Parisian streetwear - July 2009

Can you say jeans, tennis shoes and flip flops? lol
All the things the Fodor's Fashion Police insist aren't worn in Europe.

No, all the things that the "fashion police" don;t wear because if they did the bulges, lumps, and bunions would be even MORE prominent.

how funny, we can all stop worrying abt what to wear in Paris

I noticed a few McDonald's sacks.

There is a McDonald's about 20 meters from where they are standing. (I take these photos out of my window.)

The only thing I see missing from your photos are cell phones. Otherwise those pictures could have been taken just about anywhere in North America. Bicycle styles are different from here and most riders aren't wearing a helmet (the law here in most parts) but other than that I can't tell where these people are from just by looking at their apparel. I guess we'll fit in just fine!

Thanks! This could easily be Miami (where I live) or anywhere else in the U.S. We can all lighten our suitcases. Well, maybe not if you're staying at The Ritz or Crillon!

WOW that was fun, thanks for posting! Although I kept reading the title of your thread as "Parisian Streetwalkers" and thought it was about something else!

"how Parisians dress in an out-of-the-way neighborhood"

pictures of Parisians ladies who lunch and men going to work in 6th ,7th 8th or 16th might be just a bit different! No?
The idea that all Parisians are well dressed, elegant, slim, and chic changes very quickly as soon as one moves outside the most expensive parts of the city.

quelle horreur!!
these can't possibly be real parisians.

actually, when i visited paris in april, i noticed that most parisians did not dress any different than most san franciscans.

I confess that I just added another 70 photos. Spying on people is addictive.

I really enjoy your inside views of Paris! Thanks for sharing!

I have a bit of an off topic question for you. You mention living in the 18th, and we were just there the other week. We took a cooking class there. Anyway, we took a cab back to our apt afterward, and it took us down a street named Rue de (or maybe Avenue, sorry, I don't reember) Magenta. It was lined with bridal stores (that looked really cheap). It was a, um, interesting street to people watch on. So what is up with all those stores?

Geez, I wonder if I can get my DH to wear those man capris? LOL.

LOL - two guys are crossing the street wearing the same shirt! It looks like the one guy is doing a double-take.

LOL, DD and I commented all week on those manpri's also. We said no way would DH or DS go anywhere near those. Course we also got a good giggle out of all the MC Hammer pants/shorts.

re: <<i noticed that most parisians did not dress any different than most san franciscans.>>

But San Franciscans dress differently from much of the US-- just take BART a few stops away to a mall in San Leandro and compare.

Thanks, kerouac - your photos keep trip memories fresh.

Have to say that last month in Paris I did note an increase in the number of men in capri pants, and they weren't all German tourists. Saw the same thing in London. Still haven't been able to bring myself to wear shorts in Paris (ghostly white legs might scare children) but think I am being desensitized to the capris, might even think about them in the future if the weather is hot. Still cannot fathom walking around all day in flip flops, though.

>>>>(ghostly white legs might scare children)<<<<
That's why everyone is wearing designer sunglasses.

Uh, one guy in your photo looks like he's about to scratch his own crotch!?!

People do that even in Paris, nancicita.

Mms, Boulevard de Magenta (in the 10th) does indeed have a lot of cheap bridal shops. Since the Middle Ages, a lot of streets in Paris have been specialized in certain items. Of course, these specializations don't all go back so far -- some of them have cropped up in the last 20 or 30 years, like Boulevard de Strasbourg and its dozens of African hair braiding salons.

Speaking of braids, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the black girl with blonde braids and what she is sitting on.

Just like NY: lots of socks on 8th St/St. Marks.

It is funny the way things change off the beaten tourist paths.

##Speaking of braids, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the black girl with blonde braids and what she is sitting on.##
I did noticed her but I thought I was the only pervert here..

