I don’t have a problem wearing jeans in Europe, I wore them alot while I was studying there last year. But I think most people here hate that jeans are so HEAVY. The weigh a ton more than some light khakis although they do have that added bonus of being able to be worn several times before washing! I would never try to wash jeans in a sink or anything like that… shell out for the laundry service at the hotel or if you’re going in hostels, find ones with laundry facil. on site.

Who hates jeans? They are heavy—as Kayling says—a consideration if you’re trying to travel light. They’re definitely stylish currently, as long as they’re not potato-sack jeans from Sears. Bring nice looking jeans that fit you well if you’re concerned about feeling self-conscious.

Jeans used to scream “tourist” and 501s still do, but good looking, well fit jeans in the current style are everywhere. In 2008, the girls were wearing only skinny leg jeans. While you wouldn’t be out of place with any kind of jeans in North America, jeans that weren’t the latest fashion were definitely noticeable in Europe.

However, unless they’re the really light weight ones, jeans do take a century to dry. You really must use the laundramat if you’re taking jeans.

Everyone likes jeans, but in some places (clubs, restaurants, etc.) they aren’t really acceptable. If you have lots of luggage space bring jeans. If you want a small, more versatile wardrobe that will function anywhere better to bring a pair of dark dress pants and a pair of khakis

OK… I guess I’m in the minority, and I love my jeans. I have a few pairs of khakis that I used to wear for work, but now that I can wear jeans I can’t remember when I last wore them. I’d rather carry around my heavy jeans than wear khakis. You can wear them a few times, and by then you can do all of your wash at a laundry.

Yeah fully agree with TheComish. At night the only trousers I wear when travelling is jeans. As long as there modern and stylish you wont look out of place in the majority of Europe. As said they are long lasting and can do for several long night’s out before needing washed.

I think I would bring jeans to europe only if it wasn’t the middle of summer. You are going to be more comfortable in something lighter then (like lightweight khakis, or for girls, capris or skirts). However, if it’s spring or fall, I think jeans would be nice as they provide a bit more warmth. Two pair would be enough as you can rotate them for a few days each, and then wash them after like a week.

I’m planning on going in the summer(as my Eurotrip says).
I wear my jeans year round & skirts not very often.
I know that jeans aren’t accepted everywhere, so I’m going to bring a pait of dress pants and a skirt.
I’m planning on staying at places with washing machines.
I don’t really care if they’re heavy than jeans, as for me, the pros are way better than the cons.

I can’t recall ever having been anywhere in Europe (or elsewhere in the world) where jeans weren’t accepted. Are you really going to go somewhere that fancy whilst backpacking?

I’m bringing the black dress pants in case I want to go to a nice restaurant, a club or something else like that. =)

Jean, jeans, jeans, jean, jeans, jeans, jeans!!!!! Who the hell wears khakis anymore anyhow? If I’m to get booted from a club because I’m wearing jeans, I guess I prolly don’t want to be in the place anyhow. Bet you don’t wear those black dress pants three times over the course of your trip. My rule is don’t pack it unless you will wear it or use it at least three times.

Just an FYI jeans are not considered acceptable in some churches. So maybe a pair of khakis or cotton 3/4 length pants would be a good idea for going to churches.

You can travel to 75% of europe quite nicely in Jeans…but you will find that some churches, restaurants, etc. will not admit you in jeans. Personally, I live in Jeans but I always take a pair of dressier pants just in case (my wife usually brings a cotton peasant skirt in her daypack that she can throw over her shorts if necessary)

Jeans are key.

A few tips for picking a pair of pants to travel in:

1. Make sure they have deep pockets. This helps prevent pickpocketing and minimizes the chance of loosing things while traveling on a train or the like.
2. Make sure they will be comfortable for train travel and such (mainly, not too tight or they could get uncomfortable after a while on the train).

Jeans, I don’t know where people got the idea that jeans were not okay, maybe back in the day jeans were not okay. But I just spent the last year living and traveling in different parts of Europe. I can’t think of a single place I went to where the majority of people were not wearing jeans all year round. When I did two week excursions to different countries i only took two pairs of jeans, the pair I was wearing, and a back up pair in my backpack. I also took a pair of football shorts.

You’re more likely to be turned away from churches , etc. for wearing shorts and short sleeves than jeans. The “rules’ on jeans are the same in Europe as in North America. As someone who likes to splurge on a nice restaurant once in a while, someothing other than jeans is required. If you plan on only eating in cafes and fast food joints jeans would work

I went to a lot of churches when I was in Europe. Always jeans, never had a problem and no one even looked at me funny.

I saw a girl prevented from entering the church in Assisi but I think it was because hers were very low cut. Some churches have these little old ladies dressed in black that sit outside the church and enforce the dress code rules. I was prevented from entering a church in Greece (on one of the smaller Greeks Islands – Poros I think) for wearing jeans (clean, not torn up or anything)

Well basically any of the big churches or cathedrals will let you in because they are used to tourists smaller churches in towns and what not are probably stricter. But I could be wrong, I’ve never had a problem so i’m just guessing.

I’ve never seen anyone in jeans turned away from a church. Shorts and sleeveless tops are a much bigger issue The weirdest church thing I ever saw was guys in shorts trying to visit churches and monasteries on some of the Greek Islands — they ended up being issued wrap-around skirts to wear.

If its cool weather, you can wear them a good 4-5 days, so I’d say just bring a single pair.

Jeans aren’t a problem in Europe. You’ll only stand out if you wear those faded ones or have ripped holes throughout them as is distressingly common here in Canada!

When North Americans say ‘khakis’ I’m never quite sure what they mean. For me it just refers to a colour. I wear khaki-coloured trousers with pockets at knee level (‘combats’?) when I visit Europe. (The extra pockets sometimes come in handy for extra maps, or other non-essential things). Those are common (on men) throughout Europe. I could be wrong – as I don’t spend much time staring at other men’s clothing – but I think those Dockers-style ‘smart-casual’ khaki pants are more of a North American thing.