Of course I spent most of my time outside looking at the beautiful sights of the city of Paris, but of course, I couldn’t help but take notes on it’s people as well. Right off the bat, I noticed that almost everyone was wearing copious amounts of black. I didn’t see a ton of color, and that’s probably because it’s cold and grey and BLAH. Secondly, I noticed layers. Lots and lots of layers. Tanks under shirts under sweaters under scarves under vests under jackets- and TONS and TONS of fur! Thirdly, skinny jeans are where it’s at- not many wide legs to be found this go-round. Which leads me to my fourth point- everyone in Paris is skinny! It’s crazy, because every third shop is some delicious cafe! Food is everywhere, more so than in the US, yet everyone seems to walk everywhere and really enjoy and savor every meal/snack/drink, which means they probably eat LESS. In fact, I saw almost no one carrying coffee to go while walking. Seriously, it was shocking! In Boston every other person has a Dunkin and Starbucks cup in their hands! But what was almost everyone carrying there? CIGARETTES! How is it that all these Parisian women looks so fresh-faced and gorgeous and smoke like fiends and drink at lunch AND dinner? My only guess can be stress. Everyone seems SO much less stressed out in Paris. My second guess is genetics. As I tried to take notes on how to obtain the elusive and edgy Parisian beauty I came to this conclusion: you need to be French. Their genes just kick ass.
But we can try…. here are some items that I saw over and over again on the street (and to the reader who told me I’d be laughed out of Paris for wearing a faux fur leopard coat- they were EVERYWHERE!!!) P.S. I would murder for that Celine bag. Straight up homicide, people.
It’s no secret that European men dress 1,000 times better than American men. It’s ridiculous. Then gents take their fashion seriously and all have a GOOD TAILOR! The secret to looking sleek, bad ass and Parisian for dudes is to make sure your garments fit you properly and wear good shoes. That’s all!
Yay Paris! Yes, so much black! I noticed that too. The lesson I learned while there too was to definitely savor the moment. Glad you had a good time. Also, I would fight you for the Celine bag ;)
My parents are European, and one of their pet peeves about America is how everyone carts their drinks around with them. Drinking isn’t something to do in transit, apparently. :)
You lucky girl! I love visiting Paris just for the quick street style refresh, it totally makes you want to up your own game back home!
in dramatic fashion
I agree with you a 100% about men’s style – wear things that fit and get good shoes. It’s so easy. Why do so many American men have trouble with this?
I guess I am the only person on the planet (well, my husband too who always says “what’s the big deal here?) who does not feel the French women are beautiful. I have been several times and I cannot find a pretty face anywhere…they look very rough to me. I do not like the way the men dress there either….too into their looks for being male. Mind you I don’t like a slob, but I also am turned off by men with jewelry and designer clothes from head to toe.
In my opinion Latin America wins the most beautiful women award…..there and the south of the USA. Most beautiful faces on the young women there….complexions like peaches and cream!
In the Miss Universe pageants the latinas always take the prize. I have a relative who watches Univision, even though he does not speak Spanish, just to gape at the beautiful women. They have curves and are very feminine….the french do not have hips!!! Guess it’s all that walking.
All in the eye of the beholder I guess!!!
Love your picks, Erin. Your choices are always stylish, obviously, but I love that you did both men’s and women’s. I want to buy all of the women’s pieces…like that vest, leopard coat, sweater…I could list them all, but they’re right there.
-Charlotte
Love hearing about your trip…but most importantly…I will help you kill whoever we must for that Celine bag….so obsessed I practically drooled on someone who was carrying the sickest olive green one the other day when I was in Club Monaco on lower 5th ave!
Great outfits! Do you have a source for the scarf?
Scarf source!? It’s so cute. As always, your blog brightens my morning!
I always love the fashion trends of Paris. I feel like they are far more my style than the normal Midwest look. Fur is so chic, yet so practical because it keeps you warm in the bitter cold!
