Originally Posted by gglave
.... I also stay away from "running shoes/sneakers" as this pretty much always tags me as an American in most of the rest of the world...
I do not want to take your illusions away nor hijack this thread. Your comment just triggered some thoughts:
It is not the sneakers/running shoes that will tag you as an American or say "born and bred in North America"., although it might help a bit in some border cases.
Don't get any illusions: What tags you as an American is not what you wear but the way you walk and hold yourself, the way you act generally.
I have been an American for the last 30 years but was born and raised in Europe. I'll never pass for an American, though.
While my wife goes shopping, my sons and I love to sit on the terrace and watch people walk by. We make a game of guessing nationalities and my sons are so bold, that in case of doubt, they stop the people and ask where they come from. Results? 100% accuracy as far as true Americans are concerned.
People born and raised in the US just walk differently. No matter what they wear. Younger they are, more obvious it is. With older people their haircut, their glasses, their teeth, their pockets (especially breast pockets with the men) betray them. Older ladies tags them thanks to their hairdos, glasses, shoes and most of all handbags or lack of them.
The same things or the reverse just tags me as a European. Let us both dress exactly the same, once in Polo Ralph Lauren, once in Brioni. It won't make any difference, we'll immediately be tagged for what we are...
End of that long story: just be yourself.
