Calling All Americans: Build Your European Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Whether you’re seeing the sights in Rome, basking in the sun in Barcelona or indulging in the delicacies of Paris, planning for a trip to Europe is both exciting and stressful.
Whether you only just bought your tickets or have already sent out a minute by minute itinerary to everyone on your trip, it’s never too early to plan your outfits. The solution to the stress and - let’s face it - fear of dressing up in Europe is planning ahead with a European Travel Capsule Wardrobe!
We’ve all heard that Europeans can be, well - a bit judgy about what Americans wear. But as an Italian born in London, who spends a considerable amount of time each year in Portugal, and has traveled Europe many times over, I am here to help you pack for your trip to Europe so that you feel as confident as you possibly can walking in heels down cobblestone streets.
Sure, seeing the Palace of Versailles is breathtaking, but doing it in a great outfit makes it even more magical. What we wear is often just as important as what we are doing when it comes to making feel-good memories, and don’t let any guy with a microphone wearing a lumberjack shirt tell you otherwise. Allow yourself to fully experience the fantasy of the new places you visit. You earned this vacation!
This is not a guide on ‘How to Dress European’ or ‘How to Dress for France/Italy/Greece’, designed to sell you one-time use outfits that make you look like you just stepped off the set of The White Lotus. We’re looking for a middle ground between fully fanciful Emily in Paris and proudly practical Rick Steves. It’s more about what you should wear in Europe. You’ll learn the big no-nos of European style (there are a few) and how to match the European fashion energy - all while packing efficiently. But first, let's get back to basics.
Introducing: The Travel Capsule Wardrobe
A travel capsule wardrobe is a super curated collection of versatile items that can easily mix and match to create many outfits for a specific trip, making it easy to pack light without sacrificing style.
Learn more about how to build a travel capsule wardrobe for any destination, anytime of the year.
There is no one-size-fits-all travel capsule wardrobe and you won’t find a “Europe Travel Essentials Checklist” here because we don’t want you to waste money on things you’ll wear once on this trip and never again. Instead we are sharing a system that guides you along creating a travel capsule wardrobe from the things you already own that is unique to you and your travel needs
The purpose of a travel capsule wardrobe is to remove the stress associated with packing and styling outfits while you’re traveling. While we may not all be 20 year-olds backpacking our way through Europe, creating a travel capsule wardrobe for your European vacation is ideal for anyone who wants a convenient way to look stylish. Not to mention you could save hundreds on baggage fees - and even more valuable, save yourself the embarrassment of dragging a large suitcase through cobblestone streets. Which is, without a doubt, beyond whatever you wear, the easiest way to be spotted as an American tourist.
How Is A European Travel Capsule Wardrobe Different?
The Travel Capsule Wardrobe is an adaptable system for any destination, but we felt it important to focus on the specific tips for traveling to the most fashionable continent in the world. We want to make sure you avoid all the fashion faux pas and are dressed in the latest mode du jour - excuse my française.
Whether you’re as seasoned a European traveler as Rick Steves or this is your first time across the pond, you’ve likely heard that Europeans can quickly spot Americans. While yes, that is true, it has nothing to do with “dressing European”. Scandinavians dress wildly differently from people who live around the Mediterranean. And Italians dress drastically differently from Spanish people, or French people or Portuguese people - all Mediterranean. There is no one “European style” to conform to.
It has more to do with the stark difference in the relationship with clothes in America versus Europe. In Europe, there is deeper respect for the craftsmanship of making clothes that has been built over centuries, so there is also more of a culture of getting dressed up. Don’t think of dressing for your trip to Europe as a way to fit in, but rather to dress up as much as you like and to actually wear those items you’ve been “saving” for the right occasion. This is it!
Style: Dressed Up
The French are chic, the Italians are whimsical and tailored, the Spanish are bohemian and the Scandinavians are minimalists. There is no single “European style”. But given that it is a much more densely populated region than America, Europe has more of a cosmopolitan sensibility. Most people live in or very close to large cities, and therefore there is a tendency for people to dress more formally - at least compared to the American default of hyper-casual styling.
The first thing we have to get out of the way are a series of no-no’s that will immediately make you stand out as an American tourist:
No athletic clothes or athleisure
No running shoes, unless you’re going on a literal run or hike
No fanny packs (unless you’re a 14 year old boy in England, where this is actually very stylish…but odds are this isn’t you)
No khaki shorts
No big logos
American fashion culture values comfort above all else, and while that’s all great for your everyday run to Target, it’s just not the European way. A Parisian woman would probably rather starve to death than pick up groceries in sweatpants and Uggs. Honestly, I have never seen any of my family members in Italy even wear sweatpants. I’m not even sure it’s legal to sell them there.
I really do appreciate the more casual approach to fashion in the U.S. on a day to day basis, but in Europe there are no casual days. Everyday is cause for celebration - especially when you’re on vacation!
