Need help from the fashion-conscious...
Apr 27th, 2006, 04:04 AM
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Need help from the fashion-conscious...
Hello all~
I'm going to Paris in mid-May with a girlfriend who has never been there before and is asking me all sorts of "what to wear" questions. Not being very fashion-skilled myself, I have no clue regarding the overseas fashion rules. Can anyone tell me if there is there any kind of Parisian rule about not wearing white before Memorial Day? Yes, I realize that France does not celebrate Memorial Day...my girlfriend suggested that in light of this fact, perhaps it would be fine to bring her white clam diggers or capris or whatever???
I'm going to Paris in mid-May with a girlfriend who has never been there before and is asking me all sorts of "what to wear" questions. Not being very fashion-skilled myself, I have no clue regarding the overseas fashion rules. Can anyone tell me if there is there any kind of Parisian rule about not wearing white before Memorial Day? Yes, I realize that France does not celebrate Memorial Day...my girlfriend suggested that in light of this fact, perhaps it would be fine to bring her white clam diggers or capris or whatever???
Apr 27th, 2006, 05:49 AM
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There are plenty of threads here that speak to what to wear. I will say this, she would be crazy to bring white pants - they will get dirty real quick. I always stick with darker colors that don't show the dirt as easily.
Apr 27th, 2006, 06:21 AM
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Anyone who is a fashionista knows that white is one of this Spring's top trends and as for the no white before Memorial Day rule, that rule is "out" this season. However, I agree with LoriNY; white pants are not very practical for travel.
Apr 27th, 2006, 08:48 AM
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There are no specific "rules" about what to wear in Paris.
Really, if your girlfriend can't even decide what to wear based on her own personal ideas about what looks good and what she likes, it is hopeless. Doesn't she have any critical ability of her own? If she thinks white capris look great in May, then she should wear them. I wouldn't do such a thing anywhere but maybe Florida or Hawaii or the tropics. I just wouldn't wear white capris in a major capital city, even in the US, at any time, let alone May (which is probably not going to be hot in Paris). Aside from them "looking" and feeling too summery (by my tastes), they sound very resort-y casual and not appropriate for big-city wear or travel, as others said (due to dirt issue).
Really, if your girlfriend can't even decide what to wear based on her own personal ideas about what looks good and what she likes, it is hopeless. Doesn't she have any critical ability of her own? If she thinks white capris look great in May, then she should wear them. I wouldn't do such a thing anywhere but maybe Florida or Hawaii or the tropics. I just wouldn't wear white capris in a major capital city, even in the US, at any time, let alone May (which is probably not going to be hot in Paris). Aside from them "looking" and feeling too summery (by my tastes), they sound very resort-y casual and not appropriate for big-city wear or travel, as others said (due to dirt issue).
Apr 27th, 2006, 08:56 AM
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I have to laugh about the white capris. I put my son on a plane to Orlando this morning for a choir trip. One of the girls was wearing crisp bright white capris...I couldn't help but wonder what those capris were going to look like after a day at the Magic Kingdom!!!
Apr 27th, 2006, 09:11 AM
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Hi 1travelbug,
Has your girlfriend ever been to New York? If she has, then I would say that whatever she felt comfortable in there would go for Paris as well.
She shouldn't worry too much because being comfortable and confident definitely counts more than what you're wearing. But that said, a more cosmopolitan, tailored look goes over better than some of our casual US styles: white capris could be fine (taking into account the dirt issue and that it can be chilly still in Paris in May), but pair them with nice sandals or slides, a tailored shirt or polo, etc. Sneakers are much more popular in Paris than they used to be, but again I'd stick to the funkier, "fashion" kind of sneaker, Keds, or those shoes that seem sneaker-ish than cross-trainers or running sneaks.
And as someone else said, black is always in...
Have a great trip!
Has your girlfriend ever been to New York? If she has, then I would say that whatever she felt comfortable in there would go for Paris as well.
She shouldn't worry too much because being comfortable and confident definitely counts more than what you're wearing. But that said, a more cosmopolitan, tailored look goes over better than some of our casual US styles: white capris could be fine (taking into account the dirt issue and that it can be chilly still in Paris in May), but pair them with nice sandals or slides, a tailored shirt or polo, etc. Sneakers are much more popular in Paris than they used to be, but again I'd stick to the funkier, "fashion" kind of sneaker, Keds, or those shoes that seem sneaker-ish than cross-trainers or running sneaks.
And as someone else said, black is always in...
Have a great trip!
Apr 27th, 2006, 09:37 AM
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I wouldn't bring "white" anything.... most of the time white clothing is quite impractical when traveling. I rather go for the more forgiving and interchangeable prints with dark color pants, including a couple of capris for the more casual sightseeing days.
As far as applying the Memorial Day rule for travel overseas, even the thought of it sounds pretty idiotic to be totally honest.
As far as applying the Memorial Day rule for travel overseas, even the thought of it sounds pretty idiotic to be totally honest.
Apr 27th, 2006, 09:38 AM
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Just chiming about the dirt issue and white clothes. When travelling, I always bring black, blue, brown, tan, etc. pants - tan being the lightest color I would consider. White gets dirty too quickly and I like to be able to wear my pants a couple of times to cut down on luggage.
Apr 27th, 2006, 09:52 AM
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Hi,
My legs are so white that they already glow in the dark. Ah, thank goodness for better self-tanning lotions that don't go orange. Also, the Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, especially in Paris and Rome. I tend to wear classic clothes when I travel - crisp linen skirts, black and khaki pants with sweaters and blouses that coordinate, black or khaki skirtsbut I also take jeans, white tee shirts, rain jacket and a big bag (simple design, leather, black) that works for either casual or dressy events. I take silver and gold fashion jewelry that I buy at the department stores and leave the treasures at home, except for my wedding rings. It works pretty well for me - I'm not wildly fashionable, but I blend.
Best Regards,
Julia
My legs are so white that they already glow in the dark. Ah, thank goodness for better self-tanning lotions that don't go orange. Also, the Europeans tend to dress up more than Americans, especially in Paris and Rome. I tend to wear classic clothes when I travel - crisp linen skirts, black and khaki pants with sweaters and blouses that coordinate, black or khaki skirtsbut I also take jeans, white tee shirts, rain jacket and a big bag (simple design, leather, black) that works for either casual or dressy events. I take silver and gold fashion jewelry that I buy at the department stores and leave the treasures at home, except for my wedding rings. It works pretty well for me - I'm not wildly fashionable, but I blend.
Best Regards,
Julia
Apr 27th, 2006, 09:59 AM
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There are no overseas fashion rules. She should dress as she would in any metropolitan city for the Spring.
I have taken white pants just to relieve the boredom of wearing dark pants all the time on a vacation. Like others have said, mid-May might not be that warm in Paris, check out the weather sites.
I have taken white pants just to relieve the boredom of wearing dark pants all the time on a vacation. Like others have said, mid-May might not be that warm in Paris, check out the weather sites.
