Europeans seem to be famous for their fine fashion, and for good reason! Europeans tend to wear high-end and luxurious clothes that make casual American-style clothes look drab and boring. Whether you're going on a trip to Europe or looking to incorporate European style into your life in your country, get started with Step 1 below!
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Part 1 of 4: Choosing Colors and Cuts
Step 1. Choose a neat and simple cut
European fashion is most easily recognizable by its neat and simple lines. Cuts from almost any piece of clothing, from suits to dresses, have a neat and geometric look. You should look for clothes that are just as simple in terms of form, with neat and elegant lines.
Step 2. Wear clothes that fit your body
North Americans tend to wear clothes that are too small or too big. Europeans usually wear clothes that fit perfectly on their bodies. Some women, especially in summer, may choose clothes that cover their bodies, but little signs about the slim frame of these women can still be seen. You have to make sure that you also choose clothes that fit your body.
When Europeans buy clothes that don't fit their bodies, Europeans usually take the clothes to a tailor to be adjusted. You must do the same! Customizing your clothes at a tailor is not as expensive as it may seem, costing around Rp. 300,000, - or less for each item repaired
Step 3. Stay away from flashy patterns
Europeans are not used to using flashy patterns as often as Americans. When Europeans choose patterns for their clothing, the patterns are usually more detailed. Europeans love texture, so you'll often see things like lace dresses and knitwear, but patterns usually detract from the beauty of the neat lines that more Europeans prefer.
Sometimes you'll see exceptions to this rule in the summer, when floral, ethnic and island themes are used in European fashion (especially in summer dresses)
Step 4. Understand the European color palette
Every season for almost every year, there will be a popular color and most of the new clothes you find will be from that color group. Colors that are trending in North America can often be very different from colors that are popular in Europe, as Europeans tend to prefer slightly different color palettes than Americans. Generally, Europeans tend to like neutral colors with bright and bold tones.
- For example, black and emerald green, cream and light pink, or dark blue and white.
- You can check European fashion websites to see what colors are in fashion right now.
Step 5. Choose a color combination that is very contrasting
The color combinations that Europeans generally choose are high-contrast graded colors, with one dark color and one lighter color.
Step 6. Coordinate the colors according to the current season
North American casual wear wears the same colors more or less all year round. Europeans are more likely to match the colors they wear with the seasons. This step is a subtle hint, but if you want, you can do it for more perfect results.
- Winter colors are subtle and tend towards neutrals.
- Spring colors are a mix of light and pastel colors.
- Summer colors are bright and bold colors.
- Autumn colors are earthy and warm colors.
Part 2 of 4: Things to Do in Styling
Step 1. Mix and match your clothes
This step is the best place to start. Americans dress poorly and overall tend to think less about how they dress. European fashion is increasingly adapting American styles, from Converse shoes to university logos and t-shirts, so that what will really differentiate Americans from Europeans (at this point) is just sloppy looks. Match your shoes with your handbag, choose a colored top that complements the color of your pants, and in general think carefully about your overall appearance.
Step 2. Dress up more than usual
This is another leading indicator of European style vs. American style (and something that hasn't changed much, despite the increasing popularity of the American style in Europe). Europeans tend to dress well, and won't be seen wearing yoga pants or sweatpants outdoors. Wear nicer clothes than you think you should and you may already be European.
Step 3. Keep it simple
Europeans wear simple clothes. They tend to stay away from the layered style of clothing that Americans like. Limit your accessories and the number of layers of clothing, and Rely on simplicity.
Step 4. Put on the jeans
Europeans don't wear jeans is a myth, they do. Europeans tend to be more towards jeans with medium colors than Americans, but in general all colors are fine. Today, brightly colored skinny jeans are very popular in Europe and this color and style combination is also quite easy to find in the United States.
- Pencil jeans are often paired with a looser, longer top with boots or flat-soled shoes.
- Don't wear khakis. When Europeans wear light-colored trousers, they usually opt for white or beige jeans or trousers instead of the special twill that Americans like. However, khakis are not easily recognized as khakis, so don't worry if you prefer khakis and wear them often.
