Paris fashionistas

What a fun thread! Thank you for this peekaboo peak at Paris.

PatD: this is very close to what we saw at Thanksgiving. Everyone had on a black coat, and every female had knee high boots.

Well, I'm sure there were exceptions, but the overall impression was black jackets and knee high boots.

I think I mentioned on another thread that I looked at DH's Metro pictures (he has a need to take hundreds of photos in the Metro) and I could barely find a speck of color on anyone.

I love this thread! It really does give a short but accurate snapshot of what you saw. And I hope it will be of help, as I know it would have helped me in deciding what to take!

Because you all want to dress like Parisians?

Kerouac, do a lot of people still shop at Tati?

I can't dress like a Parisienne or like a teenager (well, I could but it wouldn't be pretty) but I love to read about what people are wearing. Thanks for this, Pat, and Kerouac for your great photo shoots of "ordinary" city-dwellers in the past.

I'm not yet quite of the age when I only want to look neat and clean, sort of hope I'll never get there, so glad my mostly black, white and taupe wardrobe will work. The French fashion mags always feature a lot of black for winter with accents of red last year and I think purple this year.

I also hope scarves never go out of fashion to justify my investments over the years.

What about earrings?

Patrick, Tati is still popular, but unfortunately it is not as chaotic as in the past, because they are no longer allowed to put bins of trashy clothes outside.

This was the season for the puffy coats! Paris and Rome. Even the men had them on. It looked like a bunch of toasted marshmallows walking around.

>>I also hope scarves never go out of fashion to justify my investments over the years.<<

Scoot over. I'm in the same boat.

Scarves can also hide an aging neck.

How would you know that, Judy?

Nicely done PatD.
I spent 12 days in Paris and saw almost exactly what you report, on the street and in the Metro. However it was only October when I was there, the temperature ranged from 8C to 15C and it was bright and sunny for 90% of the time... and Parisiens were still bundled and gloved and woolen-scarved.
I supposed 'cold' is relative to a Canadian; I was warm in a teeshirt and casual linen jacket. Or perhaps it was more stylish than functional, depending where exactly in the city I observed this. I did get that impression.

Kereouac: I liked it because it was a well crafted word picture, almost as good as your photos of the people of Paris.

Also I like to "fit in" as much as possible when traveling, though I don't wear jeans for travel, as they are too bulky to pack, and would look ridiculous dressing like a teenager, and I, like Judy, am happy to hide my "extra" necks in scarves!

anyone have pictures from this?

kerouac, because I own one!

lovely.... what will they be wearing in late May?

The clothing will be a half tone lighter.

Okay, Susana, this is 2 years old, but here is what "real" people were wearing in June 2010, a month quite similar to "late May."

http://tinyurl.com/62my3gx

kerouac, thank you.. so much. As you can tell, I am new to the forums. I guess some subjects are always relevant!

Pat, you are so right. When I went last July, the men's suits were tailored quite "snugly". Definitely a Beatles look, loved it!

~Roberta

Absolutely every woman and child had a puffy coat on in Venice this December, mostly black but also green, blue, gray and a few whites. These were either short to the waist or mid-thigh, a few long ones. Just like a uniform, women wore long boots, mostly flat, riding kind. Thank G-d I bought a puffy coat for Venice and brought my scarves! I would have really stood out otherwise. Also, lots of ladies wore fur coats but we do not really want to go there..

Nice fashion statements quoted. Moreover I am always a big fan of Paris Fashion Week. Its a city of real fashion.

It doesn't look very chic to me. I work at an airport and maybe one out of ten people look decent. The older Italians are perfect. I can handle about anything but pjs on a plane and there are many that look like they are going to bed not on a trip. We are going in May so not sure what to wear but layers and I love scarves so will bring several.

Amsterdam in the fall got the same memo - knee high flat boots, fitted, waist or mid-thigh coats, and lots of scarves wrapped "just so". It was actually boring, and to me, quite stunning that almost every woman had adopted the look.

I didn't see anything like the "uniform" in London, way more variety, but it was October, so maybe they've fallen in line now

BTW, my Michael Kors swing coat, which still looks great here over skinny jeans, looked totally out of step. Ah well, another fashion victim bites the dust!

