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Euro chic with colour (or color, if you prefer!)

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Following up on our Euro chic thread, several of us aspire to some form of Euro chic but with more injections of colour than on the Zurich thread that Angie so helpfully posted. http://youlookfab.com/2010/03/.....isticated/

As Sylvie wrote:

"The following really resonated with me.

from Dresslover: "urban/utilitarian influence"
from Aida: metropolitan but not sporty or earthy
Angie's post on Zurich street style

I want to wear everything in the post minus the labeled bags plus color

So I think my aspirational style is:

euro chic with color and occasional edge

(occasional edge = buckles/studs on boots, funky shoes. I can remove this from the statement if these elements are allowed to be part of euro chic)"

This sounds very close to what I'd aspire to, myself.

Nancylee followed up with her own refinement of this statement; her aspirational style would include a few boho elements.

So...how can one inject colour into this look without cancelling out the urban/utilitarian element? It seems to me that it must involve a very careful use of colour?

Ideas? Images? Examples?

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Shu

nancylee

Veteran

Thanks for posting this on behalf of our inquiring minds, Suz! I look forward to reading the responses.

MNsara

Veteran

I don't have an answer, but I like the sounds of it! I adore euro chic and have been applying it as a shopping filter lately, but I also adore some colour (like I just came with with a BRIGHT red leather Goodwill jacket).

Maybe that's the North American twist on euro chic - judicious colour and edge!?

I think it's still pretty true that Europeans don't buy nearly as many clothing items as we NAs do (being quality over quantity), and I see that as a reason to stay away from too much colour and (edgy) elements that may quickly date something. . .

So, I'll stay tuned for the expert opinions. . .

(Notice my use of 'colour' -- lol)

Sylvie

Veteran

Bringing over/rephrasing part of my response from the other thread:

I think MNSara has the right idea - same clothing item, but just in a brighter colour.

I think Euro chic has a certain sleekness to the silhouette with very little poofiness. The way I've been trying to work in the colour is by maintaining that silhouette in colourful clothing. Ex:

colourful scarf or shoes instead of a neutral scarf
tall dark green flat boots instead of black flat boots
purple trench instead of neutral trench

Also, I'll mix multiple dark coloured items into an outfit but I won't mix two bright items that aren't adjacent on the colour wheel.

Good: (red or cognac shoes) + (red scarf or red purse or red belt) + neutral coat
Good: dark green shoes + medium purple coat
Doesn't work for colourful euro chic: red shoes + bright blue scarf + neutral coat

Anonymous

Hmmm. I'm glued to this thread. Can't give any answers, though.

sarah

Veteran

Some examples of "colourful" Eurochic that come to mind for me include Angie's citron trench coat over black, where she's pairing an unusual color (but on a classic piece, with a twist in that it has a double collar) with a classic black outfit. Or her pairing of her red pumps with a white button down and black pencil skirt. Just some ideas, which basically echo Sylvie's ideas.

Scarlet

Veteran

It seems to me like lots of Angie's outfits are good examples for what you are going for.

nancylee

Veteran

That is an interesting point, Scarlet. To my eye, Angie's looks are very polished and dressy compared to most of the street photos of Euro Chic, which seem more RATE and casual. I'm starting to think Euro Chic is a pretty widely defined category!

Irene

(website)

The most important thing - don't match your bag with your shoes. It's incredibly boring and very american! When I was working at department store, I was shocked to know that american women are always trying to buy shoes of the same color as their bags, or earrings of the same pattern as necklace and ring. And they wear it together! Argh.

Lisa

Veteran

This is based on my personal observations from England, Northern Italy, Monaco, France, and Belgium in the past two years. My own interpretation of euro chic is classic items, with one element of edge. In general Europeans remix items often due to smaller wardrobes and places to store them. They are big on accessories to change up an outfit, one reason why scarves are so popular. Also they tend to wear the same items again, and again, and again, and do not care how many times someone else sees the same pieces. And Louis Vutton bags are quite popular, so are Longchamp totes. But you will see them worn out to bits! When they purchase a bag, they truly do wear it out. And of course, flats. Walking friendly shoes are often seen unless you are in the fashion districts. And when you do see a print, it's usually the scarf, shoe or bag, rarely the trousers, or shirts, or sweaters (jumpers).

If I were to mix up this look with color, I'd stick to the same classic pieces and shapes, in colors that were flattering on me. I would have hardware details on my footwear and bags. I would still limit the number of prints in my wardrobe and those that I would add, would be smaller in size (dots perhaps) or stripes, prints that are quite versatile.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Nancylee, I agree that Angie tends to look more polished than the streetstyle Eurochic pics that we were referencing.

Lisa, what you said sounds really close to what I'm thinking of. Thank you for that articulation, and thank you everyone for your ideas. Keep them coming!

Shu

I may be totally off base, but does this picture in #1 look like it falls under the eurochic with color category?
http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....silk-shirt

Theres a lady with black boots and a purple scarf in the post above that made me wonder if her look is similar to mine. Maybe if my boots were darker and colors more subdued? In any case, I really love this thread because I have no idea what I want to look like, but I loved most of the outfits in Angie's post linked above- so maybe I want to look Euro chic like you ladies!

rute

Veteran

I'm European and I do agree with Lisa!
As to colors we are not the most colorfull people! Think black and more black mixed with white and cream.
We love classic elements like trench coats, scarfs, we like quality and we prefer smaller wardrobes but quality pieces! We do use a lot each piece.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shu, I think the pieces and general overall vibe meet the Eurochic criteria (or Eurocasual, at least!). High five!

