How to dress like a European and avoid looking like a tourist

I’m no fashion expert.

The purpose of this guide is not to teach you how to look “European.” In fact, there is no “European” look. Just like in the United States, Europeans have a wide variety of clothing styles and the nuances vary from country to country.

That said, the style does lean more towards “combination,” but a lot of Europeans are wearing casual T-shirts, sneakers, and jeans.

After living in Europe and visiting several countries, I’ve noticed that what the average 25-year-old American wears is not that different from what his European peers wear because we all shop in roughly the same stores (thanks to globalization).

The purpose of this guide is to help you “blend in” so you don’t come across as an American tourist from 100 yards away. If nothing else, this guide will help you look like a regular European tourist.

Hey ladies! We’ve created a guide European women’s fashion Providing women’s fashion tips and advice. The guide you are reading now is for men’s style.

What not to wear when going to Europe

Knowing what **not** to wear when visiting Europe will save you from looking like a tourist with about 90% success, so let’s start there.

sportswear

Wearing head-to-toe sportswear is the biggest “sign” that you are a tourist…especially an American tourist. Yes, Europeans wear activewear, but we Americans tend to take it to the next level.

So if you’re wearing gym shorts/leggings, a gym top, and running shoes… you’re probably going to stand out.

Sneakers that are too obvious

Everyone in Europe wears sneakers!

So yes, In Europe you can wear sneakers! I miss you 1,000% of people in Europe should wear sneakers Because you’ll be walking miles every day.

But you rarely see stylish Europeans wearing full-featured running shoes. However, even “cool” running shoes have found their way onto the feet of fashionable Europeans.

Nike, New Balance, Puma, Adidas and more all make comfortable “athletic lifestyle” sneakers that are both stylish and suitable for miles of city walking. If you want something a little more stylish, a pair of simple leather sneakers is another great option.

In short, don’t feel like you need to wear fancy “dress” shoes. Check out my guide The best men’s travel shoes Check out some of my favorites travel shoes.

flip flop sandals

Leave the flip-flops for the beach.

shorts

While Europeans don’t wear shorts as often as Americans, you’ll find many Europeans wearing shorts across the continent, especially in warmer areas.

So don’t feel like you can’t wear shorts.

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

Sweatpants and sweatpants

You rarely see Europeans wearing sweatpants in public, so I recommend avoiding them.

Sweatpants are also rare, so my rule of thumb is to avoid anything that looks like something you would wear while running/playing soccer.

American baseball caps and other fan gear

Baseball caps are not uncommon in Europe, but wearing a hat from a local sports team usually makes you pass for an American tourist. Other fan gear, like shirts and jackets, will also make you a tourist, so avoid things like that if you want to blend in.

Don’t overdress either

On the other hand, some people overdress when visiting Europe because they have heard that Europeans always dress like they just stepped off a fashion show runway.

But this will only make you stand out as a wealthy and/or ignorant tourist… which may attract the attention of scammers and pickpockets. Check out my guide European pickpockets and Common travel scams in Europe Learn more tips.

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What to wear in Europe

The good news is… very few people will care what you wear, so don’t overthink your outfit.

Trying to dress like the “trendy” locals (who can open a closet full of clothes) will only result in you having to lug around a heavy suitcase.

That’s why my ultimate goal when traveling is to not look like an ignorant tourist to potential scammers.

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

cool sneakers

As I mentioned, a cool and comfortable pair of sneakers is a priority.

I tend to choose “lifestyle” shoes from New Balance, Nike, or Adidas because they are popular, comfortable, and come in a variety of color combinations.

Low-profile leather sneakers are a stylish and comfortable option. look at mine Men’s Guide to the Best Travel Shoes Take a closer look at my favorite footwear choices.

clothes that fit

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

Even something as simple as jeans and a T-shirt or button-up shirt will look great when everything fits.

To keep it simple, stick to neutral colors

Wearing colorful clothes won’t look out of place, but it’s easier to choose dark colors because they hide stains and wrinkles better than bright colors. And dark colors are easier to match and therefore easier to pack.

That’s why you can’t go wrong with black, grey, navy blue and other darker earth tones.

button shirt

A button-down shirt is just as comfortable as a T-shirt, but it allows you to be more versatile and can be dressed up or down.

Layer for versatility

Layering a denim jacket or blazer over a casual button-down shirt is a simple and practical way to elevate your style.

a simple watch

I’m a big fan of wearing a practical watch when traveling because it’s easy to lose track of time and I don’t want to rely on my phone to check the time. If possible, find a watch that shows military time or 24-hour time, as much of Europe uses 24-hour clocks, especially when checking train timetables and the like.

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Essential Day and Night Fashion Advice

Day and sightseeing clothing

Comfort during the day is key.

Think about it… you will be surrounded by thousands of other tourists because you will most likely be visiting the same tourist attractions as everyone else.

You’ll be walking for miles.

So you want comfortable shoes.

You want comfortable clothing that is not restrictive. You’ll also want season-appropriate clothing that’s light and airy in the heat of summer and warm/waterproof in winter.

Again, I’m not saying you want to look like a slob or a completely cliche tourist, but you don’t need to overthink your outfit.

night wear

Feel free to put a little more thought into your outfit for a night out, but there’s no real reason to go overboard unless you’re going somewhere super trendy.

A fitted button-down shirt paired with dark jeans and minimal leather sneakers is a great nighttime look for 99% of the occasions.

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European men’s fashion inspiration website

Here are some websites to help you understand what many Europeans are wearing/buying.

• top store & Topman: British clothing store chain with operations in more than 20 countries. Targeted at the “trendy” 16-25 year old crowd.
• Zara: A Spanish retail store selling fashionable clothing. They are found all over the world, but have a strong presence in Europe.
• H&M: A Swedish clothing company popular in Europe and the United States. They are known for being stylish and fairly cheap.
• urban clothing store: Urban Outfitters has spread across Europe and can be found in many European cities. There’s a lot there that should suit many twenty-something travelers.
• Abercrombie: Abercrombie has gone through a rebrand over the past few years and now most of their products have a cool American/European urban vibe.
• tailor: A stunning Instagram filled with photos of “real life” European fashion. A lot of it is fashion forward. None of these are practical for backpacking… but they look fun and might give you some inspiration.

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Stylish travel clothing

I’ve been obsessed with travel clothing since my first trip to Europe in 2006 and now have a wardrobe full of travel pants, shirts, underwear and jackets.

It’s refreshing to see travel clothing evolve from ugly outdoor gear to stylish clothing made from technical fabrics.

Do you need travel clothing? No. But it might be nice to add some parts. This is my guide The best travel clothing and brands If you want to know more.

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More Europe travel tips from savvy backpackers

Heading to Europe soon? Here are some more helpful articles I’ve written to help you plan your trip to Europe.