Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 4: Choosing colors and models
• Part 2 of 4: What to include in your style
• Part 3 of 4: What not to choose
• Part 4 of 4: Finding inspiration
• Tips
• Necessities

Europeans are known for their great fashion sense, and with good reason! They often dress in the better, stylish clothes that make fashion in most other countries look drab and dull. Whether you are traveling to Europe, or want to make the European way of dressing part of your own wardrobe, this article has the solutions you are looking for.

To step

Part 1 of 4: Choosing colors and models

1. Choose sleek, simple models. European fashion is most easily recognized by its clean, simple lines. The models of almost all garments, from dresses to suits, have a sleek, geometric design. Look for clothes that are simple in shape, with clean, elegant lines.
2. Wear clothes that fit. North Americans tend to wear clothes that are too small or comically big. Europeans usually wear clothes that fit their body perfectly. Some women choose (especially in summer) clothes that drape over the body, but with a single hint of their slim frame. You also need to make sure you choose clothes that fit you.
   • When Europeans buy clothes that don't fit right away, they often have them made to measure. You must do the same! Changing clothes is not as expensive as you think, and sometimes you can get a piece of clothing adjusted for as little as € 30 or less.
3. Stay away from flashy motifs. Striking motifs are not used as often by Europeans as compared to Americans. When Europeans choose motifs, they are usually more detailed. They like structure and so you often see things like lace dresses and knits, but patterns usually distract from the clean lines they largely prefer.
   • Sometimes you see exceptions to this rule in the summer, when floral, ethnic and island prints are chosen (usually on dresses).
4. Understand the European color palette. Every season for about every year, there will be a range of colors that are in fashion, and most of the new clothes on the market will have those colors. The colors that are fashionable in North America can often be very different from the popular ones in Europe, as Europeans seem to prefer a slightly different color palette than Americans. They usually prefer neutral tones with some bright, bold color accents.
   • For example: black and emerald green, beige and light pink, or navy blue and white.
   • Check out European fashion sites to see which colors are now in fashion.
5. Choose color combinations with a high contrast. The color combinations that Europeans usually choose have a high contrast, with a darker color and a lighter color.
6. Match the colors to the season. North American casual wear has the same colors almost all year round. Europeans are much more likely to change the colors they wear according to the season. This is a subtle clue, but you can bring this extra accent if you want.
   • Winter colors are subtle and often have more neutral tones.
   • Spring colors are a mix of bright colors and pastels.
   • Summer colors are bright and striking.
   • Fall colors are earthy and warm.

Part 2 of 4: What to include in your style

1. Put together an actual outfit. This is the best point to start. Match your shoes with your handbag, choose a colored top that matches the color of your pants, and pay attention to your overall look.
2. Dress more formally than you may be used to. This is another primary indicator of the European versus the American style (and that has hardly changed, even with the popularity of American styles in Europe). Europeans tend to dress nicely and certainly won't venture outside in yoga pants or sweatpants. Pick something a bit more dressier than you think you should be wearing, and you'll probably come close.
3. Keep it simple. Europeans wear outfits that are simple. They tend to shy away from the layering that Americans wear. Limit accessories and the number of layers, and rely on simplicity.
4. Wear jeans. It's a myth that Europeans don't wear jeans. Certainly. However, Europeans are more likely to opt for jeans in less bright colors than, say, Americans, but overall any color is okay. At the moment, brightly colored skinny jeans are very popular in Europe and these style-color combinations are easy enough to find elsewhere as well.
   • Skinny jeans are often paired with looser, longer tops and boots or flats.
   • Don't wear khaki. When Europeans choose light-colored pants, they usually opt for white or beige, not the signature twill cotton that Americans prefer. This isn't a hard requirement though, so don't worry if you prefer to wear khakis and find it hard to keep them in your drawer. If you still want to choose something else, you can also consider chinos.
5. Choose the right kind of pants. In general, Europeans avoid wide legs. Pants with holes or rips are also very American in style.
6. Wear more skirts and dresses. Women in Europe are more likely to wear skirts and dresses than American women, so don't be afraid to dress feminine. Leave the long dresses at home and choose shorter dresses with pantyhose. (Long dresses are very American and are almost never seen in European fashion.)
7. Choose subtle, stylish accessories. Avoid anything that is even slightly ostentatious, big, fake, or tacky. Instead, choose low-profile accessories that complement your outfits. Stick to understated pieces. Scarves, delicate hats, necklaces, and elegant jewelry are great choices. When you travel, don't lug a large, tourist wheeled backpack with you. Carry a shoulder bag, LeSportsac bag, briefcase, leather bag or similar. Add sunglasses to that. Europeans are more likely to choose simple, elegant sunglasses. A Ray Ban with wooden frame and gradient should be able to match any outfit.
8. Choose flat, elegant shoes. While business women over 30 certainly wear high heels (the French in particular), the younger group mainly wears flat shoes. Regardless of height, the style is always elegant and not flashy. Oxford flats are a common option for both men and women.
   • However, the most common shoe for youth and twenties is usually the Converse All Star. Don't think your favorite sneakers will mess up your style. Even the "gangsta" oversized sneakers are now fashionable among teenagers in Europe.