I'm definitely in the "small wardrobe" camp. (Especially after the big donation yesterday!) But honestly, I have so few pieces in my closet right now, and always wear things over and over and have no worries about that. In fact, I prefer it!

But as someone who is trying to stay away from black as a wardrobe staple, I want to find a way to build that Eurochic look with other neutrals and some pops of colour, simply because I love colour!

Isabel

Veteran

WOW ! It never ceases to amaze me how many of us are on the same wavelength ! After someone posted a link to comptoire des cottoniers, I thought that was how I wanted to look - but with more color. The only thing that I can think of are scarves, jewelry and maybe camis as layering pieces. I love a bright yellow or turquoise cuff bracelet. Or a pin. I

Though I have decided to try a pair of the colored skinny cords this season. I want to stick to a ruby color or deep green. I find that in adding color that I like dark, deep jewel tones. I find them a bit "sleeker" than pastels.

ETA : Suz, I am also making an effort to get away from so much black. I am purposely buying more navy and gray. I saw a blazer the other day at H&M ( that I did not buy but should have ) in black and navy...I cant stop thinking about it.

Anonymous

Suz, my style is not at all eurochic, but it is very neutral! Yet I find black unflattering. I think you can easily build a mostly-neutral wardrobe with other colors. For me it's gray, navy, and some shades of brown. Then I mix in occasional blue and green when I want to add color!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

I have nothing to add in terms of new information but I just wanted to say I'm enjoying reading this thread because this is a style that I love to look at and have been wondering if it's something that could work for me.

nancylee

Veteran

Loving this conversation...let's keep it going.

I have to chuckle, though, as we Americans (myself included) and Canadians (Suz!) struggle to understand and adopt this style that seems so innate and natural to Europeans. They seem to be born with style!

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It also has to do with what is available in the stores and what they see constantly modelled around them, right? It might take more conscious effort (and a lot of shopping) for Europeans to get a classic American style. Although we are all blending together these days, I suspect.

nancylee

Veteran

Good point, Suz...if Euro is the style you're surrounded by all your life, it's inevitable that you absorb its elements.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

For what it's worth Suz and Nancy, here's my take on these comments:

- Just do the same thing and add colour! Sara did this perfectly.

http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....just-dated

- Inge wears Euro Chic with colour. Look at her outfits.

- Great comment, Lisa.

- Sylvie, that last example will work for Euro Chic in my book.

- Zurich is the most polished Euro city I've walked around in (a lot like HK). Euro Chic is absolutely polished. Some are more dressy and others more casual. But always "Chic".

- Color will always look like a typo!!! Just like centre and gray

(Thanks Sarah and Scarlet).

Isabel

Veteran

Nancylee, I am also European. How's that ? I was raised in the states but in a small Portuguese and Latino community. My mom ( and her friends are thoroughly European ) and we have alot of interaction with our family in Portugal....and I am still puzzled !

My mom definitely has it and I feel like I am always chasing after it !

To my mom, the single most important thing is FIT. I remember my first pair of store bought jeans in high school. She tailored them to fit me to a T. I could go to the drugstore and buy an rain ponch and she would chase after me to "give it some shape. "

She is so into fit ( she is 76 ) that yesterday she told me she was trying on her "burial outfit" because she had lost a little weight and it might be loose on her now !!!! I told her that we could safety pin it in the casket if anything happened and she was HORRIFIED ! LOL

Isabel

Veteran

Hmmm, Angie, I have several, I think, depending on geography. I think overall it is very Ralph Lauren ( plaids, khakis, jeans, shorts, boat shoes and sneakers) or Kennedy-like. ( But I grew up in the Northeast.) But I think totally different of Texas. When my family in Portugal and France think of "American" it is ALWAYS jeans, shorts and colorful sneakers.

When I was a kid, the American kids always dressed in jeans and sneakers. None of the Latin children did. Even at five, you could spot me a mile away as not American....I also didn't speak English well ! LOL

Scarlet

Veteran

Isabel, that is all too funny!

As an American living in Europe, I think that a little more polish in day to day life is just expected here. Going out with wet hair for example is simply not done. Ladies appear in full regalia for the fitness studio, workout, enjoy the lovely locker room to recreate full regalia, and go back into the street. Almost everyone wears at least a little make-up. Only students wear sneakers. You get the idea. Also for a long time here it was easier to buy inexpensive fashionable things than in the U.S. That is changing in the U.S. now.

nancylee

Veteran

Isabel, that story about your mom is priceless! Wish my 75-year-old mom had such style consciousness!

rute

Veteran

Lovely Isabel! That reminds me of my mother! She is very picky with fit and she is her own tailor! She tailors everything.
Here every store has a tailor service because we do ask it for most of the clothes!

Sylvie

Veteran

Angie, I stand corrected.

Isabel, love the story about your mom.

Rute, you're so lucky that every store has a tailor service. We can only dream of it here. It's very challenging to find a good tailor - price is no measure of their ability to do quality work.

Shu

Isabel, you make such a good point about fit. I've been thinking about this a lot as I look at pictures of myself and others and try to differentiate what makes them look sophisticated and me not in certain somewhat similar outfits, and fit seems to be a huge component.