##Speaking of braids, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the black girl with blonde braids and what she is sitting on.##

I didn't see this picture. Where is it?
I noticed the two men who appear to be about to cheek-kiss, or are just disengaging from it.
How hot was it on the day these pictures were taken?
Again, a very interesting set of photos. Thanks as always.

Thanks a lot for the pictures, as they say worth a thousand words. Very helpful!

I too noticed a lot of jeans and sneakers on the the locals in Paris, and a lot of flip flops and walking shorts in England. My new philosophy of packing for Europe: as long as it is good condition, wear whatever I find comfortable at home when I go shopping. And wear shoes with very thick soles.

What's up with the African lady with the napkin tied around her boobs

Honestly, you can say that these folks aren't dressed all that differently from people anywhere in the USA, and I agree, but next time I venture out to VA to the malls, I'm taking my camera with me - I can guarantee you there will be loads more overweight people, loads more wearing shorts, loads more with bared bellies, and loads more with bad hair. Too bad the camera can't pick up on gum-chewing, because there'll be loads more of that too.

What's up with the African lady with the napkin tied around her boobs"

An inexpensive uplift!

What a hoot! I'll certainly not worry about my wardrobe when I go to Paris in September, but I'll keep an eye out for candid cameras!

StCirq, the African lady probably had a baby tied to her back.

##Speaking of braids, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the black girl with blonde braids and what she is sitting on.##

she was probably just tired and resting her bum. no perversion, i don't think.

But it looks perverted. a human lollipop

We just got back from a week in Paris. The weather wasn't that hot yet, but since we had to navigate by bus and metro, it was very hot. Although I was all over Paris in T-shirt, capris and flip flops, the heat was unbearable during metro and bus rides.
Thanks to Nikki and StCirq's advice, we took a taxi from Gare du Nord to Arc de Triomphe for 20 Euros. Wish we could afford riding in taxi around Paris

Personally, except for the relatively rare air conditioned buses, I think it is much cooler to take the metro on a hot sunny day (as long as it isn't rush hour).

Thanks Kerouac. Enjoyed the pictures as always.

This is tangential as it's not about clothes, but just about things you notice about how people look in different cities:

... one thing that strikes me when I go to Paris these days is how dark everyone's hair seems. I mean for Parisians with backgrounds from Africa and Asia, of course their hair is usually naturally dark. But here in Amsterdam we have plenty of people whose background is African, Middle Eastern, etc. too, so there is lots of dark hair, but you also see lots and lots of natural blonds in any non-tourist area of Amsterdam. When I'm in crowds in Paris and there is hardly a blond head to be seen it looks odd to me now. I mean I know it isn't actually odd - I'm just trying to say it's something I notice as being different from what I've now gotten used to. Definitely not something I ever noticed or thought about before living in Amsterdam. It reminds me of when I lived in Kentucky many years ago and got very used to seeing lots and lots of redheads everywhere due to the Scottish-Irish heritage of many Kentuckians and then moved to San Francisco where redheads were much rarer.

(I know this probably all sounds unbelievably obvious.)

But anyway I've gotten distracted from noticing how Parisians dress and am instead now keeping track of their hair color ... ;->

It's true that blond French people are generally a surprise. Of course, there are variations depending on the region you are in, but there is a major racial/ethnic mix in the Paris area, so obviously blond people are diminishing in number. In my own neighborhood (the one I photographed), the number of mixed couples is sometimes remarkable, especially if you look at the parents picking up their children from school.

Great mix of photos - I liked the guys with the 'twin' striped shirts ( bought on sale!) Why else would they wear them on the same day!!

The African lady with the white cloth tied around her boobs is definitely carrying a baby on her back - living in Africa you just know. And............by the way, it's becoming less prevalent and is rarely seen in cities these days.

Though I usually don't worry too much about what to wear on vacation, I have to say that last year before I went to Paris for the first time, I did. Have to say that it was just like your pictures. People just dressing what ever way they like and comfortable. I am a fashion loser! I try but I just end up back with my same old plain and comfortable clothes. Hair is always done and makeup on, but my clothing is nothing special. I always admire other women in scarves but when I try it, I feel that I look ridiculous. Oh well! Thanks for the pics. I will be there in Sept and it appears I will fit in well. Will be looking for myself on one of your updates!

