Maybe you have a European getaway on the books…or maybe you just want to feel like you’re wandering cobblestone streets, gelato in hand, wearing gorgeous clothes that make every moment feel a little more magical.
On our recent trip through Austria, Germany, and Switzerland, I packed chic, versatile pieces that were easy to mix and match—but more importantly, made me feel confident and even a little more European.
Whether you’re traveling or simply want to dress like you are, I’m sharing allll the outfits I wore during our two-week trip—and how you can easily recreate these European-inspired outfits from home.
If you’re planning for an international trip soon, check out this blog for all the packing tips you’ll need to feel prepared and ready for your travels!
packing for Europe
Travel Day Outfit
Let’s start with one of the most important travel style questions: What do I wear on the plane?
Comfort is key—but you still want to look pulled together.
For our long travel day from Telluride to Salzburg (around 25 hours door-to-door), I chose an outfit that checked every box. I wore the softest pants I’ve ever owned from Lululemon—they feel like pajamas but look like chic, tailored pants. Honestly, they’re the first pair of activewear pants I’ve seen for women that truly look like polished trousers. Yay for that win! I loved them so much, I grabbed them in two colors (I’m wearing “short” length).
I paired the pants with a soft, elevated tee, a very lightweight open-knit hoodie (perfect for layering and not overheating), and my favorite platform sneakers that add a couple of inches to my frame. This strategically layered look struck the perfect balance: stylish, yet comfortable enough to sleep in. Oh, and bonus—my three-quarter sleeve puffer doubled as an extra pillow.
You can shop this full outfit—plus my go-to carry-on roller bag— below.
Concerts, Tours, and Sights
Matching Cotton Set
We started our journey in stunning Salzburg—a charming European city filled with incredible architecture, warm people, and delicious food. One of the highlights? The Sound of Music tour…again! This was my second time, and it still brought me so much joy (yes, even a few happy tears during the sing-along on the bus).
Fun fact: this tour was one of the first things Chris and I did together while dating. I told him how much I loved the movie and wanted to live like Maria. Getting to share that special memory with our kids this time made it even more meaningful.
And P.S.—I do live like Maria now. We literally live on top of a mountain in Colorado… at 9,000 feet!
For the tour, I wore a gorgeous white set from Staud—a textured cotton matching top and skirt . It’s light, airy, and looks incredibly polished, whether worn together or as separates. The top is quite cropped, but paired with high-rise pants or the matching skirt, it feels just right. When you’re packing strategically, pieces like this are key—versatile, easy to style, and chic enough for both sightseeing and special moments.
If The Sound of Music were made today, I like to think this is exactly what a modern-day Maria would wear.
Off-Shoulder Top + Black Trousers
For our day-to-night exploring in Salzburg, I wore a sleek monochrome combo: black pants from Aritzia paired with a fitted off the shoulder black top by Good American. It was simple, comfortable, and elevated—perfect for the day’s activities.
I wore a chic yet practical pair of black mesh sneakers (yes, with socks!) that I could walk in all day without a second thought. A slim belt, crossbody bag, and modern sunglasses pulled everything together for a look that felt very European. Très chic!
We ended the day with dinner next to the beautiful church pictured above, where we had the most incredible schnitzel. After a full day of walking, I still felt polished and put together—but totally comfortable. The perfect combo!
Standout Bow Dress
And then… you pull out that dress. The one you bought especially for the trip.
For me, it was this stunning lace bow dress by Bronx and Banco. It felt more like a piece of art than a piece of clothing. Was it practical? Not at all. Was it tricky to sit in? Absolutely.
But was it worth it? A thousand times, yes.
I wore it to a Mozart concert, and it was every bit as magical as I imagined. (And don’t worry—I only wore my heels for a few blocks!)
💡 Travel Style Tip: Always pack one showstopper—even if you only wear it once. Some memories deserve a little drama.
Matching Embroidered Set
Another favorite outfit from Salzburg? This affordable, matching white short set from Dillard’s—perfect for a casual lunch and sightseeing. It was so easy to throw on, but thanks to the gorgeous embroidered openwork details, it looked far more elevated than your typical shorts-and-top combo.
