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Wondering what to wear on your trip to Europe so you don't look like an American tourist? You've come to the right place! I'll walk you through the 8+ items you should never wear in Europe (and what to wear instead), and provide attire and outfit suggestions to keep you comfortable and classy during your time 'across the pond.'
Trevi Fountain (SPC)
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Wondering how to pack for a trip to Europe?
The Eiffel Tower, Paris (SPC)
There's nothing more exciting, or more intimidating, than packing for a trip to Europe. You want to be comfortable, walk 20,000 steps/day, fit in, and, realistically look good in a few pictures throughout your trip. Oh and you have to fit all of this into just a few suitcases that you have to wrangle and wrestle on a few train rides.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of picking the right clothes for your trip to Europe, never fear! You've absolutely come to the right place for Europe packing guidance. If you've been following along with my European travel blog for a while, you'll know that one of my great passions is helping American tourists pack for their trip 'across the pond,' so that they feel comfortable and confident during their time in Europe, while respecting cultural norms. I hadn't ever been to Europe before our honeymoon (which was a few years ago now), and once I started, I just couldn't stop! We took six trips to Europe in five years, and I became a Europe travel packing pro. I've honed my tips over the years, but a lot of the basics have remained the same, and I update them to change with the times. So what do people wear in Europe?
While we, as Americans, like to think that our cultural has conquered the world, and it sometimes feels like it has, the Europeans were there first and they have absolutely held their ground in the fashion department. European fashion is fundamentally different than American fashion.
Europeans dress more traditionally, more conservatively, more formally, and frankly, better, than Americans. And while there are certain sartorial differences that don't matter, or are outweighed by the practicalities of of being a tourist, I think it is worth discussing a few simple mistakes you can avoid for a more comfortable trip. Ready to go?
Let's dive right in. I'm so glad you're here. I hope you'll take some time to explore the many resources I've created to help you plan your trip to Europe, including subscribing to my blog newsletter to download my packing guides!
8+ Embarrassing Items You Should Never Wear in Europe
Venice, Italy (SPC)
Beach Flip Flops
The first items you should *never* (ever, ever, ever) wear in Europe is cheap beach flip flops.
There are several reasons that beach flip flops aren't appropriate footwear for a trip to Europe, so let's walk through them all. First of all, if your touring strategy is anything like mine, you can expect to do A LOT OF WALKING, and to take as many as 20,000 steps per day while exploring Europe. Comfortable shoes, especially comfortable walking shoes, are the most important item to bring with you to Europe. If you take nothing else away from this post, please select your comfortable walking shoes today and start breaking them in. In addition to comfort, while European cities are no more dirty than American ones (in fact, likely the opposite), you do not want to have filthy feet throughout your trip. Ok, beyond practicalities of comfort and cleanliness, we'll move onto the dress code and 'fitting' in aspect of why you should never wear beach flip flops on a trip to Europe. You will never see a European woman in cheap, plastic beach flip flops. If you'll be visiting a beach resort, I'd pack nice sandals. Even in summer, many nicer restaurants and even some theaters will have dress codes that prohibit certain types of attire, including flip flops. Have I convinced you? I sure hope so. FAQ: Can I wear white tennis shoes in Europe?
If I were writing this post a few years ago, even when I first started my blog 6 years ago, there would have been an entire section dedicated to me lecturing you on how wearing white sneakers in Europe is the ultimate faux pas. But not so, today! Europeans also wear sneakers in everyday life, not just to the gym. Make sure your sneakers are in good shape, newer, and clean. I tend to suggest a simple, sleek, white, canvas or leather sneaker. If Kate Middleton can wear them, we can too.
Revealing Shorts
Next up on the list of items you should never wear in Europe: short shorts.
The reasons are fairly similar to the oppositions I raised to beach flip flops. First, Europeans do not wear short shorts. They do wear shorts, but European style shorts are not particularly revealing, more likely chinos, and more of a 'Kennedy' style. Second, Europeans show less skin and you'll feel and look half naked. Third, revealing shorts are often prohibited by dress codes at religious sites, particularly in southern European countries. I'd hate for anyone to miss seeing a gorgeous, small church on a random corner in Rome because you're in appropriately dressed. (Fun fact: in Italy, there are still quite a few famous art works house in situ, so you may need to visit churches to see pieces on your list!). And finally, as you'll be likely be relying largely on public transit, you do not want to have your bare thighs touching the dirty seats on on The Tube or Metro. Tight skinny jeans
As a Millennial myself, I have had to make the transition away from skinny jeans to much looser, more trendy jeans.
The same applies in Europe. No one wears skinny jeans anymore, and that move happened in Europe several years before it happened in the States. (I actually realized skinny jeans were going out of style during a trips to Paris and saw all those cool French teens rocking the loose jeans we've all come to know and love). So no skinny jeans. I'd also avoid really destroyed jeans. While color is less of an issue (light jeans or dark jeans are OK), as long as the jeans are clean and fit correctly. FAQ: Can you wear jeans in Europe?
Yes. European women wear jeans. That said, be sure that you bring non-denim pants, if you'll be visiting upmarket restaurants or theaters, which sometimes have dress codes that ban jeans.
Leggings as pants
Ah yes, we have finally reached one of the more common topics people as me about - can I wear yoga pants in Europe? Short answer? No. European women do not wear yoga pants unless they are doing yoga. You can wear leggings if you have a top that is long enough to cover your bottom. Invest in some great travel pants. You'll thank me, not just for your vacation to Europe.
Athletic Wear for Everyday
And on that topic, unlike in the US, the athleisure craze has not swept Europe to the same extent it has in the US. As a stay-at-home mom, I literally wear nothing but Lululemon most days of the week in the US. It's not the same in major European cities. While athleisure wear creeps in on the edges (joggers!), you will not see tons of people walking around in Paris looking like they're about to go to the gym.
Baseball Caps for Women
Similarly, you won't be surprised to learn that, similarly, baseball caps for women are not all the rage in Europe. We Americans invented baseball, and we invented the "I wear a baseball cap because I'm a busy mom vibe."
While I'm all for being casual and comfortable on your vacation, I would strongly recommend against wearing a baseball cap. If you're worried about sun, invest in some sunscreen, and if you'll be in southern Europe, a small sun hat.
Graphic Tees
Nothing screams American like bright colors, loud colors, and graphic t-shirts. Leave the slogans, jokes, and political t-shirts at home, unless you're really signing yourself up for some unwanted attention.
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