Canadian traveller’s controversial advice for what not to wear in Italy to avoid ‘looking like a tourist’ divides thousands
A traveler split thousands after giving her a guide to dressing in Italy so you don’t immediately look like a tourist.
Nicole said she has been traveling to Italy from her hometown of Toronto every year for more than a decade and advises visitors not to wear “touristy attire” such as ripped denim mini shorts or sportswear.
The 31-year-old said he would instead opt for linen trousers, “romantic” off-the-shoulder or camisoles and flowy dresses, leaving many Italian viewers scratching their heads.
While some were grateful for the advice, Italian residents said they often wear “tourist clothes” with no problem, which Nicole described.
“Here’s everything you should wear in Italy and everything you absolutely shouldn’t wear, coming from someone who has gone to Italy almost every year since 2010,” she said in a TikTok video.
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Nicole, who has been traveling to Italy every year since 2010, has shared what to avoid wearing while visiting the European destination, including jeans and a crop top
“My favorite activity is combining items I found at home and items I bought there.”
Instead of stocking up on outfits for your European summer vacation where you live, Nicole said to only pack “staples” and shop for clothes when you arrive.
“This was the first day in Rome, I came across a linen boutique and I bought some cheap, beautiful linen items that the locals wear, and I wore them the whole trip,” she said.
“Show up with half empty luggage and buy for $20, $30, buy your vacation outfits first day, first week.”
Nicole said she was “much more confident” in the items she bought on her travels than she was in “tourist clothes.”
“Don’t wear ripped, short denim shorts in Rome, Venice, Milan. You are treated as a tourist, you are viewed as a tourist, you stand out, and not in a good way. Denim shorts and a crop top: never,” she said.
Nicole (pictured) said she found “romantic” and flowy linen clothes while traveling, but Italian viewers quickly brushed off this advice
‘Athletic sets in the big cities, you stand out: tourist, let’s count too much. She’s going to pay too much, she doesn’t know what she’s talking about, she doesn’t know where she is, what she’s doing.’
While Nicole admitted that active clothing might be appropriate on a hike or near the beach, she claimed it’s best to avoid it if you’re in town for lunch or wine tasting.
Instead, she said she should wear “romantic, colorful, off-the-shoulder tops” paired with linen pants and comfy sneakers or “flowy, loose, and breathable” dresses.
Nicole’s controversial clip has been viewed more than three million times, but not everyone agreed with her beautiful shots.
“Girl, I’m from the area, I wear tops and jeans and no one thinks I’m a tourist,” one woman replied.
‘I think it’s the opposite. Looking aesthetically is what betrays you as a tourist. I live in Barcelona and here it is the same,” said a second.
“Honestly, a white dress, very long and elegant, in the middle of Milan (where I come from) reminds me of a tourist,” a third agreed.
“Denim shorts and a crop top are my everyday outfit in the summer (I’m from Milano), just wear what you want,” wrote a fourth.
Many were quick to point out that it is irrelevant what a tourist wears as he can be easily recognized by his accent or if he does not speak the language.
However, the reaction was not all negative, as many viewers were grateful for Nicole’s advice.
‘Perfect! I’m more focused on getting garments that stand the test of time and can be paired with many outfits while traveling,” said one user.
“I really needed to hear this. It’s a wake up call but I needed to know I can’t wear my jeans and I’m thankful,” added another.
Agree 100 percent with this! The same goes for Bali! When I went to Bali, I bought linen pants the first week,’ someone commented.