11 European accessories that every woman should own

It may be a stretch to say that every woman should own these, but then again, it may not be. I’ve already shown you dozens of inspiration pics using many of these accessories, and showing how they can take the simplest of outfits and transform them into total chic-ness, so if that’s not enough to make you want to grab a couple of these (mostly) timeless styles, then I don’t know what is,

The rest comes down to personal style. In other words, if you love them, buy them.

With the possible exception of #4, every item on this list is timeless, chic, and a summertime staple.

Here, the 11 accessories I saw everywhere in Europe, and why they might deserve a place in your wardrobe.

You can shop all of these accessories in this catalog.

But first, a little primer on some European brands, both classic and contemporary.

European Brands: Beyond Chanel

Most of us are familiar with French luxury brands like Celine, Chanel, and Saint Laurent, but there are so many other brands, both luxury, contemporary, and even fast fashion, that are worth noting. From luxury sandal brand K. Jacques to espadrille maker Castaner to modern faves like Jonak, you’ll find several of these smaller brands in today’s video.

The Heeled Sandal

A neutral or metallic sandal with a blog heel, usually 1-2 inches in height, is a wardrobe staple for many of us, and I saw the chic-est and most wearable options in Europe. Look for an ankle strap to keep the shoe on, and either a vintage or minimal design. Heels are either simple or sculptural but moderate in height.

You can find these all right here.

The Clog

While they may be having a moment, clogs truly never go out of style. Swedish Hasbeens and Charlotte Stone both have clogs in fun colors, but if you’re just starting out with this style, go for a neutral. Veronica Beard has the current clog-of-the-moment, with its cool chunky platform and studded detail, but there are versions for every budget.

You can find these all right here.

The Espadrille

I’ve been singing the praises of this iconic summery style for a long time now. They bring instant femininity and style to every outfit, and they also happen to be comfortable and practical. Castaner is the French brand for the wedge espadrille, but for the flat version, the high-end pick is definitely Saint Laurent.

You can find these all right here.

The Woven Sandal

Whether braided, caged, or fisherman style, a textured woven sandal is a hot trend this summer but also a look that never really disappears. Whether a flat fisherman style or a heeled braided sandal is more of your thing, more texture equals more style this season.

You can find these all right here.

The Flat Sandal

From sleek and strappy to chunky, I saw every variation on a flat sandal in Europe. The Birkenstock Madrid and Dr. Scholl’s style flat slip-on sandals joined delicate strappy styles (many that laced up the ankle) as the footwear of choice for many European women.

You can find these all right here.

The Ballet Flat

The iconic ballet flat is as essential to French style as almost anything. From the classic Repetto to the fancy Chanel version to more modern and minimalist styles, there’s a ballet for nearly every woman.

You can find these all right here.

The Sneaker

While the white Veja and other favorites were everywhere (the Veja was definitely the sneaker of the summer), I also saw a lot of beige styles, both in chunky and sleeker more fashion sneaker styles. Beige is a subtler option for those who want the neutrality of white without the starkness.

You can find these all right here.

The Straw Bag

From the classic straw “panier” tote to the clutch and the handbag, straw bags of every size and style were a hot look all over Europe and a summertime classic.

You can find these all right here.

The Neutral Bag

The neutral crossbody, in leather mostly but also in nylon, was the bag of the season and a true timeless wardrobe staple (although less timeless in the crescent style). Fortunately, there’s a version of this for every budget.

You can find these all right here.

The Tote

The oversized tote, usually in a neutral color, could be seen all over, and in many different versions, from patterned fabric styles to classic leather and nylon versions. The iconic French tote is the Longchamp Le Pliage, which also happens to be durable and affordable.

You can find these all right here.

Which of these accessories appeals the most to you? And which do you already consider a wardrobe staple? Let me know in the comments!