(gulp) Big Brother is watching!

Kerouac, somebody in another forum mentioned you posted some walks in Paris, can you tell where I can find them

Thanks

And somebody else posted that 'this guy takes photos out of his window' and it made me sound like a total perv.

Let me see what I can dig up...

Errr... Chinatown in the 13th arrondissement:
http://tinyurl.com/od8xtm

Ethnic Indian/African/Muslim Paris:
http://tinyurl.com/mgbf6j

Photos of Indian Paris by night:
http://tinyurl.com/mk8xta
(but I will be doing a new in depth daytime tour soon and will post it here)
Oh, but I forgot about this one:
http://tinyurl.com/ndd9jc

And of course the inevitable Canal Saint Martin:
http://tinyurl.com/cnxl5z

If anybody is interested, I will continue to link things here and there as best I can. It's a shame that the Fodor's site isn't equipped for direct photo posts, but I am grateful that they don't mind linking to other places. We are all the same group of travellers, more or less.

The Canal Saint Martin:

Funny the differences in neighborhoods. We go to Paris most years, and I don't see anyone dressed like the people in those pictures. Even the moms picking up their kids from school are dressed so beautifully, and the businessmen are eating their lunches in great suits. Especially at restaurants, people always make the effort. It's one of the lovely things about Paris and I hate to see the slobby American look take over clothes like we've taken over food and culture. But I guess it's probably like walking around Jackson Heights vs. the Upper East Side vs. the Lower East Side--people dress much differently depending on where you are.

Well, for one thing there are practically no businessmen in suits in my neighborhood. I don't even think that the local bank employees wear suits.

Christy - I've been to Paris at least once a month every month this year and, forgive me, I have to assume you are, um, painting with a rather broad brush, when you say "I don't see anyone dressed like the people in those pictures". How could you NOT see people dressed like those in the pictures? They may not represent the people in some restaurants or other venues you attend, but if you go to any airport/train/metro station, go to any museum or other public site, go to any park, walk down most streets, etc., in my experience, you will see a great mix of people, including people who dress like those in the pictures. Do you just leave your hotel and keep you eyes closed until you get to a given restaurant? ;-> Just kidding of course ...

And yes, of course Paris is like most other major cities in the world - there are cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic differences among its residents and visitors, which are reflected in their choice of clothing. And I think to ascribe it all to "the slobby American look" is hardly accurate.

I really enjoyed the pics Kerouac, and agree with NorCalif that it's unfair to paint the French as unquestionably sophisticated and Americans as slobs. Most of those people in the pictures could have been plucked from the streets of Manhattan.

Nowhere did I say that the pictures represent something that doesn't exist (also nowhere did I say all Americans are slobby--geez, guys!)--what they don't represent is the norm for my trips. Given people's responses here--hey, they dress just like us! I can wear my flip flops everywhere in Paris! We can stop worrying about what to wear!--many people in this thread are assuming that those pictures ARE the norm for everywhere in Paris, rather than a snapshot of the 18th. Given how many times I've heard Americans complain about how badly they were treated at stores and restaurants in Paris, which I'm convinced in many cases was due to their slobby appearance, I think it's a mistake to assume that dress does not matter.

They must not have been going to the correct stores and restaurants. When the personnel are properly trained, they treat everyone very well, as the money being spent always looks lovely, and it is almost never the best dressed people who are spending the largest amount.

