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Tan France shares his 3 tips for dressing well on your European vacation

Tan France
Tan France shared his three tips for dressing well on a European vacation. Trainline
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Tan France has become famous for his impeccable fashion sense. So who better to trust when it comes to packing for a European vacation? 

The "Queer Eye" star recently spoke with Insider about his new style guide with Trainline, and he was happy to spill his top three tips for dressing well in Europe. 

Temperatures have been scorching in the top European tourist destinations, and France said it's essential to pack the right fabric for your summer vacation. 

"Anything that feels cumbersome is going to feel horrible when you're in a place that doesn't typically have air conditioning, and most places in Europe don't," France said. "Yeah, your hotel will or might. Yes, certain shopping centers will or might. But most places don't, especially people's homes." 

Woman in Europe
Cotton and linens will keep you cool in the European heat.  Mathieu Young/Getty Images

France recommends sticking to only cotton and linens when you're planning your Europe wardrobe. 

"Really consider the fabrics you're putting on. It doesn't matter what the style is, just make sure the fabrics are breathable," France said. "Yes, you might have a gorgeous silk dress, but silk does not do well in humidity or heat, and you're going to sweat profusely." 

"And just understand that you're probably going to have to change a couple of times a day, so taking linens and cottons means you can wash it in your hotel sink and dry it relatively quickly," he added. 

France's second tip is building a travel capsule wardrobe by sticking to basics in neutral colors. 

Woman in Paris
Stick to neutral colors when packing, especially if you're only taking a carry-on.  Westend61/Getty Images

"If you try and pack a bunch of very unique bold outfits, you'll have room for maybe three and you'll have to do multiple repeats," he said. "Also, remember that your vacation doesn't have to be a Vogue shoot for Instagram. You can wear the same thing over and over again but style them differently and use your accessories to make them look a little different." 

And if you want to avoid looking like a tourist, leave the beret and socks with sandals at home. 

"A beret is real cute — wear it in America," France said. "Anything that you have seen in a cartoon and you're like, 'Oh my God, Parisians wear this' — that's a cartoon, that's not real life." 

France said he always sticks to just a carry-on when he's traveling around Europe because, at the end of the day, it's about the sights — not the style. 

"Actually enjoy the vacation," he said. "Don't have a red carpet or runway look for every Instagram post."

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Anneta Konstantinides
Anneta Konstantinides is a lifestyle correspondent at Business Insider, with a focus on food and travel. She loves taking readers inside Michelin-starred kitchens and exploring the world of fine-dining, and she's always trying to find the best Ina Garten and Gordon Ramsay recipes. Her second home is LAX, where she's often catching a flight and reviewing airlines.Anneta has also been reporting on the pageant industry for the last six years and has interviewed every Miss USA and Miss Universe winner since 2019. She was a finalist at the LA Press Club Awards for her investigation into the  2022 Miss USA scandal and was featured in The New York Times Presents episode "How to Fix a Pageant" on Hulu in September 2023. After graduating from UCLA with a B.A in English Literature and a minor in film & television, Anneta worked as a journalist in London, Sydney, New York City, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. You can reach Anneta at akonstantinides@jkmperu.com.