Fit: Tailored
In general Europeans prefer a tailored fit while Americans often opt for looser clothing. While Americans will typically only take occasion wear to the tailor if absolutely necessary, Europeans are usually on a first name basis with their local tailors. But don’t confuse tailored with tight!
When shopping with my nonna - Italian for grandma - she would always have us stop by her tailor with our shopping bags to drop off all my clothes so they would fit me perfectly. This is one of the best ways to elevate your everyday outfits, and your upcoming trip to Europe can be a great excuse to try it out. You don’t have to take every item you own to the tailor, but a few select blazers, trousers, or dresses are a good place to start.
Fabrics and Quality: Mix & Match
Not every European is buying all their clothes from Celine or Gucci, but they do often look expensive. The trick is to mix-and-match your brands (high-end and high-street), as well as your fabrics so that there is always at least one more elevated component in your outfit. An inexpensive polyester top can look very expensive with linen shorts and an unbuttoned silk shirt.
One of the most popular outfits I see Americans wearing in Europe is jeans and a casual top. Denim is a very casual fabric, so make sure to pair it with something more elevated. We’ve already covered what you can’t wear, so everything else is fair game as long as you style it thoughtfully.
Silhouettes: Find Balance
Balance is key. No one in Europe is looking at Carrie Bradshaw as a fashion icon because her looks are just *too* over the top for their sensibilities. Not even the Milanese, arguably the most fashionable people in Europe.
Let’s take the example of tight fitting clothing as we mentioned above. If you choose to wear a tight tube top or bandeau top, your bottom should then be more flowy. Europeans put a lot of thought into each component of an outfit, which is what makes building a Europe travel capsule wardrobe essential to ensure that you can create the same elegant balance.
Accessorizing
Many of my American friends have a set of jewelry they wear daily on repeat. Europeans do not. Accessories are used to complete an outfit, you're not done until you've chosen which jewelry, scarf, belt, and bag most flatters your outfit. Efficiency isn’t in the European vocabulary, not for fashion, not for food and not for family.
But of course you can’t take all your jewelry with you, nor should you. The other key to accessorizing like a European is to not wear tons of jewelry. Accessorizing is a delicate art and while some looks call for layers of necklaces and several rings, an elegant little black dress can do without.
I often feel conversations about how people from Europe and Asia dress as opposed to Americans can sound pejorative but the truth is that on a global scale, American brands are just as competitive and stylish as their Asian and European counterparts. I mean, America did win the Battle of Versailles, a battle fought with couture and stilettos on French home soil. And American fashion continues to lead the world in influence - for example, cowboy boots are a current staple of fashion shows in Milan, Stockholm and Tokyo.
So, there is no need to hide your style. This is more about making sure that in an attempt to embrace European culture you look a little less try-hard like Emily in Paris and a little more effortless like Sylvie in Paris. And more importantly, that you enjoy the experience of dressing up as the Europeans do.
How To Build A European Travel Capsule Wardrobe
If you can’t contain your excitement any longer, I’m happy to tell you we’ve gotten to building your European Travel Capsule Wardrobe! We’ll take what we’ve already discussed and build it into practical steps that will make packing your bags easy and useful for when you are picking out outfits.
1. Understand any specific requirements for your destination
You might be thinking…didn’t we just talk about this? We did. But as you may know, Europe is not a country and doing some basic research on the specific places you will be visiting is important.
Summer in Greece is vastly different from summer in England. You can still feel warm in the pouring Mykonos rain, whereas in London you’ll get quite chilly. Additionally, while Europe is generally a safe place, there are some locations where you have to be more aware of pickpockets.
The other thing to keep in mind is that there is a variability of dress codes within Europe. For example, the French are known for requiring a certain degree of formality, especially at beach clubs. While in Berlin, head to toe black is the only way of experiencing the city's infamous nightlife.
FYI, it is best to do your research on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to see what people are actually wearing in those countries. Google’s algorithm will tend to surface articles that will make you very fashionable for 2015.
2. Consider what activities you’ll be doing
Will you be hiking in Switzerland or scuba diving in Greece? It is time consuming and stressful to try and find the things you need the day before or the day of an activity. The best way to start your packing list is to list out the things you need to take.
You don’t need to have a minute by minute breakdown of your activity, but it is useful to list out a general outline, say 3 evening outfits, 4 beach looks, 2 sightseeing ensembles, etc. Trust me, this will only make it easier as you get to building your Europe packing list.
3. Narrow down your color palette
Some people like to say that Europeans prefer more subdued hues but I think that is a generalization of European style being French style. Italians love vibrant colors, Spaniards tend to like earthy tones, Scandinavians play with pastels and some vibrant spring hues, and Germans, well… they do prefer a more lowkey look, but even they like a pop of color here and there.
