LET’S TALK EUROPEAN FASHION

Εuropean fashion is often held to a much higher standard than any other continent in the world. Of course, this isn’t surprising considering that three of the recognizable “Big Four” fashion capital cities of the world—Milan, Paris, London, and New York—just happen to be located in European countries. Europeans take great pride in their appearances, which is why they frequently dress well. Somehow, they manage to accomplish this without necessarily sacrificing their comfort in the process. After all, many European cities are built for walking or alternative forms of transportation like bike riding, so that means locals have to dress appropriately for walking conditions and the weather.

Are you planning on visiting Europe sometime soon and want to learn how to fit in rather than stand out as a tourist? Here are some great tips for dressing like a European woman, so that you don’t have to worry about standing out too much.

Believe it or not, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot of money to dress like a true European fashionista. Oftentimes, European women shop in popular department stores and purchase fairly reasonably priced clothing. In fact, many of the brands they wear are available in North America as well. The core difference between how European women and North American women dress has more to do with fit than brand names.

European women typically like to wear clothing that’s perfectly fitted for their specific body types. And if they can’t find the right fit, then a trip to the tailor for slight alterations will create the perfect fit. Skinny jeans paired with slightly baggy overcoats are very popular in most European countries right now. Paired with a high quality Italian scarf and other accessories, you can breathe life and add your own flair to any outfit.

Neutral tones like blue, brown, white, black, and green are very common in many European women’s wardrobes. Of course, they also like to add pops of colour here and there by accessorizing with beautiful Italian fabrics like silk and high quality leather, so you don’t necessarily have to shy away from bright colours and bold prints. Just try not to overdo it. When it comes to prints and colours in European fashion, a little can go a very long way. Try to stick to neutral tones and understated dresses especially when visiting certain religious institutions and landmarks like government buildings and churches.

Keep in mind that some historic and religious buildings like the Vatican may require men and women to wear long sleeved clothing to cover their shoulders, chests, and forearms and pants, long dresses, and skirts that are no shorter than knee length. Whether or not you agree with these dress codes is irrelevant. When visiting other countries, it’s important to respect their local dress code rules and regulations.

Europeans tend to do a lot of walking, which is the main reason a lot of them are in such great shape, because their cities’ infrastructures are designed for it. North Americans often wonder how all those European women wear high-heeled shoes like stilettos on those cobblestone roads without tripping and falling flat on their faces or breaking a heel. The simple answer is that they’re just used to it.

Even if you work in downtown Toronto and wear power heels every day for work, it’s not the same as braving the porous cobblestone walkways of most European cities. The best thing you can do is purchase comfortable, but stylish walking shoes for your trip because you’re most likely going to do a lot of walking. Bring along a nice pair of low heels, wedges, or flats for those fancy evening outings, but you should always be prepared to walk long distances. Many tourists pack a pair of memory foam insoles to reduce foot fatigue, pain, and blistering.

Italian silk scarves paired with beautiful jewellery and a high-end handbag that also doubles as a protective carrier for your valuables are a great way to add a little personal flair and character to your outfits. Combine a neutral button-down shirt and black denim skinny jeans with a beautiful and bold printed colourful silk scarf to add intrigue. Be careful with what kind of jewellery you wear, however. When travelling through Europe, it’s better to bring nice looking costume jewellry rather than real gold or silver with you.

North American brands and clothing with slogans on it like team jerseys are a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist. If you want to blend in with the European crowds, then make an effort to forgo this type of obviously branded clothing altogether and opt for more neutral or slogan-free options instead. Nothing screams you’re from a different country than wearing sports memorabilia from your hometown or city.

All in all, simplicity is the key to dressing like a European woman and blending in as much as possible. There’s no need for ostentatiousness when travelling to Europe, but you should also make an effort to look well put together. If you’re looking for beautiful and unique style inspiration for your next European adventure, browse the Orietta Polo Collections line on our website.

Orietta Polo Collections is dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind high-end Italian fashion accessories including silk scarves, genuine leather handbags, silk neckties, and jewellery. Visit our website or contact us today to learn more.