How to look like an American in Ireland - Vera Bradley bag the giveaway that screams ‘Yank’ to the Irish
By: Gaelic Girl Hannah | Published Thursday, January 10, 2013, 11:15 AM | Updated Thursday, January 10, 2013, 11:15 AM
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| Vanessa Hudgens - rockin' the look |
Over the weekend, during the Jazz Festival, I got to not only experience some great live music, but also got to people watch - a favorite pastime of mine.
While quietly observing the crowd, I tried to guess if the people was watching were Irish, American, or another European nationality…I found that I could pick the Americans quite easily.
I have been here for nearly two months and while I do try to blend into the Irish crowd as much as possible, there are a few unchangeable things that I understand will always identify me as an American. While this is not entirely a bad thing as these are things that cannot be changed such as my accent, some of my shoes (Frye boots aren’t really found in this part of the world), and I get that I can simply “look American,” I have noticed that there are a few things that do make some Americans stand out more so than others:
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| Vera Bradley bags |
1.) Vera Bradley bags-you have probably seen those bright, sometimes obnoxious paisley-print bags somewhere.
These are quite a big trend in the states. I was given a duffle one for a dance team gift and I even brought it along for the return trip to as an extra carry-on. I do not use this bag on a daily basis, but I have seen people that do and it is a dead giveaway that the girl in front of you is from the states. I have nothing against Vera Bradley and think that the little ID wallets are quite functional and cute, however, I do find the larger school bags a bit over the top.
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While the bags can be cute, outside of the US they tend to look like odd, out-of place carpet bags compared to the plethora of leather-like bags or Jansport backpacks people tend to carry here.
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| Uggs and leggings |
2.) Leggings with UGG boots and a North Face fleece jacket-this look is distinctly American, especially when paired with a Vera Bradley bag. While a perfectly fine outfit on university campuses in the States, it does stick out a little here. Leggings are usually worn under a long tunic top or sweater that covers the bum a bit-not solely as pants with one’s behind fully out in the air.
UGGs are worn by a lot of the girls here, but they are not usually paired with the aforementioned combo. Girls usually wear them with skinny pants or jeans and a top of choice. The North Face jackets, are fine by themselves, as they are quite warm and are excellent layers under rain gear-I have a similar style fleece thing that is a great layer piece and I have worn it out before, but with items other than UGG boots or leggings.
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| Dress up - get out of those jeans |
3.) Jeans as part of the going-out outfit. The standard of night-dress is pretty high here. While walking through the city on my way to find jazz music over the weekend, I noticed that a lot of the foreign female tourists were wearing jeans to the late night venues.
I have adapted to wearing a skirt with tights or dark, dressy pants on nights out now, but I used to always wear jeans and constantly felt under-dressed by local standards. I actually like dressing up a bit more now, as it is not only more fun to get ready for, but also gave me an excuse to go shopping…again.
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19 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.STEVENSTAR | Dec 30, 2012, 11:34 AM EST
YOU CAN ALWAYS SPOT AN AMERICAN IN IRELAND .. JEANS WHITE RUNNERS AND A HOODIE.... AND THEY ALL WALK AROUND IN GROUPS LIKE A BUNCH OF LOST SHEEP ON AND OFF THE COACH SAYING ......... OH MY GAUD... I LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!! ........NORMALLY I JUST TURN AND RUN THE OTHER WAY :)
LaoiseRyan | Dec 28, 2011, 09:23 AM EST
I think youll find that the Ugg boot trend is an Australian thing which I first saw there in 1997. Its a trend that started in Ireland by girls coming home after their year with a pair of Uggs. The US was the next country to get them. They are awful by the way.
coolkid8 | Nov 26, 2011, 08:30 AM EST
Could not agree more with "coolkid7." Just really tough writing overall.
coolkid7 | Nov 07, 2011, 05:03 PM EST
Your rather plain writing style is only outdone by your simple and narrow minded observations. Try again next time!
Ernesider | Nov 04, 2011, 01:23 AM EDT
I was looking for the times a shop was to open in Ballyshannon so I figured your man with the shovel across the road would have the answer. The way he pretended he didn't notice me even when I was approaching him up close confirmed my conclusion that he was a local. Well when I asked him after a brief "How's she cutting" remark about the hours of business he looked extremely confused. Luckily Mr. Keown, the businessman arrived to open his shop. He told me "the local" was one of the many Polish and other Eastern Europeans working in the area. My wife on the other hand can pick an Irishman from 100 yards off and when in earshot her assertion is proven correct.
