A new theme is emerging around here – okay, at present it’s only in my mind – and that is European style. Specifically, since a friend will be moving to Italy before the year is out, how to dress as an American there has been on my mind since really before I started the blog even.
Now Susan in Texas, a real life friend who has been reading almost from the beginning, has brought the theme to the forefront with this proposal/question:
I am planning a trip to Paris and wonder if you could come up with wardrobe suggestions for me. Of course, Katie wants to actually walk into the Chanel boutique and though that frightens me, I know we will do just that! Most of our days will be spent museum going/walking/wandering the streets. Any ideas as to what to wear in order to not “stick out†as the “American Tourist†(I don’t mind being a tourist and am certainly proud to be an American, but don’t want to be labelled as a “hickâ€, if that makes sense). I think most Europeans think of all Americans as wearing jeans and baseball caps.
Susan
And to bring it all a little closer to home, I applied for my passport yesterday. Just in case an opportunity arises. You never know.
Another tidbit you may not know is that I lived in Europe for five years when I was growing up, Germany to be precise. My most vivid memory of the American vs European sartorial clash takes me back to ninth grade, our return to the States. At the time bell-bottom hip-huggers had been around for some time. Logically, it seemed time to move on. So I got myself a really cool 😎 pair of jeans from a German store, not skinny, but definitely less wide, and with all kinds of funky seams on them.
Too bad for me Moses Lake, Washington, just wasn’t ready for that look yet. I was a big dork.
Susan is unlikely under any circumstances to come off as a big dork. Nevertheless, this should be fun to think about. What fashion advice would you give to the American headed for Europe?
I think the secret is to kick it up a notch in formality and down a notch in accessorizing/embellishment. Nothing “cute” and nothing you wouldn’t wear to a decent restaurant (some independent local spot with $20 dinners). So, think plain trousers that don’t wrinkle, simple blouses and tops, layered sweaters/jackets and smart shoes. No jeans, no shorts, no capris and no tennis shoes or tech sandals (chacos stay home).
Simple trench in a mid-length, simple bag and umbrella – splurge on a scarf while there to use/tie on outfit daily. I favor picking a base color and working to ensure all pieces “work” in various combos – simple dress that can be topped with a cardigan that matches a shell to wear with trousers. Basic advice, but I think it’s basic for a reason – it holds up.
If you will have sporty days while there, I would consider some canvas trousers and simple T’s (not message, not “teacher cute” with appliques) and some simple walking shoes that aren’t like runners… If you are worried about heat, check title9sports for skirts and dresses that are casual, sporty and elegant at the same time – and packable – I would really not wear shorts, ever-. Actually, they have a lot of pieces I could see wearing on a trip to Europe in the summer.
Jeans and a lot of black. Of course this may just go for London, although it was pretty much that way in Spain too. I have only ever been to Europe in the winter so maybe the Jeans and black rule only applies to cold weather.
having just been to europe (amsterdam, paris and antwerp, were the big destinations), i’d say the easiest way to not look like an “american tourist” is to avoid the bulky running shoes, the mom jeans, baseball caps, fanny/bum packs (worn unironically!). strive to be more current and chic if you want to blend in with the european masses.
but also, keeping one’s cultural attitude/perspective in check and being open to the mores and norms of another country is really helpful. the biggest beef europeans have these days is with our politics, not our fashion sense.
it might be good to check someone like “the satorialist” to get a look into what the REALLY chic europeans are wearing.
people in bigger cities do dress comfortably just like they would anywhere else in the world…it’s not all high couture, chiffon and heels by any stretch of the imagination. people are wearing much the same things there as they are here, at least when it comes to big urban centers. they have H&M, etc. etc. hello, globalization!
when i paris in early may, i saw lots of women wearing sneakers/flats/casual shoes and jeans and the like, but they do it the way new yorkers do, in a chic, understated way. maybe little european sneakers (like pumas?), loose, wideleg jeans with a flat front, a light fitted jacket, and OF COURSE, a scarf, and not unnecessarily hermes or anything fancy. hair loosely tied back. the Parisians specifically look chic in an effortless way…it’s not all crazy accessorized and trendy like it is in say, nyc or london. they are current in all ways but maybe not over the top?
one thing i did see in paris that i am still thinking about is the fact that i saw lots of women wearing oversized cocktail rings. i have been a fan of this FOREVER in my own personal style, and while it’s in some current magazines etc. here in the states, it’s huge there…at least in the places i was looking. looked very glamorous, even with jeans. i bought one at a little designer boutique there and have not stopped getting compliments since. here it is: http://flickr.com/photos/pintuck/495308854/
as for other locales, it certainly differs from place to place. almost all the big cities in europe have the same chain stores in their city centers so it can sometimes feel homogenized, to a degree, as far as fashion. but the fashion flavors of cities come out in subtle ways, most certainly. amsterdam was completely different than antwerp or paris.
have fun, wherever you go! i love traveling in europe…
ok, first of all, no crocs!
then… lots of black, basic pieces mostly, maybe some with a twist, definately no logos or slogans on tshirts, no white tennis shoes, no flipflops, jeans are ok, but nice jeans at that, dark wash preferably. above all, make sure everything you wear fits right and isn’t wrinkled or stained (sounds like a no-brainer but is actually quite important).
Have fun in Paris!
I was in Italy six months ago, I’d agree with all of the above, especially the no chunky white sneakers, chunky hiking shoes, tech sandles or bum bags. Plain or stylish jeans are fine, more black in winter is fine (though you might look a little out of place in Summer).
Shorts would be fine for women (only) in summer, but only the slim legged dress shorts finishing at the knee (often shown here on Rebecca’s blog).
I took black and brown non-crushable but stylish pants, fitted t-shirts and tunics, slim fit brown walking shoes, red loafers, a red trenchcoat, and a bag I could sling diagonally. I felt stylish enough for Italy as well.
My biggest tip, especially if you are travelling rather than living there, is take stuff you can wash by hand, wring out and hang up overnight, and that doesn’t require ironing. Most places don’t provide an iron.
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