https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 10 May 2026 14:01:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62632 Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:07:28 +0000 Angie 62632@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back Patience and I’m glad you had a fabulous time! It sounds like you and hubby celebrated your 10 years to perfection. Brilliant. </p> <p>I love your report. Your insights are similar to mine (I was there a year ago, have visited multiple times prior to that, and lived in Paris before coming to America). It’s for the reasons that are mentioned that Paris makes my 5th stylish city in the world. Remember this: </p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2008/06/06/paris-and-my-top-5-stylish-cities/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2008/06/.....sh-cities/</a></p> <p>The Sartorialist captures Parisian fashion at its most OTT and dramatic – right outside the greatest fashion head offices in the world (Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior and Gucci). The boulevards surrounding his pictures are instantly recognizable. These women DO look like they just stepped out of a Vogue fashion shoot, but most of the women don’t. The perception of Parisian street fashion is very warped. But I still take my hat off to the older Parisian woman. They have it going on. Stylish deluxe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62124 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:20:11 +0000 Inge 62124@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Grinning about the lemon juice Patience, quite refreshing isn't it;-)</p> <p>It sounds like you managed to see all the sights and were able to just wander about too (I love that part of a city trip).</p> <p>Mmm, now I want crepes with fresh hot chocolate sauce... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62067 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:41:41 +0000 shana 62067@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Mmmm, my mouth is watering just thinking about the crepes, desserts and breads. O.K. this is the carb addict talking but freshly baked bread is definitely my favorite part of Europe. When we are in Germany, my father-in-law rides his bicycle to the bakery every single morning (except Sundays) for our breakfast brotchen.</p> <p>It sounds like you hit all the important sites, Patience. Did you have good weather? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62064 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:29:33 +0000 shiny 62064@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds wonderful, Patience! </p> <p>As for disappointing fashion, based on your list, it may have been that you were in more touristy areas. Otherwise, my impression is that europeans in general have more of an understated vibe - not necessarily trendy. Does that make sense? </p> <p>I think what drove it home for me, when we were in Paris - living in an exchanged home - is the size of our hosts' wardrobes. Their flat was comparable size to our own home, and yet they had NO closets. Not a single one, in a family of 7. </p> <p>Instead, clothing was kept in armoires and dressers. All the clothing for the two adults, was in a single armoire. A large one, but still..... Just imagine that!!! (And here I complain about my small closet... at least I have one). Scarfs and jewelry don't take up much room and can take a basic classic piece you've owned for years and years and make it look different. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62061 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:00:02 +0000 Sarah 62061@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like a great time, Patience!<br /> I'm curious to see your scarves looks, too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62060 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:54:33 +0000 Patience 62060@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, everyone. Here's the laundry list of what we did-- boat ride on the Seine, Eiffel Tower, Arc d' Triomphe, Notre Dame, Louvre, Sacre Coeur and Montmartre, Versailles, catacombs and lots of walking around. We even went to a club. We ate crepes, pain de chocolat, croque monsieur, all sorts of desserts and drank just about everything offered. Actually, one evening we were at a brasserie and I ordered a fruit presses citron. I was shocked (in a delighted kind of way) to receive a glass full of pure fresh squeezed lemon juice, a sugar shaker and a pitcher of water. Mostly, we ate dinner at restaurants near our hotel in the Latin Quarter.</p> <p>Whew! I hope I spelled everything correctly.</p> <p>Blonde Ambition, I know what you mean-- it's just further validation of the great job that Angie does. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62002 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:53:51 +0000 BlondeAmbition 62002@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back! I think it's great that you were a little disappointed by Parisian fashion, it's good to know that French women don't have too much over us in that department don't you think? I think sometimes we believe that European women walk around looking like they belong in Vogue and that's just not true. </p> <p>Am I missing something with the ballet flats and hose? Isn't it ok to do so if it's cold outside? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-62000 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:00:49 +0000 Laura 62000@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the report and welcome back. I am so glad you had a wonderful time. Paris street fashion sounds a lot like NY street fashion. But the part about nude hose with ballet flats is a little shocking!! Wow. I am still absorbing that little tidbit of info. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61980 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:57:08 +0000 bella 61980@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back! Thanks for relating your impressions and I can't wait to hear more! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61961 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 13:32:53 +0000 shana 61961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It sounds like a wonderful trip! I am also eager to hear about the food and your sightseeing adventures. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61939 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:05:17 +0000 Inge 61939@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back Patience! And thank you for the fashion report! It's funny to see how some things are the same and others very different in a country so close by (e.g. I don't think I've seen a single pair of white Converse here;-)</p> <p>It sounds like you looked very stylish during your trip and I'm so glad you guys had a marvellous time.</p> <p>Can't wait to read your answers to Marianna's, lwc's and San's questions. I'm curious about that too. (the first thing I wanted to ask - of course - is 'how was the food'?-) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61898 Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:15:08 +0000 Kathleen 61898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am so jealous of your trip to Paris! Don't worry about not buying anything at least you were in Paris. </p> <p>Glad you had a great time! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61877 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:07:40 +0000 lwc 61877@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Welcome back, Patience! Glad to hear that you had a safe trip.</p> <p>I luuurve Paris, and I hope that you and your husband had a great time.</p> <p>Were you able to go to any museums or engage in other activities: D'orsay? Louvre? Eiffel Tower? Seine River cruise at night? Day trip to Versailles?</p> <p>Where did you eat? Did you enjoy the food? What was your favorite thing?</p> <p>Would you return? My secret fantasy is to go on a girly trip to Paris with my cousin, when I'm done nursing. We'll see..."Boo-Boo" is still going strong at 11 months...</p> <p>I found that the first time I went to Paris, I didn't have time to research in advance. As a result, we were disoriented and got off to a rough start. And we were staying in Le Marais!!! Our French friend took us on a metro/walking tour of the city, which allowed us to see and experience so much more with someone who knew where they were going...much better! So, the second time I went to Paris (with my mom), I had a punch list of activities, restaurants, etc., and it was FABULOUS! And I saw plenty of stylish Parisiennes to boot!</p> <p>Can't wait to hear more about your experience... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61871 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:52:40 +0000 Anonymous 61871@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating, thankyou for the notes. People watching in Paris, how fun.<br /> How was the food? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61868 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:42:33 +0000 marianne 61868@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the report, Patience! I do very, very little shopping when I travel - I don't travel very frequently, and there are always more exciting things to do. I don't think I ever went inside a clothing store in Paris! I hope that doesn't disqualify me from YLF membership. I do enjoy watching people on the street, though. I think you may be right about bootcut length. I also think public transportation in a big city demands more practical way of dressing, if not necessarily more casual.<br /> Fashion aside, what are other things you did and enjoyed? I'd love to hear about it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61863 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:28:41 +0000 LoP 61863@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the great update. It is somewhat similar to the style here in the Netherlands. I'll be in Paris in two months for 10 days. Looking forward to it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61859 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:01:26 +0000 Patience 61859@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh I forgot to mention the sneakers. Puma style and converse chucks were the most popular. While I saw several pairs of charcoal chucks, the most popular color was white-- and they were clean. One color I kind of liked was a light grey. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/paris-notes#post-61858 Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:59:41 +0000 Patience 61858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm back from Paris now and my husband and I had a wonderful time. I'm afraid to say we did very little shopping and I did not buy a single thing. (Can you believe it?) But I soaked up the street wear like you wouldn't believe and I wanted to share my notes. Hands down the things that stood out to me the most were </p> <p>o The scarves-- everyone wore them and everyone seemed able to tie them with such skill. As someone still playing around with this, I was impressed. I did bring a few of my own and used the Angie knot. ;)<br /> o Boots with skinnies tucked in. Both tall and short. I don't think I saw a boot I didn't like. Most of the boots were black or chestnut<br /> o Messenger/sling bags seemed to be the order of the day.</p> <p>Overall, I was a bit disappointed with street fashion in Paris. I think I had really high expectations though. Everyone was much more casual than I would have expected, more casual than smart casual. This could be related to the fact that I was in touristy areas mostly. People were smarter at night but not excessively so.</p> <p>Other random notes:<br /> o Apparently the solution in Europe to flats in mid-60 degree weather is to wear your ballet flats or pumps with hose. I'm talking with pants too. Usually the hose was nude.<br /> o I saw a handful of people wearing harem pants. A couple of them pulled it off I think. It was interesting for me to see because I doubt I will ever see them here.<br /> o Black and dark neutrals were not quite as dominant as I expected. In fact red trenches and white pants (although not together) were fairly popular.<br /> o Pretty much everyone wore flats. I think the majority of women I saw wearing heels were riding scooters.<br /> o There was quite a surprising lack of PPL. In fact, a lot of people wearing bootcuts had them cuffed up shorter than PPL. Perhaps to keep the pants from getting dirty? I would say denim was 50/50 bootcut and straight leg/skinny.<br /> o Galleries Lafayettes is insane. I was in there for 45 minutes and made it to the 3rd floor out of about 7 or 8 and I was just browsing.<br /> o My husband astutely noticed that all of the men were always wearing some kind of layer. That is, they never wore just a shirt. Of course, we were outside most of the time.</p> <p>We did not make it to Le Marais where there might have been more stylish Parisiens? I mostly wore my knee high riding boots as they were comfortable, warm and dry. I guess that completes my random notes. If I remember anything else I'll add them later. </p>