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Original poster

Glamorous European women on hols

249 replies

Yumchips · 17/08/2023 19:56

Bit of a silly topic but in Greece at the moment on hols and I am seeing so many glamorous European women. Some or them have small children, some older and many families who have a nanny or someone there to support them with the kids. They are so glam looking, must have had some work done but it's fairly subtle but they are very very slim. Even the ones with babies that are 2/3 months old. They are dripping in designer clothes. Interestingly enough, I think their husbands seem to be very hands off with the kids, especially around meal times. I am sort of in awe but also wondering how they seem to put together and composed. Any thoughts other than the obvious, which is money.

OP posts:
JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 11:15

I travel a lot & I think fashion or style plays a major role to be honest. In countries like France, Italy, Spain people seem to have a better knack for dressing more elegantly in the heat.

I think it also depends where you are within the country tbh. If you're in the centre of a major city people will generally be younger, slimmer, more stylish.

We campervan which by necessity often involves grocery shopping etc on the outskirts of provincial cities and towns and that is where one tends to see the same tired looking, unglamourous, cheaply dressed people that you'd similarly find in the UK.

I've also noticed more and more that at the less upmarket tourist destionations, like campsites, the families are getting a lot fatter than they were a decade ago.

Threegreenbirds · 19/08/2023 11:17

@PriamFarrl
I would be pleased with that too. I went into a supermarket on Spain in a place with very few British tourists and without hearing me speak, the cashier spoke in English. Most disappointing...I would love to look more elegant and if I had money to spare would love a day with a personal shopper in Rome.

Most of us Brits abroad are so easy to spot. I am in a very untouristy Spanish city at the moment and the few Brits I have spotted are so obvious. We are very ungainly, and even the Brits who are very middle class tend to opt for slightly frumpy Boden, Seasalt et al. I think only the likes of the super wealthy Brits look as put together whereas most Europeans know how to dress elegantly even on a budget with some simple style rules.

Nebula277 · 19/08/2023 11:52

They’ve got different body type compared to Northern European women - that’s a massive part of it. Even the lasts for Italian/Spanish shoes are smaller than UK/German ones

No point trying to compete or starving yourself. I’m super pasty and have a mum tum so I’m not going to wow in a string bikini, but give me a Net a Porter retro one piece and a slash of bright lipstick and I look great

ParisDispatches · 19/08/2023 11:58

Surely that's partly the point of this thread though @Nebula277 ? You recognise what works for you & wear it accordingly. You don't shove yourself into the string bikini despite it not fitting nor suiting you.

I see more European women with that approach too. They seem to have more skill, in general, at wearing clothes that suit both their body shape & the weather. I did say in general to ward off the inevitable 'I saw a woman in France in too small leggings & a crop top at the bins behind aldi in a camp site once & she looked awful'....

Comedycook · 19/08/2023 12:09

JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 11:15

I travel a lot & I think fashion or style plays a major role to be honest. In countries like France, Italy, Spain people seem to have a better knack for dressing more elegantly in the heat.

I think it also depends where you are within the country tbh. If you're in the centre of a major city people will generally be younger, slimmer, more stylish.

We campervan which by necessity often involves grocery shopping etc on the outskirts of provincial cities and towns and that is where one tends to see the same tired looking, unglamourous, cheaply dressed people that you'd similarly find in the UK.

I've also noticed more and more that at the less upmarket tourist destionations, like campsites, the families are getting a lot fatter than they were a decade ago.

Yes...I mean look at the UK..if you head to Chelsea you'd be under the impression British women are all slim and well dressed. Head to a retail park in a depressed area and you'll find people are dressed very differently. I mean not all women in France will be as stylish as the ones in the centre of Paris or the French Riviera. I'm sure if you walk round a supermarket in a dull town in northern France, you'll see plenty of non stylish non slim women.

JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 12:15

I'm sure if you walk round a supermarket in a dull town in northern France, you'll see plenty of non stylish non slim women.

I can also confirm that the trend for a lot of questionable tattoos has been warmly embraced in parts of southern Spain.

Wallabyone · 19/08/2023 12:41

PollyCreo · 17/08/2023 20:20

If you're in Greece then you'll see plenty of Cypriot people on holiday over there 😉 Cypriot women are notoriously vain and glamorous and never leave the house before a full hour in makeup 💄

Charming!

RampantIvy · 19/08/2023 12:45

I grew up in a European country and dressing well (not necessarily expensively but classic, clean, ironed clothes rather than say shapeless fleece jackets) is seen as important as hygiene. A sign of self respect

It's a badge of honour to not even own an iron on mumsnet. I iron clothes that require ironing because I don't want to look like a crumpled mess.

Christ, the attitude that a woman who cares about her appearance, clothes or grooming is somehow ‘hiding unhappiness’ is fucking horrible.

I agree. Maybe it's jealousy or sour grapes.

peelyjuice · 19/08/2023 13:32

I worked in fashion for years & love clothes, I hardly ever iron though! 😆

Lemonademoney · 19/08/2023 13:36

PriamFarrl · 17/08/2023 23:11

One of my proudest moments was in Santorini when a woman greeted me in French assuming I was indeed French and not English.

