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Parisienne style...in your own backyard?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

In Shevia's thread about Parisienne style, I was struck especially by this remarks.

"French style seems ultimately practical and based on appearing elegant and

charming through wind, rain and cold, while walking on uneven pavement. The vibe was freedom

within structure rather than anything goes and I had the impression of a culture that is more

Haiku than free verse."

Skylurker added the explanation or context that: "Wearing statement clothes - too luxe, too sexy, too eccentric or too loud - is seen as vulgar, esp in bourgeois circles."

This got me wondering. If it is true that Parisienne style is ultimately practical and based on appearing elegant and charming in the actual conditions of city life (in that city), then how does that translate to Miami, or New York, or Tel Aviv, or Toronto? The scarves and motos and sober tailored cuts that make sense in Paris -- what are their equivalents elsewhere?

What are they, where you live?

Shevia also suggested that self-knowledge seems to be the basis of great Parisienne style. Perhaps it goes further and includes knowledge of the environment, acceptance of it.

We've talked numerous times about how important it can be for us Canadians, for example, to develop a real "coat capsule" -- either aiming for variety (if this is a need) or the very best quality coats we can afford. I am thinking that is one example of "translating Parisienne style" to our own reality.

Well, Angie's been saying this stuff for years (Dress for your body today; dress for the life you lead). I guess it just takes me a while to let it sink into my noggin.

Or maybe I am still wishing that I lived in Paris....

How about you? How can you "do Paris"?

67 replies

Latest reply was from Freckles

MsMary

Veteran

Ooh!! Such a great question, Suz! I will have to put on my thinking cap for this one...

Joy

Veteran

An excellent observation. The light is different in various locales, which can affect everything. Great fit and fabrics would be part of " doing Paris" anywhere. I also suspect that lots of neutrals work anywhere, but maybe different ones. In the US Heartland shades of denim and chambray blue would be the best neutral, probably paired with cognac or taupe. Flats or small wedges on shoes and boots, small or skinny scarves, natural looking makeup and hair. I need to think about this some more and also how it will change living on the Colorado front range.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

LOL, I think Haligonians "do Parisienne" in Hunters and MEC Goretex.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Is that native wear for each location then? Or what is the best chic for each location?

Did you all see the Guardian's comic of what the typical Canadian looks like in a variety of cities? <https://www.theguardian.com/ci.....own-heroes>

AviaMariah

Veteran

Really good question! I loved that description you quoted by Shevia. In fact, as I told her in her post, I immediately wrote it down on my clothes shopping list/goals. I'll have to think about it but I think the most important component for where I live is shoes. Not only do I have very fussy feet but where I live gets very dusty and dirty, especially in the summer. I also live out in the country which makes this worse. Many times I get home in the evening, pull the kids out of the car and we are immediately exploring the latest bugs in the grass, walking through gravel or playing in the kiddie pool. So my shoes have to be robust. The last thing I want to do is worry about getting my shoes off so I don't ruin them. Like you I think coats are also a big component. But while we do get pretty cold in the winter, our winters aren't as brutal or as long as yours so a variety of lighter weight jackets/coats are important. I'll think about this some more.

Roxanna

Veteran

I love this post too, Suz, and it makes me realize that the 'Parisienne style' I sometimes pine over needs to be translated for this Torontonian. That, to me, says a bigger/better quality warm coat capsule, as you mentioned, boots with traction, durability and style for mucky weather conditions (especially if you commute or walk a lot, like me,) and brights for summer (unlike Paris, we get glaring sun and lots of humidity in the summer, so to me, muted clothes and somber styles sometimes look out of place in high summer.)

Anonymous

Lots of food for thought and a reminder that I still tend to shop for and pine over, a climate where layers and sweaters are ideal, but not what I actually live in 8 months of the year.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

I wish I lived in a climate where I could get up each morning, choose between my moto, my trench, and my blazer, and get on with my day. That would be amazing.

On a whim, I just Googled "Denver Street Style" and I was surprised to find I'm more influenced by my surroundings than I thought. (Joy, you're moving to the front range?! I live there! And interestingly enough, I grew up in the Midwest. There are a lot of us here.)

Some photos of local style. Though I didn't take any of these, pretty much every one of them was taken on the pedestrian mall that runs right outside my husband's office. We actually live in a small town about an hour north or the city, so style is further diluted where I spend most of my time.

Note all the jeans, jeans, jeans. Tons of boots. Plenty of non-black neutrals, low-contrast RATE looks. Sunglasses in winter (most of these photos were taken on what looks like a warm January day) because it is always bright. Very casual in the heart of the downtown business district. It almost seems like classic Parisian polish would look awkward on Denver streets.

