Before moving to Europe, I thought I knew fashion. I had a career in it, after nearly two decades working as a fashion designer building collections, perfecting fits, and obsessing over details. But living in Europe: Italy, the Netherlands, the UK, and Germany, refined my taste in a way no career or fashion capital ever had.
There, style isn’t just about trends. It’s a language. A quiet confidence. A way of moving through the world that says “I know who I am,” without needing to shout.
Here’s how Europe completely reprogrammed how I get dressed and why I’ve never looked or felt better.
1. Effortless > Overdone
In America, we reward boldness. Loud prints, high heels at brunch, “look at me” moments. Europe taught me restraint. A well-cut blazer, crisp jeans, and good loafers say more than an outfit trying too hard ever could. Less effort, more elegance.
2. Tailoring Is Everything
Whether you’re in Milan or Paris, the clothes fit. Europeans tailor everything—even their jeans. I started altering my basics, and suddenly everything looked expensive. It’s not about the label; it’s about the silhouette.
3. Buy Less, Choose Better
Living out of a small European apartment means no walk-in closet. Europeans invest in fewer, higher-quality pieces. I adopted a capsule mindset: neutral tones, structured coats, real leather, and natural fabrics. My closet got smaller, but I wear just about everything.
4. Good Shoes Are Non-Negotiable
I used to chase cute trends. Now I chase craftsmanship. European sidewalks and cobblestones demand durable, chic footwear. I retired flimsy fast-fashion boots and invested in loafers, low block heels, and ankle boots that actually walk.
5. Trends Are Secondary to Style
Trends don’t dominate the streets the way they do in the U.S. Instead, personal style reigns. Scarves, crossbody bags, well-worn boots, classic trenches, timeless staples worn with quiet flair. I learned to build a wardrobe, not a costume.
6. Scarves Deserve More Respect
It sounds simple, but adding a silk scarf to a ponytail, neck, or handbag turns “meh” into “put-together.” French women do it instinctively. I started collecting them, vintage, printed, bold. It’s the cheapest way to elevate your look.
7. Weather-Ready Can Still Be Chic
In Germany and the Netherlands, everyone dresses for unpredictable skies without sacrificing style. Waterproof trenches, sleek umbrellas, wool coats layered with finesse. I stopped looking like a drenched tourist and started dressing like I belonged.
8. Your Wardrobe Should Match Your Lifestyle
Europeans dress for real life. No stilettos at the grocery store. No athleisure at dinner. My wardrobe got smarter: trench coats that work for commuting and cocktails. Sneakers that still feel polished. Functional meets fashionable.
9. Accessories Finish the Story
In Italy, I saw entire outfits transformed by sunglasses and statement earrings. In Amsterdam, bags were practical but punchy. A good outfit is like a well-written sentence, accessories are the punctuation.
10. Style Is an Attitude
Confidence made everything look better. The women I saw in Rome and Paris weren’t all modelesque. But they owned their look. They stood tall, moved intentionally, and didn’t tug at their waistbands. They dressed for themselves, not for compliments.
Europe didn’t just shift my wardrobe, it shifted my relationship with clothes. I stopped dressing to impress, and started dressing to express myself. My fashion career gave me the technical foundation. But living in Europe? That gave me style.
Now that I’m back in the U.S., my closet is still European at heart: edited, thoughtful, and built around timeless elegance. No matter where I go, I carry a little bit of that cobblestone confidence with me.
