I Lived in Europe for 6 Months—I'll Never Make These Fashion Mistakes Again

It would be easy to travel to a new place and observe the style of its citizens (well, in non-pandemic times, that is), but it takes being fully immersed in a new place for several months in order to see your own style change and be influenced by your surroundings. This is exactly what happened to me after half a year of living in Europe. As a college student, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad, and I'm about to share with you a few key European style lessons that my semester living in Italy taught me.

After traveling the length of Italy—from Milan to Sicily, peppered with a few jaunts to France, Germany, and Switzerland—I observed exactly what makes European style so good. I took note of the way my Italian friends always carried their belongings around in a classic leather handbag and invested in similar staple pieces. After living abroad, I took the following six style lessons to heart—and promised to never make my old fashion mistakes again.

SKIP: flimsy tote bags

WEAR: structured handbags

At home, I was used to throwing all my daily belongings in a slouchy tote bag and running out the door. But while in Italy, I quickly learned that opting for something more polished (but no less roomy) made a world of difference in how put-together I looked.

Shop structured bags:

SKIP: wearing all black

WEAR: neutral tones that play well together

Though you may have taken to heart that an all-black ensemble is foolproof, I happen to disagree. All the stylish European women I spotted on the street knew that combining various neutral tones, from beige to tan to khaki, creates a multidimensional look that's just as polished as all-black.

Shop easy-to-wear neutrals:

SKIP: items with an expiration date

WEAR: timeless staples like loafers, blazers, and straight-leg jeans

This was one of the most crucial style lessons I learned from abroad. I realized exactly why European women are known for their good style, and it has to do with their reliance on timeless pieces. I took note of their clothing choices and wisely invested in pieces like blazers, loafers, and straight-leg jeans that I now wear on repeat.

Shop timeless staples:

SKIP: sneakers with athleisure clothing

WEAR: sneakers with tailored pieces

On the whole, I observed that European women don't dress down as much as their American counterparts. I rarely (if ever) spotted leggings or track pants on the street, although classic white sneakers were definitely a favorite. Europeans simply choose to style their sneakers with more elevated ensembles, and I quickly followed suit.

Shop polished pieces I'd wear with sneakers:

SKIP: winter coats that add too much volume

WEAR: sleek wool and leather options

Instead of piling on bulky layers like puffer coats, I noticed how my European friends wore slimmer coat silhouettes that allowed them to remain polished despite the winter chill.

Shop sleek outerwear:

SKIP: heels higher than 3 inches

WEAR: low- or block-heel shoes

Unlike back home in the States where I'm used to driving everywhere, I rarely stepped foot in a car while in Europe, so I learned right away that my shoe choices were of much consequence. I favored lower heel styles like kitten heels and block heels whenever I wanted a little lift.

Shop low and block heels:

Next, discover which six staples this stylish 58-year-old will never ditch.