After months living in Paris and the South of France, I returned to NYC with one fashion habit I couldn’t unlearn, which was: wearing the same pieces for everyday life, no matter the occasion.
You see, the girls in Europe do not have excessive wardrobes. In fact, I think overconsumption and constantly needing the next ‘new’ trendy item is a concept we’ve invented as Americans. But in other countries, fashion is seen as more of an investment. Less is usually more when it comes to their wardrobe, and one of the chicest things I noticed is that they’re constantly transitioning the same pieces they own from day to night.
I spent the last few years focused on intentionality, and scoping out elevated luxury brands I could wear everyday, without constantly feeling like I needed something new in my wardrobe.
It really came down to three things: fabric composition, elevated pieces, and price. Focusing on those fundamental aspects made my wardrobe feel more intentional, and getting dressed every day a lot easier.
Below are the five European clothing brands (with specific pieces I own from each brand) that I swear by for building effortless outfits, and actually wear every single day.
What I Look for When Building an Everyday Wardrobe
After spending years focused on intentionality, I’ve learned that building a wardrobe I love comes down to three key things.
- I prioritize fabric composition, looking for natural fibers like wool, cotton, or cashmere that have a beautiful weight and drape.
- It’s also important that the pieces have elevated, timeless silhouettes rather than being trend-driven.
- Finally, the price needs to justify cost per wear, ensuring that each item is a true investment in my everyday style.
All of the European clothing brands mentioned in this article fall into the above categories, and I’m so excited to share them with you! So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
The European Clothing Brands I Actually Wear
Marcella NYC
Marcella NYC is one of the European clothing brands I discovered many years ago, but didn’t fully appreciate in my wardrobe until recently.
It’s a brand that grew out of a need for more sustainable, affordable pieces that you could wear every day living in a big city like New York. Marcella designs every piece in NYC and has them handcrafted in Europe using high-quality fabrics and trims. Their pieces mirror that of ‘upscale street style’, or as the brand has coined it“minimalism with an edge”. The price range sits between $80-$160 for their clothes.
What I love about this brand is that less truly is more. As someone who now shops and wears Marcella NYC on the regular, I’ve noticed that their collections pretty much stay the same year-round. They focus on a few iconic styles that stay relevant beyond several months. Wearing the same well-made pieces on repeat is what makes a wardrobe feel distinctly European.
Marcella draws clear inspiration from French and European fashion, and it shows immediately in the designs. For example, I am wearing the Lettie tunic in the picture above, which is both an elegant and modern style made from European semi-sheer cotton. I have worn this top in so many different ways, with striped linen pants or even bootcut jeans. It’s incredibly versatile and can be worn from brunch to date night—and I have indeed worn it for both.
How I’m styling Marcella
Some other pieces I have and love are this European Ponte maxi dress. This dress honestly surprised me. The luxurious, heavyweight fabric hugs in all the right places and creates an incredibly flattering fit. I paired it with a silk scarf and matching bag for a pop of color!
Another recent addition to my wardrobe is the French wool-blend sweater top—this has quickly become a favorite in my closet. I love the effortless asymmetric shape, the drape on the neckline, and I personally think it looks best with a cinched belt over it.
Sézane
When it comes to European clothing brands, Sézane is where I turn when I want to channel pure Parisian elegance. Founded by Morgane Sézalory, this brand essentially wrote the playbook on the modern “French girl” aesthetic.
It started as an online-first concept, and soon grew into multiple physical locations across the world. I remember visiting their first location ever in Bordeaux, what an incredible experience. I actually ended up buying their iconic Justine bucket bag from this very store!
What has always drawn me to Sézane are their textures and storytelling. While they do drop new collections seasonally, there is a distinct lack of “trend-chasing.” Instead, they focus on perfecting the vintage-inspired cuts that make you feel like you’ve stepped into Europe. Prices are a bit on the higher end, ranging anywhere from $120-$240 for everyday essentials.
Brands like Sézane focus on accessible luxury that genuinely feels luxurious, with beautiful knits, chic European silhouettes, and timeless pieces.
How I’m styling Sézane
The two pieces I find myself reaching for most often are the iconic Emile and Basile cardigans. They have been an absolutely staple in my wardrobe. I own it in a soft ecru, spring green, and beautiful navy. You can style these sweaters in so many different ways, the versatility is just unmatched. Here’s an unboxing video where I compare both cardigans and my thoughts on each one!
