Blend, Don’t Offend

Summer is almost here, which means many of you will be winging your way to exotic locales, faraway ports and exciting cities abroad.

How do we know this? Because your letters have told us so. You’re going to France for a second honeymoon; you’re taking the kids to Israel; you’re grabbing some girlfriends and going to the Taj Mahal.

And you want to know what to wear. First off, if there is one outfit that is a huge billboard for American tourists, it’s this: Shorts or sweats; sandals, or sneakers with white athletic socks; T-shirt or tank top; baseball cap; fanny pack; and a camera around the neck or a video camera in a shoulder case.

We know it’s a cliched look, but a lot of you dress this way while traveling. Many countries--especially in warm climates--are more casual than formal, but that still doesn’t mean that shorts should always be the apparel of choice. Also, in urban areas, locals may be used to seeing tourists, but in smaller towns they may not.

When in doubt, dress conservatively. Cover up. Yes, many of you like to spend your summers with most of your flesh hanging out for all the world to see. But here’s some news: All the world doesn’t want to see your flesh.

So leave the skimpy stuff at home unless you’re going to a resort.

While we can’t cover every country on the planet, we’ve chosen a few that are popular tourist destinations and enough of a culture change that you might be inappropriately attired if you’re not careful.

So put your tray table in the upright position, and let’s go.

FRANCE: Europe has succumbed to gradual casualization in recent years--not to the extent of America, where people wear tank tops and shorts to weddings. But in most nice restaurants men aren’t required to wear ties, and at tourist-heavy places like the Louvre it’s not odd to see people dressed down.

According to a spokesman from the French consulate in Los Angeles, you won’t shock anyone if you wear shorts and a T-shirt while walking around Notre Dame. But it’s a dead giveaway of your tourist status. Most Parisians have a polished cosmopolitan look, even in jeans.

If you want to attend church services, shorts are not appropriate. Forgo jeans for services abroad. Go instead in long pants and a nice shirt and jacket for men, nice pants and a blouse or a skirt or a dress for women. Pass on miniskirts and anything see-through.

At better restaurants in major cities, men can get away with trousers, a tailored shirt and jacket, and women with nice pants or a dress. Check with the restaurant or ask at your hotel about a dress code.

MEXICO: For those of you heading south of the border, use common sense.

That’s the word from the Mexican consulate in Los Angeles, which cautions Americans not to think of Mexico as too casual a country, even though it’s home to several resorts (where ultra-casual is the rule of thumb).

While traveling in big cities or small villages, for instance, don’t wear anything too revealing. That includes short-shorts, skimpy tank tops and see-through blouses. While you’re visiting tourist sites, longer shorts and jeans are OK. If attending a church service--no shorts or T-shirts.

For dining in upscale restaurants, men should wear nice pants and a shirt, women dressy pants or a skirt.

EGYPT: Shorts at major tourist stops such as the pyramids and museums are acceptable, but not at religious sites such as mosques.

Sayed Khalifa, director of the Egyptian tourist office in San Francisco, says some rules must be obeyed. It’s recommended that women wear something to cover the head, such as a scarf though this protocol is sometimes waived for tourists. Don’t even think about wearing shorts. Pants or a skirt that covers the knees (or more) are fine. It’s also best to cover the top of your arms with at least a short-sleeve top. Men can wear shorts, but we suggest that it is more respectful to wear pants.

Men and women must remove their shoes before entering a mosque or cover them with sacks available there.

Most restaurants, Khalifa says, are fairly casual, but nicer establishments might frown upon shorts and T-shirts. When in doubt, check ahead of time.

ISRAEL: The key to dressing appropriately in Israel is being aware of where you are. For general sight-seeing and at tourist spots such as museums, shorts or jeans are fine. A dress code applies, however, when you’re visiting a synagogue, mosque, other religious sites or while traveling through Orthodox neighborhoods.

Women should wear pants or long skirts (preferably skirts), and a shirt or blouse with long sleeves and no plunging necklines. A head covering is required when you’re visiting the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem (they’re provided for tourists), according to Arthur Lenk, the consul for communications and public affairs at the L.A. Israeli consulate.

Men don’t have as many restrictions, but shorts and tank tops are not recommended. Yarmulkes should be worn at places such as the Western Wall and synagogues, and they are kept on hand there for men.

Since it’s pretty toasty in summer, Israelis favor sandals and open-collar shirts for daytime. And in resort towns such as Eilat, it’s ultra-casual all the time.

INDIA: Although the sight of Westerners in shorts and T-shirts is common because the country is a favorite vacation spot, it’s not always the best way to go.

At temples, for instance, men and women are asked to wear a head covering, according to Harjeet Badhwar of the commerce department at the Indian consulate in San Francisco. Shoes must also be doffed. While men may be allowed in wearing shorts or jeans, long pants are preferred, or for women, pants or a long (below the knee) skirt.

Casual is fine for beaches, urban tourist sites such as museums, or in informal restaurants. If you’re traveling though small villages, choose pants over shorts.

At better restaurants, men should wear a jacket, but ties usually aren’t required. Women are fine in pants or a dress.

RUSSIA: If visiting a church, for instance, men should wear trousers, and women can opt for pants or skirts, although skirts (not too short) are favored, according to Michael Kolesnichenko, director of the Russian National Tourist Office in New York.

Generally, it’s better to wear pants rather than shorts, unless you’re at the beach--the country is not that casual, he said. Restaurants that draw a sophisticated crowd usually find men in jackets and women in dresses.

GREAT BRITAIN: Think of England as “not over formal, but slightly more formal than Americans,” says Louise Bryce, director for the Western United States for the British Tourist Authority in L.A.

For touring churches and daytime sightseeing, casual clothes are acceptable. If attending services, dress up as you normally would. No shorts.

Be aware, however, that even in summer some of those old churches and museums can be cool, so bring a jacket or sweater.

At better urban restaurants, Bryce says that the British tend to go more formal. Men should plan on wearing a tie, and women should be in nice pants or a dress. At chain or fast-food restaurants, pretty much anything goes.

If traveling through smaller villages, shorts and tank top outfits will definitely stand out. Play it safe and opt for more coverage.

Jeannine Stein can be reached at socalliving@latimes.com.

*

FRANCE: Ooh-la-la! Casual is OK when you’re touring Notre Dame, but not for attending services there.

MEXICO: When heading south, don’t expose too much flesh, especially when you’re in rural areas.

EGYPT: Tut-tut! Carry a scarf or handkerchief to cover your head before entering mosques.

ISRAEL: When traveling through Orthodox neighborhoods, women should have elbows, legs and necklines covered.

INDIA: Dress conservatively when visiting small towns and Hindu temples.

RUSSIA: When visiting churches, men should wear long trousers, women pants or skirts that cover the knee.

GREAT BRITAIN: Going to a nice restaurant? Most Brits dress up, old chap.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Resources

Here are some companies that specialize in travel clothing:

* TravelSmith: https://

www.travelsmith.com or (800) 950-1600.

* Orvis: https://www

.orvis.com or (800) 541-3541.

* Ex Officio: https://www

.exofficio.com or (800) 644-7303.

* Magellan’s: https://

www.magellans.com or (800) 962-4943.

* Sun Precautions: https://

www.sunprecautions.com or (800) 882-7860. (This is not travel clothing per se, but these clothes are made to block out ultraviolet rays for those with sun sensitivity.)