Picky, Picky, Picky! How old are you? Where are you staying? Restaurants, 3 star or less or more? Pull up pictures of Paris. Youth are very casual, dinner crowd is formal. No one has ever got into embarassing situation by being 'well dressed'. I also doubt that anyone will point at out of date shoe styles and laugh. Good taste is eternal.

The latest rage in Paris is pink velour jogging suits with sweet kitty cats made from sequins. All the woman are wearing them with white tennis shoes. FAB!

I'm pretty sure those pointy pointy shoes are still a thing, either high heel, kitten heel, or flat. But that's not very practical for touring.

Hey, I'm a hick from the midwest so all I've ever learned about fashion comes from watching the girls on "Sex In the City."

If you've watched it you might know as I do that scrunchies are a nono in the city... Now you don't need to buy that fall issue of Vogue!

Really though, don't sweat it. There will be no fashion police handing out tickets in Paris, unless maybe mk2 is in town.

I'm always amazed when a person has ONE post to their name and it's this sort of a troll-feeling post. If you're planning a trip certainly this can't be your first problem?

I'm not new. I have recieved a lot of good advice in the past, just looking for up to date info on styles. Visiting shops in Paris several years ago, it was very apparent that many things sold in Paris do not turn up in the US for a year or longer- confirmed by my friend who owned a boutique in Manhattan. Sometimes you feel very conspicuously touristy when there has been a shift. Who would have thought pink jogging suits and white sneakers should be in my suitcase? Would have thought to leave those at home- see what you learn for other people! I don't know why some of the people on this site are so uptight about the correctness or intelligence of each question. If we were all so smart, we wouldn't need each others help or suggestions, so relax already. Isn't that what this is for?

M Kingdom 2, why are you so rude?, this woman is asking a valid question. AND for us on the west coast, fashion is often behind Europe, I have traveled enough to see that. So back off. OR give your credentials.

<<Who would have thought pink jogging suits and white sneakers should be in my suitcase? Would have thought to leave those at home...>>

I think you just blew your cover, Flaze! Also, if what's being worn in Paris is a year away from being sold in stores where you live, what's the point of the question? Unless you make a pre-trip shopping trip to Paris, the best you can hope for is to be a year behind the fashion scene anyway.

"..many things sold in Paris do not turn up in the US for a year or longer"

Are you talking about classic lines? If you're talking about collections from all the designer houses, and individual designers they produce a collection for a dated season. Once that season has passed it is "last season" and is never ever sold at full retail prices. It usually goes to web-sites such as Yoox.com and/or to press sales where all the pieces that never sold in the shops (even when discounted) are offered to people on an invitation only basis. So quite frankly you're talking nonsense, and yes, it is your first post here.

And Toby dear it's your first time too. So many people losing it on one post today.

I've been to Paris three times and two of those have been in the winter...It's so much easier - black coat, dark slacks, and a scarf that I buy in Paris.

Flaze,

Beware the advice to wear boots. Unless they are an absolutely perfect fit you will be miserable. Unlike the person who gave this advice, I do a lot of walking in Paris and made a terrible mistake one year in bringing boots that were a tiny bit loose. Agony! They were fine for short walks but not all day. Good fitting, comfortable shoes are essential.

As far as buying clothes in France, you may have a problem if you don't fit the description given of French women -- "petite." I'm tall and wear an American 10 and other than one sweater could not find anything to fit.

However, I did buy three Longchamps purses and one Lancel purse and a pair of Mephisto sandals on trips in the last few years (scarves too). The exchange rate is not in our favor, but you would get the VAT refund and a discount at Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. A good quality leather purse will outlast clothing and will remind you of your time in Paris.

After my earlier reply I recalled my first impressions when I arrived in Paris to live and work. I left from D.C. and did not notice much difference in clothing between the American and the French women I worked with: skirts, sweaters, wool suits ... but do remember noticing shoes, umbrellas and purses. And especially the haircuts. I got the best haircuts I've ever had in Paris. If you're adventurous you may want to try a hair cut. I've seen shops recommended online but don't remember names.

Hi, Flaze,

I hope you have concluded that "Richardab" was writing about pink velour and white tennis shoes in a sarcastic manner--

I wore boots in Paris on my last trip. I had cushioned insoles put in before I left because the soles aren't that thick and the streets can be really hard on your feet. I had other shoes also that I wore more often but the boots were pretty comfortable with the insoles.

OK, Toby, let's see your credentials!! LOL

I agree with misspie, it is just easier.

I thought they only wore pink jogging shorts in Florida? :D

Cushioned insoles...thanks for that suggestion. I have a beautiful pair of Italian leather boots but have hardly worn them as they tend to "slip" a bit when I walk in them. Did not notice that when I purchased them. I will try the cushioned insoles..why haven't I thought of that. Again, so much good information on Fodors.

M Kingdom:There are many questions posed on Fodors where I think to myself "What a silly question".

The difference is that instead of ignoring the question and moving on, you take the time to hit "Post a reply" and then rake her over the coals. Why? If she asked you that in person would you jump down her throat? I'd like to think that you wouldn't.

I happen to agree that in some trends, they're ahead of us. When I was in Italy in 1997, I bought a great 2 piece black linen outfit. The pants were cut like a modest hip hugger. I watched for a year on TV and in person before I started seeing waistlines drop below the bellybutton on the women in L.A.

In 2003, when I was in Italy last, I noticed that pink was the hot color in every window. I didn't start seeing pink everywherein L.A. until many months later.

My credentials: I've been a model with CED Talent in L.A. for 15 years.

Flaze, when I first found this board, I opened up this Paris Fashion can of worms.

It's a subject that has been "done" to death here, but many people like m_kingdom don't realize that fashion changes every season, and therefore even the simplicity-concious fashion types like me are interested in knowing what's going on, if for no other reason than to be prepared for a little inevitable embarrassment.

I can't afford Louis Vuitton, I'm not sure if I can even spell it correctly, but I do stick to the classics lik Liz Claiborne. I think I need a makeover, but in the absence of that I'll take dressing as classically as possible while remaining comfortable. It's nice to be in your late 30s for that. Something genetically snaps and you care less about what other people think and more about what you like. It probably explains why the Parisian women vary from old to young in what they wear and how much of it they wear. I'm halfway there. ;)

Jules

I don't know who said it, but whomever it was that believes fashion starts in LA and ends up in Europe later is living on Fantasy Island. :)

Jules

"many people like m_kingdom don't realize that fashion changes every season,"

I couldn't count the number of times I've mentioned seasons, and I believe if you'd care to scroll up a little further you'd see I make reference to it under this post.

To answer the question, here's a link that talks about Paris Fashion expectations for Fall 2005.

http://www.enjoyfrance.com/content/view/71/36/

Jules