Is there really a difference between European and American fashion? - YouLookFab Forum

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Is there really a difference between European and American fashion?

heidiim2

So this may be a stupid question and one that's been discussed elsewhere, but is there really a big difference between American and European fashions? In my opinion we all dress similarly in the sense that different styles transcend the Atlantic. I borrowed more than my fair share of clothes from an American room mate I had at uni. I just wondered if anyone else had thoughts on this or if with the internet and fashion coming from all over the world that its no longer true.

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

Gigi

Veteran

I don't have the answer, but I have wondered this myself. I'm looking forward to reading this thread!

Isabel

Veteran

I find that there is. Even my husband, who works for a multi-national company and couldn't care less about style, says that he can always tell who the Americans are vs. the non-Americans. I even see a difference between Canada and the US. I can't explain it, but it is there. The clothes may be similar on first blush, but with Europeans I find that the clothes fit better. I will have to think how to describe it...I will pop in later.

Liz

Veteran

I would say yes. The clothes my European friends have worn just have somewhat different cuts, fabrics, and embellishment than the clothes the general population in the U.S. wears. I'm not talking fashion-minded people here, or those who follow trends.

Also, the U.S. has so many different regions, and different regions and cities dress differently (there have been threads on "what are the predominant styles in your area?" ). So it would depend, I'm sure, on which person from the U.S. you're comparing to which person from Europe. A trendy fashionista in NYC may look more like her counterpart in London than her counterpart in Dallas.

lyn67

Veteran

It was the YLF which made me aware of this. The most obvious thing for me was the colors. In the EU we use and combine mostly neutrals-only some pop of color if even neccesary (I speak for the colder months here). Also not so much of accessories. Still neat and wellcut, good fabrics but quieter outfits- with a bit of a sporty/pratical streak in them rather than that always dressy vibe, if that makes sense (for common and not really that fashon forward crowds)..

When I first found the blog in 2008(?) I was smitten by Angie's confidency wearing her bright colors, abudency of scarves and bags making always for the right outfit and using her several strands of pearl necklaces for daytime, too. It was so fun seeing her change along the times for a more minimal approach, which I feel will be always closer to what I percieve to be an european style, but I know she has a global citizenship, too:-)

DonnaF

Veteran

I've never been to Europe so I can't comment on European fashion/style, but for us American shorties I know we have a lot more options in Petite cut clothing so we don't have to resort to tailoring everything or suffer through ill-fitting sweaters and other items that don't tailor well.

Meli

(website)

It's hard to say but yes I see the difference in footwear, clothing, makeup, and hairstyles. I can't really verbalize it but the whole vibe is different.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

The big differences I notice are the fit, and the personal grooming. I think Europeans really are ahead of us Americans in this regard. Garments look as though they were specially made for the person wearing them, and from what I understand, having things tailored is a way of life. (Whereas I tend to think of tailoring as something I do for a special occasion garment). Hair, nails, skin, makeup (or not), clothing and shoes all look immaculate, even with casual wear and casual looks.

Aquamarine

Veteran

In my experience, Europeans buy less but better quality clothing. This may be changing, but in general I do not think they are a throw-away culture like we are. Hence the clothes they buy have to last and are generally better tailored/manufactured. So yes, I do think there is a difference you can see in quality, in both clothing and leather goods.

For men, I think the middle American aesthetic is casual and sloppy...i.e sweatshirts, cargo shorts, etc. European men will wear more fitted clothes, and generally look more polished all the time.

Helena

Veteran

I have to comment on a Canadian perspective since I'm not in the US, but what I love about what I perceive to be North American style is that there is a certain egalitarianism about it (brand-mania notwithstanding) ... there is very little snobbishness in North American style that I can perceive; the vibe to me is very down-to-earth, "I'll do my thing, you do yours". That is not a knock on Europeans but I personally love and appreciate all the manifestations of North American style ... be in east coast preppy, west coast beachy, jeans & a tee, or suburban polished yogawear (do I have to renounce my membership for saying that???) I do appreciate, say, the Parisian chic look, but I'll stick with my Gap tees and jeans thank you very much, and I will wear them with hoop earrings AND a necklace which would make Ines de la Fressange cringe I'm sure, but that's how I roll

I also agree that it's probably hard to generalize "European" and "North American" style as both represent varied cultures, geographies, local economies, etc.

