The Ultimate "Cool Girl in Europe" Capsule Wardrobe—Because Why Not?

Summer is on the horizon, and I'm already thinking about the vibe I'm looking to champion for the warmer weather. My social media feeds have been dominated by people showing their mood boards and packing lists for their upcoming European vacations, and it got me sartorially inspired. While I won't be jetting off to the South of France anytime soon, life is what you make of it, so why not dress like I am? I studied the Instagram feeds of those who have already posted their vacation snaps and those who live in Europe and curated a 10-piece capsule wardrobe that'll create that effortless cool-girl look.

Not only do the pieces below fit the relaxed aesthetic I'm looking for, but they are also extremely versatile for the summertime, no matter where you're residing this season. Keep scrolling to see the ultimate "cool girl in Europe" capsule wardrobe and shop my favorite picks on the market.

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Button-Down Shirt

Throw it over a swimsuit, jeans, or a dress. The options are endless when it comes to the classic that is a button-down shirt. It's always smart to have a white option in your arsenal, but don't be afraid to add a saturated one to your collection as well.

Tube Top

Tube tops are, undoubtedly, the must-have basic of the summer.

Fun Accessories

While the "European" aesthetic is all about looking relaxed and elevated, you can add a fun touch with accessories. Even if you're wearing a simple white button-down and shorts, a statement accessory will personalize the look.

Comfy Denim

Even in the summertime, comfy denim will still be your best friend. Challenge the heat with a pair of denim cutoffs, or channel the '90s with relaxed full-length jeans. Either way, it's the wardrobe staple you can always rely on. 

Satin Dress

Satin dresses are great to have because they can easily be dressed up or down. Going for a casual look? Add some sneakers and a woven bag. Night out? Strappy sandals and dainty jewelry are the go-to options. It's an outfit winner.

Puff-Sleeve Top

Embrace the cottagecore aesthetic with a puff-sleeved top. It looks divine on anyone–trust me.

Easy Sandals

I hate being uncomfortable, whether I'm on vacation or not. But the warmer weather calls for a lot more walking, so invest in an easy pair of sandals that can work for many different occasions.

Woven Handbag

Woven handbags come around every summer like clockwork, and I'm not mad about it. French girls everywhere have chosen the style as their handbag of choice, and you should too.

Relaxed Trousers

Remember, the goal is to look elevated but feel relaxed, and a pair of loose trousers will do that for you. Once you find a pair that fits, you'll never want to take them off.

White Sneakers

A classic pair of white sneakers, from Converse to Nike, will never let you down.

Next, I Lurk on TikTok Daily—These 7 Summer Trends Are Going Viral

Assistant Market Editor
Yusra Siddiqui is an editor who resides in New Jersey but bounces between the suburbs and NYC. (She's a Jersey girl at heart.) After interning at Who What Wear in 2019, she found her way to the team after graduating from LIM College in 2022 with a fashion media degree. She's also spent time writing and working for publications such as Fashionista, Coveteur, and Nylon, but she always knew that Who What Wear was where she was meant to be. When she's on the job, she's perusing runway shows, analyzing the latest thing fellow Gen Zers are up to on the internet, and sharing what she can about the modest-fashion market. You can also catch her dabbling in entertainment, talking about the costume choices of the latest Netflix series or diving deeper into how the plotline affects the viewers in a myriad of ways. Lastly, she likes to create content for Who What Wear's TikTok. Her personal time is spent doing similar but also different things—deep diving into almost every new TV show (Bridgerton, Gilmore Girls, and Stranger Things are favorites), planning her next local getaway (whenever that may be), and reading the latest Emily Henry or Sally Rooney novel in one sitting.