Dress like a European

European women dress well. It is rare to see anyone that isn’t well-dressed even if they’re just buying some milk from the grocery store. You see moms with high heels and skirts pushing their strollers down the street. Let us share some fashion observations from my travels through Europe. This shouldn’t stop you from adding your own personal style into your clothing choices.

People assume Europeans look great because they have closets full of designer clothes, but this isn’t true. They have a few higher-end items, but they shop at H&M, Zara, Mango, Gap and other multinational shops just like us. The secret is that they purchase clothes that fit well. It not they get them altered. Also they keep it simple and classic. They choose timeless pieces that don’t scream for attention. Then they’ll add a bright accessory (scarf, shoes, jewellery etc) to bring the outfit together.

I also saw a lot of contrasting pieces used together – like pairing a slightly oversized, chunky sweater with a tight skirt or skinny jean. European women have an amazing ability to have great looking hair that looks effortlessly natural. Europeans live in shoebox-size apartments, but they still manage to have an amazing collection of great shoes. They have years of practice navigating cobblestone streets and tricky sidewalks, so you might find wedges a bit more practical because they offer extra walking surface. Showing legs is common. Tights, stockings, and pantyhose are year-round wardrobe staples. Even in the winter you’ll see plenty of women wearing above-the-knee skirts and stockings. Scarves are a must have too and are the perfect way to pull an outfit together. Europe being a cold place coats make a lot of sense with a colourful bag, a great accessory for adding a little extra color or style to an outfit. Cool shades and easy make up where less is more is another trait to be emulated.