved for a round of golf upon your return. This also includes cargo shorts and, while you're at it, you should probably skip cargo pants as well. Aside from being a fashion don't, extra pockets mean extra targets for pickpockets (especially if you keep putting things in them). Instead, you're better off carrying your money and travel documents in a money belt under your clothing to keep it safer. 

Similarly, something else Steves says will immediately peg you as an American tourist is clothing with university or college branding. In line with this, it's also a good idea to avoid anything with logos or political slogans. And no baseball caps, either — as well as other sports-themed clothing. 

Finally, Steves also mentions skipping blue jeans. However, he does say that he'll typically pack a pair of dark-washed jeans that he can dress up for an evening outing. As for footwear, he mentions skipping boat shoes and tennis shoes, as well as flip flops, sandals, and even hiking shoes in the city. The travel pro even posted a short video to Facebook that delves even deeper on what not to wear in Europe, in which he mentions seemingly classic items like T-shirts, shorts, and sneakers. 

If you love any of the items listed above, you might feel like Steves' list has narrowed down your choices. Thankfully, though, there are still great options out there that won't make you look like a tourist or a piece of candy. If you're looking to blend in, neutral colors can be a much better option. Whites, tans, grays, and creams are great choices that can help you stay cooler. Better yet, neutrals are also an easy way to pack even less and, as Steves advises, leave room in your suitcase for what you purchase during your travels. This, because neutrals can be mixed and matched so that it's easier to reuse items on different days.

Beyond that, skipping the shorts and T-shirts doesn't mean you have to wear only heat-absorbing clothes during the hot summer months. Loose pants and a light button-down shirt are a good warm-weather option that allows air to flow while still helping you look put together. If you want to bring some color to your outfit, accessories are a great way to do that. A brighter scarf, jewelry, or even a belt can spice up your vacation wardrobe. 

Finally, when you're packing your bags for your European vacation, remember that quite a few of the continent's most famous landmarks are religious ones. That said, you'll want to avoid making the mistake of not bringing clothing that covers your shoulders and knees, as many churches and mosques require that when you enter. Even if you're wearing a dress with sleeves that don't fully cover your shoulders, you can bring along a scarf (or purchase one) to avoid being turned away.