What to wear in Paris / Europe..

[Anonymous]

Assless chaps
IYKYK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This was my fave

". White Button Down
A white button-down is versatile and easy to style. If you’re on vacation, a button-down is a must-have. You can wear them on formal day-outs, at the beach, or even at night! It’s the way you tuck, knot, or wear them that makes them a flexible shirt. Most outfits for Paris incorporate a white button-down. When you’re figuring out what to wear in Paris, start here!"

I liked that one too. Can't recall the last time I saw a button down shirt in Paris. Or perhaps I'm taking it too literally, I see a lot sans actually buttoning on the collar.

[Anonymous]

This article has to have been written by a bot!

"Self-expression is one of the matters in Paris fashion that have been given so much thought. The art of incorporating your creativity should only be subtle but memorable. Of all concepts, a Parisian woman prioritizes elegance and timelessness. "

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vans shoes and Eastpak backpacks.

I'm not kidding.

Yep. Agree. Just got back and the French of all ages were wearing very casual and comfortable clothing including white sneakers, Vans, backpacks (Eastpack and Fjallraven most common) and simple t-shirts. It is not unusual to see French men now wearing the uber-typical American ball caps.

We were not in Paris but in several other cities in the south of France and that's what we saw. When I went clothes shopping locally the popular item for women seemed to be solid color t-shirts made of linen. They were flying off the shelves. There were a few bold prints mixed in there and there, kind of 60s style. Eyelet cotton and crocheted/lacy tops were also big. Small cross-body bags or fanny-packs worn cross body were common - no real discernable name brands. Another popular trend seemed to be metallic leather in various colors.

TBH, the American women I saw were obvious for being well, obvious. They looked like they were trying too hard trying to fit some kind of Instagram image. Flowery dresses with hats and wedge or strappy sandals. Overdone hair and makeup.

I do a bold lip when traveling because I look really washed out in photos otherwise. I have dark hair and olive skin. All the Europeans (multiple countries) assume I am from Spain, not the US. Haha!

[Anonymous]

I've been thinking about what makes even well-dressed Americans obvious. It's fun to try to figure it out.

Here are a few common giveaways:
Smiling, yes agree
Rothy's flats
Blonde hair
Heavier makeup or any hint of botox or filler (some women do it here, but very, very discreetly)
Very styled/blown out hair, a lot of bounce (like with the Dyson Air Wrap)
Curvier
Anyone wearing shorts - male or female
And in the rare case of a woman wearing stylish enough shorts to pass, wearing them with athletic shoes (shorts go with sandals here)
But also just a general "exuberance" or enthusiasm that is very American - that's the big one, everything is very exciting and "great!"

But there are exceptions to every rule. I have a French friend who is blonde and exuberant and I was quite sure she was American the first time I saw her. And two perfectly-dressed older women I saw in Provence had me totally fooled. They had nailed the clothing look, were aging quite naturally, had all of the right accessories - and were Americans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others."

Don't agree. And it's certainly not the same in the rest of Europe. Perhaps you are unused to people smiling because you are German and it does not come naturally to you. If you approach someone with a stone face of course they will not be smiling back either. In my experience, most Europeans DO give a brief introductory smile when encountering them and of course, Americans do tend to respond with a full teeth-exposed friendly response. I've walked into many places of business in Italy, Spain, France, Greece and have been greeted warmly.

Perhaps your experience is relative to your culture.

Haha, what? Of course Americans are known for smiling more than others. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEurope/comments/7z2vzp/are_americans_known_for_smiling/

I think it's because Americans have such bright white teeth, it's more noticeable when we smile!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"It's harder to tell if you don't smile. I'm not French, I'm German but I'm there a lot for work. It's the same in most of Europe (although I have less experience in Eastern Europe). Americans smile A LOT compared to others."

