How to Be a Tourist Without Dressing Like One

We all know what it looks like to be a tourist: fanny pack, camera around your neck, white orthopedic sneakers; you can pick a tourist out a mile away. Of course, there are reasons for dressing in that way… it’s comfortable, darn it! But it is possible to be a tourist without dressing like one.

comfortable but cute sneakers

When I visit a new city, I want to be comfortable and practical, of course, but I also want to look like myself. I love this pair of flat sneakers for walking around a city–they really are incredibly comfortable and have significant cushioning (recommendation: break them in before you travel. Lesson learned on my part.)

an uber chic backpack

For toting around a DSLR camera (which you may know can be pretty heavy), your wallet, and other important goods, this backpack is lightweight and so chic. I originally purchased the olive suede version during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale but, after some thought, realized I would get much more wear out of the black. It was the perfect size for my camera, and looked a lot cuter than the camera bag I usually carry.