LOL, jules, I am the one in the other camp, the one where everyone wears black. Even with our Tiaras :D

Prada's getting boring, it's reeking of pure commercialism now.

I can't abide the accessories this season with HUGE Prada labels adorning them. It's cheap, lacks design, and isn't clever.

Chanel always does a classy collection, Dior is doing pretty well too. But if you want Prada then just buy the clothes, the bags are dire this season. The quality is good, but not quite couture class. Jil Sander always used super high quality materials, but Prada is run much more as a business primarily for profit, rather than for passion, and an exemplary product.

As for jeans, jeans can take you anywhere these days.

This message is intriguing. Note the adjectives: designer, sexy, swanky,exclusive,finest. I am currently using this message in my English classes. I ask my students to describe what they think the posting lady looks like. All note that she is blonde. Are you?

>Prada's getting boring, it's reeking of pure commercialism now.<

Er.... isn't that what the entire 'designer-label' phenomenon was always about?

Funny GSteed, I pictured a brunette with long straight hair.

GSteed, that's an good sociological experiment you have there. I take it (because of the English class comment) that these are high school students and it's interesting to me that they have such highly developed prejudices based on such a little amount of information. It's a great opportunity for a teacher to talk about what's good or bad about that. (I'm assuming that you didn't just do this to embarrass the OP or other blondes, right?)

I picture MaddieAstrid as someone with the kind of looks I've always envied -- tall, long legs, broad shoulders, narrow hips, and brunette with one of those chin-length cuts that sways when you move. If I had a great 'jeans figure', I'd buy fabulous jeans and wear them with good silk or satin shirts, a great jacket and boots with high heels. It's a look I've always liked and if you can carry it off, it will get you in almost anywhere.

Just coincidentally, we saw the movie "In Her Shoes" on Saturday and I remarked to my husband that Cameron Diaz (who's in her 30's, I think) has a figure that's just perfect for jeans.

Jules: Loved your comment about dressing in black with messy hair. That explains why people kept approaching me in Paris and asking me questions in French. Too funny.

I have terrible fashion sense (at least according to my teenaged daughter), but I'm almost always addressed as a native, in numerous European cities, and not tentatively but in full paragraphs. What a shock when I respond (and I can see they are surprised). Someone posted that people traveling alone are much more likely to be thought of as natives (because they aren't speaking English to anyone, obviously), and I think that's a much more important factor than one's exact wardrobe.

"Er.... isn't that what the entire 'designer-label' phenomenon was always about? "

Not at all. Prada never used to have this very commercial streak. They produced aesthetic, and interesting clothing that perhaps didn't appeal to a wide market. Now they've changed the shapes, the cuts, the materials, and all in all have created a product that everyone can have, and everyone can wear (within reason). Far too commercial.

This is largely the reason why Jil Sander left her label (owned by Prada) for the second time. She just wasn't allowed to do what she wanted, Prada would interfere and tell her to use cheaper materials, etc. etc. Raf Simons is a good example of not playing to the commercial side, he produces collections under his own label where many pieces are truly runway (capes, leggings, that sort of thing).

Dior Homme started out as a very couture influenced project. Now it is becoming more commercial, but certainly nowhere near Prada.

Degas,
Weren't you one of the posters who thought it was OK for a woman to wear shorts in Paris? I don't care one way or another about that issue but it sounds like you have strong feelings about jeans. Shorts OK but jeans not OK? How come?

And wow, I am truly impressed (and no sarcasm intended here) with m_kingdom's incredible knowledge of the fashion industry. I had no idea of the commercial/non-commercial aspects of it.

I've been vacationing in Paris almost annualy since 1976 and it's not a question of whether or not one can wear jeans in Paris, but a question of the appropriatness of what kind...NOT brand/label...of jeans and how they are worn. If they have a tailored fit and aren't sloppy and slouchy and worn out, then it can be pulled off.It's all about style. I was wearing them, in Paris, with a wool,boucle Chanel jacket back in the 80s and with no problems. Jeans are meant to be worn with more than T-shirts and sweatshirts. Happy Travels!

Now that I've read some of the other comments...I see nothing silly about this post at all. The question of whether it's appropriate to wear jeans (and shorts) in Paris comes up all of the time.I think people should be able to ask whatever they want. What is known by one person is not necessarily known by another person. Happy Travels!

What difference does it make if this is Maddie's first post or her 5000th? Why is there always someone who checks up on a person's posting "status" before replying?

While I will probably wear what I like to wear and have always worn, to Paris or anywhere else, I will pass along this info to my daughter who is going to France this summer. It won't make a whit of difference in her wardrobe, which seems composed almost 100% of jeans, jeans, and more jeans. But at least it will give her the opportunity to say, "I told you so, Mom!" :D

Somehow I don't think that big ol' brown LEE label on the derriere of my jeans is going to take me into the finer spots in Paris.;;) For me it's packing the very high heels you have to wear to carry off the chic jeans look that keeps any jeans out of my European travel wardrobe. A lanky body looks good in jeans no matter the age of the person but the high heels are a must. Now if only I could afford a personal porter ;;) Deborah

Jeans are fine. Shorts are fine. The only strong feelings I have is for RC cola and moon pies.

I was just poking a little fun at what I think to be a troll.

kwsl,
you're a good mom to occasionally give your daughter this gift and

"What difference does it make if this is Maddie's first post or her 5000th? Why is there always someone who checks up on a person's posting "status" before replying?"

I have NEVER understood that!

and degas,
for me it's Dr. Pepper and cheesies

hdm, we may be soulmates!

Never wear jeans with brown labels on the back. Alexander McQueen does ones with ponyskin labels which are just about acceptable. However, the jeans should speak for themselves, Dior, Helmut Lang, and Miu Miu (although Miu Miu jeans aren't wonderful) never ever have external labels. It's so easy to tell what they are from ten feet, so who needs labels?

Dear M Kingdom: you know so much about fashion that I love reading your posts. You're not on America's Next Top Model are you??????

I don't think I'd ever do reality TV. Especially American shows. Besides, who'd want to watch me?