european fashion is more over the top than australian. for some reason european girls can get away with wearing lots of bright colours, animal prints, furs, gold, diamonte kinda stuff without ever looking tacky. I was in italy in the christmas holidays and the clothes they have in shops are just beautiful but as far as formal dresses went, i didnt see very many and thought they were nothing special. but i think that may have been something to do with the time of year. i think you could probably get something really great in europe or at least really nice fabric to get made up into what ever you want. the exchange rate isnt too kind to us aussies though. but go crazy in H&M and buy heaps of clothes because i have so many clothes that i wish I'd bought in every colour...