No, we don't think we can dress like Parisians, but as women we don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and we want to feel comfortable in understanding the dress code. Men are much more blendable as long as they leave their big white tennis shoes at home. You definately get treated differently if you look like you just exited a spaceship from another planet versus someone who "gets" what the local culture is all about, respects it, and does not call attention to themselves by dressing somewhat inappropriately. I don't think men give this as much thought as the business uniform is pretty universal - suit, shirt, tie- anywhere in the world, or jeans with a sports coat will get them in just about anywhere. Women on the other hand have many more decsions to make. Its always helpful to know what is the costume de rigueur.

"You definately get treated differently if you look like you just exited a spaceship from another planet versus someone who "gets" what the local culture is all about, respects it, and does not call attention to themselves by dressing somewhat inappropriately"

Oh, poppycock, creative individuality is not "inapppropriate." And speaking of not getting the memo, when was PatD appointed as spokesperson for "we women?"

Didn't claim myself as spokesperson. I just don't understand the need to make snarky comments that are uncalled for.. Just because you may not agree doesn't give you a license to ridicule someone else by re-quoting and then pointing out how stupid the comment was to them. (Dressing creatively individualistic is not equated with inappropriateness such as too casual or .... fanny packs.) Sorry if you took offense. I think this blog would be greatly improved if people resisted the urge to make negative and unneccessary commentary on someone else's efforts to add to the conversation. It is very discouraging.

correction....so as a woman I don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and I want to understand the local dress code. ... I on the other hand have more decions to make.

Feel better now Fidel?

"Feel better now Fidel?"

Last I knew we are allowed to disagree, hope so anyway. Your contention that Americans *should* dress a certain way in Paris and that women will be treated differently if they don't conform to some standard (but not men so much) is bizarre; you are making it up that there is a "dress code" in Paris, and can't be serious about your advice of "no hats, umbrellas for mostly only older people." Trust me, if you are an American, no matter how carefully you have hidden your chins, they can spot you a half-kilometer away.

Thanks PatD, fun update!

I live near Seattle and bought a puffy coat for a recent trip to Milwaukee and Chicago. I was glad to see that I fit in! Here the marshmallow look is a novelty and black wool coats (and of course goretex) are still the norm.

PatD, I agree that "as women we don't want to stick out like a sore thumb and we want to feel comfortable in understanding the dress code. ... You definately get treated differently if you look like you just exited a spaceship from another planet versus someone who "gets" what the local culture is all about, respects it, and does not call attention to themselves by dressing somewhat inappropriately. I don't think men give this as much thought as the business uniform is pretty universal - suit, shirt, tie- anywhere in the world, or jeans with a sports coat will get them in just about anywhere. Women on the other hand have many more decsions to make. Its always helpful to know what is the costume de rigueur."

Fidel, nobody is interfering with your libertarian choice to wear whatever it is that you choose to wear. I frequently see Americans wearing all kinds of fashion choices that I would personally not select or that one would not encounter in Europe frequently. In fact, you might want to check out this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvxNgdFeWqM.

I hope it makes you proud.

This is totally off-topic, but hilarious:
http://www.youtube.com/user/PublicServiceAdmin?feature=watch

I always want to share it with people like Fidel.

These regular cyclical posts about what to wear and what not to wear while on vacation in Europe are most amusing.
Bottom line.....wear what you wish...wear what is comfortable....wear what is practical...don't be so stupid or silly to think that you must wear what everyone in Rome or Paris or London is wearing...sheesh... that is so junior high and absurd to the point of comical. There is NO "dress code" that one must adhere to in any place for gods sake.

NO person that reported what they saw on this thread is telling others what to wear. We wrote what we saw. Some may find it amusing or helpful. If you don't, you needn't read it.

But please don't accuse the posters on this thread of writing about what to wear; we didn't. We wrote about what others were wearing.

