Originally Posted by
The_Bouncer
It really makes a difference. If you walk around in expensive gear, flashing the cash and flaunting the gold, you are just making yourself a target.
When I visit South Africa - and other places - for the winter, I take my oldest and crappiest clothes (and usually throw most of them away at the end of the trip). I don't even bother having a haircut or trimming my beard. I literally walk around looking like a bum - and it works.
I've been doing that for the majority of my international trips for some time and can attest that it works outside of Cape Town as well. My usual attire is well worn jeans, a top and scuffed up hiking shoes.