Part 3 of 4: What not to choose

1. Avoid the style with college prints and logos. You know those shirts with vintage-ish texts and logos or prints that make them seem to come from a fake university? That is a very American style. Avoid those if you want to dress in a European style.
2. Avoid traditional models of T-shirts. The traditional standard cut T-shirt is a classic American style. Europeans wear T-shirts, but they are usually a bit nicer. They often have a looser, better fit, shorter sleeves and a V-neck.
3. Do not wear clothes with holes or tears. Clothes with decorative rips or holes are a distinctly American fashion form. While they are also fashionable in Europe, especially among young people, they are generally perceived as less stylish and should be avoided completely.
4. Do not wear stained clothing. Bleached and especially "whiskered" jeans are very American styles. These should also be avoided.
5. Do not wear jogging clothes. For Europeans, jogging suits are meant to be worn at home and while exercising. Nothing more. Not many Europeans will do their weekend shopping in a jogging suit. Even the rise in the popularity of American styles has not led to a change in the wearing of extremely casual clothing, such as jogging suits, pajamas, and yoga wear.

Part 4 of 4: Finding inspiration

1. View the European editions of fashion magazines. Most Europeans read the well-known fashion magazines such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan, but they have their own special editions. Subscribe to one of these if you want to keep up with European fashion.
2. View the European fashion blogs. There are some great European fashion blogs to follow if you want to get some inspiration for your next outfit.
3. Check out the European clothing stores. You can also check the websites of well-known European stores. Some stores even have locations in other countries where you can just buy the same clothes as in Europe. Zara, H&M and Kookai are the most popular stores for people under the age of 35. Zara also has clothes that are chic enough for an older crowd.

Tips

• Don't forget that styles vary across Europe. Start with the basics as described in this article, and then look at the people around you. If you are staying somewhere for an extended period of time, buy a few items from the local stores that characterize the styles you see and love in that particular place. That way you can adapt your wardrobe to any part of Europe, wherever you are.
• If you need help making clothes better, it's a good idea to see a tailor or seamstress. Tailors are actually not that expensive and can give clothes a completely different look.
• Shopping at the right stores is a good start. Try ASOS, H&M, Ben Sherman, Belstaff, Topshop, Hugo Boss, Topman, Lacoste, Mango, Zara, United Colors of Benetton and Reiss.

Necessities

• Some nice, dark or neutral pants / jeans in a slim model.
• Shorts that are not ripped and not too short.
• Blouses or other shirts in a nice model.
• A pair of neutral colored knee length skirts.
• A few nice, not too short, plain dresses, or dresses with fine motifs.
• Some unobtrusive, understated accessories.
• Lightweight, stylish shoes
• Simple sunglasses