#1-4 are from http://www/firstclassfashionista.com and #5 is from http://www.amidstlife.com

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great responses: thank you!

Ummlila, I'm still laughing over that Guardian piece. It's politically incorrect but pretty darned accurate. Awfully guy-heavy, though. Between us, I'll bet Elizabeth P, L'Abeille, Roxanna, LisaP, Aziriphale, Shannon, Krishnadoux, and the many other Canadians who are lurking more could come up with a pretty funny female-oriented list.

Roxanna, I couldn't agree more that because our seasons are so extreme, what looks and feels chic differs markedly between summer and winter. I'm so into colour in the summer, too -- it just feels wrong to go around in subdued tones all the time in the humidity and bright angled light.

AviaMariah, it sounds as if your shoe needs are similar to mine -- but more so!

Elizabeth, there's a good reason Hunters and Goretex took such hold! But they don't really have the cachet of Emmanuelle Alt's fab moto and heels, do they?

Joy, I agree so much about the light. That is the primary reason my colours change from season to season (well, that and the heat, of course!). I like your proposed "uniform" for your area.

Roxanna

Veteran

That is so interesting. @Suz and @Joy, about the light. I never thought of that before. But in the beautiful, diffuse, Monet light on Paris, it's easy to distinguish between subtle layers, textures and patterns. In the often glaring sun or grey, snowy days of Toronto, that gets lost and outfits look murky, which is why i often go to colour or crispness. What an interesting dimension.

Astrid

Veteran

That's a very interesting thought Suz. And I think it's definitely possible to take what's typical for your own little corner and combine those items in a way that says practical, elegant and charming. Why not?

I did a quick search for "berlin style", those below were the first results. I think it's pretty typical for what I would have said Berlin style is - neutrals or muted colors, oversized and fitted, contrasts in general, casual, practical, often sporty, not matchy matchy. I think I dress more plain, classic, coordinated in comparison.

ETA

On the topic of light - Berlin is awful in fall and winter. It's all grey grey grey and depressing. So do all those muted and dark colors mean we prefer to blend in?

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Elizabeth P

Veteran

OMG Ummlila, that Guardian piece is hilarious.

And yeah Suz, my comment was all about practical and not so much about style But you know? When it's pouring out, I think people look plain ole silly in wool coats and pumps. This is why I have been looking for years for an actual waterproof trench coat. Practical and stylish can be difficult here! And I tend to go for practical...

I never thought of googling "Halifax Street Style" but I'm not sure it exists. We have such an eclectic city, with such eclectic weather, when I look around nothing strikes me as consistent in how people dress. Which is why I pondered on the other thread, if style stands alone or if it's part of the culture.

Marilyn

Veteran

Great topic!

Style definitely varies by location. I find Ottawa style to be pretty boring, actually. Everyone is super casual. You would think a government town would be more dressed up but it's not. My husband works for the government and black jeans are dress clothes. People actually go to work in shorts.

I recently spent a few days in Toronto and I spent a lot of time staring at both women and men. Only 4 hours away but so much more stylish and a different vibe. I found myself dissecting what women were wearing as I walked behind them. There were so many chic looking women and the men in suits were so sharp looking.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

OK, so I googled Halifax Street style. I see bikini clad women near a muscly dude and a motorcycle, socks with sandals, sweatshirts and ball caps. Need I say more?

Actually there is a lot of nice stuff too, but I bet those options don't show up in Paris!

L'Abeille

Veteran

Fascinating topic.

Some random thoughts:

Re: light: many many years ago I spent 2 months doing a medical elective in Kathmandu Nepal. Where bright saturated colour was everywhere, was toned down by the brilliant sun and thin clear air and stood up to the omnipresent dust (only the very wealthy could wear white or pastels without getting dingy right away). So on my return to Toronto, it took a couple of months to stop dressing that way--couldn't understand why I got side-eye for wearing brilliant red tights with a grey dress in the bowels of the teaching hospitals...

Re: Halifax street style, my only comments are: when DS was at uni there, he spent all winter in a leather jacket (didn't need a puffer like at home in New Brunswick). And I recall a visit there (some years back now), hanging out in a bookstore, wearing a fedora and baggy tweed jacket (and midi skirt I think), and the store owner "could tell" I was from Sackville NB (crunchy university town) by my dress... At home, the Acadian women are more likely to be in makeup and heels (for Canadians, that is).

carter

Veteran

Very interesting post, Suz. I read it earlier but could not come up with an answer. I can't remember the last time I saw someone out and about with a style that appealed to me, not even in the slightest. Following Jen and Astrid, I googled "Atlanta street style", and this is what I got. Can I pick another city?

