I went downtown the other day dressed like this. I wouldn't say this look is particularly "american" or "european" but probably somewhere in between. The converses are less american than the many pair of other sneakers I have but the bright blue coat is not so very european. Apparently I am completely wrong about what makes a look american or european for as I exited the Metro at DeBroukere a girl(woman actually-probably in her early 20's) essentially yelled at me, "Vous etes Americaine!"(you are american) and then looked at me and smiled and repeated it louder and with the affirmative nodding of her head. I was so shocked -first that someone would make eye contact with a stranger on the Belgian metro but also that someone I didn't know would speak to me(maybe not so much to me as at me- but. . . )! I simply nodded my head yes, gave her a quick smile(trying to hide the shocked look on my face) and ran up the stairs.
Seriously though- I am perfectly aware that I am 100% american. As a matter of fact I am very capable of laughing at myself and my purely american sense of style. But I was not aware that my outfits are so SHOCKINGLY american that perfect strangers in the metro feel it is their duty to shout it to everyone within earshot!
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