This is a report thread, not an advice thread.

my my soooo defense are we.....OH PUUULEEZE...if you think this is merely for information purposes only thread...then THAT is even more amusing. The implied if not stated..and often is stated....about what/not to wear happens alllllll the time on these forums.
"We don't want to look like Americans with "white tennis shoes"..."should we wear jeans or not"....ad nauseum....

I am constantly amazed that there are still some blind people posting here. Parisian wear zillions of "white tennis shoes."

"This is a report thread, not an advice thread"

lol. Did they change the meaning of "costume de rigueur?"

I work where the Rolex 24 hour Race takes place so we have many Europeans that travel through my airport. They all have ball caps on their heads, white adidas, puma and other trainers on. Are theytrying to fit in so they don't look European?
I do wear black leather shoes that are comfy unless we are hiking and then a pair of Keen boots. I do mix and match black outfits mostly to save on how much I pack but we are thankful for the tourist here in Florida and I am sure they are thankful for our money so wear what you want. I do get on my husband to leave the ever present ball cap at home.

To anyone who is afraid they're not "good enough" to visit Paris: Go ahead and wear your edgy North Face jacket and big honkin' purse to your choice of tourist sites if you want to, but even if you don't, contrary to the rubbish being promulgated here, Parisians are very nice NORMAL people. You will not be arrested or even stared at if you wear a wool coat or carry an umbrella. Try going away from the usual tourist crowds and you will fit in even better....

Paris, like most big cities ,has very different areas with population from some of the wealthiest people in the world to poor immigrants and locals.
Seeing several outline arrondissement has been an eye-opener - ladies who lunch near Le Bon Marche
( like those on the Upper East side) are just a part of a
larger picture.
Never the less, looking for that "Paris look" , and even wishing to imitate it , is no crime.

Dressing properly for Paris has nothing to do with WHAT you wear, but rather how you put it together -- proper fit being paramount.

Really, there are no fashion police in Paris, asking you to step aside if you don't pass muster. If you're dressed badly for Paris, you are probably dressed badly for the States. It's just not as noticeableback there.

Good manners and a positive attitude go a long way. Just relax and enjoy yourself.

All that aside, PatD, I really enjoyed your on-location update.

PatD, thank you again for giving us a peek at the Paris streets from your perspective. Thank you for allowing women have additional information so that if they decide to travel to Paris, they may decide to make some informed choices on what to pack. Whether they decide to fit in with the "costume de rigueur" is their own individual CHOICE.

The rules are really oh so simple.

1. Wear clothes that fit.
2. Avoid bright colors. Red is tolerated if it is not fluorescent.

As in any big city, it depends what part of town you see the trendy and the chic.

Thnak you for your gracious and positive comments. I did take a "fashion journal" photos of windows along Fauborg St.Honore shops, really amazing. Next season colors- orange and kelly green. We are about 6 months behind if not more the latest fashions in Paris. Its just all good fun, don't take this all too seriously, a real honor to have the opportunity to observe this beautiful culture and take what snippets we can garner home. Great memories.

I have so far been unable to pack a wardrobe of black clothes. The idea is just depressing to me. Of course that may be why I have never learned the art of packing light.

My recollection Paris fashion was that many young people dress the same way young people dress everywhere, this is in jeans. And of course not everyone dressed in couture . I think in any large city you see a combination. Those in white collar office jobs tend to dress better than those in blue collar jobs.

Personally I see no point in judging others for their desire to want to "fit in", dressing as they imagine the ladies of Paris do. But for some reason I'm reminded of the old Lucy show when Ricky and Fred created couture gowns to Lucy and Ethel.

Please keep the fashion comments coming. There are many of us who are interested.

Kerouac - life is not worth living without red! All black wardrobe is fine as long as the scarf and lipstick are bright red.

ez1
Here's a Paris Street fashion blog for you

http://easyfashion.blogspot.com/

What a fun link! Thanks cigalechanta.

Thanks so much for the topic, PatD! I appreciate knowing what the current fashion trends are, and hope that others will continue to add to this thread as they return from Paris. Orange and kelly green for Spring was what you were seeing in stores, eh? Not together, I hope!

