Paris on the streets
June 4th, 2008There is a definite “Parisian Style” that has little to do with navy and white striped T-shirts, berets and red neckerchiefs, or wearing Chanel from head to toe. It’s all about a retro urban ensemble that’s a little worn, a little designer, fairly neutral, full of character, unmatched, eclectic, always accessorized and never sporty.
Parisian street fashion was all about the following looks when we visited last week:
- Skinny jeans, skinny jeans and more skinny jeans. 80% of women across all age groups wore them. Most of the styles weren’t ultra tapered but slick and straight was a key silhouette. I saw three people wear wide-legged pants in six days. Interesting.
- Leggings were still big especially under tunic tops and dresses.
- Monochromatic colours were the norm. Despite the sea of colour available in stores, street fashion stuck to black, grey, white, cream, beige and red. Very little brown and ink blue.
- Cream, white and beige trenches, and cropped black biker jackets were “the” cover-up.
- Sleek tops were tucked into skinny jeans and worn with a belt. Voluminous tunics, blouses and shirts were left un-tucked and often belted at the waist.
- Knitted tops with yoke detailing were popular and virtually everyone wore some form of cropped cardigan. I didn’t see anyone who wasn’t pregnant wear a baby doll top. Woven tops were just as popular as knitted tops.
- White and cream pants or jeans started coming through on warmer days. I didn’t see a single women in khakis or sweat pants. Linen and micro-check bottoms are the French substitute.
- Very few skirts and dresses.
- Ballet flats, ballet flats and more ballet flats. Loads of round toes and few pointy styles. 90% of the women wore flats but heels came out at night. Patent was hot.
- There was an epidemic of grey Converse sneakers. You could spot at least 10 people wearing either grey, black or white retro Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers at any given time. Love it.
- Chunky necklaces, bracelets and rings were the accessory of choice. Very few women wore statement earrings.
- Cream, grey, white and tan handbags were plentiful and large flat totes were a popular choice. Sling bags took a back seat which surprised me.
It’s typical for French women to mix up their items. You’ll see fancy designer shoes worn with cheap H&M jackets, and Prada trenches matched with Converse sneakers. There’s loads of expensive designer merchandise on the streets of Paris, but it seldom looks new and pristine because it’s well worn and braves the elements of dirty city life.
Skinnies and a large tote making their way down Boulevard Henri IV in Paris.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:01 am
What I really want to know is, did you try a Velib?
Actually, though I’ve never been to Paris, what you describe is what I imagined French style to be like–dark straight leg jeans, ballet flats, a trench coat and a tote. Do you find that the average Parisian tends to be more fashion forward or more modern classic?
June 4th, 2008 at 7:14 am
No we didn’t, Christie, but the concept is incredible and we saw loads of locals making use of the service. Sounds like you would love it biker girl!
Parisians tend to be more fashion-forward in my opinion.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:27 am
Angie you fit right in there. You are adorable and I love your hair style with your long neck, specs and lack of earrings.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
Very interesting article again! I feel like I was there !
What is Velib, if I may ask?
June 4th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Never mind my question on Velib. I have googled it and found my answer.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Great article! My sister just came back from France and I told her to check out your blog. She agrees 100% and said “never sporty” was exactly what in her mind when she was there. I think that Americans have abused the sporty look by taking it everywhere.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:14 am
ANgie - Thanks for the description! I love the fashion awareness of Europeans. I made the mistake of going down to breakfast at a hotel in Germany (after being in a plane all night) in jogging pants and tee and was I embarrassed! No one came to breakfast any more casual than dressy jeans! What made it double embarrassing for me is that I generally never go to any meal looking that tacky!
Also Angie - I would love more pics of the fashions and looks you described. Is that possible?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I loved reading this. Now to find some more skinny jeans. They’re hard to find in this neck of the woods. Maybe I’ll take a trip to Chicago to AX.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:59 am
A) I want a croissant
B) I want to know how a shortish hourglass can do the Parisian straight leg jean look
(Angie - thank you so much for this series! It’s keeping me sane, sitting here in LA, surrounded by all the blond extensions and sweat pants and flip flops)
June 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Angie, thanks for this list…as I mentioned in a previous post…I am going to Paris and other parts of Europe at the end of this month and I was terrified b/c I had no idea what to pack for my trip Your list above really narrows it down for me..thanks!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
I think the average Parisian is probably a lot slimmer than the average American. Perhaps that accounts for the differences in denim. Not that a curvier woman can’t wear straight legs/skinnies, but most women I know of don’t feel as comfortable in them as they do in bootcuts or widelegs.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Very interesting. Thanks for the run down!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Love these Paris posts! So if there were no statement earrings, what did they wear in their ears? Or, i guess what I want to know is, if you don’t wear statement earrings, do you wear none, or something small and demure, such as diamond studs? Whenever I wear a statement necklace, I never know what to wear in my ears.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Post your question on the forum Tara. You’ll get a superior response that way.
Uh oh, Carla. Indeed a fashion faux pas! And unfortunately, no pictures.
Patricia, Paris will be warmer in a month, so be sure to take walk shorts or clamdiggers.
You are observant San. I was a giraffe in another life. I have a long, skinny neck and I’m grateful that it somehow works with my really short hair. No earrings is a deliberate style choice. I wear specs and necklaces instead.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
thanks for the interesting info. a friend called my style “french” over Christmas and though i was flattered i started to worry that that meant “boring”. skinny jeans are a big part of my look and yes i have to constantly diet and exercise to be able to wear them. i like color and prints a lot and have a lot of big earrings so that is where i depart from the french look. also i prefer pointy toe shoes.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:51 am
[…] and heads up as to where fashion trends are heading in France. Read about Parisian Store Fashion, Parisian Street Fashion, and last of all, about Parisian Shoe Fashion. I’ll talk about trends and true fashion very […]
June 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Great post Angie. Love the sound of that Parisian look! I wish we had more skinny jeans here and fewer wide legs. I’m glad it’s already summer here though; the trench coats will probably stay in my closet until October. The monochromatic pallet sounds classy, but I would get bored with it every day. I’m also glad we have more skirts and dresses here. Patent and chunky necklaces also go on my favorites list. As others have said, I’m not wild over linen. I love the look, but I hate to iron and despise wearing wrinkly clothes.
June 14th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I always found London more fashion-forward than Paris. meh.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:06 am
hi! i was wondering if i should bring boots on my june24 trip. the weather still seems to be cool
June 26th, 2008 at 7:23 am
[…] cropped cardigans are everywhere and were extremely popular on the streets of Paris. They make my must-have list this season as an indispensable, versatile, feminine layering piece. I […]