Paris streetwear June 2010

Old Jun 21st, 2010, 11:41 PM
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Actually, I see more hijabs and niqabs near the office on avenue George V and the Champs Elysées than in my own neighborhood, because it is the only part of Paris that interests the Gulf tourists. The men are in T-shirts, shorts and flip flops, and their wives and daughters follow, covered with vast quantities of laundry. At least most of the Qatari women have stopped wearing their creepy metallic masks.
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Old Jun 22nd, 2010, 12:18 AM
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Interesting to see that flip flops (thongs) are fairly common.

Are they making a come back amongst the fashionista ?

Peter
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Old Jun 23rd, 2010, 06:57 PM
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Thanks kerouac,
I'm going back to Paris and I'm gonna show this pics to my best friend. She tried to stop me from packing my 'comfy' clothes and try to make me wearing her trendy clothes, because it's Paris. I'm on holiday and I don't mind looking like a tourist. I'd feel tortured wearing nice clothes and tried to keep them clean.
And best of all... I'm gonna pack my flip flop.
Jo
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Old Jun 23rd, 2010, 07:21 PM
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these were all taken on the same cross walk. so that is one neighborhoods way of dressing. take pictures else where you will see lots of jeans, shorts, heels and co on.
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 12:09 AM
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No matter where you go, some (many) people present themselves far more nicely (and much more flattering) than others, as could not be more evidenced in all those photos.

For those wondering if they can get by with "whatever", most of the time you can. In my experience, those who complain of less than pleasant/efficient service and/or being ignored are typically dressed in "whatever".

Just because you can "get away with" just about anything most of the time doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea. Of course, if that's what you indend to do anyway, what do you care?
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 12:51 AM
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In my own opinion, a lot of the people in my photos look far worse than tourists because some of them just throw on a ratty t-shirt and shorts to go down from their apartment to buy a baguette or whatever. I would hope that people with the intention of going to Notre Dame and the Louvre give a tiny bit more thought to their attire -- but then again, who cares?
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 09:02 AM
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Who cares?

I do.

When one person dresses like a slob in public, you can avert your eyes and mentally make polite excuses for them. When there are post-Apocalypse characters everywhere you look and you're not camping in the woods, it gets a little depressing.

I agree that everyone should be comfortable; everyone should have free choice. But, aesthetically speaking, I'd rather walk through a garden than a desert.

If the streets of Paris turn into a fashion wasteland, there's no hope.

Fortunately, though, not everyone in kerouac's photo essay was too far gone just yet -- and, like he said, they were most likely grabbing their morning baguette and not lunching at Joël Robuchon's. (Of course, some of them looked like they might be meeting Lady Gaga for tea.)
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 09:18 AM
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kerouac - what is the weather like in Paris? We arrive this coming Tuesday.
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 09:22 AM
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The weather has been extremely variable. Last week was frankly cold for the season (below 18°). This week, we're enjoying a nice 25°. Next week? Well, we're hoping it'll be like this week, but who knows? We've had three unsatisfactorily cool summers in a row. It has to end one of these days.
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 01:58 PM
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"

" If the streets of Paris turn into a fashion wasteland, there's no hope."

LOL, but I agree...One thing I love about Paris is going to places in the city where I might see some elegant, stylish
people.
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Old Jun 24th, 2010, 02:48 PM
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There is certainly nothing wrong with looking chic and fabulous in Paris.

But, it is unconscionable to tell Fodorites visiting Paris that they MUST wear the latest trend or they will stand out like a sore thumb.

It is an absolute myth that Parisian don't wear jeans or trainers.

And you can wear jeans and trainers without looking like a slob.

Even the First Lady of the US has been photographed wearing Lanvin trainers.

Very few people, by the way, can afford to dress like those photographed by Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist.

And I think about less than 1% of those posting on this site can afford to have lunch at Joel Rubochon.

There is no reason to put on an Alexaner McQueen frock to sit on a bench in the Luxembourg Gardens or go shopping for groceries at Monoprix.

This whole thread reminds me of the tarted-up bints--in heels, cocktail dresses, and cashmere shawls--who were on an afternoon bus tour of Buenos Aires with me. They looked absolutely ridiculous prancing around souvenir shops that sold Boca Junior soccer kits.

Thin
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 02:13 AM
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Of course jeans and trainers per se are perfectly acceptable and even de rigeur under many scenarios. It depends entirely on THE jeans and trainers. The sartorial desert begins when items are wrinkled, ripped, deliberately ugly and clashing, totally ill-fitting – or missing altogether. Outside the bar scene and in broad daylight without a drink in hand, most people’s sensibilities can only handle so many leather-clad Mad Max characters and thunder thighs in hot pants.

Kerouac’s neighbors are largely not representative of that wasteland. It is a hypothetical place meant to drive home the idea that when we say we don’t care what anyone wears, most of us really only mean that to a certain point.

BTW, I doubt you’ll ever see me at Rubuchon’s. My jeans aren’t that nice.
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 04:46 AM
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Does any one else worry every time they see those young men who insist on their trousers being slung around their hips with their knickers showing out the top?

It looks like they are about fall down and I worry about the poor dears.
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 05:39 AM
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I think people forget that when you're in a large tourist destination, you are outnumbered by thousands of fellow tourists from ALL over the world, each bringing THEIR own style, from their own surroundings.
In such a large venue it would take precious time and analysis to find a "norm" that's so obvious that you would feel like you stand out. Regardless of what you choose to wear that day, there seems to be someone else out there that was like minded, for better, or worse!! There is so much variety in all the picture links above, you get the idea - we find the photos that most resemble what's already in our closet, and think, I could wear "that". There always seems to be the well-dressed, the stylish, the boring, the slobs, the beautiful, the average, etc. etc. It seems best to pick clothing that you would wear at (home) for the same event - if you feel out of style that day in that city, hit the shops, do a make-over, and call it a souvenir!!
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 09:32 AM
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I did a tourist photo thread once, and some people didn't think they looked like tourists at all. That's because they were German, English, Dutch, Swedish, etc., tourists -- who, by the way, far outnumber North American tourists at all times, even in June and July.

I imagine that in many cases, the people that Americans (for example) think are Parisians might actually be tourists from Dusseldorf
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 10:35 AM
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Kerouac, you're right on! I had to laugh when I was asked for directions in Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands last week. As a 5'10" blonde that hasn't happen to me in France, Spain, or Italy though.
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 12:16 PM
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Why is it only americans who are paranoid about their appearance ?

Peter
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 12:20 PM
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It's true -- I have never seen any other nationality worrying about this. I suppose that it is sort of good in a way: it indicates that many Americans do realize that it is possible to dress better than what is often seen on American streets.
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 12:29 PM
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National insecurity, perhaps ?

(I'm feeling frisky tonight !)


Peter
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Old Jun 25th, 2010, 06:22 PM
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Thanks Kerouac, as always, for your photos.

While I love the Sartorialist's blog, he in no way, shape, or form represents the reality of Parisian streetwear. Mr. Schuman's photographic subjects are not only dressed in the lastest fashions but are extraordinarily attractive and universally thin. Of course, this is understandable - high fashion is all about beautiful people and beautiful clothing. (And the "People of WalMart" angle is already very well-covered by others).

Kerouac I'll take your Parisian photos any day. I especially liked seeing the two (or three?) photos of women wearing a "Texas tuxedo"; that is, head-to-toe denim. So even Parisians make fashion faux-pas...c'est quelque chose de rassurante. Je vous remercie Monsieur K.
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