You should plan to look nice wherever you travel. I like to think that goes without saying.
Videos by TravelAwaits
However, some popular destinations have a much tighter view of what constitutes looking nice. For some, a casual getup with respectable shoes is enough. Even streetwear might be acceptable, as long as you look put-together and have a few flashy accessories on.
But in other locations, you might get side-eye for slipping on your Crocs and wearing gym shorts. That’s the case where I live in the Mediterranean. While big cities like Barcelona are a little more yielding when it comes to dressing up, smaller cities and villages still appreciate visitors who dress well.
In short, you’ll get a little extra love from locals when you dress well. That might not sound like much, but getting a nod of approval while on the road can mean a lot—you might ‘sink in’ to your destination more, feeling that you’re welcome.
As more destinations grapple with overtourism, dressing up has an even stronger impact.
A quick clarifier: This article is covering the art of dressing well—not dressing modestly or according to religious standards. If you’re entering a religious region or a religious site, always plan to dress modestly by covering your shoulders, legs, and possibly heads.
First up—what qualifies as dressing up?
Americans dress casually. We also like streetwear thanks to our obsession with pro sports. (The NBA basically invented streetwear, but that’s another article.)
So, if you ever get called out as an American for your hyper-casual state of dress when traveling, and someone looks willing to listen, you might consider throwing that out there.
We aren’t necessarily lazy when it comes to fashion; we have a different view on style. And fashion is culture, make no mistake. Americans like to be comfortable and look cool with minimal effort, to paint with broad strokes. New money-style, some might say.
Every city, region, and country has its own outlook on how to dress well, just like we do.
When I talk about dressing up, I don’t mean starching your whites or busting out a pair of calfskin shoes. I’m talking about putting together a nice look… which you can pull off with jeans and a white t-shirt, if done well.
I recommend looking at my advice on how to look nice at the airport. You can stay comfortable while zhuzhing up your look with a few nice accessories, from earrings to watches to scarves. A soft, comfortable blazer will do you wonders—no overspending needed.
A list of countries where you should dress up
Before I dig in, I want to point out that I’m generalizing. You’ll find neighborhoods (especially around universities) where locals don’t always dress up in the countries listed below.
However, I recommend looking a bit sharper in these destinations—you won’t feel like you stick out like a sore thumb, and locals will respect the effort.
European countries where you should dress up:
- Austria
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Vatican
Asian countries where you should dress up:
- Japan
- Singapore
- South Korea
- UAE
