Anonymous wrote:I’m actually laughing at the posters claiming French women are so much more fashionable than American women. Maybe in the movies or on TV. Or at Paris fashion week. Otherwise, they are pretty much indistinguishable. I would say the women trying hard to “look French” are the very ones who will stick out like a sore thumb for trying waaaaaay too hard.

I really disagree with this.. of course there are amazing fashionable American women but in general I find the clothing in France/ Italy/ Scandanavia etc is just such better quality. I think the essence of the French Chic 'cliche' is because no matter what they are wearing it is made of natural, quality fabric, better tailoring, and fits well. Much less fast fashion and much more quality classic pieces.. even if they are shorts...

There is very much an American tendency to go for comfortable, trendy fast fashion that is just never going to hold up by comparison. And no, this isn't all Americans but there is definitely a large subset.

And for all the people saying 'just wear what you want'.. of course you can.. but there are some people who want to go on vacation and feel like they look great for the city they are in.

Anonymous wrote:I was in Paris last month and I’d say at least 75% of the women I saw were wearing sneakers

Mais non, this blog told me that is tres impossible. Those must have been Americans. You should have directed them to the closest Le McDonalds.

I’m actually laughing at the posters claiming French women are so much more fashionable than American women. Maybe in the movies or on TV. Or at Paris fashion week. Otherwise, they are pretty much indistinguishable. I would say the women trying hard to “look French” are the very ones who will stick out like a sore thumb for trying waaaaaay too hard.

Anonymous wrote:It's about the materials/fit and cut. You will not find something that satisfies this requirement at old navy. Sure, sometimes you can find something that is somewhat ok, cute. But that is a very rare find. Old Navy does not exist in France for a reason. You're better off shopping at HM honestly. On that point OP, Zara can be helpful if you are more on a budget.

Oh, please! Ever heard of Monoprix??

Anonymous wrote:Shorts are ok, but they as others have said, not jean shorts (only young girls wear this honestly). Linen shorts are fine or something with a relaxed fit.

French women do indeed wear sneakers a lot but not nike/new balance, they are usually white sneakers.

As a previous poster said, I recommend you go shopping there, so many cute clothes. France is not where your old navy clothes are going to shine, whatever you take, make sure they are your more elevated pieces.

I wear Old Navy (and Target, etc.) all the time and constantly get asked where I buy my clothes. You can put anything on your body and have it look “elevated” if you have a good eye. No one needs to purchase designer clothes to look good in Paris - or anywhere.

Anonymous wrote:I was in Paris last month and I’d say at least 75% of the women I saw were wearing sneakers

+1
And shorts or jeans. Just like in the US.

Anonymous wrote:It's about the materials/fit and cut. You will not find something that satisfies this requirement at old navy. Sure, sometimes you can find something that is somewhat ok, cute. But that is a very rare find. Old Navy does not exist in France for a reason. You're better off shopping at HM honestly. On that point OP, Zara can be helpful if you are more on a budget.

Depends on your body type.

It's about the materials/fit and cut. You will not find something that satisfies this requirement at old navy. Sure, sometimes you can find something that is somewhat ok, cute. But that is a very rare find. Old Navy does not exist in France for a reason. You're better off shopping at HM honestly. On that point OP, Zara can be helpful if you are more on a budget.

Anonymous wrote:Shorts are ok, but they as others have said, not jean shorts (only young girls wear this honestly). Linen shorts are fine or something with a relaxed fit.

French women do indeed wear sneakers a lot but not nike/new balance, they are usually white sneakers.

As a previous poster said, I recommend you go shopping there, so many cute clothes. France is not where your old navy clothes are going to shine, whatever you take, make sure they are your more elevated pieces.

Old Navy sells plenty of cute, modest and tasteful clothes. Certainly moreso than Forever 21, Urban Outfitters or American Eagle!

Anonymous wrote:Nobody says the French don't wear shorts and sneakers -- they do -- just on vacation and not in Paris.

And if they do wear shorts, they are going to be super cute -- like black linen, with stripy flat sandals. Not Lululemon shorts and a polyester workout tank.

Yeah all French teens are “super cute” *eyeroll*

Shorts are ok, but they as others have said, not jean shorts (only young girls wear this honestly). Linen shorts are fine or something with a relaxed fit.

French women do indeed wear sneakers a lot but not nike/new balance, they are usually white sneakers.

As a previous poster said, I recommend you go shopping there, so many cute clothes. France is not where your old navy clothes are going to shine, whatever you take, make sure they are your more elevated pieces.

I was in Paris last month and I’d say at least 75% of the women I saw were wearing sneakers

Anonymous wrote:Nobody says the French don't wear shorts and sneakers -- they do -- just on vacation and not in Paris.

And if they do wear shorts, they are going to be super cute -- like black linen, with stripy flat sandals. Not Lululemon shorts and a polyester workout tank.

Oh, BS. Sure, some women might wear black linen shorts with sandals. And others wear perfectly ordinary shorts, skirts, pants, jeans, and sneakers. It's so ridiculous how some of you actually believe the "chic French girl" cliche.

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.

+2
I wouldn't say it's irrational to be irritated by this crowd. Most of them read something on the internet ("Dress like a French woman!") and think it's gospel. Or maybe they think "Emily in Paris" is actually... real? The French wear sneakers, short, t-shirts, jeans - just like we do.

Nobody says the French don't wear shorts and sneakers -- they do -- just on vacation and not in Paris.

And if they do wear shorts, they are going to be super cute -- like black linen, with stripy flat sandals. Not Lululemon shorts and a polyester workout tank.