Going from the United States to Europe is a big step and fitting into a new school, let alone a new country can be a huge adjustment. You have to learn the language, experience the local cuisine, and of course try your best not to get lost in the process. It’s easy to feel like a fish out of water and you wonder when everything is going to instinctually become second nature. Well, the only way that you’re going to be able to blend in to a European setting, as an American traveler is to submerse yourself into this new culture. Tackle the language barrier head on, go to cafés, bars, and restaurants to experience the local fair, and of course, dress the part.
Europe is know for it’s fashion, with cities like Paris in Milan giving birth to major fashion houses like Chanel, Givency, Gucci, Dolce and Gabbana, and Hermés. But don’t let the big names fool you; you don’t have to make a million bucks to look a million bucks. It’s possible to dress European and look expensive with items that you already have in your wardrobe, there are just a few simple style rules worth following.
Invest in Quality
We’re all guilty of caving for cheap prices, but in the long run quality is where it counts. Every European woman knows where to invest money in her wardrobe, whether it be a coat that will stick around for more than a season or a pair of leather boots that won’t lose their tread, dressing European is all about using your funds on staple items you can pair with any outfit.
Neutrals Neutrals Neutrals
In America, color is a necessity but in Europe, neutrals tend to dominate, especially when paired together in a monotone ensemble. There’s something about an all black outfit that speaks to our inner Tumblr girl and makes us feel like one of the cool kids. When in doubt, #allblackeverything.
Update Your Basics
It’s important to balance your outfits, which means combining statement pieces with basic staples. Every woman should have a plain white tee (or in my case, a plain black tee) in their wardrobe as well as some statement jewelry to amp up the look or even bring an outfit from day to night. Nothing says off-duty European model like pairing your basics with more statement pieces like a blazer or a bold fringe necklace, just remember to keep the look simple. You’re going for laissez-faire, effortless elegance with this look.
Fun-ctionality
When you’re in Europe, you’re bound to see countless European women bravely traversing the cobblestone streets with six-inch heels on. How about no? Of course there are those who go above and beyond with heels during the day, but really who has the time (or balance) for such a thing. Most Europeans believe that an outfit should be stylish, as well as functional and comfortable. Europeans do a lot of walking and ath-leisure is just as big in Europe as it is America. So pull a Gigi Hadid and upstyle those black Nikes to death.
Trompe L’oeil
All right, I know that I said that you should invest in quality and you should. But on a college budget, we can’t afford to fill our wardrobe with designer duds. Which is why H&M and Zara are your new best friends. Every brand wants to give their customers a “look for less” and why not invest in a trendy piece for a fraction of the designer price tag? Because even when the trend passes and no one wants to be caught dead in culottes, you won’t have spent a fortune to look stylish in the moment.