I especially loved the flattering A-line shape of the shorts—it’s one of those subtle details that makes your legs look slimmer and longer (yes, please!). I layered a simple cotton tank under the top for added coverage, and just a heads-up: the set runs slightly big, so you could easily size down.
Versatile, breezy, and beautiful—this simple outfit is one you’ll reach for again and again. This is truly one of those European inspired outfits you’ll wear all summer long with ease.
Rain in the Forecast? Be Prepared for the Weather
Just outside of Salzburg, we stayed on the stunning Lake Fuschl at the most magical Rosewood hotel. It was chilly and rainy for most of our time there, and I was so glad I packed smart layers!
I reached for my trench coat from THEO the label over and over—it’s sleek, lightweight (very packable), and functional in the rain. If you’re traveling to Northern Europe, a trench is truly a no-brainer. It’s such a stylish, timeless way to weather… well, the weather.
Since the evenings were quite chilly, one night, I wore my Veronica Beard jeans with a lightweight, chic black sweater. Another night, I slipped into a black cotton poplin dress from L’Agence that’s both elegant and very comfortable.
Even with the rain, this part of the trip was quiet, peaceful, and really beautiful.
Sightseeing + Schnitzel
We hopped over to Munich next, and this leg of the trip quickly became all about the food—and walking. Lots of walking! So, comfortable shoes were an absolute must.
I wore a tailored white vest set with my platform sneakers one evening. It was classy and kept me cool.
Another day I opted for a beautiful, blue cotton dress I found at Dillard’s that made sightseeing casual, but still elevated.
Another favorite was my Quince black silk slip dress, which I paired with a white tee underneath, for added coverage. Isn’t this a great outfit? One of my daytime faves.
✨ Pro Tip: Layer a fitted slip skirt over your tee, under your silk dress for smoother layering!
I also pulled out a pair of blue and white striped pants for one of our sightseeing days, paired with a ruffle detailed white top. It was a great look for siteseeing. It was a good thing I walked so much because I ate my weight in wiener schnitzel. Actually, I’m pretty sure I didn’t eat a single vegetable the entire trip. 😂
Train Travel Day
Next stop: Switzerland! Elizabeth and I took the train from Munich to Zurich, then continued by car to our final destination—Grindelwald. While Chris and Gage went on the Holocaust education program that Chris created (such an incredible and meaningful program!)
For this full day of travel, comfort was key—but style, of course, is always a priority too. You can keep the European inspired outfits in mind even on travel day! I opted for a darker, monochrome outfit: my Aritzia vest and trouser set. This has been one of my go-to looks for well over a year now. It’s simple, timeless, and the streamlined silhouette is incredibly flattering. Plus, it’s comfortable enough for long hours in transit, yet elevated enough to feel polished when you arrive.
I paired the set with comfy black sneakers and layered my elegant trench coat to finish off the look.
🚆 Style Strategy: A monochrome set instantly elevates your travel look—effortless, polished, and ready for anything. Bonus: darker tones hide stains and tend to look cleaner longer.
Dressing for Adventure
Hiking Outfit for Snowy Mountains
Once we arrived in the Swiss Alps, I knew the fashion would pivot quite a bit—less city-chic, more elevated outdoorsy. But that doesn’t mean style took a backseat!
Switzerland truly has a piece of my heart. I first visited Grindelwald when I was 20 and studying abroad, and I’ve dreamed of coming back ever since. This time, I got to share it with my daughter, Elizabeth, and it was just as magical as I remembered.
On our first day, we traveled by train to the spectacular Swiss town, Lauterbrunnen. We explored waterfalls, waterfalls in the caves, took in the views from the the summit of Schilthorn, where we also had lunch at the epic Skyline revolving restaurant. On our way down, we wandered through the quaint, car-free mountain town, Mürren. Since we were changing elevation and in and out of cold caves, layers were key!
I started with a tank, layered a long-sleeve white top, then a soft, white jacket. I put my featherlight black Herno jacket in my backpack, which turned out to be a perfect extra layer that didn’t take up much space. The final layer on top? A waterproof North Face rain jacket.
A lightweight backpack was a must for carrying essentials including extra layers, and my hiking sneakers? Salomon trail-runners, of course. This is my fifth pair—they’re just that good.