Don't agree. And it's certainly not the same in the rest of Europe. Perhaps you are unused to people smiling because you are German and it does not come naturally to you. If you approach someone with a stone face of course they will not be smiling back either. In my experience, most Europeans DO give a brief introductory smile when encountering them and of course, Americans do tend to respond with a full teeth-exposed friendly response. I've walked into many places of business in Italy, Spain, France, Greece and have been greeted warmly.

Perhaps your experience is relative to your culture.

Haha, what? Of course Americans are known for smiling more than others. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEurope/comments/7z2vzp/are_americans_known_for_smiling/

I think it's because Americans have such bright white teeth, it's more noticeable when we smile!

It's not just that! We are compulsively cheerful and want to greet everyone like a best friend. We all do it - and when someone doesn't do it it's very noticeable! I feel like of all the American faults, this I feel very comfortable with and like to lean into. So we're friendly and try too hard to be friendly to the world - there are worse things to be.

[Anonymous]

Lived in Paris for three years . . . my two cents is muted colors and patterns, be thin, no athleisureware, no obvious logos, and don't try to look too polished -- like hair too perfect, a lot of makeup etc.

Women cut their hair as they age and focus on having amazing skin, not makeup or fillers/botox.

Also, being blonde and tan will make you stand out.

My friend is in Southern France now and posted a photo of herself -- grinning, tan, blonde long hair (she's in her 40s), khaki shorts, running shoes, pink t-shirt. The whole thing screams AMERICAN.

[Anonymous]

What beauty products and clothes brands would you buy in France that are no expensive but good quality and “French”?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What beauty products and clothes brands would you buy in France that are no expensive but good quality and “French”?

A313, ialuset, anthelios line is better there, embryolisse cream, biafine.

[Anonymous]

I find it funny when DCUM insists the French (or Europeans in general) don't wear shorts, sneakers, t-shirts. I spent all of last summer in Paris and the South of France and basically everyone wears exactly those things, plus jeans. Honestly, the only thing you *shouldn't* do is try so hard that you look like an Instagram cliche. Just wear what you wear here. You people are overthinking this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lived in Paris for three years . . . my two cents is muted colors and patterns, be thin, no athleisureware, no obvious logos, and don't try to look too polished -- like hair too perfect, a lot of makeup etc.

Women cut their hair as they age and focus on having amazing skin, not makeup or fillers/botox.

Also, being blonde and tan will make you stand out.

My friend is in Southern France now and posted a photo of herself -- grinning, tan, blonde long hair (she's in her 40s), khaki shorts, running shoes, pink t-shirt. The whole thing screams AMERICAN.

She IS American, though. Be thin? Are you expecting your friend to lose 20 pounds so when she's in the south of France, not smiling, she'll get someone to say bonjour to her instead of hello?

[Anonymous]

It’s going to be obvious I’m a tourist no matter what I wear. And if it wasn’t already, it’s going to be obvious I’m an American as soon as I speak. So I don’t worry about what I wear when traveling, as long as it’s respectful & comfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I find it funny when DCUM insists the French (or Europeans in general) don't wear shorts, sneakers, t-shirts. I spent all of last summer in Paris and the South of France and basically everyone wears exactly those things, plus jeans. Honestly, the only thing you *shouldn't* do is try so hard that you look like an Instagram cliche. Just wear what you wear here. You people are overthinking this.

This. I am irrationally irritated by the "don't wear shorts" crew that gets on here. I spent last August in a random town in SE France (i.e., no tourists) and shorts with sneakers were everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I find it funny when DCUM insists the French (or Europeans in general) don't wear shorts, sneakers, t-shirts. I spent all of last summer in Paris and the South of France and basically everyone wears exactly those things, plus jeans. Honestly, the only thing you *shouldn't* do is try so hard that you look like an Instagram cliche. Just wear what you wear here. You people are overthinking this.

This. I am irrationally irritated by the "don't wear shorts" crew that gets on here. I spent last August in a random town in SE France (i.e., no tourists) and shorts with sneakers were everywhere.

Same. Italy also. Shorts are good when it's warm and you are doing leisure activities. Not exactly breaking news.