Wow , what a great boyfriend . It sounds like you both have a sense of adventure and what else is travel but an advnture.
It is true that Europeans tend to dress a bit more formal than we do here in the US,especially those of us in the south and west, but even they are starting to be less so. I agree that I would try to avoid taking jeans in the summer. Not all that many places have A/C. So keep it simple with cropped pants in a lightweight material, comfortable shoes,solid color shell or dressy tee shirts ( as opposed to those with "joe's Bar " on it) and make sure that you take something to cover you shoulders if you plan to go into churches ( hopefully in Italy) . I've seen people with shopping bags wrapped around their shoulders in the Vatican so that they could get in with their tank tops. Great fashion statement! No shorts, no bare shoulders allowed.
Please and thank you go a long way anywhere in the world not just Europe. Just realize that not everyone speaks english and even if they do it may only be a few words . Speak clearly and in a simple manner ; being good at charades helps too. Just the fact that you are concerned about not being rude is a point in your favor. I'm sure that you will be just fine.

It is likely to be hot in August just about anywhere in Western Europe....jeans are heavy to pack. I recommend light weight clothes for summer which can be washed and hanged to drip dry overnight.

Pack colors that are easy to mix and match. White is usually a bad choice because one little spill and you likely won't get the stain out with spot washing. At least that is my experience.

Bring one or two nice pairs of capri pants or skirts for evening wear, a few pairs of shorts and two or three cotton pants. The lighter you pack the better depending on your mode of travel.

Mynx,
Please do come back here once you return and let us know which 3 cities you visited and how it was!!

Looks like I will have to go shopping - most of my casual pants are jeans, and my dress pants are for work, probably wouldn't be cool enough. I live in AZ but the offices are air conditioned enough to make you feel like you are in the Arctic.

I'll definitely come back and let y'all know where we went - you've been so helpful, thank you. Less than a month to go, yay!

I don't think I've seen any insulting clothing on trips recently, only lots of teenaged American girls with belly shirts and low-rise pants who do not have the body for them. But hey, that just attracts stares and a few head shakes.
For August Europe travel, here's my usual packing list:

-black cargo capris (light material, color allows dirt to remain hidden and goes with everything)-or khaki
-1 pr. lightweight denim jeans
-knee-length prairie style white or brown skirt
-layering tank tops (check out Express for these in black, gray, white)
-white tee
-1-2 short-sleeve tops any color
-lightweight white cardigan or denim jacket
-trainers/ankle socks
-comfy sandals
-1 pr. silver hoops

FYI--On my winter trips, I too end up wearing the same pair of jeans practically the whole time and interchanging tops or a sweater. When I do so, I acutally don't mind paying the 6 Euro or so charge for the hotel to clean them. They're usually pressed too!

I love my Matte Jersey cropped pants in black... even though I haven't been to Europe since 2000, I bring these on every US trip; they roll up in my suitcase and you can wash them in the sink or tub and they dry really easily. Plus, no wrinkles!! And they look really cute with a twinset or even a nice t-shirt.

>>>>>
only lots of teenaged American girls with belly shirts and low-rise pants who do not have the body for them. But hey, that just attracts stares and a few head shakes.
>>>>>>>

i guess you have never been to the UK...this "problem" is infinitely worse here than in the US. i don't think an american doing as you described would get any stares as this is the norm in britain.

sorry...had to inject a little realism into this debate.

I found out our first destination - Dublin! Woohoo! I am thrilled.

lucky girl!! bon voyage (i don't know what they say in dublin!)

JoeTro is giving you excellent advice. I had the miserable experience of using my debit card at a shop in Rome (June 06)and having the account frozen. Luckily it was our last day there and our credit card wasn't blocked, but it took me 45 days to straighten out the overdrafts when I got home--what a mess. Also mentioned in an earlier post: PHOTOCOPY your Passport! Take a copy with you, and leave one back here at home with a relative or friend who has your complete itinerary.If you have the misfortune of losing it, a copy will make the replacement process much faster.

AH! One quick thing--don't know if you are gone yet or not, but a good thing to think about:

Make sure that your money is in your checking account or you might not be able to access it from the ATM. My father-in-law ran into this problem during their trip here last month. He was expecting the checking/savings option when he withdrew money, but wasn't given that choice--ultimately, had to have us withdraw for him until he had a chance to make an online transfer and then he reimbursed us when he got home. Not a tragedy, but inconvenient for him....

Also, right now, here in Central Europe, the weather is in the high 60s. My jeans are getting a lot of wear! You might just doublecheck the overall weather before you leave them home!

I can't wait to hear where you get to go! Dublin will be a great place to start!

Have fun!
--MP :)