Monday, August 25, 2014

What to Wear to Europe in the Fall!

"Wormy, I'm going on vacation to Europe in the Fall! I'm a female and not fashion savvy. What the hell do I wear?"

I think I can help you there! First of all, think about where and when you're going. This will have an impact on the style of clothes you wear and how many layers to pack.

Notice I said layers. LAYERS. Lay-ers. Meaning, dress with a lighter base (short sleeve or thin long sleeve), cardigan or jacket, and scarf. Wearing something a little dressier? Start with your favorite dress (and sleeve length), add a nice cardigan and some cozy tights. Ooookay, I'm sure you didn't come here to read all this drabble. You want examples. That I can do.

For the plane:


The theme here is cute comfort. Don't resort to sweatpants. I mean, leggings are basically sweatpants, only fashionable... so there's no excuse! Also, ladies, please cover your butt. I don't care what the fad is, skin tight leggings with a normal length tee is not cute. It looks sloppy, like you forgot to put actual pants on. Wearing a tunic length top or cardigan is acceptable. Speaking of, ladies of a more mature age can pull these looks off by wearing comfortable tunics. Don't forget a comfy scarf!
Another thing, shoes and accessories. You'll want comfort and practicality over fashion here. Running across DFW in stilettos would be worse than a nightmare. Ballet flats would be sufficient as long as they stay firmly on you feet for dashing to catch your connection. Steer clear of boots and shoes with lots of laces/buckles, unless they have a zipper. You'll only create a headache for yourself and other passengers when asked to remove your shoes for security. Keep jewelry to a bare minimum. I always keep all of my jewelry in my carry-on. I don't need any of it on my body to have to remove at security. If you HAVE to accesorize, so do with easily removed items, or items not made of metal.

For the sights:

Again, comfort is key. Make sure your shoes are broken in and that all your clothes are washed and fit well. Flats or flat boots are a very comfortable and stylish option. You don't want to go hobbling around on cobblestones in heels, so choose your shoes wisely. Sneakers, while not the more versatile option, would work well for any sightseeing trips out of the city, or in. Contrary to popular belief, Europeans DO wear sneakers. Opt for a more stylish pair, like Chucks or vintage New Balance. (Note: some of the nicer places you may visit may turn you away if you're wearing trainers.) Stick to darker colors and trendy styles, and you'll be fine. Wear what is comfortable to you. 

For a date night:
If you have a date planned, a night out to the theatre/ orchestra, or as in my case, my anniversary, you'll want to look dressed up. Shoot for simple elegance. Opt for a dress that can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. A cardigan will cover up bare shoulders for the chilly fall air. Instead of heels, pick some cute and comfy ballet flats. My favorite style are Mary Jane's. I got a pair from Aerosoles that feel like you're walking on, well... air. Keep accessories simple and timeless, yet romantic.

For the weather:
The weather can sometimes be unpredictable, especially in the UK. Remember to pack a few accessories for rain. Combat boots work nicely to keep the elements out, but serve a more fashionable purpose than rain boots. Rain can sometimes come with blustery wind, again, looking at you UK, so a water resistant jacket with a hood might be more of a life saver than that rip-off of an umbrella you bought in the souvenir shop. (Lesson learned the hard way here.) Do still pack a small umbrella, as it can still be of great use. A scarf will also come in hand to guard against the wind. The hat here is not necessary, just an option to accessorize the damp mop of hair you'll likely be sporting. 
Seriously, look at that hair! 

Also, be sure to match your outfits up BEFORE you leave. Try your clothes on. Make sure the pieces are comfy and that you can mix and match to create more outfits with fewer pieces. Examples: leggings can be worn on the plane and mixed with dresses for a new outfit, the same cardigan can be worn with several outfits to add warmth and style, or pick your favorite jeans and mix and match the tops and shoes around them. Have fun, but remember: PACK LIGHT. You don't want to lug a huge heavy suitcase around.

Obligatory extra terrible hair-day photos from last year:
In Berlin, the umbrellas didn't try to take flight!
Ugh! (Also, note: I don't exactly fit into the crowd, but no body seemed to care.)

Until next time, lovelies! 
-Wormy

**All photo collages created with Polyvore.com**

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