Parisian style?

For women I've seen quite a few mid-calf length split skirts (culottes) worn with sneakers. And have noticed a lot of other styles from the 70s in the shop window displays.

That said I also see a LOT of people just wearing clothes. Jeans, sneakers, ankle boots, sweaters, etc...

The Vivienne Files Blog just did a post on fashion in Paris this month
http://www.theviviennefiles.com/2016/04/what-women-were-wearing-in-paris-april.html

I haven't been to Paris in a few years, so I can't say for sure. But anything fashionable in NY or London won't be too out of place in Paris. Gray jeans. Pants rolled at the ankle a couple inches or ankle pants (NOT capris - just like two inches above the ankle). Not brights - some combination of black/neutral/or subdued colors.

Appreciate the question Lola. I was just looking at blog sites and websites to get an idea about summer fashion in Paris. I'm definitely not a fashion conscious person in Florida - it's all about keeping cool here. But wanted an idea of how and what to bring to Paris - especially because we are packing light. I've seen a few sites that said "No" to shorts in Paris unless tailored. Other than that it looks like skirts, pants, dresses, jeans, cropped/capris pants are all typical. Also NO to flipflops.

I'm definitely not anyone with fashion know-how and haven't done extensive reading - but these were some consistent basic themes

Thank you! Mira's link to the fashion blog is just the advice I am seeking. I will add my grey jeans and boyfriend jacket to the packing list.

Emma---we have spent enough time in London recently (a week in May 2014 and a week in September 2015) that I feel comfortable with my clothing choices there. But I have not been to Paris since 2004.

In addition to Mira's link to The Vivienne Files, another interesting blog is MaiTaisPictureBook. http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/ or her FB page. https://www.facebook.com/MaiTai-Collection-136982609660066/?fref=ts Her posts are centered around Hermes scarves/purses but what she puts together is beautiful.

I am in no way fashionable but I love to see what these 2 blogs are up to!

Hmm.. that Viviene blog showed me clothes that we are wearing here right now.. nothing exactly earth shattering.

That is true, Pat, which makes me happy. I already have the grey jeans and some of the other things suggested.

Now I just have to learn some new ways to tie a scarf. . . .

I grew up in Charleston, SC, one of the most toured cities in the U.S. The vast majority of the tourists there are other Americans. They speak the same language as me, most have the same accent as me, and wear the same clothes as me. And despite this, it's still easy to identify the tourists. How? They are the ones at the touristy places doing touristy things and taking pictures left and right.

The point is that if you go to Paris or any other European city the locals are going to know you're a tourist regardless of how you dress or how fluently you speak their language. Blending in is not possible if your purpose there is to do and see the touristy things.

Besides, why would you care if the locals know you're an American tourist? Neither American nor tourist are dirty words. A jerk tourist dressed just like the locals is still a jerk. A polite slovenly dressed tourist is still polite. Know and use the polite local words and observe the basic local customs and the locals will be glad to see you, even if you're wearing sweatpants and a baseball cap.

Eddie, thank you for your comments---but notice that in my original post I clearly stated that "blending in" is not the goal. I simply like to be nicely-dressed. Call it one of my hobbies, along with hiking, skiing, and cooking.

Yes, there really isn't a ton of difference between what we wear when trying to look decent and what the Parisians wear. You will, of course, see super-fashionable types in fancy designers or cutting edge outfits. But your normal Parisian woman going about her day will be in something like what the blog says. She won't be in workout leggings and running tops at the grocery store, like her American counterpart but when that American counterpart dresses to go to brunch or dinner...the fashion will be similar.

I just returned from Paris last week and the most popular outfit for early spring I saw on women consisted of jeans, a light jacket with a light-colored scarf, and ankle boots.

I understand what you mean about wanting to dress fashionable while in Paris.... if you can't do it there, then where?
Lots of parisian women have this sense of style that is so hard to copy.... but, there is nothing wrong with trying.
Who wants to look like a frump when you are surrounded by fashionable people? There are a few youtube videos on what to do with scarves, and that always helps add some style. Lots of neutrals always work well for me...

Hi Mira, great website, thanks so much. I can't wait to get to Paris!

I admit to being one of those fashion hobbyists, although by no means an expert. I always bring my A game to Paris! In the past decade one thing I've noticed is fashion anymore is ubiquitous. What isn't is how it's worn. Stuff that's popular in the Midwest US is going to be the same in Paris, what is different is how it's dressed up. For example, my black sheath dress I wear in Atlanta with tights and a sweater, I wore in Paris this fall with a tailored shirt underneath with cuff links, patterned tights, gold belt, chunky fat pearls(fake) and ankle boots. I would look so over done in Atlanta but in Paris I was quite comfortable in any crowd. Less on the hair and make-up and more on the accessories. Nude eyes and ruby lips but a long hair simple bun. Quite the opposite at home. You can actually just take your current wardrobe and a few accessories or buy some there. It's all about execution!

@ fasteddie....Going to South Carolina is one my top tourist sights for me in US traveling, ie, seeing Columbia and Charleston, esp when it comes to traveling in the South, having been to New Orleans, Austin, San Antonio, Montgomery...all worthy of repeat trips.

Ah, nice. April and May are the best times to go to Charleston. The weather is perfect, everything is in bloom (not so great if you have allergies), and the beaches are not too crowded. The Spoleto arts festival starts in late May. Early June can also be good. July and August are hot and humid and should be avoided, but the plus is that the shrimp harvests will have started so the quality restaurants will have lots of fresh stuff.

October and November is a another excellent time to visit. Tourist crowds are down, the weather becomes tolerable again, and college football roars to life in Columbia.

Charleston is a premium destination if you're a foodie. There are lots of restaurants which have adopted a European approach of menus limited to what is fresh and seasonal.

Lola, do you think this is a PNW thing? Because I wished I had asked this question-I think it all the time. And I don't even have the gray jeans. I remember one of those parents weekends out of state and wondering how I'd missed the line where they passed out the capris because every other mother had them. When I go to L.A. , everyone is wearing the exercise outfit and I only wear those clothes to the gym. For me, it's not about whether I look like a tourist (I know I will) I would just like to look like I have a fashion clue.

Hi Lola - my sister and I are in Paris right now and here's what we see on the street: skinny pants; black, white, gray, and navy colors of clothing; statement jackets; ankle boots. Basic cuts. We're seeing very few fashionable people in tennis shoes.

Patty ---I don't know that it is a PNW thing but you expressed it well. For me it is even a step beyond looking like I have a clue. I like the Italian concept of "la Bella Figura."

And Sarah, thanks for the confirmation. Skinny pants, grey jeans, ankle boots, linen jacket, and shirts in neutral colors all ready to go. I even found new ways to tie my scarf that don't make my 5'1" self look like I am drowning in fabric.

Lola, I'm glad to be of help. Actually, I can't take credit for my above post. My sister is the fashion maven in the family. I read your question to her and she dictated while I typed. Have a great trip!