Stylish in France
 

I know, I know, I'll look like a tourist anyhow, but...

... does anyone know what people are wearing in France right now? I guess I could get a French Vogue or something, but that may give me too much of an avent garde perspective.

I have travelled in Europe three times. 1) as a poor student abroad 2) as a just graduated backpacker with one pair of jeans and a couple of tops. 3)with my husband in my mid-20s.

For the last trip (in 2004), we only pack dark colored shoes and more "dressed up" clothes to avoid being ugly Americans, only to find that everyone in Italy was wearing really cute jeans, sweat suits and sneakers/trainers. We looked like middle aged dorks.

Just curious what the stylish French are wearing these days. I hope to buy some clothes over there, but it will be fun for me to pick out my wardrobe to take. I'm a chronic overpacker these days (must be from my backpacking experience), so I'm used to lugging my stuff around. Thank goodness for wheels!

Sorry to be so long-winded. I thought this would be a fun discussion.

Thanks!

"We looked like middle aged dorks."
Watch out! Just kidding, I had to chuckle at the slam - check out my screenname.

Sorry dorkforcemom, my tone really didn't work the way it was in my head. I think I would also qualify as a dork. But getting to escape into travel is so appealing - exploring different cities, cultures, etc. I live most of my life wearing drearily boring attire to my office job and generally feel like a frump. So I am maybe a little overexcited about this special trip and am looking forward to preparing for it in many ways. I've checked out about 15 books from the library, but you can't read much about fashion in travel books generally.

Anyhow, I apologize for not reading enough posts, but most clothing posts I did read were about efficient packing, clothes that travel well, not wearing something that will make you stick out, etc. Not the same angle I was going for exactly. I will keep looking :)

Hi lauraallais, I think its the "ugly americans " comment that could be a problem. Personally I think North Americans dress for comfort and there were many times on our recent trip, (just returned from a trip to Italy France and Switzerland) when I was ever so thankful I had my Nikes with me as I took it for our hikes in the BO.

It rained for 3 out of our 4 days in Paris and having a torn ACL in my knee there was no way I would chance wearing anything else on those slippery uneven sidewalks.So much for being stylish. However to answer your question, wear whatever you are comfortable and confident to wear. People wore everthing capris,shorts,dresses,jeans,tracksuits. The knee length dress or top with leggings and flat shoes was quite popular.Even at night most were rather casual.

Do take one or two nice light dresses(not floral) for dining out and a pretty shawl if it gets chilly or rains in the evening.White and linen seemed to be in this summer.Basically what I found to be trendy this summer in Canada seemed to be the same in Europe. BCBG has many longish tops that look good with leggings or capris and will allow you to dress up for evenings.

Have a fun trip.

Just type "What to Wear in Paris" or Styles in Paris or something like that you there are zillions of threads ...

Thank you Dock. Great insight. I was just checking out some cute BCBG tops today at lunch.

Oh, and I feel you on the Nikes. I was so mad (and sore!) that I didn't bring mine that I actually went to Footlocker in Florence, where Nikes are marked way up. Boy did I feel stupid for not packing mine! My husband still laughs at that one.

I think it would be wiser of you and more fun to shop over there. There are so many little shops with wonderful clothes and cutting edge styles. I saw so many styles in Paris last year that are just not hitting US stores.

I would take the minimum from the US where you can shop any time you want and stock up on the clothes you can only get in Paris.

Take some jeans and some blouses and go for it in Paris.

just NOW hitting the US stores.

Now that the summer sales are finished, when you look in the windows of the clothing stores of Paris, all you can see is black, charcoal gray and white. However, people on the street are not dressed like that... yet.

It seems as if the Parisians are ignoring you and couldn't care less about you.But they look. What will get you noticed in a good way? Some great shoes,an interesting accessory,a fabulous handbag or things from other countries. What will not be appreciated? flip flops,tons of skin,muffin tops (bad fits),ugly acid florals and bad manners.

Weirdly, I found the women in Bruges more styish than those in Paris. Even the hip clothing stores here seem to be just keeping pace with Forever 21 (forever21.com).

