I Lived in Europe for 5 Years—I Saw Tourists Make These 15 Fall Fashion Mistakes, and What to Pack Instead

How to avoid looking like a tourist this fall. 

By Kristy Alpert

Having lived in Europe twice—three years in Germany and two years in France—I have seen firsthand how the continent comes alive each fall. It’s a great time to visit Europe as the summer crowds have long dispersed and an authentic local cadence affects everything from festivals to sidewalk cafés. It’s also when fashion is at its finest on the continent—the three major cities (Paris, London, and Milan) host their biggest fashion events in fall—and Europeans everywhere view the season as the chance to showcase their most polished looks. 

For the most part, Europeans dress stylishly, and they do so in a very intentional way, and fall is no exception. A casual outfit in Europe is the equivalent of what we’d call business casual in America. In fact, some long-established international dress codes even recently added a new entry that precedes casual: “American Casual,” which essentially translates to athleisure. 

Although fall in America often means fan gear, chunky wool sweaters, and layered athleisure, that’s definitely not the case in Europe. If you’re looking to avoid standing out as an American abroad, ditch these classic fall staples and swap them for their polished counterparts, including wide-leg trousers, basic tees, and cropped trench coats.

Best European Fall Fashion Picks 

• Must-have basic: Anrabess Slim-fit T-shirt, $10 (originally $20)
• Stylish and practical: Befen Anti-theft Crossbody Bag, $40 (originally $42)
• Effortless travel pants: Lululemon Daydrift High-rise Wide-leg Trousers, $148
• Cozy layering tool: Quince Pashmina Wool Scarf, $50
• Swap for your sporty rain coat: Yeokou Oversized Cropped Trench Coat, $46

Don’t wear: Yoga pants 

Wear instead: Stretchy trousers 

Lululemon Daydrift High-rise Wide-leg Trousers

Credit: lululemon

$148 at Lululemon

Yoga pants are for fitness classes and gyms in Europe, not for running errands or visiting museums. These Lululemon trousers are just as comfy and far more stylish than any set of leggings. Pair them with a simple long-sleeved tee or an oversized blazer for a more put-together look.  

Don’t wear: Airplane matching sets 

Wear instead: A merino-based long-sleeve T-shirt 

C202 Merino Wool-blend Long-sleeve Top

Credit: Amazon

$35$27 at Amazon

Matching sets are fine for the airplane, but it’s best to save the loungewear for travel days. Instead, choose pieces that will keep you warm, cozy, and decidedly out of the “is that American wearing pajamas to a café?” territory. A solid-colored merino-based shirt with long sleeves, like this boatneck styleat Amazon, is easy to mix and match with jeans or a skirt as is, but it also works as a warming base layer for chillier days. 

Don’t wear: Running shoes 

Wear instead: Washable loafers 

Rothy’s The Almond Loafers

Credit: Zappos

$180 at Zappos$180 at Rothys.com

If you’re set on orthotic support, by all means, wear a tennis shoe (just maybe choose one in a solid color, like this leather pair from Dr. Scholl’s). Otherwise, a washable loafer is the European shoe of choice. Rothy’s The Almond Loafer is a perennial favorite for seasoned travelers and Europeans alike for a reason. It’s cushioned for all-day use and washable (and air-dryable), so any surprise fall rain showers won’t ruin your trip. Europeans wear loafers with everything, from jeans and skirts to dresses and trousers.   

Don’t wear: A backpack 

Wear instead: A versatile crossbody 

Befen Anti-theft Crossbody Bag

Credit: Amazon

$42$40 at Amazon

Few things scream “tourist” more than a backpack, which is why scammers love seeing them worn on the streets. Europeans prefer slim, close-to-the-body bags and wallets for personal items, like a sleek crossbody or a sling bag for men. This anti-theft crossbody purse at Amazon is a great choice, since it has built-in pickpocket deterrents and is big enough to hold all your necessities.  

Don’t wear: A graphic tee 

Wear instead: A plain T-shirt 

Anrabess Slim-fit T-shirt

Credit: Amazon

$20$10 at Amazon

Audible clothing isn’t popular in Europe (i.e., a shirt that says what you’re thinking or tells what high school lacrosse team you played on). A neutral short-sleeve shirt is the base layer of choice since it’s easy to pair with anything. Wear it under a sweater so you can shed layers when the sun comes out or wear it with a skirt and blazer to dress it up. 

Don’t wear: A denim jacket 

Wear instead: A cropped trench coat 

Yeokou Oversized Cropped Trench Coat

Credit: Amazon

$46 at Amazon

Hallmark movies have turned denim into the unofficial uniform for fall in America, and for sure you’ll see denim jackets in Europe, just less often. Denim is bulky and very specific to daytime use, but a cropped trench can be worn so many ways. This cropped trench protects from the wind (and light rain), and it even has a touch of plaid to satisfy those Hallmark fall feels.   

