{2026} 8+ Embarrassing Items You Should Never Wear in Europe

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 surprising items you should never wear in Europe and provide item 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. 

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 than Americans. While there are sartorial differences that don't matter, or are outweighed by the practicalities of of being a tourist, we'll discuss a few simple mistakes you can avoid for a more comfortable trip. 

What I actually wear in Europe (simple capsule wardrobe)

I’ve simplified my Europe packing into a small capsule wardrobe I use every time. These are the exact pieces I rely on for long days of walking, cobblestones, and feeling put together without overpacking.
You can shop everything I actually wear here →
Or read the full breakdown of how I build my Europe capsule wardrobe here →

Ready to avoid some Europe travel fashion pitfalls?

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!

• {2026} What to Wear in Europe: Simple Outfits that Work
• {2026} What to Wear in Europe: 20+ Tips Every First Time Tourist Needs
• What to Wear in Paris, Scotland, Italy, London

This post has upset some people...

Updating this post at the first anniversary of going viral, I acknowledge that it has upset some readers.

• I don't think my European readers are aware of how casually Americans dress, by I mean that I regularly see people in their pajamas, wearing Crocs, and sweatshirts with rude sayings plastered across the chest.
• I, and my blog-reading audience, am a little older and looking to fit in. Just because a tourist "can" wear something (Europe is a free society & clothing is not regulated by law) doesn't mean that you will fit in, look good, or feel comfortable.
• Some of my suggestions apply to both fashion AND tourist comfort. As a tourist, I would never wear flip flops in Paris. You will look silly AND your feet will be filthy and painful. If I lived in Paris and were just running to my local grocery store, not walking 20,000 steps/day, I would dress differently.

{2026} 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 Old Navy 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. I always bring a clean, low-profile sneaker like these. 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.

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. ​Want more info about Europe shoe shopping? Check out {2026} The Best Comfortable Shoes for Walking All Day in Europe.

Here are some shoes you SHOULD wear in Europe:

• Booties
• Loafers
• Clean, low-profile sneakers

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.

{2026} shop my go-to Europe
​travel essentials ->

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!). 

Finally, as you'll be likely be relying on public transit, you do not want to have your bare thighs touching the dirty seats on a metro.

Here are shorts you SHOULD wear in Europe:

Tank tops, tube tops, midriff-exposing tops

For the same reasons I've described above, your trip to Europe, even in summer, is not the time to wear your skimpiest clothing. If you are planning to wear a shirt that reveals your shoulders, consider investing in a travel wrap, in the event you want to enter a space with a dress code or a church with a modesty request.

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 classic blue jeans, and younger Europeans wear distressed, baggy, etc. 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.

wear jeans in Europe this ->

Shop my travel outfit here!

Here are pants and jeans you SHOULD wear in Europe

Leggings as pants

Ah yes, we have finally reached one of the more common topics people as me about - can I wear leggings/yoga pants in Europe?

Short answer? I wouldn't, unless you're younger than me and most of my target audience. European women do wear yoga pants, but differently than we do. Trench coat, leggings, high socks, sneakers? I'll allow it. Ratty work-out leggings paired with whatever top you happened to bring? You simply will stand out.

Invest in some great travel pants. You'll thank me, not just for your vacation to Europe.

Here are some great, black travel pants you SHOULD wear in Europe, rather than leggings

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. Instead, I wear re-wearable travel pants and a classic trench that pulls everything together.

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 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. And, if you must wear a baseball cap, wear one without a logo.

Worried about sun protection or cold weather? Here are some hats you SHOULD wear in Europe:

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.

Here are sweaters and blouses you SHOULD wear in Europe:

Huge Bags and Purses

Large bags / travel backpacks make you look like a tourist, and an open tote is a pickpocket's dream. I'd recommend a small, leather or canvas crossbody bag to carry only essential items while you're out and about. While a belt bag (formerly known as a 'fanny pack') would have been a faux pas in the past, I'd say you can feel comfortable using one of those as well. If you're particularly concerned about pickpockets, there's always the tourist standby of the money belt, which my husband has worn on trips where we've carried more cash.

consider a pickpocket-proof bag ->

A secure purse can make a big difference when you're sightseeing in Europe all day. I've been testing several bags from Arden Cove that include anti-theft features like locking zippers and slash-resistant straps, but still look polished enough for everyday wear. I wrote a full Arden Cove bag review for Europe travel after trying them.

ever wanted to try a Chanel bag, before you buy?

I recently tried my first Vivrelle subscription - it allows you to borrow from a wide selection of luxury bags - one per month!

{2026} My Go-To Europe Travel Pieces ->

So what should you wear in Europe? After years of trial and error, these are the exact pieces I reach for every time I travel to Europe. I've rounded up my Europe travel essentials to keep you comfortable and classy during your time in Europe:

Want the simple version of all of this?

If you’d rather not piece this together yourself, I put together my full Europe capsule wardrobe with everything I actually wear (and rewear) on every trip.
You can shop it all here →
Or read the full guide here →

Thanks for Stopping By!

Stick to classic looks, darker colors, and you'll fit right in. And while I have "tried" to scare you a bit, please don't be intimidated. If you care enough to read this article, I promise you will do just fine.

While you're here, please be sure to check out all of the other resources I have on packing for and planning a trip to Europe, the UK, and, of course, various destinations throughout the United States.

• The Ultimate Guide to Packing for 10 Days in Europe
• ​What to Wear on a Flight to Europe
• What to Wear in Paris, What to Wear in Scotland, What to Wear in Italy, What to Wear in London​

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