I do think we could learn a thing or two about lower consumption from Europeans though ... I don't think they have the same disposable culture that we can tend towards ... although I haven't been in a while so that could have changed.

MovingFashionForward

All I can say is that I feel completely free to wear whatever I like in Britain, but in America the comments have made me feel self-conscious -- as though anything other than jeans is too 'dressed up'. Having said that, I felt perfectly fine in New York city. But it certainly seems to me that I am freer to dress the way I prefer in England than quite a few different parts of America.

Sarah

Echo

Veteran

Americans tend to have a misconception that Europeans avoid "fast fashion", but this is changing very, very fast. "High Street" buying is as common as discounters in the States, especially among young people.

From my perspective and experience, it is also difficult to group "European fashion", as the styles in London vs Rome vs Amsterdam are as different in my eyes as NY vs LA. Many French take the "less is more" approach, whereas in some parts of Italy, more is definitely more. I really enjoy seeing the street style in different large cities in different parts of the world, but a lot of "average people" in many places look as, well, average, as people in the US.

Wendy45

Good question...I was wondering the same thing..Maybe I get to learn what euro chic means! I will keep following this thread.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I think I agree with those who point out that 'Europe' is a big place as is 'America', especially if you really mean North America. The way that people dress in my rural midwestern hometown has changed over the years but it's still different than how people dress in San Francisco. And when I was in Germany this summer the same seemed to be true as far as regions and small versus big towns. I used to think, a few years ago, that Europeans tended to wear nicer shoes, but the rise of the casual non-gear sneaker has pretty much obliterated that difference. And USers used to be heavier but that difference is less than it used to be, I suspect. I think North America, and maybe just the US, tends to have cheaper clothing prices than Europe or Asia, so we do tend to have more in our closets (and it helps that a lot of people have bigger houses so they have places to put things). But with Zara and H&M etc. fast fashion is quickly becoming a European staple, perhaps more so than in the US where people tend to have to travel farther to go clothes shopping these days, not as many downtowns and more malls.

Catnip

Veteran

I can comment on the differences between the way New York and French women dress. I've lived in New York for many years and have spent a fair amount of time in France.

Some New York women are very beautifully, fashionably and expensively dressed, but they still somehow look American. The clothing French women wear is often a little tighter than we Americans might wear. This appears to be deliberate, and is not just the result of having put on a few extra pounds. French women always look good from behind. They may dress casually, but are never sloppy. They are impeccably groomed, but often still look natural. It's hard to explain, but their look is never forced or contrived, and their clothes rarely match. They may look as if they just randomly threw on some clothes, but the individual pieces look wonderful together. I would say they care much more about looking attractive than being comfortable.

Yes, I envy them. A good friend of mine in college did her junior year abroad in Paris. When she left, she was just an average looking American college girl. When she returned the next year, she had turned into a strikingly attractive, unique and very chic person.

Isabel

Veteran

I have thought about it a bit more...and I agree with Liz. It is the cuts, the fabrics and the embellishments. I know that in Europe and Canada I saw a lot more jewelry as embellishment than as part of the clothing. I also found that hairstyles are not as "complicated". Hair salons and manicurists are so much more common in the US, so European women don't have as much access to them as we do. ( I should tell you that I am Portuguese and most of my family lives in Portugal and Canada and I have friends in various parts of Europe. But I live in the US )

The comment about sneakers is so true. A few years ago, my cousins wouldn't be caught in sneakers, especially white ones. But then addidas became popular. Though mostly they wear color, fashion sneakers. Though leather shoes still rule.

deb

Veteran

This is a very interesting discussion.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

One of my colleagues looks very european - very streamlined cuts, she's very tall and lean, has carefully chosen accessories and simple hairstyles. She says she wears no makeup (I may have giggled at that).

Everything she has is super expensive though - I think you'd have to trade all my clothes for 20% of hers.

Krista

Veteran

Yes, I think there is a difference. To me, it is more in the way garments fit as well as how people are styled overall. Europeans seem more "natural" to me - as in, they are impeccably groomed but their grooming is not overt. Hair is not overly styled or colored and makeup is much more natural or even non-existent. It's almost as if there is a lack of "stiffness" to their overall look, but it's all very intentional.

