Just returned from a fun trip to two great and very different cities. I know Paris well, but had never been to Barcelona. In addition to seeing the sites, we spent time (but never enough), shopping. As someone who likes to shop local small stores and appreciates regional artisanship at moderate (by European major design house standards) rather than stratospheric prices, Barcelona was my dream city. I found beautifully designed and crafted handbags (Beatriz Furest) at prices far less than "comparable" shops in Paris. She has a real eye for quality details and though I left room in my budget for bags in Paris, I now wish I had simply purchased all my bags in her shop. She has an online shop at prices about 10% higher than her stores. I did not find what I was seeking in my favorite Parisian haunts this trip. The fashion scene is Barcelona is diverse: slouchy pants were in the windows of several stores, and those seeking a youthful, urban or vintage vibe at affordable prices are really in luck. I found great prices at Massimo Dutti (an Italian based, somewhat classic low-moderate priced retailer that opened in NYC for the first time last year). The city as a whole has a casual vibe, but a bit of refinement in how many chose to dress. I wish I had more time to explore the numerous small, carefully curated shops.
In Paris, the contrast between the stores' merchandise and what people were wearing was striking. It may have been partly because it was chilly outside and the spring/summer inventory was in the stores. The spring bags were often brightly colored, with a hint of play and casual edge added by nylon straps. Other stores carried the darker colors, featuring a fair amount of dark brown, olive and some cognac. The women on the street were largely in black and grey, with a bit of navy.
I had a cream colored bag on my Paris wish list and "no one" carried them. My conversations with shopkeepers revealed that white, apart from the occasional small evening clutch, did not sell in Paris and after several days, it became clear that there was indeed very little ivory or cream to be had in my stores of choice. I had a great time shopping for jewelry in the Marais, where it is possible to find fun pieces in silver plate or costume jewelry designs for reasonable prices. Time constraints prevented me from looking in many clothing stores.
My travel capsule worked out well, though the temperatures were lower than predicted and I wore the heck out of my layering pieces that added warmth. I tried out a great, hooded packable raincoat for the first time and it was a real work horse, as it was roomy enough to layer over a blazer or light-weight jacket, as well as reversible from a plain side, to a textured design side that was fun with dinner outfits. Reading how all recent traveling YLFers packed helped a lot. I took the usual approach: select a color palette, add enough tops including some that would dry quickly if sink washed, included 2 comfortable walking shoes and a pair for evenings without the same walkability. I took a chance and brought a great fitting cream colored blazer for dinners (was worried about staining). I liked the look with some dressy silk tops and my EF silk track pants, but wouldn't do it again as I was hesitant to use the blazer when out and about all day. I brought more jackets of varying weights and purposes than usual due to the combo of different climates and spring variability. I wore them all (taupe leather jacket, super light weight black cropped jacket, turquoise short swing jacket-lined and warmer, good for light rain, and the packable black raincoat), though probably it was overkill.
Everything went better thanks to YLF.
In Paris, the contrast between the stores' merchandise and what people were wearing was striking. It may have been partly because it was chilly outside and the spring/summer inventory was in the stores. The spring bags were often brightly colored, with a hint of play and casual edge added by nylon straps. Other stores carried the darker colors, featuring a fair amount of dark brown, olive and some cognac. The women on the street were largely in black and grey, with a bit of navy.
I had a cream colored bag on my Paris wish list and "no one" carried them. My conversations with shopkeepers revealed that white, apart from the occasional small evening clutch, did not sell in Paris and after several days, it became clear that there was indeed very little ivory or cream to be had in my stores of choice. I had a great time shopping for jewelry in the Marais, where it is possible to find fun pieces in silver plate or costume jewelry designs for reasonable prices. Time constraints prevented me from looking in many clothing stores.
My travel capsule worked out well, though the temperatures were lower than predicted and I wore the heck out of my layering pieces that added warmth. I tried out a great, hooded packable raincoat for the first time and it was a real work horse, as it was roomy enough to layer over a blazer or light-weight jacket, as well as reversible from a plain side, to a textured design side that was fun with dinner outfits. Reading how all recent traveling YLFers packed helped a lot. I took the usual approach: select a color palette, add enough tops including some that would dry quickly if sink washed, included 2 comfortable walking shoes and a pair for evenings without the same walkability. I took a chance and brought a great fitting cream colored blazer for dinners (was worried about staining). I liked the look with some dressy silk tops and my EF silk track pants, but wouldn't do it again as I was hesitant to use the blazer when out and about all day. I brought more jackets of varying weights and purposes than usual due to the combo of different climates and spring variability. I wore them all (taupe leather jacket, super light weight black cropped jacket, turquoise short swing jacket-lined and warmer, good for light rain, and the packable black raincoat), though probably it was overkill.
Everything went better thanks to YLF.
