10 European Summer Outfit Ideas
It’s that time of year when your Instagram feed is flooded with European Summer photos. I mean, it seems like everyone is frolicking the streets of France or sipping wine in Italy. I can’t blame them, there really is no place like it!
If you’re reading this post, chances are you’ve got a trip on the calendar and are looking for European-inspired outfit ideas. Lucky for you after five months of living like a local in Florence, Italy + traveling to 12 other countries, I know exactly what you should be packing.
Yes, you’re going to be on your feet a lot. Yes, there are pickpocketers out there, and yes you will be hot! Not to fret, I’ve put together ten different outfits that will serve you well during your long days of exploring. Get ready for the trip of a lifetime… surely you’ll be the best-dressed one in the room!
Maxi Moment
top || skirt || shoes || clutch || sunglasses
Lightweight linens and neutrals are going to be key when packing for your European Summer. If you’re traveling for several weeks, building a mini capsule wardrobe with these pieces will make your life that much easier.
This outfit features two of my favorite pieces in my closet. This cropped seer sucker button-up is one of my favorites. I’ve paired this with my go-to white denim maxi skirt. I got this several months ago and wear this on every trip. It hangs loosely on the hips with a low-rise fit that’s so flattering. Very lightweight and incredibly European; you can mix and match this several ways.
I’ve gone ahead and paired a few raffia accessories to keep this look light and summery. I love this clutch because it fits all the essentials and stays plastered to your hand all day (the safest option!). As for shoes, anything from Dolce Vita is a win in my eyes. These have a little heel and yet are still comfy for an evening dinner and drinks.
Pinterest Board IRL
tank || button up || skirt || shoes
If you’ve looked up European Summer outfits on Pinterest, chances are you’ve seen an outfit combination similar to this one. This really is a never fail outfit combination that will serve you well regardless of what the day’s plans are.
I made sure to pack lots of basic high-neck tanks (modest is best in Europe). I’ve thrown a lightweight linen button-up over top. You may be thinking—sleeves?! In this heat?! True cotton can help keep the sun from beating on your back, ultimately keeping you cooler. Whether you’re wearing this to the beach or for a day of exploring, you’ll be reaching for this button-up far more than you expect!
Denim shorts feel a little too casual for an afternoon in Europe so I find myself reaching for skirts every chance I can. On my feet I’m wearing Franco Sarto sandals—I have these in three colors and they are the best shoes. I wore these 10+ miles a day for months on end when I was living in Europe. They are real leather so they are incredibly comfortable and the best part is they take up no room while packing so you can bring all the colorways your heart desires.
Mama Mia Moment
top || skirt || shoes || clutch
Off to Greece?! You’ll want to pack all the billowy white linens in your closet. They’ll be selling pieces similar to this two-piece set in all kinds of shops. I swear Greece has some of the best shopping in Europe… I’m dressing the part in this adorable top and skirt from KOY. Paired with raffia accessories this look is perfect for your Mama Mia moment.
Easy Breezy
When I lived in Italy I wore a variation of this outfit nearly every single day. Not only is a dress and sandals the easiest outfit to come up with, it’s also the most comfortable. Plus, you’ll be the coolest in easy, linen dresses. This high-low style is perfect for walking in and out of churches as you do have to be mindful of hem lengths.
These are another favorite pair of sandals that I have in several colorways. Real leather and no rubbing which I appreciate. I also want to give a special shoutout to this black leather purse from Polene. I got this while I was living abroad and carried it everywhere. Crossbody purses are so helpful when sightseeing so you can have your belongings strapped to you at all times!
New Girl On The Block
tank || skirt || shoes || purse || sunglasses
I’m sure you’ve seen all the “cool” European girls on your Instagram explore page. Typically they are wearing some variation of basic staple pieces that you already have in your closet, they’ve just added a few simple accessories to elevate the whole look.
Don’t skip out on sunglasses, a good purse, and some gold jewelry to tie your whole outfit together. I couldn’t love this outfit more.
Something Simple
When in doubt, just pack the romper. These are super lightweight and ultimately take up no space in the suitcase. I just got this strapless one from a small boutique and am in love with the simple silhouette. If you’re a bride-to-be or are honeymooning, this would be such a fun piece! I’ve styled this with strappy gold sandals from Steve Madden. Very European with all the metallic accents!
All The Neutrals
I felt like the cutest Pinterest girl ever in this linen closet and matching maxi skirt combination. I know I’ve got a lot of this style skirt in this blog post but they are so the European vibe. Girls everywhere were wearing these during my time abroad. They are trendy yet modest so you can wear these in churches, to dinners, and even out to the bars.
This light tan is the perfect natural for summertime but could easily be transitioned into the cooler months as well. Just toss on a sweater and boots instead and bam you’re ready for a chillier climate if you’re country hopping in the fall.
Coastal Core
top || skirt || shoes || purse
White linen! Billowy sleeves! Oversized bows! What more could you want from a European summer outfit?! This top was so Donna from Mama Mia. I just had to style this with a denim mini skirt and raffia accessories. Too cute and perfect for a weekend in Greece!
The Trip Of A Century
Chances are your trip to Europe is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Definitely bring at least one fancy dress for a special occasion celebration. I did this with my friends several times for holidays, birthdays, and other fun dinners and they were some of our most memorable nights.
I found this incredible cream maxi dress from Boohoo. It has scrappy accents along the shoulders and a mermaid-like fit throughout the skirt that effortlessly sculpts your figure. On my feet, I”m wearing g the cutest heels from Dolce Vita. These are really short and have a thick block heel —a combo you must stick to if wearing heels in Europe. The streets here are very uneven with tons of cobblestones so anything higher and you’ll twist an ankle lol. I love these so much!
Such an effortlessly sexy look that will photograph perfectly for a special night out with your spouse friends/family.
Let’s Explore
You can’t go wrong with a dress and sandals. This blue and white gingham one was another recent find that was just screaming European Summer. The perfect style if you’ll be exploring any of the coastal towns where the sun is scorching + a very easy suit to wear a bathing suit underneath if you’re planning on mixing a beach day with exploring.
For that, I suggest flat espadrille sandals and a larger beach tote. I carried one similar to this on several of my trips and never had any issues with it!
If you’re looking for more European summer outfit ideas be sure to check out the travel tab on my website— I have outfits for Florence, Rome, Venice, the Amalfi Coast, Mykonos, Paris, and more! I know packing for this type of trip can be incredibly stressful but the good news is the shopping is even better over there so if you get there and realize you don’t have the right stuff, you’re in good hands!
pin this for later
I suppose now is a good time to tell you guys that I am going BACK TO EUROPE! It’s not for five months this time around, haha, but I’m really excited to spend a few weeks revisiting Italy in October. I’m sure I’ll love it even more now that I’ve gotten to call it home for a bit. With that being said, I’m sure you’ll see many more European outfit-planning posts in the near future.
Enjoy every second of your Euro summer—I hope you have a blast! xx
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Related Post: What to Wear to The Amalfi Coast, Italy
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