Haha same! I’m often asked if I’m French or Italian when we holiday in Spain… I don’t know why but I’m always ridiculously flattered 😂

Maireas · 19/08/2023 15:23

I agree with you, @RampantIvy . If you wear leggings and polyester tops, maybe there's no need to iron, but if you like to wear cotton and linen, it's a must! I think I feel that I look neater and better presented. I wouldn't go down to breakfast in a crumpled dress, I'd just feel too scruffy. Those threads about ironing always go the same way, though, so I'm ducking down now under the parapet!

Maireas · 19/08/2023 15:25

All those people on here who get mistaken for French and Spanish! Surely that challenges the points made about Brits standing out because of their poor appearance?

Maireas · 19/08/2023 15:26

JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 12:15

I'm sure if you walk round a supermarket in a dull town in northern France, you'll see plenty of non stylish non slim women.

I can also confirm that the trend for a lot of questionable tattoos has been warmly embraced in parts of southern Spain.

Ah, the Italians and French seem to have adopted it, too.

ParisDispatches · 19/08/2023 15:26

I'm in my early 50s & I have always cared about my appearance. I'm carrying a bit of perimenopause weight at the moment after a lifetime of being v slim. I'm 5ft 9" size 14 & working on it.

I really don't care for this MN notion that if you're not in a baggy fleece with a sensible haircut then you're vain & shallow!

I work full time in a creative, challenging role & I'm married & have a great social life. We travel a lot both with work & for leisure. We have late teen dc & I definitely want my dd to see that taking care of myself & prioritising that is as important as looking after the rest of the family.

I adore clothes, shoes, perfume , jewellery & always have.

I've never done the leggings & baggy t-shirt even in times when money was v tight when out dc were young.

I remember one phase where I was stuck at home breastfeeding our first dc & I was in pj's a lot as it seemed easier. But it was getting me down without me registering it fully. My lovely dh noticed this & planned a surprise day where he brought me out, told me we were going for lunch. When we got there he brought me to the door of a shop I loved & told me to go buy some clothes that would suit my new life with a baby.

He'd received a modest bonus for a project in work & he handed it to me . My wardrobe pre-baby was more suited to work. I remember choosing lovely things that I could wear day to day & feel great in . I was floating on air coming home & felt like 'me' again. I've always remembered that & took care not to totally lose myself to all the demands of juggling everything.

I was heartened to see so many women & men who clearly look like they took care of themselves in Paris.

ParisDispatches · 19/08/2023 15:30

I spent 3 weeks in Italy last year & 2 weeks in a different part there this year plus a month in Paris & I saw far fewer tattoos than in the UK overall.

Maireas · 19/08/2023 15:31

You're so right, @ParisDispatches . I feel the same. I wouldn't wear nightwear downstairs unless I was unwell, and like you, my mat leave wardrobe was decent casual wear. It made me feel more energetic, somehow! We're all different, but I like to pay attention to clothes and appearance and like to be well presented.

JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 15:52

I spent 3 weeks in Italy last year & 2 weeks in a different part there this year plus a month in Paris & I saw far fewer tattoos than in the UK overall.

On the other hand I think you get a tattoo grant when you move to Barcelona.

ParisDispatches · 19/08/2023 16:08

So are the tattooed people of Barcelona locals or people who've moved there? You say 'when you've moved to Barcelona'. Maybe they're all British 😂

Maireas · 19/08/2023 16:10

Tattoos seem to be a marker of Britishness, according to many on this thread. How many of you have tattoos? I don't.

JudgeAnderson · 19/08/2023 16:11

@ParisDispatches I meant you in the general sense, as in "when one moves".

Largely locals judging by language, although I'm sure that Barcelona, like any major city with a lot going for it, attracts it's fair share of foreign residents. My point is that it has a more grungey, urban youth style I suppose similar to Berlin. Probably not what you'd personally consider stylish from what you've said.

ParisDispatches · 19/08/2023 16:16

I've been to both Barcelona & Berlin several times. I understand what you mean. I think the style / vibe is v different in both cities whilst still having a young feel.

@ maireas I don't have any tatoos. Neither does dh. V few of our friends do either despite working in creative fields.

Maireas · 19/08/2023 16:20

I seem to be the only person at my work without tattoos!

user1471555008 · 19/08/2023 16:39

I live in France and think that maybe it's because "casual" wear is not "scruffy" wear.and you don't wear low cut,tight clothes just because the suns out

Maireas · 19/08/2023 16:40

I think it very much depends where abouts in France you are. As pp have said, there's a lot of variation within populations.

itsmyp4rty · 19/08/2023 16:46

I think whatever size you are you just look better with olive skin. Personally though I've always thought that middle aged spread was just as noticeable on the continent as it is here. It just looks better if you're not white and pasty (as I am). I think people do often make more effort with how they dress, I couldn't be assed with it though personally, particularly as I often only have carry on hand luggage to shove all my clothes in.