How to Look Chic While Traveling in Europe

Bon voyage! So you're off to Europe? Starting to pack? I've got some easy tips about what to pack, what to do in advance, and what to wear once you've arrived!

​Let's talk about how to look classy on a trip to Europe.

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What's more exciting than getting ready for a trip to Europe?

Planning, booking, scheduling, (rescheduling), and watching it all finally come together as the trip gets closer!

And then there's packing. What an adventure. If it's your first trip to Europe or your first trip to a specific country, packing can definitely be at least a little bit of a daunting task. There's the mechanics of jamming everything into the bag, and then...well, there's what you want to be jamming in there in the first place!!

How do you look good on a trip to Europe, while also being comfortable enough to walk around *all day everyday* for 10 days? It's a hard nut to crack, but after 5 trips "across the pond" over the last 4 years, and with 2 more coming up in the next year, I think I've got it figured out.

​I've collected some "go-to" outfits that are chic and stylish, without being uncomfortable. Who knew that combination existed? I certainly didn't - and you'll note you won't be seeing any pictures from my first trip to England, because I've metaphorically burned all the the ones with me in them.

Wait. Are you saying travel is all about what I'm wearing?

*Please, please, please* don't get me wrong. I am *not* saying that traveling is all about appearances, though, admittedly I do write about the subject quite often.

Traveling is about exploring, seeing the world, and learning how other people live. It can be one of the most enriching experiences, and getting out there and taking a chance should always top your list.

That said, you're here to learn about clothes! And I will argue that feeling comfortable and confident is part of my personal enjoyment of travel (and everyday life), and I know that many, many of you agree with me. I like to feel that I fit in, look good, and am representing myself well, when I'm abroad. One of the things I really enjoy learning about when I'm abroad is how people dress (it was in England that I discovered my love of Barbour!) and how social normal differ from what I'm used to (read: endless saying of "Bonjour!" in France).

​My goal is to give *real* tips for *real people* traveling to Europe.

And, finally, one small disclaimer - I've included pictures from various trips to Europe. Obviously, I've compiled my tips over a number of trips, so I can't be perfect in every pictures, nor should anyone who's traveling! :)

If you're on board, let's talk about how to look chic while traveling in Europe!

Couldn't resist a photoshoot in Strasbourg, France

How to Look Classy in Europe:
Preparing for your trip

Let's start at the very beginning! What do you need to do to prepare for a trip to Europe (outside of all of the planning of the trip itself - for more on that, check out the full post on how to plan a trip to Europe!). 

Part of the logistics of preparing for a long trip are simply that a longer vacation than most people usually take. And, of course, you are going somewhere that maybe you've never been, or that you've only been a couple of times. How to prepare?

Styling your hair in a European hotel room

First things first - how are you going to look chic if you don't have any of your normal hair styling products? Well, first of all, almost all hotels in Europe will have a hair dryer (thank goodness), just like we do here in the States. But when it comes to other styling supplies, you'll need to have that adapter if you're going to want to use your straightener or curler. (If this is your first trip to Europe, check out the full primer on A First Timer's Guide to Europe, to learn about buying adapters (and finding coffee) and everything in between.)

And, of course, you don't really want to spend your whole trip to Europe ironing your hair, right? For me, I bring the straightener for nights out, when I want to look extra nice, but for day to day, I just opt for my favorite hair creme (I hear Meghan Markle uses it too - makes me feel fancy), the hotel blow dryer, and some neatly arranged, giant bobbi pins to keep it out of my face!

Best nail polishes for a trip to Europe

As most Americans stay in Europe at least a week, how are you to keep your nails looking fresh throughout the trip? You certainly want to avoid spending your time at the nail salon or hunting for nail polish removal. For me, a manicure aficionado, vacation is *not* the time to scrimp.

I've talked to a few manicurists about this, and of course, done my own "research!"

Thankfully, thanks so the advent of "gel" nail polish, you can keep those nails looking fresh for your entire trip. Definitely try out gel before your trip, to ensure that it works for you. For people with "dry" nails, or nails that grow very quickly, gel often doesn't work. For the dry nails, it can pop off, and if your nails grow quickly, the gel will remain, but will gap between your nail bed and the gel layer, as they grow.

That said, if gel doesn't work for you, for those or any other reasons, you can go with regular polish and add a top coat halfway through your trip (I do this on normal weeks). For "normal", but long -lasting polish, I use CND "weekly" (meaning not gel). Adding that topcoat halfway through the week keeps me looking good until my next appointment and on a trip!

And, if all of this is just a bit much, or if you'll be taking an active vacation and worry that your nails will be a mess by the end, why not get a manicure with all the shaping and cuticle procedures, but *without polish*? People do it all the time, but it honestly never crossed my mind until relatively recently. Always an option!

Packing jewelry for a trip to Europe

It goes without saying that the majority of countries in Europe are extremely safe. That said, it's travel itself, not specific countries, that makes traveling with jewelry always a bit risky!

​Make sure all of your important jewelry (engagement and wedding rings, etc.) are insured before you go.

For me, I bring only as much jewelry as I can wear on a normal day, and then a few costume jewelry necklaces to switch out. That way, especially if we're changing hotels, there's really no risk of me losing anything (and if one necklace goes off to live its best life, I shall survive). The necklaces can add pizzaz to any outfit, without adding bulk or weight, and they certainly make an outfit look thought out and finished.

I really like JCrew and the JCrew Factory/Mercantile stores for inexpensive, but cute necklaces.

Break in your shoes before you get to Europe

If you're going to buy new shoes for your trip, definitely do this thoughtfully. We can discuss a bit more, below, what types of shoes you may want to have, but I would recommend relying on shoes you've had for a while for the everyday walking. 

