I just came back from a vacation in Europe that included two days in Paris and several in Luxembourg. I loved it and want to go back! (Last time I was in Paris was almost 20 years ago, and I'd never been to Luxembourg.) Of course I thought of you all while I was there. I always take too few pictures when I travel, and I came back wishing I had taken at least one or two of street style or shop windows!

Absent the photos, though, I'll share my style observations. First, Paris:
1) Stylish sneakers or trainers were extremely popular! I was taken aback by just how ubiquitous they were. I saw them in all the stores, and lots of women were wearing them--yes, French-speaking women, not just us foreigners!
Full disclosure: Maybe I noticed these in particular because one of the three pairs of shoes I brought and wore more than any others were my Josef Seibel leather sneakers. And I was keeping an eye out for a second pair of street sneakers, because the Seibels are a little flat for me; I wear a heel support in them to make them more comfortable. With that addition, they do certainly go the distance, though, as I covered miles of cobblestone quite handily.

2) The number of Levis I saw also surprised me. I saw them on many hip-looking young men and women, and they were prominent in a lot of shop windows.

3) In Galleries Lafayette, the huge department store-cum-tourist attraction, every department or designer (the store is essentially a collection of designer and brand boutiques) featured a black leather moto jacket front and center among their offerings. They really don't go out of style, do they?

And in Luxembourg:
1) Women were wearing nude stockings or tights with their low-vamped shoes (lots of ballet flats) and skinny or narrow pants. I didn't see bare feet or ankles with shoes.
2) I noticed more conservative dress in Luxembourg than in Paris. Like maybe everyone works in finance or government (or is married to someone who does), which may in fact be pretty close to the truth. Lots of classic styles--current yet timeless, expensive looking coats and blazers, trousers, tweed skirts, designer bags and shoes.
3) Longchamp Le Pilage bags everywhere.

Some photos:
1) I'm next to the Art Nouveau metro sign, in black coat, black skinnies, black bag, and the Josef Seibel sneakers mentioned above.
2) me again, in front of Notre Dame. Notice anything missing? Yes, the crowds! It's quiet there in the morning.
3) New shoes, both Paul Green. The sandal-booties are some I got before I left (see finds below); they did not accompany me to Europe. The high-top sneakers are the second pair of street sneakers I had been on the lookout for--I found them in Luxembourg! I love having a wearable souvenir. (I couldn't attach a "find," but they are Paul Green Palma; here's a link to one remaining size at Lord & Taylor, in a different color than mine.)

Thanks for reading! If you've made it this far, I'd love to hear any thoughts you have on my Europe style ruminations!

ETA: photos 4 & 5: the new shoes, shown with what I'm wearing today--skinnies (Lucky), a sort of tie-dye t-shirt in greens and pinks (made by me), olive quilted jacket (souvenir of last September's trip to Ireland), and metallic-floral belt (Fossil).