An easy color hack is to keep to around 3 colors in an outfit, which means that on a trip you don’t want to be taking more than 5-6 different colors. These don’t have to be “boring colors”. You can take very colorful clothes, but keeping them in the same tone (e.g., muted, vibrant, jewel-toned, etc.) will make mixing and matching much easier, which is critical for a travel capsule.
Having said that, even Italians usually have one neutral color in every look. It helps create that balance we spoke about and makes it a lot easier to play with colors. So consider taking at least one bottom and one top that is in a neutral color, as this will ensure that all of your clothes have at least one other item they can be styled with.
4. Stick to your everyday style…just a little more elevated
You don’t have to entirely change how you dress! The truth is, you aren't European, contrary to what most girls studying abroad in Barcelona may think. There is no *need* to hide that you're American, and no need to hide your style.
Not to mention, it would be impossible to switch your style to each destination you go to. Spanish people don’t change their style when visiting Vienna, Scottish people don’t change their style when visiting Greece, why should you change yours?
We just want to make sure you don’t completely stick out like a sore thumb, and the key difference is elevating your baseline style to be a little more formal and tailored, as those are the defining characteristics of all European fashion styles. Lucky for you, simply leaving the athleisure at home is already half the battle.
5. Start with a basic selection of items in a 5-4-2-2-2 ratio
Without making an unnecessary mess, head over to your digital wardrobe and identify the items that are most ideal for your trip. You may find yourself wondering just how many tops or bottoms to bring? Did I overpack? Or did I not pack enough!?
As a starting point, think about sticking to the ratio of 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 layers, 2 shoes and 1 dress, but take this only as a suggestion of how many items to bring.
I actually suggest for a summer European trip that you take one less layer and one more dress. Summer in Europe is hot, and we do not use as much air conditioning in our buildings or ice in our drinks as Americans. And, there aren’t really that many occasions that require you to cover up, unless you are visiting the Vatican (pay attention in Step 1!).
6. Practice styling outfits
Once you have a list of items you are considering taking, you can start building outfits! Instead of making a complete mess of your closet by trying different pieces on, just use your digital wardrobe to easily swap items and create new looks. After all, if you can’t build a few outfits with them, then there is no point in taking them.
A good rule of thumb is that each item you take should work in at least three different outfits. You may find your initial list of items changes as you find pieces that are more versatile, and that’s okay - it shows the system is working!
Once you have your base outfits, you can start playing around with accessories. I am someone who can go a little bag crazy, but they can take up a lot of space in your suitcase, so my suggestion is to take one smaller statement bag and one more capacious neutral bag. Test all of your outfits out with at least one of your bags.
When it comes to accessories, a silk scarf can be a very versatile accessory to bring to Europe. You can wear it as a belt, around your neck, to cover your hair, to accessorize your bag or even as a top. Lastly, when it comes to jewelry, striving for two sets that transition from day to night will have you covered for all occasions.
If you’re having trouble creating outfits with your current wardrobe and are about to click checkout on a haul of new clothes, I suggest you take a look at Indyx’s personal styling services first! Subscribe to The Feed to work with a stylist on new outfits on a weekly basis, or get your outfit planning done for this specific trip done all in one-go with a Lookbook.
Just let your stylist know where you’re planning to jet off to and she’ll have you covered.
7. Generate your packing list
Creating an international travel packing list can be tough. But with a digital wardrobe it’s actually very simple. If you are using the Indyx app, head over to your Wardrobe and click on Collections. Create a custom collection for your trip, add your outfits, and the items will automatically be added to your packing list for Europe.
Once you’re ready to pack your clothes, all you have to do is check off each item as you add it to your bag. It is an automatic and stress-free travel packing list, that won’t have you packing any unnecessary items. And there you have it: your very own Europe Travel Capsule Wardrobe.
Our Example: an Italian Travel Capsule Wardrobe
Italy is a very popular destination in the summer, and what's not to love? I know I’m probably biased given that I am Italian and go home at least once a year but the numbers of tourists don’t lie. With so many people traveling for the 3 F’s of Italy - food, fashion and Ferrari - let me show you my packing list for Italy.
With just these 15 pieces I can make over 40 different outfits, but here is a sample of 5 of my favorites!
From walking around Milan, to a sunset sail in Sicily, by pre-planning my travel capsule I can do it all with just this short list of items - I could probably manage it in just a carry-on bag! I could also use this same packing list for a trip to Portugal, Spain, France or Greece with no drastic changes.
While I am a seasoned traveler myself, I have often struggled with packing. I tend to add things at the last minute “just in case”. But, I usually end up stressed about my bag weight and with only a few outfits I really like. Now, I enjoy collecting packing lists on the Indyx app just like boarding passes on the Wallet app. There is an idea that Europeans are just effortlessly stylish, but there is actually a lot of thought behind it - which is now made easy through a digital wardrobe.
Rebecca is a fashion stylist and writer, recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and currently living in London. She enjoys reading, skiing and having people cook for her.
