In the summer of 2023, many Americans traveled to coastal towns in Europe and posted TikToks hashtagged with things like #europeancore or #eurocore. More often than not these videos would highlight the most picturesque moments from their travels: terrace dinners on Greek islands, cliff diving in Positano, Santorini rooftops, and “Gatorade-coloured” beaches along the coast of the South of France.
This was a cinematic—if not synthetic—portrait of Europe that has traditionally been exported to the States via Jacques Deray screenplays and Jacquemus catwalks. Tourists were therefore upset to learn that traveling abroad also includes cramming into overheated buses and dragging suitcases up the streets of crumbling hillside towns. But in the sludge of all this rose-tinted content, most people forgot what is perhaps the ultimate symbol of Mediterranean bliss. That is, walking around crowded metropolitan centers with a garish and gold crucifix glistening from a sweat-daubed décolletage.
Dua Lipa—who has done more to promote the appeal of European travel than several international tourism boards—understands this. She was yesterday afternoon photographed strolling through New York in a half-buttoned shirt with a Veneda Carter cross pendant floating above a strappy bikini top. She wore that perfect, gaudy cross with some Celine jeans, an Alaïa fishnet handbag—which is perfect for the beach I imagine—and Bottega Veneta knot sandals. The great thing about this #eurolook is that you can access the joys of a #eurosummer anywhere in the world. Eating an ice cream in Manhattan is also very European.