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How do I dress like a Parisian in January?

How do I dress like a Parisian in January?

Old Aug 6th, 2006, 01:47 PM
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How do I dress like a Parisian in January?

I am going to Paris in January, and want to fit in with the Parisian style of dress. It's part of the fun of travelling for me. I am a young woman, late 20s, and the last time I was in Paris was almost 10 years ago. I remember women being very stylish, but that's about all I remember. This time it will be a very romantic but cold weather trip. Help?
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:20 PM
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A big scarf tied around your neck, in the way that the French do it. Take the scarf, then see how they are tying it that winter, then do the same!
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:27 PM
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How cold will it likely be? Do I need a really heavy coat? I am used to Chicago winters which can be very cold and windy.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:29 PM
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www.weather.com will give you averages. Layer your clothers but expect that it could be 30's - 40's (F).
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:29 PM
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Sorry, hit reply too soon. I pack black pants, skirts, dressy blouses, etc, mix and match and use scarves/jewelery to dress up an outfit. For going out at night to bars/clubs in the winter, I usually wear a dressy/blouse sweater, short skirt with tights and stiletto heeled boots.

For more info, here's a page I wrote for friends.

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear.html

I love Paris in the winter. You'll have a great trip.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:31 PM
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Sorry Lesm, here's my original post regarding the coat.

aris is a city for walking, so plan on spending alot of time outside. I live-in a black wool/cashmere coat that is tailored fit my figure (a big step up from my last wool coat that hung on me like a sack of potatoesYou'll see scarves on most Parisian men, women and kids for practical as well as stylish reasons ( the scarves really do cut the chill). I usually bring a scarf with me then pick up a few in the "trendy color of the seasons" from street vendors for around 5-10 euros. I carry a small felt hat that I can "squish up" into my purse that I put on if it starts to rain or if I get really cold (walking along the Seine at night with a breeze). Also, gloves are a must and a comfortable pair of shoes.

I dress in layers. If its really chilly I wear a silk camisole underneath a sweater. I love black clothes, so
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 02:37 PM
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It would be good to have a water resistant coat with lining and wear layers. It's up to you if you want to dress up, but you can wear jeans. The locals do.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 03:25 PM
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lesm,
We've taken 3 consecutive trips to Paris in early Jan., and it can be bone chilling cold (even in the 20s). On our last trip it did snow, albeit briefly. and we watched the children try to make a snowman in the Tuileries Gardens. We love Paris in the winter. It can be magical, even in the freezing cold.

Because of the intense cold, I purchased a wool hat and huge silk scarf at Le Bon Marche (during the soldes). On our last trip I had the good sense to pack Patagonia long underware after suffering the previous Jan. without it. I also took very practical Mephisto black zip up boots, waterproofed, that were a godsend.
Most Parisian women were wearing practtical, black boots because of the cold and the very wet streets.

I took a heavy. black cashmere & wool coat (then saw the very same one on sale, alas, at Le Bon Marche!) that served me well, as I wore lots of layers underneath-silk undershirt plus cashmere sweater(s).

If you're used to Chicago winters, then simply dress accordingly.

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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 03:31 PM
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Wear stiletto heels on the cobblestones and nurse your blisters in the evening.

I always wonder when someone posts one of these repetitive fashion questions whether he/she really wants a response or simply wants to churn the waters.

It is not as if this subject hasn't been beaten to death.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 05:08 PM
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Not as cold and windy as Chicago - but definitely you can use either a good wool coat (NO puffy coats) or a heavy leather coat with lining.

It does tend to rain a lot and I have compromised with dress boots that have a lowish (1 1/2 inch) heel and rubber sole versus the stiletto knee highs that most younger parisiennes wear - with skirts, pants, jeans etc.

Other than that - lots of black, cashmere, and a touch of color in scarf or sweater. Pants can be long, cropped, capri with cuffs (but always below the top of the boot). I suspecrt the younger women will be wearing city shorts this winter with matching tights and either high or ankle boots.
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 05:13 PM
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ParisEscapes, your website is awesome! Thanks so much!
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 07:33 PM
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I think Paris is on the exact same latitude as Seattle, where I'm from, or at least spent the better part of my adulthood in.

It's cold, not horrible, but some freaky weather shows up. Be prepared for some COLD rain with a good trench.

Wear lots of black since it is the staple of Paris fashion after September...with a dash of color in a sweater & scarf. Good luck figuring out how they tie their scarves...despite my attempts, I've never been able to duplicate the look.
Layers are best.

Don't bother trying to fit in -- just wear what you like. Stylish is in the eye of the beholder, and believe me, Paris has beheld much more fashionable than us city folk from the US except for maybe some supermodel from SoHo.