But if you have new shoes, even ones you're planning to wear just for evening/special events, definitely break them in before your trip.

And I don't just mean wear them in the house while you're packing. Wear them on walks everyday. Wear them to work. Wear them to the park with your kids on a Saturday.

You can't walk 18,000 steps a day in new shoes...unless they're my favorite loafers from my trip to Paris, but that's another story.

Make-up for a trip to Europe

Ah the million dollar question! What type of make-up do you want to buy/pack for your trip to Europe?

For me, I try to keep it super light. I find Europeans don't wear a ton of make-up, and they seem to have a great way of looking chic without it. For tourists, I don't want to have runny mascara, or eye shadow up to my eyebrows at the end of a long day, or especially if I get caught in some of that sneaky English drizzle. Red, watering eyes and big, mascara circles under your eyes are definitely not chic.

Additionally, keep in mind that these products are going to need to fly thousands of miles in the chilly cargo hold, maybe change planes multiple times, and get thrown and thrown and thrown by baggage handlers. You'll definitely want to pack them securely, and I wouldn't bring hundreds of dollars of products with you.

I opt for only bringing:

• Tinted moisturizer with sunscreen
• Blush/bronzer and tiny brush
• Mascara
• Eyebrow pencil that doesn't run
• Chapstick

Calton Hill, Edinburgh

How to Look Classy in Europe:
Europe Travel Essentials

Regardless which country you're visiting, there are a few things you definitely will want to bring to look classy in Europe.

​For more on packing for 10-days in Europe, check out the full post, Packing for a 10-Day Trip to Europe, which includes what to wear on a plane, how to pack a carry-on, and suitcase logistics.

Light Jackets for Europe

Unless you'll be going to Europe in the dead of winter, light jackets are the name of the game.

My big, winter coat has some serious frequent flyer miles under its belt, really for no reason. That said...we are visiting Europe over the holidays this year, so that will likely change. 

But, spring and fall, you really will be fine with a light jacket. A

• light trench coat (I'd include one even in summer, just in case!);
• windbreaker;
• Barbour; or
• "topper" will do the trick (Boden usually has some good ones), depending on which countries you're visiting (for more on country-specific packing, scroll to the bottom of this post for links!).

Chic touches for Europe

Scarves for a trip to Europe

Welcome drinks in Rome

No matter the country, I am all about adding a scarf to most of my outfits for winter/spring/fall in Europe! They're perfectly comfortably for travel, yet keep you looking classy and polished all day long.

Can't go wrong with a few reasonably priced options from Amazon, to get you started, if you aren't currently a scarf girl!

Wraps for a trip to Europe

For airplanes, late-night, outdoor dinners, and even casual museum strolling on a nice day, I love a wrap to keep my temperature comfortable when going in and out of AC, or when the temperature unexpectedly dips! There's also something super classy about a wrap - and if you get one in a versatile color, you can pop it over most of the outfits you'll be wearing!

Purses for Europe

The right purse is one of your more vital accessories on a trip to Europe - which ever you select, it'll be with you morning, noon, and night during your travels. Personally, I opt for the smallest possible purse and definitely avoid backpacks.

For everyday, I like a basic Longchamp Le Pliage - super compact, "squishable" (an industry term?), zip-able, and waterproof-ish (at least I'm not worried about it in a sudden downpour).

Walking shoes for Europe

Find the perfect shoes is *key* to feeling comfortable on a trip to Europe. Walking will be your main activity and a blister can seriously ruin a day. That said, I'm not going to rock my gym shoes just to feel comfortable. As far as that's concerned, Europeans are *very* particular about tennis shoes (or "trainers" in the UK). If you do bring tennis shoes, be sure to bring others as well, as higher-end establishments quite often have "no trainer" policies.

My packing list for Europe for shoes is:

• one pair of preppy-essential riding boots. I like these Blondo boots because they're waterproof, but they look like leather, so they're perfect for rainy days;
• one pair of "booties"/ankle boots - Blondo has these as well. Not as clunky as riding boots, and still very comfortable for walking;
• two pairs of flats (one fancy- I generally bring Ferragamo's- and one for walking to dinner, pub after a long day of wearing boots - I like Sam Edelman for loafers); and
• one pair of *nice* sandals (not pool flip-flips), to let my feet catch a breather from my other shoes.

Preparing for rain in Europe

The Royal Crescent, Bath

If you come prepared, you can avoid the ultimate mark of the tourist, the plastic parka. 

Rain is an unfortunate reality of any trip, especially if you'll be visiting the UK. For specifics on UK rain, check out What to Wear in London and What to Wear in Scotland.

Generally, I try to rely on a small, extremely compact umbrella, a light rain jacket, and waterproof shoes, but not rain boots, which are hard to walk in and will inevitably cause blisters, no matter how comfortable you think they are. That way, I'm prepared for rain, but also look normal...not like I'm about to go on the Maid of the Mist.

How to Look Classy in Europe:
​Country-Specific Packing Lists

Depending on where you'll be heading, I likely have some tips on what to wear in that specific place (at least if it's France, Scotland, England, or Italy)! A few of the suggestions are similar to what we've discussed above, but I definitely go into more detail on what to expect both weather and culture-wise, as far as clothes are concerned!

Check out my country-specific packing lists below:

• What to Wear in Paris
• What to Wear in Scotland
• What to Wear in Italy
• What to Wear in London

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I am so happy you came by to talk about traveling to Europe - it means a lot to me that you're here, and I hope you'll consider poking around the website to check out all the other content I have to offer about Europe.

​Traveling "across the pond" is one of my favorite activities, and hopefully my experience can give you some helpful guidance as you plan your own tips! 

​Bon voyage! xx

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