Another recent staple in my rotation is the Will Jacket. Let me tell you, I really underestimated this jacket before adding it to my wardrobe. It’s one of those pieces you don’t realize how much wear you’ll get out of until you start styling it. I’ve styled this piece with white pants, black trousers, and even with other suede accessories like suede boots and a bag—it’s such an easy piece to transition from day into evening.
Finally, one of my favorite pieces that I’ve ever purchased from this brand is the Scott Trench. I have so many thoughts about this coat, so you can read my in-depth review of the Scott Trench here! Overall, though, it’s an absolute staple in my closet and I would purchase this in multiple colors without question.
& Other Stories
This brand is probably going to surprise you as much as it did me, but after purchasing and wearing many of their pieces, & Other Stories deserves a place on this list. They are a Swedish brand that is actually owned by the H&M Group, but sits at a higher price point and the quality is top notch.
One of the coolest things about this European clothing brand is their unique design concept: they have three distinct ateliers in Paris, Stockholm, and Los Angeles. Each atelier designs their own collections based on the vibe of its city, meaning you get a mix of French romanticism, Scandinavian minimalism, and California calm all under one roof.
The more I purchased from the brand, the more I realized their pieces were not one-off. Each item I’ve ordered has consistently delivered in quality, design, and longevity—from the wool sweaters to the jackets and even their trousers.
How I’m Styling & Other Stories
One category they absolutely dominate is knitwear. I have worn their mock neck sweaters for years, and they are the quiet heroes of my winter wardrobe. They have a boxy, structured fit that looks incredible half-tucked into high-waisted trousers, or layered over a t-shirt (as pictured above)! The wool blend is thick enough to hold its shape, but also soft enough to wear against bare skin.
I also love their jackets and coats. I don’t own a wool coat from this brand yet, because they are consistently sold out! But next season I’m definitely planning on snagging a grey wool coat from this brand.
COS
Another European clothing brand I swear by is COS. The longer I work in fashion, the more I notice how easy it is to chase newness instead of building a sustainable wardrobe that actually works for you. And any editor will tell you, a truly functional wardrobe is built on a foundation of perfect basics.
When it comes to basics, nobody does it better than them. COS, which stands for “Collection of Style,” is another brand under the H&M Group, but it occupies a space that feels more like a contemporary art gallery than a high-street store. It’s all about modern, architectural silhouettes and exceptional quality at an accessible price point.
While I love their sculptural dresses and avant-garde trousers, the pieces I genuinely cannot live without are their basic t-shirts and knits… and we all know how elusive the perfect tee can be—simple in theory, but surprisingly hard to find. It needs to have the right weight, the right drape, and a neckline that sits perfectly on your collar bone. COS has got this down to a science.
How I’m styling COS t-shirts & knits
Their classic short-sleeve and long-sleeve tees are absolute closet staples for me. Made from a heavyweight organic cotton, they feel incredibly luxurious and substantial. I actually purchased the basic cotton T-shirts from Gap, and they were super flimsy, see-through, and lost their shape after the first wash. I wanted to love them, but they just didn’t do it for me!
With COS t-shirts, the fabric has a crispness that allows it to stand on its own. Worn with a simple pair of jeans or trousers, a COS tee always looks like a deliberate, minimalist choice. The fit of these tees are subtly boxy and structured, skimming the body without clinging to it, which I love.
Also, I will say that these COS knit sweaters had a moment this year. They are sold out EVERYWHERE—and at that price point, too! I did invest in the white mock neck while it was still in stock, and it’s one of my most worn sweaters. I love styling it with a neutral trench and black trousers, as pictured above.
Their basics tees and knits are a staple in my closet, and if you’re looking to build a timeless wardrobe that feels intentional and distinctly European, I recommend you start here.
Final Thoughts
When it comes down to it, everyday style is all about having a handful of great pieces you can re-wear a million different ways.
These European clothing brands have mastered the art of creating pieces for everyday styling. Whether it’s a perfect tee from COS, a classic Sézane trench, or a standout knit from & Other Stories, these brands make building a thoughtful wardrobe actually doable. They’re proof that with the right pieces, you don’t need tons of clothes, just a few you truly love and wear on repeat!