A few years ago, I asked a similar question and was berated for it since I didn't know the "question had been done to death". Now that I've been here a while, it's laughable.

Paris from September-February: wear lots of black. The rest of the year, you have to pay attention. Last spring I think it was hot pink, country prairie skirts, and God help us: cowboy boots.

Jules
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 09:49 PM
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Be sure to take something that has fur on it, as fur is the Big Hit for the coming winter. (Partly) fur coats, fur accents on purses or boots, fur collars on cashmere sweaters, etc.
Furthermore there's more black than there has ever been! And still the Western style boots, but somewhat more elegant than last year.
In January the sales will be on. Might be a good opportunity to shop in Paris!
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 11:05 PM
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We were in Paris this past January...

Black. Black. Black. Black. Then add more black. LOL. Don't feel strange about wearing black pants *and* a black shirt. They do it all the time.

A structured 3/4 long wool coat will serve you well, as will a pair of cashmere or wool gloves, a cozy scarf in a colorful accent color, and perhaps a stylish hat (preferably wool or similar, not fleece). Black leather shoes or boots. No puffy coats, bright colors, or tennis shoes.

There's nothing wrong with any of the afore-mentioned items, and you should wear whatever you feel comfortable in, but since your question was how to dress like a Parisian, I gave you my opinion. Also note that Parisian women, especially in their 20s (I am 25 myself) do not wear much makeup. They wear it, but always make it look very soft and natural. They wear jewelry with restraint (a great pair of earrings, maybe, but then no necklace or bracelet. Pick one key accessory.) and also, they don't fuss with their hair as much as American women seem to. I use a flat-iron personally, but Parisian women seemed to like the air-dried wavy look, or they pulled it up into a loose chignon.

Hope this helps!
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Old Aug 6th, 2006, 11:09 PM
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Oh, and it's totally fine to wear jeans - everyone does. Just make sure they're dark jeans, and that they're long enough.

I love 7 for All Mankind's Dojo style jeans, and I saw a ton of women wearing similar jeans in Paris.
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 01:31 AM
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We've been living in Paris for a year now, and previously I visited Paris a few times in early and late winter. It's not as cold as Toronto (which I imagine is similar to Chicago), but there is more moisture in the air, so that temperatures around freezing feel a little colder. I never needed to break out my heavy winter gear (ski jacket, ear muffs, hat), but I did wear a mid-weight winter coat, gloves, scarf and a sweater under my coat.

As others have mentioned, be prepared for rain. It likely won't rain all day, but it could rain off and on. Surprisingly, the streets were almost never icy (unlike Toronto, which seems to be coated in ice through most of the winter) - but you should be prepared for the worst, so pack at least one pair of shoes with treads that grip.

If you have still have some flexibility with respect to the timing of your visit, try to book it so that it coincides with the semi-annual sales, which start in late January. The starting date is set by the French authorities. The sales are worth it - and if you didn't start off looking like a Parisian, you can manage the look by the end of your visit.
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 06:43 AM
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Thank you, LoveItaly--I do not like to say potentially mean things to other posters, and I wondered if I was just being obtuse and missing some previous humorous allusion.....but, to me, that comment of IOC's just seemed so vicious and uncalled for. The OP's query was perfectly appropriate and did not deserve such a vitriolic response.

Tondalaya's "clue" below your response makes me wonder if IOC is really another former poster whom I had previously found to be a nasty person, and whose posts and responses, I would generally skip reading. At any rate, I will now do the same w/IOC. Life is difficult enough w/o gratuitous nastiness.
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 06:58 AM
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Hi Lesm - I am also a young woman in her mid-20s who spent time in Paris last January. I'm from NYC, and I wore mostly the same clothes that I'd wear at home.

For museums and other daytime outings - high-end jeans tucked into suede riding boots with a cream-colored, wool, hip-length coat. Most of the woman were carrying slouchy leather bags. I interchanged this with various sweaters and scarfs. I buy a lot of my clothing at Anthropologie, and I found that many of the younger women were dressed similarly.

In the evening, I wore the same outfits I would wear to dinner in New York. If it was a trendier place, jeans tucked into high-heeled boots or with other high heels, cute top and a nice jacket. If it was a nicer dinner, skirt with knee length boots (can you tell I'm obsessed?), nice top.

Much like New York, the woman who stuck out had on vulgar or cheap looking outfits. I think that if you dress for your body type and buy well-made clothing, you'll look great. I'm not sure if this helps...
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 03:22 PM
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Thanks lizziea06,

Do you think the jeans tucked into the boots look is going to be popular again this winter?
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Old Aug 7th, 2006, 03:22 PM
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Black. Bundled. Go for warmth.
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