Layers, Layers, Layers
On our visit to Jungfraujoch, also known as the “Top of Europe,” I layered up again to stay warm in the snow. At the top, the Ice Palace was super cool, but it was crowded everywhere. This is a major tourist destination that many say you can skip…but the panoramic glacier views made it worth braving the crowds, in my opinion.
I wore a pair of super soft and comfy Beyond Yoga joggers, a long sleeve top activewear top, my Salomon hiking shoes, and relied on my Herno jacket for warmth without adding any bulk, underneath my North Face rain jacket (size up so you can layer under it. I’m wearing a small).
Warmer Weather Hiking + Biking
My favorite day of adventure in Switzerland? An unplanned day of biking and hiking with Elizabeth.
In a perfect world, she would have been old enough for e-bikes… but we braved mountain bikes instead. Full disclosure, we didn’t last long on those bikes, but it was still so much fun.
After returning the bikes, I spotted the gondola to Grindelwald First (pronounced Fear-st) and on a whim, we grabbed tickets and headed to the top. We had lunch at the summit, then decided to hike back down—and wow. The views were absolutely jaw-dropping.
We live in a beautiful mountain town, but the Alps are just… more. More dramatic, more expansive, more breathtaking. It was one of those special moments that was completely unplanned, but totally unforgettable.
Since it was warmer that day, I wore a black one-piece “runsie” by Free People with my white Lululemon zip jacket layered on top, and of course—my trusty Salomon trail runners. Yet another reminder of how different each day (and outfit!) was on this trip—and how important it is to pack for variety!
What to Wear Paragliding
To cap off our trip, Elizabeth and I went paragliding over Interlaken—and let me tell you, it was unreal. The views were next-level incredible. What a perfect way to end our time in Switzerland… Getting to see all of it, from above, was incredible.
Switzerland is like something out of a storybook… almost too beautiful to believe. The mountains are so steep and imposing and unimaginably gorgeous, all around you. For paragliding, I wore layers again to keep warm (the wind was pretty chilly, and I run cold.) I have on some black leggings (the same pair I exercised in), a long sleeve activewear top, sneakers, sunglasses, and again, my black Herno jacket.
Have you been tandem paragliding? We both LOVED it!
Packing for a Trip Like This
No doubt about it—this was a challenging trip to pack for.
But honestly… aren’t they all? (High-class problems, I know.)
With so many different climates, temperatures, elevations, and activities on the itinerary, packing smart was a must. Over the years, I’ve learned to give myself a little grace in this area. When the kids were little and we had more stuff, I’d challenge myself to travel with just a carry-on.
But now? I’m 50 (said in my best Sally O’Malley voice 💁♀️), and I’ve got built-in help with the luggage—thanks to the two tall men in my life. Gage is almost 6 feet tall now, and Chris is 6’2″, so… I checked a bag without guilt. And you know what? I loved having options—and being able to pack a few extra special outfits.
This trip did require a little bit of everything:
• Chic outfits for dinners and concerts
• Functional activewear for hiking (and paragliding!)
• Layers for rainy, chilly days
• Easy dresses and matching sets for sightseeing
• Comfortable yet stylish sneakers for walking (and walking… and walking)
• And of course, a few beautiful outfits I LOVE—because special moments deserve special pieces💃
Packing smart doesn’t always mean packing less. It means packing intentionally. I brought versatile pieces I could re-wear, mix and match, and most importantly—pieces that made me feel amazing across three countries.
You can pack much lighter if that’s your style—just apply the same principles: focus on neutral, versatile basics and build a wardrobe that works hard and makes you feel your best.
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A European State of Mind
This trip was truly one for the books. It reminded me how much joy there is in exploring new places—and how special it is to share them with your kids for the very first time. It also reinforced how important it is to dress in a way that makes you feel amazing.
Whether you’re planning a European getaway… or simply want to look like you are with European inspired outfits, I hope this post gave you ideas, inspiration, and a little extra spark for your own adventures. Because timeless, chic, confident style isn’t just for vacations—it’s something you can embody wherever you are.
Remember: packing smart doesn’t mean sacrificing style. Choose pieces that make you feel confident, pack with intention, and don’t be afraid to plan a whole moment around that one special dress. 😉
