What to Wear?

[DuckMan]

Traveled a lot and sometimes attire makes a difference. What's proper spring/summer in Kiev and countryside west of there? Thanks.

[alex330]

Depends on the occasion and what you plan on doing but generally dress to impress in Ukraine. Moreso in Kiev.

Nice shoes, slacks, and a shirt will make a big difference. A sporty coat cannot hurt either.

Most of us Americans dress like slobs compared to the Euros 

[sparky114]

Most of us Americans dress like slobs compared to the Euros 

Please dont change its what makes you easy to spot 

[cc3]

Euro tourists/backpackers are very easy to spot in their extremely funky, weirdly colored and designed athletic trainers.
In Lviv, if not dressed for work, 90% of the men under 60 are wearing jeans 90% of the time. Mate your jeans with nice shirts and conservative shoes and you will fit right in! Just don't wear baggy, US style, 'relaxed fit' jeans.

[calmissile]

Euro tourists/backpackers are very easy to spot in their extremely funky, weirdly colored and designed athletic trainers.
In Lviv, if not dressed for work, 90% of the men under 60 are wearing jeans 90% of the time. Mate your jeans with nice shirts and conservative shoes and you will fit right in! Just don't wear baggy, US style, 'relaxed fit' jeans.

I have mixed opinions on this based on my many trips to Ukraine.   If you " dress to impress" you will surely stand out from the crowd.  It might be appropriate for a date, but not to blend in with the crowd.   It's a little difficult to explain to someone that has never been there.  The best advice is to go there and observe.

Lawyers, businessmen, and officials clearly dress above the standards of the masses.   If you want to stand out or appear to be upper class, then by all means 'dress up'.  If you want to look native and blend in with the crowd, dress the way the natives do.  Check out the dress of your notary, translator, people on the street, etc.  That will give you an idea of what flavor to dress in based on what you want to appear as.

Personally, I found that blending in and not appearing as a foreigner or someone you are 'not' is a better choice.  Another thing, I never had a date or acquaintance suggest that I should dress up.  Being comfortable and wearing what the natives wear will avoid becoming a target for muggers, thieves, and other undesirables.  Just my 2 cents worth.

[ML]

Most importantly, wear very tight fitting in the crotch area trousers.

The women deserve 'what you see is what you get.'

[GatoMoon]

Most importantly, wear very tight fitting in the crotch area trousers.

The women deserve 'what you see is what you get.'

lmfaooooooooooooo

[GatoMoon]

Traveled a lot and sometimes attire makes a difference. What's proper spring/summer in Kiev and countryside west of there? Thanks.

I am in the fashion business, but cannot advice you what to wear because I do not know what you look like.   Are you young or old?  Are you thin or faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?  Do you have bald hair?  So on...... 

Don't wear like the Ukrainiana are wearing, and don't wear like wealthy people wear in their own country, but do wear something nice.  Not only clothes, you need to wear.  Good hair cut, clean shaved (or well beard).  Just as good as if you were a horse doing dressage!!

[Slumba]

Basically dressing more formally by one "level" , i.e. if in USA, you would dress casual, then dress business casual.  If business casual, wear a sport coat, etc.

I wrote about this a while back, basically if you wear dressy black jeans (not Levi's) that fit properly , paired with non-sneaker shoes, that is the bare minimum. 

If you are younger and in good shape (under 17% body fat) you can get away with Hollister, American Outfitters, Abercrombie and Fitch type stuff.

[Jumper]

Euro tourists/backpackers are very easy to spot in their extremely funky, weirdly colored and designed athletic trainers.
In Lviv, if not dressed for work, 90% of the men under 60 are wearing jeans 90% of the time. Mate your jeans with nice shirts and conservative shoes and you will fit right in! Just don't wear baggy, US style, 'relaxed fit' jeans.

