To Market, To Market

For me, a highlight of any trip is going to the open markets. Sure, I scored a cute white dress at a random stall in Anglouleme, France, but what I really loved to see was the food. My cousin, Annie, has a market steps from her house, open 6 days a week! I am so envious. Besides the awe-inspiring array of fruits and vegetables, there are baked goods, sausages, meats, cheeses, flowers, and fish.

Of course I spotted a number of well-dressed women and men at the market. Why not look great as you are picking up your lettuce for that evening's dinner? I also saw what I consider the quintessential outfit worn by more mature Frenchwoman: a skirt, matching jacket, and loafers. The best people-watching ever can be had at open markets.

French Man

During a lovely afternoon spent in the Champagne region, we chatted with Laurence's mom's friend, Edith, and her dashing son, Renaud. Once he heard about Wardrobe Wisdom, he rushed to tell me all about the bespoke shirts he loves from Alsace. My cousin, Gina, had remarked on the interesting double collared shirt he wore, which led him to show me a number of other shirts by the same maker. Ooh la la--what I do in the name of research.

By the way, it is always challenging to try and explain my work to Europeans. They cannot imagine paying someone to do something they do naturally--dress and shop--with panache. Once I tell them about the struggles women and men face when trying to navigate stores and trends in the U.S., they seem to understand, sort of.

Chic Mom

Check out this mom I spotted near Montmartre in Paris. Man, did I look frumpy when I was carrying around my babies. She is wearing pumps!

Paris: Shoes

I love France in large part because of the country's obsession with food and fashion. During the two weeks I recently spent there, my senses were heightened, taking in both delicious food and exquisite clothing.

One of the first things I noticed, in my wanderings around my apartment in the Fourth Arrondissement, was the shoe displays in store windows. I like how European retailers list the prices of their featured items right in the window. This kept me out of some stores, knowing their wares were way out of my budget, and lured me into others, once I saw that I could afford their shoes and clothing.

After trying on several shoes in Santa Barbara stores before my trip, I failed to find an attractive yet comfortable summer sandal with a reasonable heel (under 2"). What I found were either flats or wedges and platform soles which started with 3" heels! Knowing I would be walking for hours each day, I could not imagine wearing such high heels on my trip.

Imagine my delight, then, to find so many mid-height heels in Paris. Pictured here are just a few of the beauties I saw. Ultimately, I purchased a pair of darling blue flat sandals (below) at Galeries Lafayette. My cousin, Gina, exhibited a tremendous amount of patience while I and her friend, Laurence, tried on shoes (apparently for a very long time). But look how happy we are in the end!

Always the Scarf

What sets a ho-hum apart from a standout ensemble is accessorizing. For most French women, this means a scarf.  I was nearly speechless when my new friend, Laurence, asked me to show her, a real Parisian, how to tie her scarf in a way she had seen mine tied. Laurence and Gina, my cousin, are in the photo above. At top is a photo of a little girl I spotted at the Orangerie Museum, holding her grandmother's hand. You are never too young in France to wear a scarf!

Thanks, Kate

Darn it! If Paris is 6 months ahead of the US in terms of fashion trends, then we have half a year to see moret of what I saw in France this summer: nylons. No, they were not merely worn by businesswomen. On the contrary, it was on young women and teenage girls that I saw sheer nylons being most commonly worn. Ugh. To me, nylons represent uncomfortable sweating, another clothing expense, and a series of irritating runs within moments of putting them on. Thanks, Kate Middleton, for this trend.

At the same time, I acknowledge that I prefer seeing women wearing nylons if they must wear micro miniskirts, like the one worn in this photo, taken in front of the Musee d'Orsay. I appreciate that this young woman dressed up to go to the museum!

Paris!

Yes, it has taken me a few days to start my blot from Paris. Please excuse any typos as I am writing on a strange de device. My friend was unable to meet me so I am on my own. I know there are worse things in life!

So far I have been exploring my charming Place de Vosges neighborhood, remembering my French, and sightseeing. HEAVEN.

The color trends are the same here: lots of Tangerine Tango, bright blue, and a lot of greens and white. I am loving all of the shoes in great colors and strappy styles. Rain is forecast for the next few days so I will hit some museums and big department stores.

More later!