Euro chic v's modern classic

I was really enjoying the recent thread on euro chic style. The elements of euro chic sound like what I aspire to. I was then wondering how euro chic and modern classic differ? What are your thoughts?

12 years ago

General

35 replies

Latest reply was from nancylee

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Good question, An. I hope someone will weigh in!

Flat (or low) heels might have something to do with it, but obviously won't be the whole distinction!

12 years ago

anne

Veteran

That's the only obvious thing that came to my mind too - that flats are a euro chic distinctive, not necessarily a modern classic one.

12 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

I think Euro chic includes a trendy element.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

All spot on with your assessments. There is also a little bit more drama.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I am loving the sound of Euro-chic!

12 years ago

Active Member

Okay thanks. And did I read that euro chic is more neutral, muted and low contrast colors. Whereas modern classic could easily include high contrast and bold colors. Is that right?

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Euro Chic can mean high contrast. Of course! Black with white? 100%. It's more neutral though.

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Another great Euro Chic post!

Yep, flats are a must, but perhaps in an unexpected color, like red. Color is certainly not verboten with Euro Chic style.

For me, it's a totally uncluttered style with elements of classic, natural, modern, artistic and just a touch of boho. Nothing frilly or fussy, though. It's not only WHAT you wear, it's HOW you wear it.

12 years ago

Active Member

So, does this french website constitute Euro Chic? I love these looks.

http://www.comptoirdescotonnie.....ollec_Id=2

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Ahh I ADORE the Comptoir Des Cotonniers look books! So much inspiration in their styling, definitely a vibe I aspire to capture in my style.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

An, some of those outfits for sure.

12 years ago

san

Veteran

I adore unclutterd. I adore Euro style, not to say I'm there but I do appreciate the look and feel and the confidence.

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

An, I printed out favorites from that website and put them in my lookbook in the EUROCHIC section!

I use them as inspiration, adding more color to suit my style.

12 years ago

Isabel

Veteran

An, what a great site ! I had forgotten about it. Aida and Una ( I think ) had mentioned this site quite a while ago.

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Angie, what are the differences between Euro-chic and whatever style Comptoir Des Cotonniers is? (OK, so also, what is that style?) The CDC style is right up my alley, so I'm really curious about the difference.

12 years ago

DressLover

Veteran

To me, euro chic has an urban/utilitarian influence that modern classic lacks. Also, euro chic is an effortless polish while modern classic is an intentional polish.

12 years ago

Lisa

Veteran

Great Euro chic question. I always thought euro style included flats and scarves.

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Euro Chic DOES include flats and scarves AND much much more.

Achieving a polished, fun and seemingly effortless look is key.Parisians and Milanese aren't the only ones who rock the Euro Chic style. Personally, I think the Dutch do it best. But so do thousands of fashionable men and women who live in small villages all over Europe!

12 years ago

Active Member

Thanks for all your insightful comments.

Yes, Isabel I did a search back to old threads to find that French website because it stuck in my mind.

Aida, I too am interested in what style would best describe those looks.

I looked back at Angies description in the other post:
'It's a look that's: casual, simple, fashionable and practical in a dressy way - with a wee bit of drama thrown into the mix. Always good bag and shoes. Always good quality clothing. More Polished than RATE. Not too many accessories. Light make-up. A little trendy, and very urban. More neutral than colourful. Shoes are often flat or low heeled (most European people commute on foot on cobbled stones)'.
I love the sound of all of that except I'm not sure about the 'very urban'. What does very urban constitute I wonder? I'm still really not sure what style I'm aspiring too.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Euro Chic. The real deal on the street:

http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/.....isticated/

12 years ago

Barbara

Veteran

Bingo!

That's it, Angie. I've seen it all over Europe - in big cities AND small villages.

12 years ago

Lynne

Veteran

Thanks, Angie! The neutrals with neutrals make my heart pitter patter...

12 years ago

Kate

Veteran

sigh... As Jean's thread points out, I'm still not quite getting euro chic but I think I'm starting to gain a better idea of how it isn't modern classic.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....midi-dress

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Ooh I love the Zurich street shots! LOVE the high dose of urban. Hmm I think that is what I am currently missing....

12 years ago

Active Member

Ahhh, thanks Angie - the real deal. Love it!

So, I notice the quality footwear, quality bags, the lovely neutral combos, the simplicity, the casual vibe, minimal accessories but definitely not absent (e.g. lovely belts, scarves, bags), polished in a relaxed way. I also like the natural but still polished hairstyles (often longer?).

Kate, I'm not quite there either but it's slowing getting clearer.

Aida, could you please define what 'high dose of urban' means to you? I still don't think I've got my head around that.

12 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Well in these I see a lot of black/charcoal, things are pretty sleek and streamlined (even the slouchy looks), nothing strikes me as sporty (though there are gamine elements) or earthy, they look metropolitan. And these women all carry themselves with confidence and clearly aren't afraid to experiment. The "urban" quality is something I am also trying to get a handle on, so I cannot quite define it myself either

EDIT: Others have described my style as a bit urban, but I am not sure what elements make it so.

12 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Dress Lover - you are *very* articulate. I love the way you described Euro Chic as having an "urban/utilitarian influence that modern classic lacks". KILLER description.

Barbara, I agree that in the Netherlans, people are generally very Euro Chic. Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, and Switzerland are more good examples.

Aida, there's a little more boho in the CDC style.

An, Euro Chic is definitely not about long hair. Many Euro women wear their hair very short!

12 years ago

Active Member

Thanks everyone for your input and interesting discussion. I think I am finally getting the picture! Feel free to post your Euro Chic outfits here. I would love to see them!

12 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

I would love to see pics too!

I've been reading and rereading this thread, looking at the CDC pics, and started reading Inez's book last night, Parisian Chic. I'm not ready to abandon the classics but there is something about Euro Chic that appeals to me. I'm hoping to add more of this look into my style over time.

12 years ago

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