Wear the Engagement Ring or just the Band?

Neither of us are wearing our rings on our honeymoon. We don't want to lose it. Not really a mugging thin because we can get just as mugged in the states. If you are concerned maybe get a silicone band.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! Any tips on not wearing clothes that look like a tourist? Lol any types of clothes to avoid?

View Quoted Comment If you can, keep your phone in a front pocket, but with girls jeans that’s not an easy task. Avoid keeping anything in your back pocket bc it’s just so much easier to slide out without you noticing. You can always have your husband hold on to your phone, or carry it in your hand with a tight grasp. If you want a purse, go for a crossbody that’s difficult to open. If it’s across your body, it’s much harder for someone to snatch, plus a cute one is a great accessory! Also you can have it at your side with your hand on it.
As for people taking a ring off your finger, I’m sure it COULD happen, but they’re much more likely to go for a wallet or something they can get from a pocket. Don’t shake hands with strangers or let them put any jewelry on you.

View Quoted Comment Try to avoid any name brand shirts ( ex old navy/gap shirts that say it across the chest), any sports or college shirts. Basically nothing that screams America. I stayed with mostly plain t shirts and jeans/leggings. Patterns of course are fine.
an added suggestion, I used a cross body purse that I tried to keep my hand on at all times. You can’t always feel when someone is touching a backpack so I chose not to bring one. Make sure it zips (and keep it zipped) and keep things in front of you.
Just don’t make it easy on them and you’ll be fine!!!!

View Quoted Comment Girl all I can say is definitely avoid bright colors. If you wear a bright color shirt, make sure you offset it with dark everything else. Italians wear a lot of nudes, browns, and black, so anything other than that will get you some looks. If you wear a dress or skirt, wear pantyhose. Black boots are in right now, as are skirts. Im not sure exactly when you’re coming, but if it’s gonna be cold, I swear to God, they ALL wear the same black or dark navy quilted jacket.
I mean honestly, you can wear whatever you want, but Italians apparently never learned that it’s super rude to stare at people.

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Great! That's super helpful! I do have a crossbody! Probably less annoying to carry around and site-see than a wristlet anyways. I am sure my mom knows the ins and outs of this stuff too but it's helpful to know! My FH went to Africa for drill for the Marines and the one day they got to walk around a town people tried to sell them things he says he purposely puts his hands in both his back pockets so nobody could take anything lol.

I plan to wear my silicone ring or an inexpensive "knock-off." I don't like to swim or anything in my actual ring and don't like the idea of leaving it behind in a hotel.

I’ve been to Naples. It’s fine. The crime there is real but tends to be targeted towards other criminals and obvious tourists.

I’ve been to Italy before and the key is to make sure that your populated areas where everything is written in Italian. If you see a menu posted outside in English, not your best bet. In fact it is a bad choice— food wise, experience wise.

I’m also going to Italy and Spain for my honeymoon and I’m just bringing my wedding band I’m not wearing my e ring

I was in Italy for 7 months. I have been to all the places you stated that you were going. With that being said they pickpocket. They will not take your ring off your finger. I did buy a purse from amazon made especially for pickpockets. Just do not keep anything in your backpack that is of any value they will take it.

Silicone rings when doing anything active! (DO not wear anything shiny when swimming in the ocean, attracts sharks) :o I will be wearing both rings for dates and fine dining. You should bring it along, but keep in very safe place, as you will miss it if you leave it.

View Quoted Comment I assume you’ll be speaking English with your FH on the street, so no matter what you wear, people will know you’re a tourist lol. Europeans & Italians especially, are on average dressed fancier than Americans, so I wouldn’t worry about dressing down.
That being said, I’ve been to Italy at least 7 times Rome, Venice, Milan, Porto Cervo, Bologna & with all my jewelry, nice clothes, purses, etc. I’ve never once been pickpocketed or scammed, or heard of anybody else being in a situation like this (I have several friends & family who travel around Europe on regular basis).
The main scam that goes on in Italy is that street sellers will try to sell you fake branded stuff, especially purses (easy solution: don’t buy anything on the street & don’t engage with them) & taxi drivers might take you for a long ride to charge you more, if they see you don’t really know where you’re going & if you don’t speak a single word of Italian lol.
Enjoy your trip, I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time!

I travel extensively worldwide, I have full insurance on our rings so we always wear them and don’t worry about it.

Definitely agree ree with the crossbody purse advice though! I have a nice black travelon one with locking zippers, RFD protection and slash proof straps I generally use in Europe and a lighter gold colored Kipling one I use for warmer destinations.

I would either just wear your wedding band and/or a fake engagement ring when you travel! I got a $40 near-replica of my engagement ring from Etsy (in the photo, real is on left, fake is on right). Going to wear that, along with a silicon band, on my honeymoon and probably most times when I travel

My fiance proposed with a gorgeous ring while we were vacationing in northern Italy. We did not go to Rome, but let me tell you I wore it every moment! I didn't feel like a target at all. We are savvy and established travellers. I wouldn't worry about your ring as much as looking like an American tourist and being smart about watching your bag, backpack and camera. Those are the real give aways!!!

Hey-

We are doing something similar for our honeymoon. I plan on leaving both at home and buying inexpensive bands and ring on Amazon Just in case. at least I know our rings are at home safe and sound

congrats your wedding is almost here!

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Prior to being engaged I always thought I'd feel weird in NY wearing it publicly and all the time. Now, I don't even think about. Maybe only once or twice I've turned it to the inside. I will however take it off and put on my necklace if my hands are super cold and I'm moving around. I know it wont slip off but I'm still nervous about it slipping off lol.

First of all - beautiful ring and congratulations!! I'd say wear just the band so you won't have to worry about losing it or having it stolen. You can also just buy a fake one online to wear while traveling.

View Quoted Comment Yeah, I’ve turned it to the inside too, few times on a subway, when there is someone who seems a little crazy standing next to me lol. But other than that I don’t think about it either, even though walking alone in NYC is more dangerous than walking in Italy lol.
I had the same issue with cold hands. So I got a clear, plastic, coil ring adjuster on Amazon for $5 that I put on when it’s super cold & I know my hands will get frozen. It works great!

As far as safe travel tips, my favorite tip is travel scarves. Infinity scarves with zippered pocket for hotel key, passport, small wallet, even your smartphone! I like scarves as well because I carry a dslr camera and I can tuck it into the scarf or cover it easily and look much less touristy. I don't carry a purse or anything else in my pants and it is unlikely anyone is going to take the time to get close enough to try to cut or take a layered scarf off of my neck! I have several, check out Etsy.

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I need to look into this! my hands are always cold! thanks