How do europeans dress

So when craftsmanship began to improve, it enabled more variation in tailoring and more room to experiment. In the late medieval period, there may not have been copies of Vogue lying round to show off these new designs, but there was literature and poetry.

If shapes began to change in a particular court, such as a lengthening of a hem or the emphasis of a waist, this may be described in rhyme or writing and passed along by people who travelled between these places. Hearing of a radical style of close-fitting tunic in an far-off land, or even seeing exotic visitors from foreign courts, will have inspired others to experiment with the cut of their clothes.

As time passed, with the advent of printing, it became easier to circulate images of what people were wearing, whether through portraits or costume books. What would start as a new cut in one country, would spread to another, where it would then be recreated with different materials or different colors, allowing fashions to evolve. Trends began to standardize and influence at the same time. With every new invention, no matter how small, fashion improved: buttons made for creative fastenings, prescription eye glasses allowed for seeing delicate craft work better, right up to the industrial revolution when fabric could be mass produced.

Throughout all this, fashions were shared and innovated, and similar styles can be seen across the different cities of Europe adapted with different cultural twists. Editorial Feature European Fashion Through the Centuries A brief look at how trends evolved around the continent and influenced each other.

Fabrics: Tricks of the trade In general terms, fashion is categorized as constantly changing styles of dress that are mass produced and mass consumed. Buff coat From the collection of York Castle Museum. Colors and the original influencers In medieval times, color had been less of a fashion statement, and more of a statement of status and wealth.

Cutting shapes Before the midth century, clothing was not sewn, and just consisted of cloth draped around the body. Take a look at some examples of fashion evolution across 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. 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. 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 layering colorful accessories over their neutral outerwear creates a multidimensional look in the fall and winter.

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 black jeans that I now wear on repeat.

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. European women are not afraid of embracing their femininity. They wear silk, lace, and other fine fabrics. So break out those feminine, flowy dresses on a sunny summer day. And dressing in neutrals also makes packing for travel easier since everything you bring coordinates.

I find that European women prefer a natural look when it comes to applying cosmetics. But the one thing they seem to love is lipstick — especially the Parisians. I was always amazed at the eyewear that Parisians were sporting — And they almost always wore designer frames.

Thick 70s style frames are a classic choice. In Paris, I never saw Parisians wearing sweats and running shoes in public — unless they were actually exercising.

It was only the tourists who wore them around. That said, there is nothing wrong with fashionable sneakers! Check out our guide to travel shoes for some examples of fashionable and comfortable sneakers. For more in-depth packing tips check out our Travel Europe Packing List for a ton more information. Of course, if you take taxis everywhere then things become easier. There are a number of brands that make clothing specifically for travel. They use special fabrics that are durable, resist wrinkles, help prevent odors, and are also fashionable.

I try to limit myself to two pairs but sometimes I take three. Also, check out our guide travel shoes for more recommendations. Nike and New Balance are popular all over the world and both companies make plenty of fashionable sneakers. Ecco also makes some surprisingly cute and super comfortable sneakers — especially their Soft VII shoes.

They are comfortable and you can wear them without socks one of the benefits of wool is odor prevention. Check the out via Allbirds. All of these are sporty and fashionable. A nice pair of comfortable flats is a nice option since they take up very little room and they look a little nicer than sneakers.