@RoseandJoan: I think Sofia Coppola is the best celebrity example of Euro Chic. Her style is always impeccable.

http://www.style.com/peoplepar...../person550

@Lynne: Generally, Europeans tend to have less 'stuff'. This includes clothing. They simply don't have the closet space and are experts at editing their wardrobes!

I agree, Lynne. Catherine Denueve is the queen of Euro Chic.

I love Sofia Coppola and Kirsten Scott Thomas's syles, they are clean, simple, effortless, impeccable, and they look like they could jump on a bike or sprint for the metro with ease.

Barbara, I have been thinking about this overnight. European society is fairly egalitarian compared the the UK and Australia; to me the EuroChic aesthetic reflects this, too. The look is doable over a range of budgets, your knee length Trench could be Burberry or Zara, and neither would scream your financial state to the world. WDYT?

Going along with Lynne's point, I think a nice aspect of European style as opposed to American is that there is very little or no pressure to constantly be wearing something new. If you want to put your pennies together for something designer to wear over and over until it's worn out, that is a great look in Europe. I feel like in the U.S. no one ever wants to show up in a dress someone has seen before (overstating it, but there is a big kernel of truth there). That is at least my perspective from the middle class. I don't know how nobles/jet-setters do.

This was a great question and I really enjoyed reading the responses. I especially liked some of the links mentioned. The women on bicycles with heels are fun photos.

I think Scarlet hit a nail on the head with the difference between Europe versus American style. I know quality over quantity is a big part of the style difference. It makes sense that there is less judgement on repeated items.

Excellent post, Scarlet!

Some Americans seem to prefer a LOTof flash and obvious labels, which most Europeans avoid. Especially the Swiss, who consider it gauche to flaunt their wealth.

In general, Europeans prefer quality over quantity and abhor the 'showing of labels.'
They don't mind wearing the same beautiful garments many, many times.

SOOOOO true Scarlet and Lynne. Brilliant point, and one I have brought up a few times too. You see well worn Chanel bags and shoes all over France (Valentino in Italy) and - I love that.

And more wisdom from wonderful Barbara

Julie, Euro Chic gals: Inez, Audrey Tattou - to some extent Kate Middleton when she is casually dressed, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett when she isn't being OTT - off the top pf my head!

Great question, and wonderful to read everyone's thoughtful responses! Angie, your description was fabulous. This is a look I aspire to as well, though I would like to have more "urbanness/punk" in my style (still not doing a good job bringing that side in though). I don't think I'm quite there yet, but this thread is a wonderful resource

I can't stop thinking about this thread :).

I love euro chic, but it is not the be and end all of style. I think it's important to honour and be authentic to our own style calling, too. Can you imagine YLF without our Team ALGO, Maximal, Creative, Arty, Boho, Casual, Bright members?

I adore Euro Chic, but don't you go changin', anyone, if it doesn't sing to you :).

Brilliant thought, Lynne! The world would be a very boring place without ALL of these styles!

Hello all! Newbie here. (My very first post!) Just browsing through the forum when "Euro chic" caught my eye. Isis, great blog link there! I'm Canadian and don't want to sound boastful, but have visited Western Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, England, France, Holland & Switzerland!) - most recently in 2007 - and can vouch for "clean lines", high quality shoes & bags, and minimalism - but often with a sexy or individualistic touch. In London, I loved the infinite ways both women and men threw on their scarves. I totally needed to consult a video to figure some of the styles out! In Italy & Spain, beautiful low-slung belts, looking quite effortless. I found the French ultraconservative, but everything perfectly fitted & tidy.

Here is the question I can never quite answer: How can an all-American girl and a Euro-chic girl both wear - oh say - a French sailor shirt and a gold chain bangle - and look so different?

I think, perhaps, it's choice of fit and drape. I think all-American is either boxy or painted on, while Euro-chic is more form skimming.

Also, Americans hold themselves very differently.

Scarlet, I think that your point has more than a "kernel" of truth. A few years ago my husband went to an international meeting for his company. When he returned, he told me that the Europeans and the Canadians looked amazing, but not overdone. When he mentioned this to one of his American co-workers, the woman replied that they wore the same things over and over and she found that in poor taste.

To add to that, I didn't find a lot of bold, fun colours being worn there. Lots of muted tones & neutrals and well-cut jeans. Obviously there were exceptions to what we are saying here, but in general (among the 'euro chic' peeps!) that's what I observed. There were times I meekly thought I should away an item that might be too "loud".