Paris Fashion Report

Hi YLFers!

Inspired by the other travel reports we've had lately (London, Buenos Aires…), I thought I'd give you the fashion low-down from the City of Light.  Photos at the bottom, as well! 

Spring was everywhere in the shops, but it was still winter on the streets. I think I was there on the first properly warm weekend--about 20C/68F and sunny. The locals on the street were a sea of neutrals (mostly black, a fair amount of navy, and only a little bit of brown), but that may be the way that Parisians dress most the year. The silhouette on the SWTs (Sweet Young Things) trended toward skinny jeans with bulk on top. I couldn't make out tops very well because most people were in coats and scarves for the better part of the day. Scarves were lighter weight, but still dark/neutral in colour. I mostly saw brighter colours (reds, pinks, bright blues) on other tourists and children. As far as shoes, I saw lots of booties with low-medium heel. I saw one older woman (in her 70's, perhaps) rocking a tweedy suit with a skirt that fell to her knee and a low bootie. She looked fab. On the jacket front, it was black, leather, and in some sort of moto style, generally. This might have been the season--it was too warm for anything heavier. Some people were wearing hip-length pea-coats in the mornings.  

In the shops, I saw several varieties and colours of leather moto--a couple pinks (mostly bubblegum), one pretty ice blue (but 180 Euros was out of my budget), a couple of white ones, and some medium browns. Not much in the way of mixed-media on the jackets. Didn't see many boyfriend jeans, or any bootcut. I wasn't looking for those items in shops, so I don't know if they were carrying them. The spring skirts I saw were mostly short (above the knee), with some volume and of a floaty material. I also saw several of the floaty tapered pants (which you all soundly rejected my oui/non. good call). I did buy something else, to be debuted in another post.    

I was a little amazed at how easily I was able to play "spot the American tourist" (white tennis shoes, "mom jeans", poorly fitting t-shirt, and trying to find the bus stop, rather than walk 10 minutes to their destination.). I'm not sure if I still "look American" or not--I asked my German travelling pal, and she said she couldn't answer b/c she knew me, but my willingness to go up and talk to darn near anyone was very American.  

Picture 1 is inside the Louvre. Part WIW, plus there's some people in the background. 
Picture 2 struck me as totally French--a woman sunning herself (in fab heels) while her dog chills out under the table. I think she was the shop owner. 
Picture 3 --shop window
Picture 4--gratuitous shot of the Eiffel Tower 

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19 Comments

  • abc replied 10 years ago

    Fab report, thanks for sharing!

    I like the SWT acronym, it made me laugh.

    I love these observational type posts, especially when we are visiting places other than where we are used to being/living.  Thanks for taking the time to do the write-up.

    Love pic 2.

  • catgirl replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for the report!  Why do American tourists remain so consistent throughout the years?!

  • rachylou replied 10 years ago

    Excellent report!

    Americans - we're terrible abroad. But hey, we still beat the French, who vote themselves as the most obnoxious tourists. Lol.

  • viva replied 10 years ago

    Look at the flats in the window! I always think of French women and their heels.

    Great reporting; can't wait for you to debut your new purchase.

  • Angie replied 10 years ago

    Loved your report. Thanks so much. Can't wait to see your new stuff. 

    #2 brings back sweet memories of when we lived in France. The culture is very, very dog-friendly. Just like Canada and the Netherlands. 

  • Suz replied 10 years ago

    Fab report! Thank you! And the pictures are so wonderful. 

  • Inge replied 10 years ago

    Thank you so much, Becky. I'm saving your report for a quiet moment, so I can savour all the Paris details!

  • Caro in Oz replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for sharing. Fab.

  • annagybe replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for the report!

  • Lisa replied 10 years ago

    Thank you for the report, I adore Parisian style, always so timeless.

  • Ledonna N. replied 10 years ago

    Thank You, I love reading about style/fashion from other parts of the world.

  • columbine(erin) replied 10 years ago

    Thanks for sharing your memories and report! 

  • Helena replied 10 years ago

    Awesome report, and yay for the navy sightings ... if the Parisians are doing it, then it MUST be a classic and cool!

  • Helena replied 10 years ago

    PS - as a Canadian, can I just say that I love the fact that Americans on the whole come across as nothing if not genuine. I really and truly do. Rock on, lovely neighbours!!!

  • Em replied 10 years ago

    *Look at the flats in the window! I always think of French women and their heels.*

    They mostly wear flats. Whoever likes them will be in heaven.
    As I don't, I was almost going to be out of luck shoes-wise in Paris last year.
    Well, the insanely high and uncomfortable high heels are also around, but not a
    whole lot in between. I was actually very disappointed with shopping in general
    in Paris. Haute (and untouchable for most) couture aside, the quality isn't
    there anymore even in France. Most of the clothes I bought only last summer are
    already good for nothing. Granted, they weren't expensive, but they were still
    in the $50-100 range; I mean, you wouldn't expect them to be total junk. I
    literally threw out 2 pairs of about $60 shoes each. They seemed very soft and
    comfortable (some perforated suede) and I bought them in two colors. Turned out
    I hadn't noticed each of the beige shoes was actually a different shade of
    beige, and the black shoes left me with black feet!  I did find some good
    shoes in this store (multiple locations), though: http://www.chaussures-clif.com.....sShoes.htm
    The good shoes in France appear to be either not French or outrageously
    expensive. For some reason, the selection on the website is limited and not
    particularly appealing, but the stores are nice. I bought a couple of pairs
    (made in Italy and Spain) and both are great. I also bought some good bags.

    How lucky for Froggie to hit such good weather. I totally ended up wasting my
    vacation and so much money last year, and I was looking forward to it so much...
    :-( I was there in June and it was freezing and raining almost every day. I
    can't believe this weather in March!

  • Windchime replied 10 years ago

    I'm so glad you posted this! It's fascinating to read details about style in other parts of the world. Your pics are wonderful--a glimpse of Paris--I love the photo of the woman and her dog.

  • Sarah A replied 10 years ago

    Thanks! Your lovely report transported me to a lovely cafe in Paris. Interesting observation on colors too. I wonder if the bubblegum pink motos are for the tourists ;)

  • Jaime replied 10 years ago

    Great report thanks!

  • Jeanie replied 10 years ago

    Oh how fun!  I love the pic of the lady in the frilly dress and heels lounging with her dog.  Her outfit is what I envision when I think of French women.  She looks totally comfortable in her skin.  I don't think I could get away with that in the U.S.   You look good.  Thanks for the fun report. 

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