Above: Need you be a tourist too conspicuous?

You just arrived in London for your holiday and more than once you were asked, “You’re a tourist, huh?” Yes, by now you have this incredible urge to quickly go find the bathroom, there must be TOURIST in bold characters scrawled on your forehead! Otherwise, how would other people know you were a day-tripper? The last thing any traveller would want is to be conspicuous and recognized as a tourist. For a number of reasons, in any travel, you are better off looking like a local citizen rather than a standard tourist. For one thing, this could be one good way to dodge the pesky souvenir peddlers or even the pickpockets. A successful traveller is one who can blend in and blend well! Therefore, it is also very much essential to give much note on how you appear and what you bring on your trip. However, come to think of it what to wear, is not as major as the real concern of how much to bring in your trip. Believe it or not, London trips don’t require that much fuss, you might as well be just going with an umbrella (a better quality telescoping umbrella is a must and should be carried with you all the time); a windbreaker (coz as always, rain gear protection is essential in London England) and a toothbrush. Talk about packing light, huh? Some may agree, most would not but to be able to enjoy London, one must know how to blend in like a chameleon.

Above: Avoid the attack of the ‘wild luggage’! Travel load will have to be broken down to the most basic of things.

· P.L.S. (Pack light, sweetheart). To benefit from any travel, one must “pack light” and it should be said, that this phrase could well be encompassed when travelling to this part of the globe. No one could really say the exact definition of packing light but it is the action of choosing your load wisely that it is gives convenience and the freedom you need – an idea that often eludes above all women ‘cause ultimately what you pack you have to carry. Don’t expect that a stranger may help you unload your stuff, more often than not he is not the knight in shining armour that you expected, he’s just interested in the contents of your luggage and you may not have anything to carry after he’s done with you. Do separate your travel documents in a smaller bag and keep it near you if you don’t want it gone like the rest of your things.

· READ IN ADVANCE. Before you do fill the luggage, it would be helpful to have a perspective on how people dress in some parts of the world. Northern Europeans look sombre, while brighter colors are more common as you go south. It never hurts to have advance readings and study, after all, wouldn’t you want to be saved from the dilemma of being the only lobster among the clams? Though London England had housed some very stylish fashion names, there are designs that we call universal. Being well-presented pays well in Europe in fact, you will be stopped at the door of many places if you are not properly dressed. Even if one would not be able to afford expensive clothing there are varied list of alternatives to help you dress sharp and before you do step unto London soil, you might as well first raid the local convenient stores and shops and find that perfect outfit at a low price.

· DRESS SHARP. What is dressing sharp, anyway? It is choosing clothes of the right amount of earth colors and tones so as not to look too depressing, in a style that can both be worn casually and for formal occasions. Need to accessorize? Please do. A hat, gloves and a few jewellery (those you can afford to lose, will enhance your appearance all the more). Above: On the safe side, do opt to wear slacks than the jeans, it is the preferred choice of the majority in London.

· OF JEANS AND SLACKS. Despite the fact that jeans had been allowed in some establishments in London, England, some cafes and restaurants only tolerate it during the day. But to be more safe, wear slacks as it is the common street wear especially in major cities in Europe and as shocking as it may seem, people do wear less jeans there. Black slacks had been the major preference of vast majority – young and old, men and women. If you are really serious about maximizing your luggage, slacks are definitely the way to go, it is very much a yes-yes in the packing light theory since it is more convenient to wash and dry. Jeans on the other hand, are heavy and bulky, usually takes a day or two to dry out when rained on. But for the worshippers of denims who can’t be without them, do choose the ones that are lightweight with a bit of fashion accessories. Though fashions change and are different in cities, you never could go wrong with slacks, a dress shirt, and street shoes. For the guys though, dressing sharp may increase your chances to meet more of the charming female species in Europe and London, England, for that matter. A man or woman dressed sharp will likely be approached by a man of the same type of clothing taste. No formal or scientific research has been made on this subject yet, but logically if you were to meet the person of your dreams, dress well!

Above: Layers may probably mean more laundry but this unique and practical way to dress is a good means to battle erratic weather.

· LAYERING FOR COMFORT. A technique that Londoners have adapted in dressing is the idea of layering. This is the deed where items can be added or removed individually without changing anything. It is done so one could cope up with the weather changes. Example, a sweater or a windbreaker can be worn instead of a heavy coat. On warm days, the sweater could be taken off and put in a shopping or Teflon bag. The idea of layering is just really about mixing and complementing your clothes and this requires much of dark, neutral and earth tones to avoid fashion at-odds with other body accessories.

Above: Leather uppers - a good investment to ensure soak-free feet for any London traveller

· GLORIFIED FOOTWEAR. Since it often rains in London, England, a traveller there needs good footwear. Expect that your feet and shoes will get wet and more frequently soiled. There are many footwear to choose from - boots, clogs, tennis, joggers, sandals, army issue, and Italian fashion. Wear a good looking and durable pair of shoes. Black slip-ons, polished, will get you in the door anywhere. Also, surviving far better than leather soles on rainy days is the rubber soles. To really prepare for heavy downpour (which is hoped would not happen on your trip) carry an extra pair of shoes. Invest in a pair with natural leather uppers, so later you can oil them, they resist water. Comfort should also be a concern in your clothing styles and preference. You must keep yourself comfortable. European weather is generally cooler, wetter, and more variable but there are instances when you may be forced off and on your coat, especially during strolls, sight-seeing and visits to the museum and even just being in stores. Be ready for rain or shine, morning chill or afternoon heat. But to those on business trips, men should be not be without their ties, it never fails and white shirts are always acceptable or any other cool colors. Women on the other hand could do away with their tight skirts and a neutral dark pants and your best blouses will likely take you places, worn with a few accessories. If by any reason, you need to buy clothes (some unfortunate events just was not within your control: your luggage got lost or stolen, or your clothes just dramatically shrunk); please remember the task could be daunting most particularly in European countries. Aside from the fact that European clothes are cut differently, partly to accommodate style and to fit the physical structure of an average person, the clothing size can be confusing since the country uses the metric system - do take care in using the conversion tables. Just to be on the safe side, try the garment on and ascertain its washing procedures, other clothes especially the cotton garments would probably shrink, so it’s good to buy it one to two sizes larger.

You’ll be surprised at how a little attention on your garb can actually bring ease and convenience to your travel in London.