The biggest differences are the colors (see "Trends" at http://www.nafnaf.com/anglais/index.php) and the heavy use of scarves. Everyone's wearing them knotted up, sometimes with a jacket and sometimes just with a top.

Ballet flats are everywhere, with skinny pants and jeans. I've also seen a lot of boots with skirts and capris.

Messenger bags/large purses vs. backpacks also help you to blend in.

Sorry for the earlier comments, btw... there is a much nicer way to say, "you might want to check out previous threads." :-)

don't know about Paris, but as an englishwoman in there 20's, i'm currently buying/wearing

black skinny jeans,
rock chick motif tops
pinafores (a bit more structured then the smock tops of the summer)
white shirts with black waistcoats a la kate moss.
Shoes are flat ballet pumps, wedges or chunky heels, though for walking around it is still my adidas trainers (sneakers)

Stick with black and white and you'll be fine monochrome is a big trend this autumn, as are metallics so i'm doing the trend with chunky gold/silver jewellery and other accessories.

Check out topshop or miss selfridge (just google them) for ideas. I'm guessing parisian fashion won't be that different from english fashion

My fashion conscious Parisian friends in their 20s/30s seem to buy all their outfits from Zara. Have a look on the website to see what this season's trends are.
(Other popular chains in France are Morgan, Mango, H&M, Nafnaf and Kookai)

Well, I'm older than you but now that I live here in Europe I wear Black Pumas for walking, ballet flats for every day, black pants, sweaters and skirts with colorful twin sets (cashmere in winter / cotton or mystery fabric in summer). Plus scarves when it is cold.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Great feedback everyone. Exactly what I was looking for. I do hope/plan to shop over there, but it is very fun for me to hear about the styles ahead of time.

Based on these responses, it sounds like the things that are just starting to catch on in the U.S. have already become mainstream over there (smocks, skinny jeans, ballet flats).

One more question. I am quite tall and thus have pretty big feet. I remember having a heck of a time finding shoes in London when I studied abroad, though due to budget I was pretty limited to Bata or street markets. Anyhow, I wear about about a 10/11 in U.S. sizes (42/43 European). Will I be able to find stylish shoes in France at that size? If so, which shops carry them?

Thanks again!
Laura

If you're interested in real people rather than fashion magazines, you might look at the wardrobe_remix group on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/wardrobe_remix/). It is largely American but there are some international posters. The demographics skew young, but all are interested in *now* fashion that is actually worn on the streets. Outfits posted must have been worn in public, rather than being fantasy fashion concoctions. I find it fun to peruse the photos (admittedly partly to say to myself, "Don't these people have to go to work?") and have gotten some good fashion ideas. (I post to it occasionally as sewyerown to give *some* representation to a mid-30s professional woman who has not surrendered to the AnnTaylorBananaRepublic aesthetic that dominates my age category BUT dresses appropriately for an office and to encourage people to learn to sew as the only way to for the average person to obtain unique clothes.)

I also searched flickr for "street fashion paris" and came up with a few hits. The Sartorialist travels abroad quite a bit, including Paris, and posts street fashion from there (http://thesartorialist.blogspot.com).

Those are fantastic links, Nicegirl - thank you for posting!

(Of course, I will now get nothing done for the rest of my life.)

Ballet flats are just "catching on" in the US? where do you live? Those have been in style in the US for several years now. Skinny jeans have come and gone.

Thanks Nicegirl, I love the sartorialist. Can't wait to check out the flickr link.

Christina, I admittedly don't live in the fashion capital of the U.S. (Sacramento). I know ballet flats have been in our fashion mags and shops for quite a while, but I still see most people in everyday life wearing heels or wedges.

One fashion forward co-worker (I work for an ad agency) has a great pair of Chanel ballet flats, and even I own a pair of black leather flats. They just don't seem as "everywhere" as they seem to be in Paris.

And I am just not seeing a lot of the really skinny jeans (little ankles or the stirrup ones I've seen in Instyle). Most people I know tend to stick to straight leg 7s or similar.

I'm sure it's different in L.A. and NYC (compared to Sacramento). That's why I'm getting Fodorite feedback on Paris!

This is a great fashion thread! I agree that there are tons of threads about "what to wear", but this one gives great links to other sites. Just wanted to say thanks!