I'm moving to Edinburgh in late January from the States. I was wondering what sort of clothes I should buy before leaving. I want to blend in as best I can with the local population and definatly don't want to look like tourist. Here I typically wear jeans and a polo or a button-down shirt w/ a baseball hat when I go out. Just wondering what everybody thinks. Thanks a lot.
2007-10-17 10:26:48 · 15 answers · asked by S. A. 2 in Travel ➔ United Kingdom ➔ Edinburgh
In January you'll definitely need a warm coat, scarves, gloves and possibly hats if you're a hat person. Polo shirts, T shirts and jumpers are fine and everyone wears jeans. If you're a student, I'd ditch the button-down shirt as it's a bit too formal unless you're giving a presentation that day or going out for the evening. Main thing I'd say is ditch the cap as it's strongly associated with "neds" up here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ned_(Scottish)
Generally though, unless you wear a bumbag, you won't be mistaken for a tourist. There are loads of different nationalities in Edinburgh and most are students, so you won't stand out. Unless of course you stop in the middle of the crowd on Prince's Street holding everyone up while you take pictures of the castle.
Hope you enjoy it, it's a great city to visit, though I disagree with Location, Location, Location about it being a great place to live. There's loads to do on a holiday, so have fun and wrap up warm!
2007-10-17 11:10:20 · answer #1 · answered by Poppy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Edinburgh is quite a cosmopolitan city despite its northern location (!!) I would not recommend a baseball cap as these tend to be worn by what is know locally as the "Chav". They tend to give off the impression that you might rob someone or start a fight in an empty house.
Jeans and a polo shirt is fine, if a little bit boring.
Due to the norther location, you may find the weather a little inclement, so I would also recommend a Rab-type jacket or similar eider-down type jacket and a couple of thick jumpers.
Why don't you wait until you get here before making any rash impulsive buys? That way, you can test the water for the fashion of people your age and won't make any bug mistakes.
2007-10-17 17:34:29 · answer #2 · answered by lovelylexie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need a good warm hat for winter, as well as a thick warm waterproof coat to keep the horizontal sleet out. I found that umbrellas are not that useful because there are already too many of them and will probably get blown away by the gale force winds anyway, when it rains you're better off with a waterproof coat and hat (or hood).
Don't wear tartan, only the pipers wear that.
Get yourself over to the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop when you land and buy yourself a couple of pure wool jumpers, polyester blends are not that effective when it's really cold.
2007-10-17 17:36:31 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baseball cap will make it obvious that you are american. Other than that what you normally wear will be O.K. But for January you will need some warmer clothes too. Make sure you have good waterproofs. The east of Scotland is a lot drier than the west, but the weather all over Scotland in unpredictable.
2007-10-17 17:37:23 · answer #4 · answered by No Longer Dizzy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Thats fine, ditch the baseball cap or you'll look like a jake.
You will need a warm jacket and a decent pair of shoes that you are comfy walking in - it is very hilly! Not hill walking shoes though, just trainers will do.
Don't worry, we don't go round in kilts hunting haggis, you will blend in just fine.
2007-10-17 17:30:27 · answer #5 · answered by Missy H 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
S A., What is your perspective of the dress worn by the good people of Edinburgh to ask such a question???? ....;-)
Edit.
Sorry, and welcome to Scotland. (well in January)!!
The women folk will soon let you know what you can and cannot wear in terms of fashion??
Clothes are a lot dearer over here, so buy as much as you can, without the baseball caps!!!!
Enjoy your stay...........;-)
2007-10-17 17:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by stuart d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we do have nice weather in scotland regarless of what everyone thinks lol! just bring some warm clothes to start u off with, you'll get used to the weather conditions after a while. umberellas are essential lol. we look the same as you do in the states just a bit more fair skinned lol :)
2007-10-17 17:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by kazhw82 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
.you should get a kilt and white socks and a wee Tammie
no one will notice you that's what we all wear and a duffel coat would be good for the cold winds and of course an umbrella
however drinking whiskey will give you the red nose effect
popular in the Scottish male .
2007-10-17 18:29:00 · answer #8 · answered by Jezabel 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jeans and boots are cheaper where you are so bring loads before you come over, otherwise anything goes in our beautiful Capital city, it is truly cosmoplitan, wear what you like as long as you are comfy
2007-10-17 17:38:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hey what you sugest wearing would be fine (although you might want a jacket as its very chilly in january.)
Also if i were you i would probably ditch the baseball cap as its usually really anoying yobs in edinburgh who wear caps, sorry.
2007-10-17 17:31:32 · answer #10 · answered by phil m 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