How to dress like a European and not look like a tourist

I am not a fashion expert.

The point of this guide is not to teach you how to look “European.” In fact, there is no “European” look. Like Americans, Europeans wear a variety of clothing styles, with nuances that vary from country to country.

That said, the style tends to be a bit more “put together,” but many Europeans wear a casual t-shirt, sneakers, and jeans wardrobe.

After living in Europe and visiting many countries, I noticed that there wasn’t much difference between what the average 25-year-old American wore and what Europeans wore. Because we’re all shopping at roughly the same stores (thanks to globalization).

The goal of this guide is to help you “blend in” without feeling like an American tourist 100 yards away. If nothing else, this guide will help you look like a typical European tourist.

Hello ladies! We’ve created a European women’s fashion guide with women’s fashion tips and advice. The guide you are reading is geared towards men’s style.

What not to wear in Europe

Knowing what not to wear while visiting Europe can help you avoid looking like a tourist about 90% of the time, so let’s start there.

sportswear

Wearing sportswear from head to toe is the best “telling” that you are a tourist, especially an American tourist. Yes. Europeans may wear sportswear, but we Americans tend to take it to the next level.

So if you wear workout shorts/leggings, a workout top, and sneakers, you’ll probably stand out.

too much sneakers

Europeans wear sneakers!

Yes, you can wear sneakers in Europe! I think you Should 1,000% of people in Europe wear sneakers? Because you will be walking miles every day.

However, you rarely see stylish Europeans wearing complete sneakers. But even “cool” sneakers have captured the feet of fashionable Europeans.

Nike, New Balance, Puma, Adidas and others make fashionable yet comfortable “athletic lifestyle” sneakers perfect for miles of city walking. If you want a more fashionable style, a pair of minimalist leather sneakers are also a good option.

In short, don’t feel like you need to wear nice “dress” shoes. To see some of my favorite travel shoes, check out my guide to the best travel shoes for men.

flip flop sandals

Save your beach slippers.

shorts

Europeans don’t wear shorts as often as Americans, but you can see many Europeans wearing shorts throughout the continent, especially in warmer regions.

So don’t think you can’t wear shorts.

However, as mentioned before, the key is to avoid athletic shorts. Khaki cargo shorts are another trademark of the typical American tourist.

Sweatpants and workout pants

You’ll rarely see Europeans wearing sweatpants in public, so it’s best to avoid them.

Athletic pants are also rare, so in my experience, it’s best to avoid clothes that look like they’re worn for playing soccer or running.

American baseball caps and other fan gear

Baseball-style hats are less common in Europe, but you’ll often be recognized as an American tourist if you wear a hat from a local sports team. Other fan gear, such as shirts and jackets, can also be perceived as touristy, so avoid those if you want to blend in.

Don’t overdress.

On the other hand, some people end up overdressing when they visit Europe because they’ve heard that Europeans always dress like they just walked off the runway.

But this only makes you stand out as a rich and/or clueless tourist… It may attract the attention of scammers and pickpockets. For more tips, check out our guide to pickpockets in Europe and common tourist scams in Europe.

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What to wear in Europe?

There’s good news. Few people pay attention to what you’re wearing, so don’t overthink your attire.

And trying to dress like the “fashionable” locals (who have access to closets full of clothes) will just mean lugging around heavy suitcases.

That’s why my ultimate goal while traveling is to be prepared enough so that I don’t look like a clueless tourist in the eyes of potential scammers.

Here are some fashion-related things to consider when choosing what clothes to pack for your trip to Europe:

cool sneakers

As I said before, cool, comfortable sneakers are a top priority.

I tend to stick to “lifestyle” shoes from New Balance, Nike, or Adidas. Because these shoes are popular everywhere, comfortable and available in many color combinations.

Low-profile leather sneakers are a stylish yet comfortable option. To learn more about my favorite shoe options, check out my guide to the best travel shoes for men.

clothes that fit well

European city dwellers tend to wear form-fitting clothes, so it doesn’t hurt to follow their lead.

Even simple items like jeans, a t-shirt, and a button-up look great when they match well.

Use neutral colors for simplicity.

Color doesn’t make you look old-fashioned, but it’s easier to choose a dark color because it hides stains and wrinkles better than a bright color. And since dark colors are easier to match, it’s easier to pack lightly.

That’s why you can’t go wrong with black, gray, dark blue, and other dark earthy colors.

button-up shirt

Button-up shirts can be just as comfortable as t-shirts, but offer the versatility to dress them up or wear them more casually.

Layer up for versatility

Layer a denim jacket or chore coat over a casual button-up shirt for an easy and practical look.

simple clock

I like to wear a reasonable watch because it’s easy to lose track of time when traveling, and I prefer not to rely on my phone to check the time. Most of Europe uses the 24-hour clock, especially when checking train schedules, so if possible, look for a military or 24-hour clock.

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Basic daytime and nighttime fashion advice

Daytime and tourist clothing

Comfort is important during the day.

Think about it. You will be surrounded by thousands of other tourists, as you are likely visiting the same tourist attractions as everyone else.

And you will walk for miles.

So you want comfortable shoes.

And you want comfortable clothes that aren’t restrictive. You also want season-appropriate clothes that are light and airy for the hot summer months and warm and waterproof for the winter.

Again, this doesn’t mean you want to look stupid or like a stereotypical tourist, but you don’t need to overthink how you dress.

night clothes

When going out at night, it’s a good idea to put a little more effort into your attire. But unless you’re going to a really cool place, there’s no reason to go out too hard.

A well-fitting button-up shirt, dark jeans, and minimal leather sneakers will create a great nighttime look in 99% of the places you’ll go.

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European men’s fashion inspiration website

Here are a few websites to help give you an idea of ​​what many Europeans are wearing/buying:

• Topshop & Topman: is a British clothing store chain that operates in over 20 countries. Targeted at the “hip” 16-25 crowd.
• tight: Spanish retail store selling stylish clothes. They are located all over the world, but have a huge presence in Europe.
• H&M: A Swedish clothing company that is popular throughout Europe and the United States. They are known to be trendy and fairly affordable.
• Urban Outfitters: Urban Outfitters are spread across Europe and can be found in many European cities. A lot of the stuff there would be suitable for many travelers in their 20s.
• Abercrombie: Abercrombie has gone through a rebrand over the last few years and most of their products now have a cool American/European urban vibe.
• sartorialist: An amazing Instagram with “real” European fashion photos. Most of this stuff is fashion forward. Neither of these are practical for backpacking. But it’s interesting to see and might even inspire you.

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stylish travel clothing

I have been interested in travel clothes since I first traveled to Europe in 2006. Now my closet is full of travel pants, shirts, underwear and jackets.

It’s been refreshing to see travel clothing evolve from ugly outdoor gear to stylish clothing using cutting-edge fabrics.

Do you need travel clothes? no. But adding a few pieces can be nice. If you want to know more, check out our guide to the best travel clothing and brands.

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More Europe travel advice from The Savvy Backpacker

Are you going to Europe soon? Here are some useful articles I wrote to help you plan your trip to Europe.