Do you dress like an American tourist when abroad? These signs are a surefire sign.

If you've ever seen the iconic clip from Modern Family in which Mitchell becomes increasingly annoyed that people in France recognize him as an American by his appearance alone – that is, until he buys an outfit at a local store and blends in with the locals – you'll understand the plight of American tourists. Sometimes, even when we have the right language skills or are acting understated, our clothes alone can give us away.

That's because, stylists say, Americans dress a certain way whether they're visiting Europe, Asia, or somewhere else. And while fashion is different in every city and country (and among different groups within that location), Americans still manage to stand out wherever they go.

Below, stylists from around the world reveal which styles make Americans stand out from the locals and how to dress like an international traveler instead.

Wear sportswear

“People in America really like to dress comfortably,” says Brooke Crum, a fashion stylist who also organizes customized shopping tours for visitors to Japan. This often leads to Americans wearing sportswear on vacation, says Crum.

When Crum thinks of workout clothes, one item comes to mind first. “What should I definitely not wear? Leggings, period,” Crum explained.

“People don't stare, it's not like they're saying, 'Oh, that's an American woman,' but I think some people wear leggings more because they're comfortable. So it's a racerback tank top with long leggings, and in Japan… if you go to the yoga studio, you wear the yoga pants. If you go running, you wear the sweatsuit,” Crum said. “Clothes have a purpose, and athletic wear is for exercise,” she explained.

When people in Japan wear workout clothes outside of training, they pay attention to their style, she said.

“It's more of an upscale, casual approach, so if you're wearing a jersey, throw a blazer over it,” Crum said — or you could pair a tracksuit jacket with jeans.

Crum said it's also more common in Japan to wear muted, solid-colored sportswear rather than colorful separates, which makes for a more polished look.

According to Anne-Victoire Lefèvre, a fashion consultant based in Paris, American visitors are often seen wearing baseball caps or backpacks, two items that also fall into the sportswear category.

Being too elegant

Speaking of casual clothing, Nathalie Oliver, a private stylist at Paris department store Le Bon Marché, said that Americans often dress too casually during the day (in sportswear and the like), but too elegantly in the evening.

For women, being “too dressy” can mean wearing a special occasion dress and high heels, or going all out and wearing a fancy skirt, blouse, and wedges.

“Men are probably the worst dressed Americans … as far as I can see,” Oliver said.

“I think most of them have the same outfit, namely a polo shirt, chinos [pants] and a pair of sneakers,” she said, adding that a navy blazer, chinos and a white shirt are another common combination for men.

To look like a Parisian, Oliver recommends travelers aim for less sophisticated outfits in the evening and try not to look too Ivy League-style (for example, by pairing it with a navy blazer).

Women can wear a silky dress with a thick jacket over the shoulders (plus points if it's a smart men's jacket). Or try jeans, high heels and a blouse. Men wear linen shirts, cotton trousers and a pair of loafers in Paris.

During the summer months, aim for clothing in neutral colors such as cream, beige and camel, Oliver added.

Perfect make-up and perfect hairstyle

The motto “go all out” also applies to other aspects of American women's appearance. Unlike Parisians, American women wear a full face of makeup much more often, especially in the summer, Oliver explained.

“I always notice that American ladies have really beautiful makeup on, they put their makeup on with foundation, it's very sophisticated, and most of the ladies in Paris… they're not really like that,” Oliver said.

In addition, Americans often have their hair and nails perfectly done as well, “which is fantastic for me because I know I have some American friends who get up at 5 a.m. to get out of the house and go to work perfectly at 7 a.m. … that's not our way of life, to be honest,” Oliver noted.

“I think we pay more attention to accessories… I would say the outfit is important, but shoes and accessories are the most important thing, the best part of the outfit for French women,” she said.

Wearing too many logos

Lefèvre pointed out that Americans' more comfortable clothing often includes T-shirts or sweatshirts with logos or a tote bag with the logo and name of a museum they recently visited.

“I think we avoid logos and choose timeless pieces that can be combined with the entire wardrobe,” explained Lefèvre.

If you don't want to be immediately labelled as an American tourist, avoid clothing or bags with logos and “wear black or just a classic white shirt with a top underneath and jeans,” she said, “and comfortable ballet flats [shoes] for women.”

This creates a more chic look, Lefèvre noted.

Too beachy clothing

“I'm not saying that all Americans are like this or dress like this, but the general impression we get is a mix of beachwear and sportswear,” explains Laura Carrillo, a stylist and fashion designer based in Mexico City.

“I think it's because most people think Mexico is just a country of beaches and cities, but our cities are bursting with big city energy and culture,” she said.

Just because you're traveling to a country known for its beaches doesn't mean you should only pack beachwear – especially if you're traveling to a place that's not near a beach, like Mexico City.

“The culture of 'fashion' is relatively new in our country, but it is developing quickly and forcefully,” said Carrillo. “We have a long tradition with artisans and we are quickly combining them into something unique.”

Dressing like a local in Mexico City is not that easy, says Carrillo.

“It's a different culture and energy. We have to remember that Mexico is not Condesa or Roma. [fashionable neighborhoods in Mexico City]“It’s hard to say exactly how a local dresses,” she said.

Instead of trying to blend in, Carrillo says tourists should be careful not to stand out too much as visitors.

“Much [Americans] “They have style and behave as they would at home,” Carrillo said. She advised visitors to “dress as they would at home and embrace Mexico as if it were their own country.”

Don't be afraid to try new styles and get inspiration from the world around you.

If you are a fan of “American” styles, that’s fine too. You can always mix these looks with other styles to create a unique look.

“I think you just have to play with fashion,” said Oliver. “And if [you look] in the mirror and you think you are beautiful… walk out like that.”

Fashion is subjective, which means there is no look that suits everyone.

“I think it’s really important for people to stay true to their own style, whether it’s casual, dressy or classy,” Crum explained.

If you know something works on you and gives you confidence, trust it… and consider dressing it up a bit. “For example, if you look good in wide-leg denim pants, wear those… wear them in khaki, wear them with dress pants. Find different versions of them that accentuate or elevate your look,” Crum said.

It's also important to have a selection of basics that fit well – like white shirts, black shirts, jeans and blazers – to fall back on, Crum added. “Then you can easily layer them.”

Traveling is also a great way to find fashion inspiration, whether it's shopping at a vintage store or simply taking in the culture around you. “Look at people on the street, sit on a terrace, have a drink in different places and different areas,” Oliver suggested.

“[You] “You just have to sit and look around. You'll see a lot of style and a lot of people. Maybe that'll help you find the style you like,” says Oliver, adding that she also finds inspiration for her style this way.

However, it is important that you get ideas and inspiration, not an exact look.

“I know that every selection is different for my clients because they have different bodies, different sizes, different eyes and different professions. So you don't copy and paste – there's no point in that,” said Oliver.

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