When I was in Paris this past spring break, there were a ton of things I learned about fashion. I also furthered my personal style by taking tips from chic people all around the city, and from Clare Morrell, one of my closest friends, who I went with. I’ve never planned so much for one trip before, but this time I found myself struggling with my outfits the entire time I was there; not only because the weather was weird, where I couldn’t walk outside without a jacket (I didn’t pack many either), but also because I wanted to get amazing photos and look chic and cool with my best friend in Paris and I didn’t know how to do that.
Why do we think of Paris as this high-fashion capital of the world?
- When I think of fashion, my immediate thoughts go to Paris as the high-fashion capital of the world. And it’s no surprise that I feel that way as I, and many others, think of Paris as the best city for fashion. Not only do the words “Haute Couture” literally mean “high sewing” (high fashion) in French, but also many of the most recognizable high fashion designers are French. From Chanel, Dior, and Goyard as mainstream designer brands, to smaller brands like Sessun, Sezane, and Rouje that are quiet luxury, yet still beautifully crafted and elevated, Paris has so much to offer with local brands that offer unique pieces. But why Paris? Why not another part of France like Nice, St. Tropez, or even Strasbourg? Well, Paris houses the most famous brands and it’s where LVMH (the company that owns many designer brands) is headquartered. The city has also served as the hub for the global exchange of Fashion and ideas and it’s where two of many fashion weeks are held every year.
What are some of the French designers I should know?
- If you’re ever curious about learning more about the fashion industry or even considering working in fashion, these are the top French designers you should know. Not only will they boost your knowledge of the fashion industry as a whole, but it will also give you a chance to learn about the niche underrated designers that should get more recognition.
- Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Coco Chanel, Goyard, Celine, and Hermes: I must state these brands not only because they are French powerhouses, but because they are also consistent and share beautiful pieces every single season. Right now, Matthieu Blazy (the new brand artistic director at Chanel) has created a few pieces that are all the rage and are impossible to get your hands on.
- Smaller Yet Known Brands: Maje (whose bags are extremely popular among French teen girls for school as some of the most stylish, yet beautiful bags), Sezane (most famous for their cashmere sweaters and delicate white linen lace tops that I finally got my hands on!), and Zadig and Voltaire (known for their effortless messy rock-n-roll pieces that never cease to amaze).
- Quiet Luxury You Might Not Know: Lemaire (known for their well-made, functional, and minimalist pieces), A.P.C (known for their simple yet classic designs), and Gerard Darel (the best choice for quality cost and bags).
Here’s What I Saw and How I Replicated It:
- Layering: I tried experimenting with layering more on this trip than any other. While I was walking around, I saw this beautiful woman wearing the most chic outfit I’ve ever seen and, even though it was so basic, the thing that struck me was how she layered. The bottom layer was a lace cami that stuck out a little onto the jeans (in a good way that was intentional, yet classy) and then she layered a cardigan on top, letting the lace from the top of the cami peak out a bit. I replicated it by changing the black work trousers she was wearing to white jeans, and created a monochromatic outfit with the color cardigan and lace cami that I owned.
- Scarves: There’s no doubt that scarves are the most chic thing to add onto an outfit. Every single person in Paris (regardless of their gender) wears them, whether it’s as a belt, around their waist, in their hair, as an add on to make their bags more interesting, and even the natural way: around their necks. I replicated this with the many scarves my exchange student has gotten for me, and a beautiful yellow silk scarf I bought from Galleries Lafayette while I was there.
- Minimal Makeup: is always better than a full face. While it’s technically not a fashion trend, makeup makes or breaks an outfit just as hairstyles can. In Paris, aside from a lot of the tourists, I noticed that wearing light makeup (a little bit of concealer, light mascara, a little bit of blush, and a light lip gloss) was always more chic than a full face. I saw that locals were more kind to those who wore less makeup because they seemed more natural and comfortable around them and they looked more local and less touristy. Obviously do what you like and you will look beautiful regardless, but I have to admit that it was nice to wear little to no makeup and embrace the way I look naturally.
- Red is a Neutral: it doesn’t matter what you wear, red will always be considered a neutral color. It’s a go-to and a classic for a reason: because it pairs well with everything and acts as a natural way to elevate the basic, minimalist color pallet.
- Footwear: If you choose to wear heels, pick a smaller heel, otherwise stick to flats, boots, loafers and sleek (not chunky) sneakers. NEVER WEAR TALL HIGH HEELS! I promise you will regret it. Paris is not a city for heels with the hard cobblestone streets and the 20k-30k steps you will walk every single day. Your feet will be in so much pain and that’s why it’s important to pick a beautiful, yet practical, and comfortable pair of shoes that will go with many of your outfits. DO NOT WEAR CHUNKY SNEAKERS! They look messy and French people hate them. Again, do as you like, but these are my top tips based on what I noticed while I was there. My top shoes were a short boot for under jeans and pants, and white sneakers.
Remember that these are just my observations and how I replicated Parisian style while I was there, and you will look gorgeous in whatever you decide to style. Let me know if you liked any of these, or if you have tried any of these trends, and what your thoughts were!
Lots of love & Signing off (for good)
-Maddie xxxx