To me, it is most obvious in men's clothes and style. European men wear more fitted clothing and wear more embellished shirts and jeans; what a Canadian man might only wear to a nightclub. The casual daily wear of a European man is very unlike the striped v-neck t-shirts and plain jeans I see Canadian men wearing. It's hard to pinpoint but I would say that overall it is in the details.

cuffcat

Completely agree with Krista. Younger European women, at least in Croatia, seem a lot more natural in terms of hair coloring and make up compared to American women. But, it seems to me, that European trends are about 3 months ahead of what is popular in the U.S. I really enjoy seeing what's to come!

Peri

Veteran

I haven't seen enough of the world to really answer this, but I have a hard time with such questions because there are so many variations.

For instance, the French are held up to be such style icons...so many books, such an image of being so perfect in the world of fashion. Always thin, always so chic. Well, I know a grand total of two French women, and neither one would be called stylish. They don't wear scarves. They are also sweet, friendly and casual. Busting stereotypes all over the place.

In general sure, maybe. But it's a hard question to answer I think.

heidiim2

I should've put North America, so apologies to the Canadians out there. Whilst Europe is a big place, Ive found tfashion to be quite fluid all over mainland Europe (of course Paris is special). I also find mainland Europe is much more practical than the UK, especially with snow wear.

Krista's comments reminded me about a conversation I had with a friend who worked in marketing a cosmetics company, she said in America the moedel needed to represent the perfet woman whereas in Europe it needed too be a relatable woman. I suppose that sums it up.

I cant speak for all of Europe or even all of the UK, but clothing consumption is definitely on the rise with cheaper brands rising. But I like to think theres still quality on the high street.

North America and Europe is far too big an area to compare, but I think its a good place to start before getting more specific. Im sure out there somewhere theres a scruffy parisian in a gap tshirt!

Adelfa

Veteran

When DD went to Germany in September she said that the German women had wonderful coats, and very stylish yet comfortable shoes. Those were the two things she wanted to emulate.

My only European experience was in Barcelona. I'd agree with lyn67 that there's a sporty/practical vibe that nevertheless was stylish and pulled together. Sometimes here sporty can veer towards "not trying" or "not stylish" (only sometimes!) while there a sporty shoe, bag, or jacket was part of a well thought out outfit.

Irene

Veteran

I think that Europe vs America (actually, USA) is a difficult competition to analyze.

The USA is ONE country (albeit with many different states) whereas Europe has many countries, each of them with their own fashion. And then fashion changes too depending on each region within a given country.

You cannot compare Italian, British, Spanish, German or French fashion, to mention a few. I can spot a French, British, Italian or German person just by the way they dress, especially on women.

By extremely general terms, French are classier, wearing longer skirts, shorter heels and blouses, Italians are more fashion forward, glamorous, sexy and posh looking (think Vicky Beckham), British are loud, skimpy and colorful and German women look usually more sensible, comfortable and relaxed (but still young and fun). I always thought Spanish fashion was ok but after visiting the UK I think we are rather neutral and boring. I wouldn't say Spanish women dress comfortably, not really, but it does happen in Barcelona, a city where people commute mainly on public transport. I've heard it's rare for a young woman in Sevilla to wear flat shoes though, and from more than one person.

As for the American women, it strikes me how you combine colors. You don't see women dressed like Shannon, MaryK or Rae, to name a few, on the streets of Barcelona, which btw is the most modern city in my country, and the most cosmopolitan. We do not mix bright colors or loud prints, period. I'm not saying it's wrong, or bad-looking, just highly unusual. People would stare. A lot. Unless you were an actual tourist, in which case we would assume you are a 'guiri' and therefore just dress weird.

Thistle

Veteran

Interesting discussion. I work with almost all men, and when our European counterparts come over, I don't notice a difference in dress.

I do know that several of our European associates purchase a lot of clothing over here when they are here as it is apparently hard to get clothes for tall (over 6feet 2 inches) or heavier men in Europe.

rachylou

Veteran

I see a difference, but it's a hard one to articulate. You know, there go the same Breton shirts, trench coats, and jeans... And it also depends on which set of Americans you compare to which set of Europeans.

I think some of it has to do with fit and choice of colours/colour combos. Americans either do their clothing much boxier or way way more bodycon. I don't think you see that acid princess pink and purple in Europe.

Size of wardrobe is different too. I think Europeans repeat more.