I’m going to be that person you hate. I’m going on vacation to Europe. I’m counting down the days until I can board the plane and planning European summer outfits for my team (i.e., using my work hours). I’m going with you.
This year, it feels like the concept of a European summer wardrobe has exploded. (Cost-of-living crisis? What cost-of-living crisis?) Sure, you could blame TikTok, where outfit videos rack up tens of thousands of views. Or you could blame social media in general, where posting like an influencer doesn’t just seem desirable but actually achievable. Or maybe it’s the post-pandemic joie de vivre. We’ve been locked down for three years, and now we’re in full swing.
Whatever the reason, I’m in.
Credit: @hoskelsa
European summer wardrobe dos and don’ts
It’s easy to get carried away with the fantasy of a European outfit without thinking about practicality, so with the help of fashion experts Maggie Marilyn founder Maggie Hewitt, Aremais founder Leslie Germanus, and LMND founder Ana Escobar, here are some rules I follow.
DO: Take your itinerary into consideration. If your trip to Rome includes a visit to the Vatican, make sure you pack sleeveless arm coverings. If you plan on walking all the side streets of Barcelona, bring a pair of sneakers. Unless you’re island-hopping in Greece for three weeks, you probably won’t need more than two pairs of swimsuits.
“I get cold easily, even in summer, so I always wear a light-coloured cashmere cardigan or jumper wrapped around my shoulders when eating dinner out,” Maggie told ELLE Australia.
Credit: @sofiaboman
DON’T: Max out your credit cards chasing the influencer lifestyle. Say it with me: it’s not real.
DO: Shop your wardrobe first! If you’re like us, it’s been a while since you’ve made good use of your vacation wardrobe. Most of the clothes you bought in the last 12 months were for work or fitness. There’s a good chance that the perfect floaty dress is already hanging in your closet – you just haven’t had a good reason to wear it in a while.
“Summer packing essentials include the 01 Single Mini Dress to wear over a bikini, a silk sarong that can be tied as a bandeau top or mini skirt, and linen,” Maggie continues. “Wearing black is a big no-no for me because I’m free to wear black all year round! Not on vacation! Also, since I rarely check luggage, only carrying carry-on luggage is a big no-no for me. I hate spending extra time at the airport or worrying about whether my suitcase will make it to my destination, plus it’s nice to pack a few beautiful pieces that I can mix and match and get creative with my outfit recipes.”
Credit: @sofiaboman
DON’T: Don’t let your wardrobe get “lost in translation.” A friend recently taught me this phrase, which describes the crazy clothes you buy while on vacation that you’ll never wear once you return home. (In other words, no harem pants.) I think this concept also applies in reverse: don’t buy clothes to fit a fictional vacationing personality that you’re not sure you’ll be able to wear as soon as you whip out your passport. Will the jeans-and-t-shirt girl really become the fluffy maxi-skirt girl once she’s abroad? Probably not.
I love this outfit on Elsa Hosk, but would I want to take loafers to Europe if I’m only going to wear them once?
But the “getting lost in translation” rule also applies to your own personal style: “When I travel, I’m always on the lookout for special pieces to bring home, like sarongs or unique accessories, so traveling with basics makes it easier to style my new treasures,” Ana told ELLE Australia.
Credit: @melissabon
DO: Choose materials that are easy to carry. Silk, bamboo, cotton blends, and linen are great for the hottest weather. “Linen is great for summer because it doesn’t need ironing, holds up to washing, and dries in under an hour in the sun – you can’t go wrong,” says Maggie. Avoid polyester. It may be wrinkle-resistant, but polyester-based fabrics are water-resistant, so sweat will just stick to you all day. Let that sweat sit there.
DON’T: Pack an outfit just to take photos. Sure, that two-piece set might be cute, but can you move in it? Can you walk five hours a day in it? Are you buying it for a fantasy vacation or a real vacation? Yes, I want to look like Aubrey Plaza in The White Lotus, but her clothes might not fit in my suitcase.
Credit: @fridacashflow
Do: Pack the following: a nice pair of jeans, a perfectly cut white t-shirt, a button-down shirt (so versatile), nice walking shoes, a comfy swimsuit, a hat, jewellery that goes with everything, a light jumper for those unexpectedly cool evenings, and sunscreen.
“I always have one oversized silk shirt and trouser set with me,” Leslie told ELLE Australia. “It’s such a versatile look that I can style it with heels for a dressier occasion, but it’s equally wearable poolside with a swimsuit and sandals.”
Credit: @camilamorrone
What to buy for your European summer wardrobe
Ready to add some items to your cart? Here’s what I’ve got my eye on…
Profile: Alex Bruce Smith
