Maggie's Farm

Re: travel clothing. We used to be suckers for that stuff (also those heavy, clunky Pacsafe bags and backpacks that I now wince at seeing them carried around by legions of terrified elderly American and Australian tourists. ) The only thing that saves us is that we Americans are viewed as not worth stealing form compared to certain other groups who arrive in packs headed for Hermes and Gucci etc (that Americans cannot afford).
We realised that nothing broadcasts rich target OLD white tourist like the styles of most "travel clothing". Patch pockets are okay for skateboarders or on safari but aren't dignified for travellers over 30. We used to get stalked by certain types when we dressed in clothes like that. Now we just dress as I did growing up in Europe, and nobody bothers us. Classic, simple clothes. I recommend linen shirts (hang to dry overnight and never mind the wrinkles). You wouldn't wear travel clothing to New York City.
Avoiding pickpockets is about not standing out, also is about not getting drunk and having your defences down, also is about having your wits about you, also (duh) is about avoiding certain places like crowded subway trains, cliched tourist selfie-snapping hellholes (base of Eiffel Tower)....IMHO, one is most vulnerable when sleep deprived after the night flight from the US, so it's worth it to spring for a limo ride to the hotel instead of taking one of those great cheap subways from the airport (which pickpockets often ride). You can take it going back, when you aren't a zombie from jet lag. Also, you are vulnerable when counting out change or asking directions or confused. Google Maps is your friend, download beforehand so you don't have to rely on spotty internet reception. And buy tickets, city passes, travel passes and stuff ahead of time, so you don't have to handle cash or a credit card often. Viator is good. It may sound obsessive, but it's the transitions and the confused moments when the scum try to sidle up to you. So you just have to plan out each day like Operation Desert Storm and walk purposefully , even when lost, and rely on Google to get you back on track. Everyone there is on their phones all the time anyway . NEVER ever use a paper map (dead giveaway). No baseball caps. Many Europeans wear American shoes and backpacks etc as trendy stuff, but you should not because you don't want to stand out. Dress dull, get over the fact that nobody wants to look at you if you're over 40, no matter how fit, no matter that you still hike 15 miles a day, and you will have a better time...

IMHO, convertible shorts/pants are an abomination (hideous). Only worth it if you are walking the Camino de Santiago on pilgrimage (mortification of vanity) and/or doing ultralight backpacking with a 10 lb pack for everything.

Now the notion of lightweight, breathable, quick drying fabrics is good,, but get normal style clothes that are flattering. It DOES make sense to bring one pair of nylon pants (not polyester wh is less durable, less comfortable, tends to stink, and pills) that will dry overnight or in an hour after a rainstorm in a hike and not be cold and clammy on a long rainy hike. But you can get ones that LOOK like dress pants, for men and women. Here's an example from a site that has great sales https://www.backcountry.com/exofficio-venture-pant-womens?skid=EXO00DV-BK-S8&ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6ZXggb2ZmaWNpbzoxOjE6ZXggb2ZmaWNpbw==

Get a floating belt and passport pocket to wear inside them if you are truly paranoid. You shouldn't be bringing jewellery or anything but your passport, one visa card and a cellphone anyway and if you can't keep track of those?

If you insist on the ability to have the pants adjust shorter, they have them with drawstring bottoms invisible to shorten them.

The main thing is, it's rather insulting to civilised people to visit their capital cities dressed as if for a safari expedition. It implies that you are in the "lions and tigers and bears oh my!" mode. Blend in, blend in...(it does help if you speak the language)