Agree,
but yeap I din't care and wore whatever I'd wear here, which included relaxed jeans. I wasn't trying to blend in really..  i don't wear euro style skinny jeans at home, no need to there . Yes I'd dress nicely for a date, but the same style I would here.
LOL I'd shave for a date, but maybe not as well, just like here.

The reality is confidence is far more important than what you wear.
 (given you don't look like a total bum)

[DuckMan]

Thanks for all the answers. I think I got the flavor. Tight-fitting lime green spandex and a gold rolex on each arm, big gold chain maybe.

Seriously, couple pair of jeans, nice shoes, shirts, slacks, maybe light jacket, but no flash.

Western cowboy boots and wear stick out like a tourist?

Scooter

[Noch1]

I believe one should look good. But I also believe one should dress
as close to the way they would at home. Remember when one is trying to
show the new Mrs ______________ of the future. you want her to know the real you, wearing a suit when visiting, yet never when at home is a good example.
IMO.

[BillyB]

Traveled a lot and sometimes attire makes a difference. What's proper spring/summer in Kiev and countryside west of there? Thanks.

Don't wear the typical casual American stuff and embarrass your lady when you walk down the street together. No baseball caps. No tennis shoes. No dirty shoes. No tee shirts unless you got muscle that the shirt will help define. Get a haircut. Be clean shaven. Go to a shop and talk to some fashion experts and try on the clothes they recommend. I'm not fashion expert but my wife is excellent with fashion and picked out some good clothes for me. I didn't dress bad when I first met her but I wasn't up to her standards either so get some real advice from experts on fashion.

Western cowboy boots and wear stick out like a tourist?

I've seen sharp dressed cowboys before and that'll work over there if that is who you are.

[2tallbill]

Please dont change its what makes you easy to spot 

Yep, these are the fella's that I'll get my dressing tips from. I've been trying to get
my collar to do that, do you have any tips?

[jazztropy]

Eye catching for sure!

[2tallbill]

Eye catching for sure!

The red matches the highlights of my nose.

[jazztropy]

Don't wear the typical casual American stuff and embarrass your lady when you walk down the street together. No baseball caps. No tennis shoes. No dirty shoes. No tee shirts unless you got muscle that the shirt will help define. Get a haircut. Be clean shaven. Go to a shop and talk to some fashion experts and try on the clothes they recommend. I'm not fashion expert but my wife is excellent with fashion and picked out some good clothes for me. I didn't dress bad when I first met her but I wasn't up to her standards either so get some real advice from experts on fashion.

Idea: Clean, dressy shoes.  Jeans.  Long sleeve black dress shirt, tucked in,  rolled up to your elbows. 

[calmissile]

Don't wear the typical casual American stuff and embarrass your lady when you walk down the street together. No baseball caps. No tennis shoes. No dirty shoes. No tee shirts unless you got muscle that the shirt will help define. Get a haircut. Be clean shaven. Go to a shop and talk to some fashion experts and try on the clothes they recommend. I'm not fashion expert but my wife is excellent with fashion and picked out some good clothes for me. I didn't dress bad when I first met her but I wasn't up to her standards either so get some real advice from experts on fashion.



I've seen sharp dressed cowboys before and that'll work over there if that is who you are.

Your comment reminded me of something.  I took a variety of clothes when I traveled to Ukraine.  I ended up letting my G/F choose among them for the occasion.  Also indicated to her (them), I would be willing to go to the store to buy something to wear that she prefers.  Reasoning.... whatever she is comfortable being seen with is OK with me and avoids any embarrasment for either of us.

If you want to see what the natives are wearing, go to http://www.ukrstream.tv/ and watch the crowds.   

[JayH]

Traveled a lot and sometimes attire makes a difference. What's proper spring/summer in Kiev and countryside west of there? Thanks.

A comment I have made previously-- do not dress like you are going to American country club !!
That may as well be  an illuminated sign over your head !

Last time I came out of airport in Kyiv there was an American guy wearing stetson and cowboy boots floating around! It would have been impossible to have drawn more attention to oneself !