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Anonymous

The Guardian piece pleases me greatly - because there I am in my Jets jersey

Anyways, interesting topic Suz. I was particularly struck by skylarker's comment about the ostentation of luxe/loud and other clothing seen as such by the borgeousie. Paris is such an old, old city, and it makes sense that new and loud and different is considered distasteful to a certain group. That said, what the genteel class considers appropriate is not really of concern to me. Interesting though. How it relates to where I live? Well, there is a certain humility that Canadians are noted for - as we all know - and that is reflected in how we dress, to a large extent. We apologize for being over-the-top and standing out in any way - and I know a lot of people who absolutely subscribe to that in all parts of their life (dressing too).

LaPed

Veteran

Well, that's an interesting thought. For one thing, French culture is staunchly regionalist. Cosmopolitan, yes, but always decidedly French. In North America, identity is less unified/unifying -- so maybe it's not as easy to come up with a single unified definition of "chic" here. (French Canada is possibly an exception -- Montreal could be perhaps the New World counterpart to Paris. However, when I'm there visiting family, I never feel underdressed, and I'm extremely casual. I think Montreal is several notches less formal than Paris, and IME has a pretty wide variety of more "out-there" looks -- punk influenced, boho influenced, etc. -- worn even by those who don't identify strongly w/ a particular subculture.)

New England definitely has its own response to chic -- and it's known elsewhere as "prep" -- the breton tops, the Bean boots, the chinos. The archetypal look has both maritime and woodsy/mountain permutations, depending how far you are from the coast (i.e. don't take your Nantucket reds camping). It's definitely a climate-driven style -- New Englanders are pretty much slaves to the weather.

In the Southwest, I'd say boots (e.g. ropers, Frye Harness) are an integral and environmental element of local chic. They would look *so* out of place on a Parisian street, yet so normal with a pair of dusty jeans and a checked cotton shirt on the streets of, say, Austin or SLC. Hats too! That brutal sun...

I'd also be curious to know how immigrant cultures factor into and/or deal with this -- for example, do Moroccans and Sengalese in Paris have something distinctly Parisian in the way they dress that distinguishes them from Moroccans in Morocco, or in the US, or elsewhere? Or do those who identify as foreign or other within a community play by a different set of rules altogether when it comes to style?

Chris987

Veteran

this is a great topic, thanks for starting it Suz!

That posting from the Guardian is hysterical! Thanks UmmLila! Here is a similar one about "New England" although it's pretty heavily slanted toward Maine. You may have to click through a request to sign up for a magazine subscription to get to the funny stuff.

http://www.yankeemagazine.com/.....-fashion#_

I will have to give some more thought to what Parisian would translate to where I am...

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oooh, I'm loving these city street style collages -- thanks!

Jenn, you really do fit into your surroundings...and elevate them! But it does seem as if there's a particular look that works well...I can see you on these streets in your fedora, for sure.

I agree with you, Roxanna, about the murky greys of our winters. Astrid, you would feel right at home in Kingston. Most people seem to do what Berliners do and dress in casual denim, black or grey. I do it myself (with more navy than most) but I get awfully tired of it.

I think it does come (in part) from a desire to blend in, Astrid, but also some internal sense of what is "fitting," somehow...it is what L'Abeille says. The vivid brights that make so much sense in Nepal just feel "off" in a different quality of light.

Elizabeth, that's hilarious about the bikinis. I googled Kingston, Ontario streetstyle and from the evidence before me, I'd say Kingstonians take things literally!! (Images below from the first ones that pop up).

Marilyn, you are right -- Ottawa is super casual. It reminds me of Vancouver that way. A lot of people live for the outdoors there, and the weather is pretty brutal (killer hot in summers and seriously cold and snowy in winter). I understand how fashion can take a back seat. Yet they did open a Nordstrom's there. I wonder if it is doing well? SOMEbody must be wearing what they buy there?

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Astrid

Veteran

Yes you're probably right about that internal sense if what is "fitting". Remember when I bought my puffer coat? I tried it in bright pink and silver. The forum loved the bright pink and it looked good on me, but I would have stood out like a sore thumb. Even the silver one is attention grabbing compared to what most people around me are wearing.

Marilyn

Veteran

Suz.....I'd love to know how Nordstrom in Ottawa is performing. It's always busy and I see a lot of people carrying bags. The Rideau Centre, where it's located, is currently undergoing an expansion and has opened a whole slew of luxury stores.....Tiffany, Ted Baker, Kate Spade, etc. There are definitely people here with money to spend. I have seen a handful of very nicely dressed women browsing in Nordstrom.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I confess, I don't have such big aspirations to "Parisienne" style. I get the appeal, but it is not me. I don't live in Paris, and what may seem elegant and simple in one place and on certain women will feel inauthentic or boring in another place on another type of woman.