JBRAFTREE | Nov 03, 2011, 05:07 PM EDT
For pete's sake, dress within boundries that make sense!!! I've been to Ireland several times. They had no clue that I was a 'Yank'. Unless, of course, I opened my mouth. Don't be afraid to do that.
combroker | Nov 03, 2011, 01:32 PM EDT
So, how do you dress when you go to the USA? Do you "dress down", in order to blend in with the crowd? Would you only wear a sari, if visiting India? Or, would you keep covered in a traditional hijab and veil, if visiting the Middle East and other Muslim countries? How nice that you have a position where you are required to be a cultural snob. After visiting Ireland, we have continually told people that the best part of the two-week trip, dumping a lot of money into your local economies, was the tremendous friendliness and openness of the Irish people. Thankfully, we did not meet you.
acareybarr | Nov 03, 2011, 12:08 PM EDT
Dead right, CGreen55!
acareybarr | Nov 03, 2011, 12:06 PM EDT
......And you're dead right, CGreen 55. --"Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo aris!"
acareybarr | Nov 03, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT
Some dreadful English language here as on most of this site. THAT'S the realclass marker in this "class-less" society of ours here in America, whose "social spectrum" --mar dhea - derives from the plastic Egos grown from money and greed alone.--And the Irish -- scholars, many of us -- are hardly "at the end of" any "social spectrum" anywhere in the world, nor ever have they been, except for prescribed ignorance and prejudice. -- Besides, burn those loud and gawdy and cheap VB bags, shut down their stupid looking shops, and those awful bead shops too, and America may be alittle more aesthetically pleasing for all that, apart altogether from louder than loud yanks we send abroad in theri god-awful threads. Enough energy wasted! -- "Nil ciall na oideachas ar lucht an ait seo!" -------- y Toma castana!!
CGreen55 | Nov 03, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT
I'm an American, living in Ireland for 10 years. I think Irish women do dress up more, but that's not necessarily a good thing. Down at your local pub/dive wearing an obscenely short skirt, and orange 'tan', false eyelashes and ridiculously high heels just screams desperation. On the other hand, the Americans are easily spotted in their jeans that are not quite long enough, white socks and white 'sneakers'. Or even worse, a shirt that bears some obnoxiously plastic-paddy saying such as "Gosh-n-begorra". But I think you will find one big difference, Americans are genuinely proud to have a great-great-granny on their father's side who comes from some remote corner of Ireland. And we didn't ALL vote for George Bush, so please, be nice to us :)
dejemahan | Nov 03, 2011, 11:14 AM EDT
Interesting...my husband and I were just in England on holiday.I fell in love with British designer "Cath Kidston." By the time we arrrived in Edinburgh, I was convinced that I needed one of her handbags and bought a lovely plaid one there. Now I'm back in America. Wondering...."do I look British or Scottish now?" Yes, American brand clothing can be a dead giveaway...but you can't always "judge the book, by it's cover." People throughout the world love to wear American clothing...think "Abercrombie & Fitch, and Victoria's Secret." Clothing that many Irish and British people staying at my house for visits went to buy first thing once arriving here.
eiregirl | Nov 03, 2011, 11:00 AM EDT
The clothes in Ireland are nicer and much more in fashion. I think that if you are Irish and home on holidays you just look different. It doesn't matter what you are wearing, you could have a whole outfit from Penny's but like the author said, it could be the shoes, bag, jewlery...even socks that give it away. But on the the other hand, I can spot a Paddy here at 100 paces. I am a Paddy, so don't bother commenting that I'm being racist. BrendanDunphy you are very funny !!
wyalusingjohn | Nov 03, 2011, 10:37 AM EDT
I don't understand the point here. I go to Ireland every year for two weeks. I dress in jeans and a polo shirt and usually have on a basball hat. I don't hang in the cities so I don't have to dress up. The people I meet know the minute I open my mouth I am a "yank" and more often than not that leads to some lovely conversation and good natured craic. I can't understand why some people try and pretend to be somthing they are not.
joycean | Nov 03, 2011, 10:34 AM EDT
I've noticed that Irish students here for the summer love to go "outlet shopping." They can pick up designer brands of clothing at unbelievable prices at our outlet malls. I guess they haven't a problem looking like Americans.
Kells46 | Nov 03, 2011, 10:28 AM EDT
But you forgot the green pants Brendan. That's what would have made you fit right in!!
butlerreport | Nov 03, 2011, 10:03 AM EDT
If you look again you'll notice that the Irish dress, eat, act and consume US culture and products including the Budweiser you no doubt had on your night out. They're practically American albeit at the lower end of the social spectrum.
antoman | Nov 03, 2011, 09:41 AM EDT
This is a cunning ploy for beer I think. Its like you are saying I'm stood in Patricks Street wearing bright clothing and I'm gasping for a jar. Well I've bad news for ya love. Tis raining out and I ain't budging.
BrendanDunphy | Nov 03, 2011, 09:32 AM EDT
When I went to Ireland I tried to blend in with the locals, so I wore an Aran sweater, a kelly green scarf and a green baseball cap that said "IRELAND" across the front ... and yet somehow they STILL knew I was a Yank ... go figure ... ;)