I work directly across from the Hôtel George V, considered by some to be the finest hotel in the world, and I can affirm without hesitation that people do not dress up to stay there, but I'm sure that they are treated just fine. When Brazilian and Russian millionaires want to wear flip flops, everybody thinks it is just fine.

kerouac, I agree with you about correctly trained personel - a buck is a buck is a euro! However, I have found that when walking into a strange or first time restaurant or boutique, if you are 'dressed to kill' the staff seem to treat you with more enthusiasm and politeness. I wouldn't go as far as calling it 'bowing and scraping' but just about.
'Dressing down' is definitely embraced by many multi-millionaires. I am sure they just love it when someone treats them with a slight bit of disinterest and they in turn vertually buy up the whole place! Ooh, that must be so nice!

I'm sure there's a reason we've been intimidated by the Parisians' superior fashion sense, but it's escaped me.

Christy is right, just like NYC or Philly the people of Paris dress according to the neighbourhood they are in.

People also dress according to their social/economic class. A multi-millionaire may dress down, but she isn't going to be wearing something ratty from a cheap chain store. A pair of Capris, yes, but they will be Dries Van Noten.

There is a world of difference between slides from Tati and a pair of sandals from Ferragamo.

Thin

Did you know that Catherine Deneuve buys her pantyhose at Tati?

I guess she is trailer trash.

I stand by the belief that it is attitude that matters, not dress. Act like you've been there before and everything falls into place. This isn't to say that you need act like an arrogant jerk, but just know that you belong. If you walk in like a doe-eyed teenager then you will sometimes be treated as one, at least by that repellent breed of waiter and store staff that think working at a good restaurant or nice store excuses rudeness.

And, if you do run into such people, then move on. Acting like you belong cuts both ways. Restaurants, boutiques, or hotels that tolerate anything less than hospitality for every guest are often not worth the time or money.

Alternatively, if you are really feeling too lazy to even act like you belong, just do what I do and wear your credit card in a name tag holder on your shirt. Works wonders!

She also buys some from Chanel.

I'm sure that Chanel gives them to her free of charge.

K, but that is pantyhose. I am sure La Deneuve doesn't buy her lingerie or shoes at Tati.

I buy flip-flops for the swimming pool at Target, but I wouldn't buy a suit there.

My old friend, the Countess de Billy, buys her tennis socks at Tati because she gets a pack of 10 for a few euro.

Thin, a fan of La Deneuve

Tati is definitely on my list of places to visit next Paris trip - I have been past it dozens of times but always en-route to somewhere else. Kerouac, is it as mad inside as out on the sidewalk? I'm presuming you have been there at least once in all the years in Paris!

Yes, it is a madhouse inside as well, and trying to make your way to the cash register to pay for something requires a certain amount of kicking, biting and scratching.

I go there about once every six months. The other Tati stores, just as the one at République, are more civilized, however. Deneuve's favorite was on rue de Rennes near her apartment, but I don't know where she goes now.

Did you know that Tati had opened a store in South Africa at one time, tod? (Also Dakar, Jerusalem and NYC among other places -- but they went too far and went bankrupt. Now Tati is owned by the Fabio Lucci chain.)

just = such

What is Tati?

Tati is "the cheapest clothing store in Paris" and fills more than a city block at Barbès-Rochechouart. You can ask just about anybody from North Africa, West Africa, the Near East, Eastern Europe or Southern Europe who has ever been to Paris, and most of them can give you exact directions to Tati.

I have seen the distinctive Tati shopping bags in such places as Vietnam, Jordan, Russia, Senegal and Cuba, because they are treasured.

Great photos & collage!

Potential new fashion alert: mid-way down on the right there's a young man with a shoulder bag that practically hangs down to his ankles.

And the lady on the bike with 2 kids and no helmut. Sheesh!

that was fun. thanks

Kerouac - No, I didn't but am not surprised it closed down.
I say that because most of the stuff must have got pinched.
No-one here would put up a fight to get to the cash register!!
Just the opposite - they would take the clothes AND the cash register. I'm not joking!

What fun pix, K. You must get some great cleve shots from up there, and those posts with the globe on top- they were curious props in many photos. I love the diversity of your area. Really diverse. Didn't I read once that you are native to the USA?