As for some of you others --if the mere idea of women being interested in Paris fashion trends upsets you, it's best that you ignore this thread and stop bothering the rest of us who want a pleasant conversation on what the women in Paris are wearing. Thanks.

Oh and btw - -here is another great site for European street fashion.
http://www.thesartorialist.com/

Well said, Plumeria.

Thanks cigalechanta.... Wish i could see some great clothes for those of us over 50 ...

Those fashion blogs are always great for showing what 0.5% of Parisians are wearing. It is really a shame that there is no blog for the other 99.5%.

Either you get it, or you don't...

I love this post, I think its great to have an idea of what people are wearing. We are going to Barcelona in mid February..anyone know what women are wearing there??

I think classic works in any country, remembering that in Europe dressing is a little more formal (ie no sweats). Also women in Europe tend to wear more dresses and skirts. A friend of mine once said "they are dressed and ready to go" which describes things perfectly. Although there are some local customs we all buy from our global clothing companies

Thank you so much for this report! I'm going there in May and although the fashion will probably be different because of the weather, this is still much appreciated. Not because I want to become Parisian or something (pretty much the minute I open my mouth and people hear my terrible French, that will go out the door anyway) but because I'm travelling alone and I don't want to be so OBVIOUSLY a tourist that pick-pockets target me.

Okay, I looked up my own fashion report from November 2010 as fodder for this subject. For once, I took most of the photos in my work neighborhood (Champs Elysées) rather than my more ordinary home turf (unfashionable 18th arrondissement).

http://tinyurl.com/7ac2aud

Love that, kerouac! I love street fashion photos. Lots of black. Converse sneakers seem pretty popular as well. I would like to see you do another photo essay like this in Spring, before my trip at the end of May.

I second the request for another photo essay in spring but pretty please before my trip at the end of April!

There will always be tons of black, boots on the ladies, and more jeans than most people would care to admit.

I stopped my fashion threads about two years ago, but I might start again later this year.

I think that you should as you are so good at it Monsieur Kerouac! I will be in Paris in May also
and would like some ideas on how to capture that "je ne sais quoi" look!

Good grief. All things in perspective. Look nice, dress warm if it is cold, that sort of thing, but don't let a fashion obsession dominate a trip. Too many tourists (sorry to say, mostly women) ruin a trip by wearing 'fashionable' but uncomfortable shoes and clothes.

ooooh boots even in May? i guess that makes sense given the unpredictable rain and cold weather but I was really hoping not to drag my boots with me cuz they're heavy ...

Personally I'm not fashion obsessed but more safety obsessed since this will be my first time travelling alone so I don't want to be such an obvious tourist to the pick-pocketers.

We don't dress any differently than if we were going to New York City or Boston....casual but comfortable. I think that is a good rule of thumb.

We should all dress how we feel comfortable, and for some they are not comfortable unless they are blending in with the fashion a bit. To each their own. I personally am not going to wear my boots because they aren't comfy enough to walk in all day, not to mention how much room they would take in my luggage. I WISH I could though. I still need to figure out what shoes to bring. I'm kind of thinking my Tom's, and maybe add an insole for extra comfort.

now I'll share my favorite Paris street fashion blog.

http://jakandjil.com/

Thank you for this thread. I will leave my Ugg boots at home since this is I had originally planned to wear. The weather and dress in my state is MUCH different than what anyone in Paris would wear. We only have 2 seasons, summer and not so summer. You've saved me some money and a headache. I can say that I wanted to ask what people were wearing but the comments can be so snarky that it makes you not want to post a question.

Anyway, thanks everyone. Loved looking at the pictures and I appreciate the travel report.

If you're coming within the next 2-3 days, you may want to reconsider the uggs!

http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Paris+France+FRXX0076

Uggs can be worn under rather than over the jeans or pants - I'm just saying - if your feet are cold you're not going to be happy. Weather trumps fashion. I think the real message here is we want to feel comfortable traveling, look good, not stick out like a sore thumb, and enjoy where we are without fretting over how we look. And I definately agree, I for one do not want to be pick pocketed because of my obvous tourist appearance. Once was enough! Thanks to everyone who added to the knowledge and conversation.