Much love,
B
Great post. Erin, you should totally read French Women Don’t Get Fat. Not for the weight loss tips but rather for the lifestyle advice it provides. It’s by the CEO of Veuve Clicquot, a French woman who lives better than the rest of us combined. Interesting and fun read.
LOVE!
And I definitely agree about the Celine bag- I covet that the way some people want Chanel bags!
Arielle
Sillymessychic.blogspot.com
Spot on! Love Parisienne style and am a faux Parisienne myself! or wanna-be. Love all your pics.
Thanks for keeping my dream alive…
Nancy
Powellbrower.com
Erin–
I’m fashion and interior design blog-addicted, and yours is my FAVORITE. I love all your posts and your fantastically sarcastic wit always makes me smile. Thanks!!!
The French totally have it with the fashion. They always look so put together but without looking overly done. I would like everything in your post! Such great pieces! Thanks for all the Paris posts! Love!
My friend Vanessa gave me her off white/grey Celine bag, and I love it. I too would love a black one like the one you have showing. Erin, you’re fashionable, don’t listen to other people tell you what to wear unless you admire their style, otherwise ignore them : )
Xxxxx
I can’t believe this is your first trip to Paris and you had to get there for free, no less. Have you traveled outside the U.S.? And I’m not counting Canada or Mexico, o.k. How can you write about buying or coveting so many expensive material things when you can’t even save for a trip outside the country? Traveling the world and experiencing other cultures can be affordable but there are so many people like you who prefer to waste your hard-earned money on expensive material things. So pathetic…
June-
Before you leave such a judgmental comment you might want to actually READ my blog first. For my 30th birthday instead of a material present I chose to a trip to Paris to experience another culture. So no, this is NOT my first trip there. Nor outside the US, I’ve paid for many trips on my own. This blog is about fashion and interior design, which is not an evil thing.
I may look slightly overdressed wearing this to pick the kids up from school…
Something to consider for winter perhaps.?.?.?.
Tania Maree xx
Honestly, “a lot” of people in the US have become slobs…guess it is some kind of statement. One of the things I noticed in Paris is…posture…people “carry themselves” well…makes ANY “outfit” look better. You GO GIRL!! franki
I LOOOOVE PARIS!!!! You can never have enough of it, or go too many times!! Each time you go is different too…it’s magical.
And I agree with you about the French being to chic…it’s hard to explain, they just are! Personally, I don’ think French women are the most (physically) beautiful, but perhaps their careless way of loving and living life makes us feel like they are. Nonetheless, you cannot deny that they are the most fashionable.
Coming from Brazil myself, I can say that we may have some extremely gorgeous women in Latin America, but most of them have no clue what-so-ever about fashion.
Love,
Barbara
Great post!! Love everything!
Erin, I am so enjoying your Paris stories as I am DYING to go!! May be this year. thanks for the updates (always!). I love your blog.
Ah, Paris! And yes European men have a knack for style… and you’re right it’s the tailoring that’s key!
Gorgeous selection both for women and for men!
Have a nice day
Sara C.
Where oh where is that scarf from?? Love ur blog!
(Say with your best “Most Interesting (Wo)Man in the World voice . . .)
I don’t usually smoke, but if I do – it’s always in Paris. Gros bisous!
à June – Personne ne se soucie de ce que vous pensez.
it is a great post! spot on. and i secretly enjoy the dig at the reader who calls you out for wearing leopard in paris! ; )
I have never been to Paris – but reading your posts makes me want to go! I have heard that smoking supresses the appetite – so you might have your answer as to why the Parisian ladies are so skinny!
I’m with Barbara – the South Americans are gorgeous – but the fashion isn’t always there.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that Celine bag too, but have you felt how heavy it is with nothing at all in it?!!
I’ve stumbled on your blog a few days ago and very much enjoy reading it.
So being a Parisian myself it was fun to read this article. It always comes as a surprise and a pleasure to read compliments about my country.
Funnily enough I have noticed the exact same things you mentioned during my trip to America last year – except that no, food’s not everywhere in France, you beat us on that!
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