Yes, Paris is the capital of fashion: the birthplace of Dior, Chanel and Saint Laurent, but it's also a cosmopolitan city where people have to rush to work, take the subway and go back home. Which means that real Parisians do prefer wearing practical garments after all.
For instance, extreme high heels are not bestsellers in Paris, as they are not easy to walk in, and may seem "vulgar." That being said, Parisian ladies do like to wear a small heel with tights, paired with a dress or skirt. And even on a freezing winter day!
Bright colors are also not that favorable and neither are huge brand logos. Neutral colors like black, grey, dark blue and beige are part of their daily wardrobes, specifically for staple items like a coat or jacket. Popping colors are kept for accessories be it a: scarf, hat, gloves or bag.
Over the years Parisians have adopted a more comfortable look, and on weekends, men and women opt for a fitted denim, a quality jumper and a pair of trendy sneakers (Stan Smiths are uber famous over here). Generally speaking, Parisians like to keep it subtle in terms of designs and colors. You can never go wrong with wearing head-to-toe black.
In some arrondissements, walking in a relaxed outfit is totally appropriate, like in the BoBo areas of Montmartre, Bastille, Canal Saint Martin and the Marais. In other ones like the poshy 7th, 8th and 16th districts, you will feel less comfortable as everyone is always so chic à la française. However, walking around in your jogging suit is an enormous error, a fashion suicide, in whichever corner you go to in Paris.
So remember, thinking that everybody dresses in Haute Couture in Paris, is like saying that all residents of Hollywood are A-list celebrities. Spare yourself the extra baggage and don't pack all your closet when you visit the city of lights.
P.S. Visit Paris with me on Instagram here.
For instance, extreme high heels are not bestsellers in Paris, as they are not easy to walk in, and may seem "vulgar." That being said, Parisian ladies do like to wear a small heel with tights, paired with a dress or skirt. And even on a freezing winter day!
Bright colors are also not that favorable and neither are huge brand logos. Neutral colors like black, grey, dark blue and beige are part of their daily wardrobes, specifically for staple items like a coat or jacket. Popping colors are kept for accessories be it a: scarf, hat, gloves or bag.
Over the years Parisians have adopted a more comfortable look, and on weekends, men and women opt for a fitted denim, a quality jumper and a pair of trendy sneakers (Stan Smiths are uber famous over here). Generally speaking, Parisians like to keep it subtle in terms of designs and colors. You can never go wrong with wearing head-to-toe black.
In some arrondissements, walking in a relaxed outfit is totally appropriate, like in the BoBo areas of Montmartre, Bastille, Canal Saint Martin and the Marais. In other ones like the poshy 7th, 8th and 16th districts, you will feel less comfortable as everyone is always so chic à la française. However, walking around in your jogging suit is an enormous error, a fashion suicide, in whichever corner you go to in Paris.
So remember, thinking that everybody dresses in Haute Couture in Paris, is like saying that all residents of Hollywood are A-list celebrities. Spare yourself the extra baggage and don't pack all your closet when you visit the city of lights.
P.S. Visit Paris with me on Instagram here.