Here I am trying to get caught up, but I'd rather put together my Paris fashion report. I'll post some photos later.

The first few days we were there the weather turned somewhat
cool, and one day it rained, then cleared up and was quite warm. Although I did as much people watching as I could, unfortunately I didn’t think of taking fashion photos.

I follow Susan at une femme d’un certain age, who just
recently returned from Paris and has her own observations posted, http://unefemme.net/2015/06/pa.....-2015.html

She met with another poster I read: A femme d’un Certain Age
http://tishjett.com

I also follow Duchesse at Passage des Perles, who went to
Paris last month. http://passagedesperles.blogsp.....abel/Paris

Here are some observations and a few photos:

Scarves: Even though it was late June, most people wore scarves. By this time of year I don’t often see them here in Silicon suburbia.

What I found surprising was that most men wore scarves, often twisted and tied very neatly around the neck a couple of times. They wore them with suits or blazers and even when it warmed up, they wore them with shirtsleeves. This is not a look I expect to see here in California.

I don’t remember seeing a sloppily tied scarf on anyone I took to be Parisians. Even if just tossed loosely around the neck or over one shoulder, the scarves draped beautifully. I do have scarf envy. I watch the videos and collect web pages on how to tie a scarf and many times I just have the limp bandage effect. Maybe it is the fabric.

Dresses: As soon as it warmed up, dresses blossomed in the streets. Most were simple, rather easy, but again, fitted and draped just right. Many patterns, but few large or bright patterns, mostly floral or stylized. The younger women (under what, 45?) wore them rather short—inches above the knees. And they have great legs.

The thing is, these dresses are just right. They fit perfectly, but not tight. Good fabrics so they have ease and flow. I love that French ease. The dresses don’t cling either.

Pants: I saw few flares, or bells. I don’t remember seeing any culottes. Most pants were skinny and fit really well. I did see some patterned pants, and some looser, flowing pants on the warmer days. Most were to the ankle and not many were rolled. I decided most of the women must be hourglass or pear shaped, because unlike skinnies on me, they fit through thigh, knees, and calves.

Yikes, we kept seeing men wearing orange or red pants. I can’t remember seeing a guy here in something similar since the 1970s.

Leather jackets: I thought about taking a lightweight leather jacket, but decided it was too late in the year, although I wouldn’t hesitate to wear in SF any time of year. I did see quite a few lightweight leather jackets in pretty colors on the first cooler days. Even on the day it rained I saw few trench coats.

Shoes: Mostly flat shoes on the streets. I saw a few more heels the day we had lunch at Les Deux Magots on St. Germain. I saw many colorful sneakers, and found some with great colored patterns in one of the stores, but alas, they apparently don’t think anyone over a size 40 foot should wear them. Again to my surprise, I saw women wearing pristine white tennies. They were mostly younger women. Sneakers were in the minority though.

Hair, makeup: I love the way the women just catch their gorgeous hair into a ponytail or a top knot. Unfortunately, I can’t stand the way I look in this style. As I’ve read elsewhere, the women don’t seem to wear a lot of makeup.Hooray—I’d like to cut back myself. When I did see a woman with a lot of makeup, it was jarring. I’ve had a similar experience in Italy as well. I don’t know how they deal with the big cosmetic companies there, but I understand the French spend their money on beauty and care products rather than colored mascara and blusher.

Jewelry and accessories: Small pendants were popular, but each person seemed to have something different--individual. Most jewelry classy and understated. Loved seeing the Chanel bags used so casually. I keep “saving” mine for best. I’m not a bag aficionado, so I can’t comment on other designers, but I liked what I noticed.

#1: The reason we were in Paris. I wish I could have gone to London this one day, but it coincided with a more important event on June 23.

#2 Lunching and people watching at Les Deux Magots on Saint-Germain. DH and I took a class in Existentialism a couple of years ago, and before that we took a class taught by a cute French Woman on Early 20th Century American writers in Paris. So we were interested in checking in on some of the places that were important to both groups.

#3 White sneakers

#4 The Ponytail.

I will post more photos of us later, and also photos of what I bought. I should add that we stayed at the Hotel Scribe near the Opera.