Step 5. Choose the right type of pants
In general, Europeans avoid flare legs. Pants with holes or rips are also very American in style, although the look is popular in Europe today.
Step 6. Put on more skirts and dresses
Women in Europe tend to wear skirts and dresses more often than American women, so don't be afraid to use women's items like this. Leave your long gown at home and opt for a shorter dress with tight pants. (Long dresses are very American in style and are almost never found in European fashion.)
Step 7. Choose accessories that are not too flashy and classy
Avoid anything flashy, bulky, fake or tacky. Try to stick to simple accessories. In addition, scarves, beautiful hats, necklaces and elegant jewelry are the best choices. When you travel, don't carry a large tourist-style backpack. Bring a sling bag, LeSportsac bag, messenger bag, leather bag or something.
Step 8. Prefer flat shoes (flat-soled) and elegant
While business women and women over the age of 30 are sure to be seen wearing high heels (especially in France), people who are more comfortable prefer flat-soled shoes. Regardless of the height, flat-soled shoes are always elegant and neat. Oxford flats are a common choice for both men and women.
However, the most common type of shoe for teenagers and young people in their 20s is Converse All Star brand shoes. Don't feel like your basic sneakers will keep you from being European. Even oversized "gangsta"-style sneakers are in fashion among European teens
Part 3 of 4: Things Not to Do in Styling
Step 1. Avoid university styles and logos
You know, clothes with old-fashioned lettering patterns or logos that look like they came from the sports department of a university are fake? These kinds of clothes are very American in style. Avoid these clothes if you want to dress in a European style.
Nonetheless, this kind of pattern is in vogue along with many other American fashions today
Step 2. Avoid T-shirts with traditional cuts
T-shirts with a basic traditional cut are classic American style. Europeans also wear t-shirts, but the shirts they wear tend to be better. Europeans often wear shirts that are looser, more fitted and sized, shorter sleeves, and V-shaped collars.
Step 3. Don't wear clothes that have holes or rips
Any garment with decorative rips or holes gives the impression that it is American fashion. Although decorative holes and rips are becoming fashionable in Europe, especially among young people, these holes and rips are generally seen as low fashion and should be avoided.
Step 4. Don't wear stained clothes
Acid-washed jeans, especially jeans with faded lines on the creases at the front of the pants (whiskered jeans) are seen as very American style. Such clothes should also be avoided.
Step 5. Stop wearing sweatpants
For Europeans, sweatpants are to be worn at home and when exercising. That is it. You won't find many Europeans who go shopping on the weekends in sweatpants. Even the increasing popularity of the American style in Europe has not brought about a change in attitudes towards very casual wear such as sportswear, pajamas, and yoga wear.
Part 4 of 4: Getting Inspired
Step 1. Read the European edition of fashion magazines
Most Europeans use general fashion magazines that are also read in America, such as Vogue and Cosmopolitan, but Europe has its own special edition. Subscribe to one of these magazines if you want to stay up-to-date on European fashion.
Step 2. Check out European fashion blogs
You have lots of great European fashion blogs that you can follow if you want to get inspired for your next outfit.
Step 3. Check European clothing stores
You can also check websites for general European clothing stores. Some stores even have branches in the United States, where you can buy the clothes right away (clothes sold in the United States are the same as those sold in Europe). Zara, H&M and Kookai are the most popular stores for shoppers under the age of 35. Zara also offers quite elegant clothing for older shoppers.
Tips
- Keep in mind that clothing styles vary across Europe. Start with the basics as described in this article, and then look at the people around you. If you're staying in a place for a longer period of time, try to buy some items from a local store that are typical of the styles you see and admire in that place. That way, you can adapt your clothing collection to whatever part of Europe you are in.
- If you need help sizing a piece of clothing to fit, it's a good idea to go to a tailor. Tailors aren't really that expensive and a tailor will make a big difference to your outfit.
- Shopping at the right stores is a good start. Try shopping at H&M, Belstaff, Topshop, Topman, Lacoste, MANGO, Zara, United Colors of Benetton and Reiss.