I googled Baltimore street style just to get an idea of what comes up in my area, and it's eclectic, but even then, the pictures I found only represent a small segment of my area's style. I don't care to blend in too much or stand out too much, but just to be physically and emotionally comfortable and true to myself while expressing some of my creativity through what I wear. It's that simple.

Jenn

(website)

Veteran

Carter, that woman in the second photo of your collage showed up in the Denver street style search, too. I investigated and she's actually in Indianapolis. Weird. I went searching for Atlanta style the other day in anticipation of a possible trip there (my husband travels there 6-8 times a year on business, and I might tag along one of these times). It's really pretty all-over, isn't it?

JAileen

Veteran

I live in the interior west. I googled street style and pictures of motorcycles came up. A friend and I used to joke about what a real housewives show in our area would look like - lots of fleece and Dansko clogs I think. Hey, I'm all set - I have lots of both! Since finding YLF I've added boots to my wardrobe, including several pairs of western boots. When I went to the rodeo a couple weeks ago, however, I didn't wear them. I saw one truly chic woman at the rodeo. I wish I had taken a picture. Her outfit hinted at the western tradition without being the least bit costumey, like most people's outfits.

carter

Veteran

Interesting, Jenn. That outfit is one of the few I like;-). Perhaps I need to move to Indianapolis? Let me know if you're coming to Atlanta. Would love to arrange a meet-up.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

Fascinating questions. I have to think some more on this. I live in the Front Range region, too. Tons of friends and neighbors and family members are military or former military, and now working as government contractors on the many bases here, and they wear very conservative business wear for work, and then gear or denim or Carharts the rest of the time. Women at my church, say, wear denim skirts or jersey maxi skirts and denim jackets in the summer. There's an emphasis on fitness here and people do wear fitness gear a lot.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

JAileen, that's the best of regional dress, isn't it. When it isn't a parody of itself but actually makes sense. I guess that's what Shevia is talking about, really.

Jenn...I sense a YLF meetup in the making! Weird that the Indianapolis woman shows up in Atlanta and Denver!

Janet, I think that's what Shevia was talking about. That Parisienne women seem to have a certain level of self-knowledge that allows them to do what you say. Though I am not sure how much "creativity" figures into it, in Paris. Perhaps that is the difference?

Marilyn, I hope Nordstrom's is doing well enough to keep going at least!

Astrid, I do remember your puffer coat, yes. The pink looked lovely on you, but I understand. Though I wear a red coat happily here, I tend to prefer my navy peacoat over it most days.

Chris, I'll bet Paris would translate as a bit preppy, as LaPed suggests. Those Mariner sweaters work on both sides of the Atlantic, it seems. And hey, isn't LaCoste made in France?

LaPedestrienne, those are excellent observations. I agree with what you say about New England and southwest style. But most interesting, to me, is your question about the effect/ role of immigration. On the evidence before me, I'd say it's mixed for sure. In one way, the immigrant populations blend in completely -- I sure see a lot of black puffers on people of all ethnicities, races, and country of origin!! But first generation immigrants often keep some elements of the style of their country of origin. Sometimes small and unobtrusive and sometimes more obvious. And some of those elements end up on the runway. It isn't always clear what is "filtering down" and what is "filtering up."

LisaP, did you wear that jersey over top of the beautiful outfit last night? I sure hope not! You make Winnipeg look darn good, Beautiful Lady. You're right too, I think, about this Canadian disdain of tall poppies.

Carter, you are single-handedly improving Atlanta street style every time you go forth!

Ginger

Veteran

I also had a lack of real results in my image searches. Most of the hits were associated with [Big City 50 miles East]. When I looked further, most of those were posted from style blogs with [Big City] in the name but weren't from that city at all! (The pictures that were from my city were more along the lines of the Kingston ones. )

That said, the Atlanta collage is a lot more like what I see around than Denver or the various Canadian ones. The weather swing is significant, so while jeans are very important, they're not the be-all end-all. And it's almost always sunny and bright. You really do avoid being outside. (Even street photographers!) Anecdote: Yesterday when the heat index was 105*F, I fast-walked to my car in about 5 minutes, drove 10 minutes with the A/C blasting, and sat in a very cool building for an hour. At the end of that time I still didn't consider my cardigan, whereas usually I want it within 5 minutes. Now I know that I'm smart to avoid walking and going places at that time of the day.

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