{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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​Updated September, 2026.

​Wondering how to pack for a trip to Europe?

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. ​

The Eiffel Tower, Paris (SPC)

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?

In many European cities, everyday style reads a little more polished, traditional, and conservative than what many Americans wear casually at home. While there are sartorial differences that don't matter, or are outweighed by the practicalities of being a tourist, we'll discuss a few simple mistakes you can avoid for a more comfortable trip. 

This post has upset some people...

• 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. ​I don't think my European readers are aware of how casually Americans dress. 
• 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.

shop my Europe travel essentials ->

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

Venice, Italy (SPC)

Beach Flip Flops

The first items you should never wear in Europe is cheap, worn out Old Navy beach flip flops. 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. 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.
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You will simply not see a chic Parisian woman in 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. For more, 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

shop shoes for Europe ↓

Can I wear white sneakers 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 objections I raised to beach flip flops. First, Europeans tend to wear longer shorts than Americans, in part because (with the exception of recently), it's just not as hot.

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 inappropriately dressed. (Fun fact: in Italy, there are still quite a few famous art works housed 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.

shop shorts for 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.

shop travel tops for Europe ↓​

Tight skinny jeans

As a Millennial myself, I have had to make the transition away from skinny jeans to looser, more trendy jeans.

The same applies in Europe. I actually realized skinny jeans were going out of style during a trip to Paris and saw all those cool French teens rocking the loose jeans we've all come to know and love. 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.

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.

Leggings as pants

Ah yes, we have finally reached one of the more common topics people ask 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.

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

Heading to London? I also have a full guide to what to wear to afternoon tea in London, including dress codes at some of the city's best-known hotels.

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.

shop Europe travel hats ​↓

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.

shop tops for 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.

shop Europe travel purses ↓

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.

{2026} Shop 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:

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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