Going out Clothes for Europe - Women

I've never seen women in Europe wear flip-flops except on the beach. Likewise, never seen a tank top in a social situation.

so what do they wear generally?

As usual Steve is right. H & M is a good place to look. I have never seen flip flops and they are not comfortable to walk long distances in.

I think your casual dresses will be fine, but I agree skip the flip flops.

Flip flops + lots of walking + uneven sidewalks = ouch. Don't underestimate how much walking you will be doing, if you are a 'typical' tourist. I didn't think we were walking all that much, and we did use public transit, but we still easily walked 5+ miles a day.

Dresses are fine, and jeans will be fine but they are kind of heavy to pack & hard to wash. You might prefer some lightweight capris or zip-off shorts. Short-sleeve shirts are more common than tank tops but if you're comfortable in them, then do what makes you happy. Just make sure you have something to cover your shoulders if you are visiting any churches.

I was in Brighton, and that is the only place I saw flip flops during the day, near the beach!

Jeans are fine. I know others here talk about the weight, but I took mine anyway. I took a couple really dressy, cute tops and was able to dress up or down in my jeans. If you can find "jeggings" that would be nice too. I used mine to travel in and it felt like I was wearing nothing. For the weight conscious, these weigh practically nothing.

Most European women dress up more than Americans do, even during the day, especially in countries like Spain and Italy. However, that doesn't mean you can't enjoy casual attire. I would bring some basic ensembles (mix-and-match work especially well) to wear while sightseeing, and then bring a few scarves and costume jewelry to dress up your outfits when you go out.

Chico's has a great line of clothing for female travelers called the Traveler's Collection - it's cool, wrinkle-free, lightweight and can be dressed up easily. I've been wearing it for years on trips and I highly recommend it. http://www.chicos.com/store/browse/shelf.jsp?catId=cat40010

Flip flops should never be seen anywhere except the beach IMO!

What do you mean by going out clothes? Just going out in the day or going out to smart restaurants in the evening? If it's just day time stuff I think your casual dresses with a pair of sandals will be fine. If there is a possibility that you may get the opportunity to go somewhere smart I would take something dressier. I have a plain knee-length little black dress which doesn't take up much room in my case and doesn't crease. I always have that on me as there have been a few occasions when I have had the opportunity to go somewhere smart.

While I can't say for sure what people are wearing in the summer, as I've only been in Winter/Spring, I do remember that for going out, in the to a nightclub or a bar sense, it was much more casual in Europe (excluding London) then at home. Casual in the I'm still wearing stylish clothes, but I don't feel the need to put on a tight mini dress that shows everything with tons of make-up an jewlery etc. You should be fine with a great pair of flats, light weight, dark wash skinny jeans, a clean white, thick strap tanktop and a great summer weight scarf. Bring a few scarves and you'll look different while packing light.

A black, basic travel dress will be great for almost any occassion.

Eeek I feel like I'm hearing lots of different things!

By "going out" I mean going to pubs, bars or clubs at night. I doubt I will be doing much of this as I'm traveling alone, but just in case I thought I would bring something appropriate.

I'm hearing that people don't wear flip flops, which sucks because that's all I wear. But they are cute flip flops with a thin strap. Can I bring nice flat sandals, then, or do I need heels for night?

Thanks everyone for your comments!

Try a pair of clarks un.port sandals they are cute and like walking on air.

Lindsay, the issue with the flip flops is less their appropriateness (although they aren't as common in Europe outside of beach areas) as their flimsy-ness, if that's a word. I don't think anyone is going to harass you over flip flops, but your feet are likely not going to enjoy miles of walking in them over rough roads and those quaint European cobblestones. If you've hiked up mountain craters in flip flops and been fine, then go for it. We'd just hate to see your trip ruined by bad footwear/blisters when there are so many cute shoe options that will support & protect your feet.

Lindsey, a couple of years ago I wore a nice pair of black platform flip flops all over Paris in warm Sept. weather, paired with a nice skirt, or pants. Some people may find them difficult to walk in, but not me and my feet felt fine, which was the most important thing. They were not super cheap plastic-y looking ones like you buy at the drugstore. I'm sure something like this would be fine for most occasions, except for going to a really nice restaurant or fancy event. The stores I'm going into lately are filled with stylish, leather flip flops too --- Plus you will find stores and stores of wonderful things in Europe, if you need something for a special occasion, you can get it there! Don't stress over it. You don't need heels.

I am going to chime in here about the flip-flops. Here in Frankfurt, they are everywhere, and everyone is wearing them, tourists and Germans alike. Not so much the guys, but the girls sure do. The stores are filled with them, from very cheap to very expensive.

As to going out, if you are going to a pub, then casual wear is fine. If you are going to a club, then getting quite dressed up in something stylish is what is called for. This might be just tight, skinny jeans with a funky top, or if you like wearing sundresses, they certainly would not be out of line. Spagetti strap tops are for sale everywhere too. Some ballet flats might fit the bill for you. My daughter is very stylish and she and her friends take a lot of care fixing their make-up, hair and picking out the right clothes when getting ready to go out to clubs. The rest of the time, flip-flops, jeans, shorts, tank-tops, or thin cotton peasant style blouses are the norm.

I am in downtown Frankfurt and see tons of tour buses every day with teens and young adults from all the European countries, and they have everything on, just more stylish then the US teens. Lots of shorts, leggings, & skinny jeans, but No baggy trousers.

My best tip is to check out a web view or a Google street view if you want to see what people are wearing in whatever city you are going to.

My younger relatives (18-23 years old) who were born in Europe & have lived there all their lives have tons of Facebook photos taken in pubs, bars & nightclubs all over Europe and they wear tank tops - both thick & thin straps, some plain & some embellished. They sometimes have scarves wrapped around their necks with the tank tops, or a funky necklace or earrings. They wear dark rinse skinny jeans or Capri pants and flats of all kinds - shoes, sandals & "dressy" flip flops (embellished with sequins or beads or the kind with colored leather, patent leather or metallic leather straps - they don't wear cheap plastic flip flops or anything that looks like a Teva or Birkenstock unless they are on a beach). They also love wearing Converse Chuck Taylor's during the daytime (not to go clubbing).