Don’t wear: Sports team sweatshirts 

Wear instead: A collared button-up  

Sézane Jade Shirt

Credit: Sezane

$130 at Sezane.com

Football fan gear and college merch may be the go-to in America, but, aside from a few select college graphic tees that have slipped into the sales sections at European H&Ms, it’s definitely not a style that works in Europe. A collared button-up, like the Jade Shirt from Sézane, on the other hand, is exactly the polished collegiate look that works. A solid-color button-up can be worn with jeans and flats or tucked into a skirt with ankle boots, and it looks great layered under a light sweater on days when you need an extra layer. 

Don’t wear: Heeled shoes 

Wear instead: Ankle boots 

Vivaia Square-toe Slip-on Chelsea Boots

Credit: Vivaia

$179$159 at Vivaia.com

My family and friends who visited me in Europe said they were surprised at how much walking we did. Europe is very walkable, which is why Europeans are rarely in heels, even in the most fashionable cities. These Chelsea Bootsfrom Vivaia are comfy for all-day walking, and they also look great with a midi skirt or black dress for nights out. Even better, this pair is washable and water-resistant.

Don’t wear: A single-use dress for dinner 

Wear instead: A versatile midi skirt 

Nordstrom Pleated Midi Skirt

Credit: Nordstrom

$149 at Nordstrom

A little black dress is a staple, even in Europe, but in the fall most evenings out are too chilly for bare arms and legs. A simple midi skirt is a secret weapon for nights out, where you can wear it with a fitted sweater or a merino-based top for sleek warmth. This pleated skirt from Nordstrom looks great for daytime jaunts with a T-shirt and flats, and it layers beautifully for chic autumn nights. 

Don’t wear: Chunky knit scarves 

Wear instead: A thin pashmina  

Quince Pashmina Wool Scarf

Credit: Quince

$50 at Quince

A chunky scarf may scream “fall is here” in America, but Europeans reserve heavier scarves for when they’re actually needed during the winter. A lightweight wool pashmina is easy to layer and adds a touch of warmth when needed. This style from Quince also works as a wrap for chilly restaurants. 

Don’t wear: Sporty pants 

Wear instead: Trendy barrel pants 

Athleta Skyline High-rise Barrel-leg Pants

Credit: Quince

$139$98 at Athleta

Hiking pants are for the trails in Europe, not for city walking. If your Europe plans involve an autumn hike in the mountains (which, hopefully they do!), by all means, bring a pair (I love this pair from Kuhl). Otherwise, some versatile barrel pants are just as comfy and quite a bit more polished. The Athleta Skyline High-rise Barrel-leg Pants are my go-to for Europe trips, since they move freely and can be dressed up with a sweater or worn on warmer fall days with a simple white tee. 

Don’t wear: Heavy knit sweaters 

Wear instead: A light pullover for layering 

J.Crew Perfect Cashmere Crewneck

Credit: J.Crew

$148 at Jcrew.com

Not only do chunky knit sweaters take up a ton of suitcase space, but they’re also a bit frumpy by European standards and can overheat you if you plan on walking around a ton. Wear them in a chalet during your winter European ski trip, for sure, but choose a lightweight sweater for fall that you can layer both under and over. The Perfect Cashmere Crewneck from J.Crew is great for this, since it’s not too bulky to fit beneath an overcoat and not too tight that a collared shirt or merino base layer can’t fit underneath. 

Don’t wear: A wool coat 

Wear instead: A leather jacket 

Automent Oversized Faux Leather Jacket

Credit: Amazon

$60$37 at Amazon

Europeans know how to dress for the elements, which is why they reserve wool coats and puffers for winter. Fall is about layers, and a chic trench or this oversized leather jacket is easy to throw on over any outfit. I like a slim-fit leather jacket with a moto-style mockneck, but any leather jacket is great for keeping you warm and giving a more put-together look than a heavy overcoat. 

Don’t wear: Baseball caps 

Wear instead: Lightweight beanies 

Quince Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie 

Credit: Quince

$35 at Quince

Although baseball caps have become a bit more trendy in Europe in recent years, European varieties aren’t the same as in the U.S., with sports logos front and center. European baseball caps are minimalistic, with a low profile and minimal to no branding. A more common unisex headgear option for fall is a minimalistic beanie, and this Mongolian Cashmere Ribbed Beanie from Quince is the perfect example of how a small beanie (often worn above the ears for men) can cap off an outfit while providing some necessary head cover.

Don’t use: An athletic raincoat 

Use instead: A packable umbrella 

Tumella Travel Umbrella

Credit: Amazon

$30$20 at Amazon

A sporty raincoat is great if you’re actually going on a hike. For traversing the sidewalks of Europe, though, you’re most likely going to see streets filled with umbrellas rather than with glimmers of hooded Gore-tex. This small Tumella umbrella is wind-resistant and sure to blend in with the sea of black umbrellas you will likely encounter on any rainy European day. 

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