What to wear, safety, etc

[anonymouseuser]

Hi all, I'm getting ready for a solo backpacking trip through part of Western Europe and as a woman, I would like to make sure that I stay safe. Some of the more dangerous cities I'm passing through are Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris. I've heard particularly bad things about Paris. As in the pickpockets are fierce, the subway is extremely dangerous, and males there are extremely aggressive compared to what we're used to in the states. How should I dress for my trip? Since I'm backpacking, I'm sticking to light, breathable fibers and simple tops and bottoms that match easily. Are shorts ok? Tank tops? Do I need to dress more conservatively than in the U.S.? What would be a simple outfit that I can bring to go out? I'm bringing a pair of Chacos, a pair of Merrell casual shoes, and I was thinking of bringing a pair of dressy sandals. I'm not planning on going anywhere that's too fancy, but would I be able to get into most bars and restaurants with dressy sandals?

Also, what would be a good bag for me to carry my stuff with? Would I look ridiculous if I just used the removable fanny pack that zips off of most backpacking backpacks?