clothes for Europe

[belle_9]

Hey, I'm making a trip in a week to Italy, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands... does anybody have any recommendations for the clothing that I should wear? Do Europeans basically wear the same things that Americans do (jeans, etc.), or do they dress up a little more?

Thank you!

[leagunner]

One tip for Italy... if you're planning on going to Vatican City, you must bring a pair of pants or full-length skirt. You can't wear denim, shorts, short skirts or tank tops. Basically you have to dress semi-modest. You can't get into some of the churches, etc. if you're wearing some of those "don't wear" items.

As for everything else, I think ultimately it depends on what you're doing or where you're going. If it's purely "tourist" driven, dress comfortably! Bring a few "nicer" items, like a nice dress, skirt and top for any nice evenings out, but if you're going to be doing lots of walking and sight-seeing, you have to be comfortable. Something that would be good to bring would be capris... a little bit nicer than denim jeans, but comfortable, cooler and a little funkier. HTH

[summer]

Speaking as a Londoner, I think Europeans do tend to have a different dress code than Americans. Not necessarily dressier, but a little bit more fitted and tailored. We do wear jeans and T shirts (like everybody!!), but not baggy ones, our T shirts are fitted but not tight, and we tend to pair it with a tailored jacket. One big thing I notice is we do not tuck in our T shirts, hence why we prefer more streamlined tops, I think. Because the weather changes quite frequently, we tend to dress for every weather..so lots of layers we can peel off or put on. I'm a more tailored trousers and shorts, rather than jeans, myself..so I'm not a casual dresser anyway, which fits in with big touristy European cities like Paris, Milan, London, Rome etc. I think the older adn grander the architecture, the dressier and trendier the occupants!! So, that's a good rule of thumb! In the countryside with more mountains and hills, everything is looser and more laidback, but also more conservative. So crop tops and short shorts are very rare or completely obsolete sightings! Near beaches, it depends on how many hotels are in the area..the more there is, the trendier you go.

In Italy, as leagunner says, bare shoulders and knees are a no no for their many churches. You can't exactly miss any of it, as the amount of art that are secreted in these places is humongous and a must see!! A great accesory to have is a wrap skirt just below the knee skirt, and a cashmere wrap (so versatile for every occasion). Finish the look with great sunglasses, you might just be channeling Sophia Loren!!

Europe, especially Italy, is a great place to shop anyway. You can get styles that are only sold in Italy, and they are so chic!! Even common high street brand names have look alike Prada bags! Just bring the staples..walking shorts, several T shirts and sphagetti strap tops, a non-wrinkle dress, skirt, wrap, a good walking shoe, comfortable mules...you're all set. The rest, you can buy!

[dollface]

One big thing I notice is we do not tuck in our T shirts, hence why we prefer more streamlined tops, I

LOL...I don't think I've ever tucked in a shirt!

Whenever I've done Europe in the summer I bring lots of sundresses, longer skirts and light sweaters. I did wear tank tops but always carried a wrap in my bag to cover my shoulders if I entered holy places.

[summer]

LOL...I don't think I've ever tucked in a shirt!

Whenever I've done Europe in the summer I bring lots of sundresses, longer skirts and light sweaters. I did wear tank tops but always carried a wrap in my bag to cover my shoulders if I entered holy places.

Must only be where I went then...LOL! Or just the American tourists I meet in London! But yeah, sundresses, light sweaters and wraps are great staples!! Europe don't really make great sundresses for some reason...or maybe I just don't like the extra detail that they tend to put on it. Heck!! Why not just admit I'm fussy??!!

[Sherry]

I think Europe is more streamlined and chic. This isn't meant to sound in the least bit derogatory, but I can tell North American tourists in Europe immediately! Not all of course, but the majority. And, of course, not all Europeans have that sleek look, but on the whole, I prefer the dress of the Europeans! Classic, sophisticated, and yet managing to be effortlessly comfortable and beautiful.