When I’m traveling to Europe, I really like to pull out all the stops, wear my prettiest clothes and actually spend more than five minutes on my hair and make up. And since I’m currently on my second study abroad trip and have traveled to seven European countries, I fancy myself pretty good at dressing like a fashionable European. Well, at least my bank account reflects that. (I’ve bought A LOT of clothing in Europe.) So let’s talk fashion. Hopefully, this will inspire your packing list for your next European adventure, or at least help you dress like you’re on one if you’re not headed to Europe soon.
For women
- No shorts. As Florida girls, shorts are our best friends. We need them like clingy girls need their boyfriends, men need their egos boosted, and I need my "Gilmore Girls" DVDs. But let’s face it, a lot of times shorts don’t look the best, and while some are very stylish, most are just easy to throw on. Opt for a skirt instead. Maxi skirts and high-low skirts pretty much always look great and so chic and European!
- Nothing skimpy. Sometimes, I feel like Americans just use body-con and other short, tight dresses as a cop out to being truly fashionable. Sorry, but your butt and breasts almost falling out of your dress is not cute or fashionable. Choose dresses that accentuate your natural shape and play up your good curves, not ones that show every curve of your body. Dresses that already have a shape are a good option. And if you think American men are forward when they see you in a bodycon dress, you don’t even want to know how European men would react. Hint: They’ll skip the talking phase and jump straight to the “Can I show you my bed?” phase.
- Scarves are your friends. Ok, I get that some people hate scarves, but if you like them even a little bit, wear them in Europe. A scarf will pretty much make any outfit look European.
- Wear tights like you can’t live without them. Pair them with skirts, dresses, and even shorts. (That’s when shorts can be OK.) Tights will not only keep you warm; they’re super comfortable and make the simplest outfits look like you put a lot of time into them. And that’s something anyone can appreciate.
For men
Disclaimer: As we all know, European men wear form-fitting clothing that make the shortie shorts of the ‘80s seem like a conservative fashion choice. So I’m not suggesting that you guys go out and buy tight v-necks and capris; I think American men dress much better than European ones. However, there are some things that you guys could learn from Europeans.
- Accentuate your manly physique with clothing that hugs the right places. Like I said, I’m not saying go buy super-tight clothes, but shirts that show off your shoulders and chest look really good on.
- Look put together. Ok, no offense, but sometimes, American men look very sloppy. Like they rolled out of bed and grabbed the closest thing. European men always look very put together; learn from them.
European fashion is great, and it would serve us all well to dress a little more like them. And dressing like a European while you’re in Europe will only make your trip better, but let’s not adopt all of their ways. Deodorant is a beautiful thing, and I really want all of you to keep wearing it. Au revoir mes amis!
