French Style!

[Virginielle]

^At the moment I'm a little underwhelmed by Longchamp (stylewise only), but I do have to say that I've had one of their over-the-shoulder strap bags (in black patent leather) for YEARS, and it's still in style and in great shape. I've gotten so much use out of this thing, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Longchamp handbag based upon this experience. (I did succomb to a black textured patent leather wallet a few months ago, actually, and I'm still as in love with it as I was the day I bought it.)

As far as French style goes, it's far more about quality than quantity, and from that perspective, getting a really well-made simple black bag is so much more practical and stylish than several trendier ones that won't match everything. I've recently started mixing black with navy blue and black with brown whenever I feel like it, so I might be inclined to invest in something dark blue, also. Leather in darker colors is just so classic, imo.

 

[beauxgoris]

^At the moment I'm a little underwhelmed by Longchamp (stylewise only), but I do have to say that I've had one of their over-the-shoulder strap bags (in black patent leather) for YEARS, and it's still in style and in great shape. I've gotten so much use out of this thing, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Longchamp handbag based upon this experience. (I did succomb to a black textured patent leather wallet a few months ago, actually, and I'm still as in love with it as I was the day I bought it.)

As far as French style goes, it's far more about quality than quantity, and from that perspective, getting a really well-made simple black bag is so much more practical and stylish than several trendier ones that won't match everything. I've recently started mixing black with navy blue and black with brown whenever I feel like it, so I might be inclined to invest in something dark blue, also. Leather in darker colors is just so classic, imo.

^^I've never really investigated Longchamp's other bags - I was talking about their ubiquitous 'Le Pliage' Tote Bag. I do agree though that darker bags are more classic.

 

[goldentouch]

A year ago..yes they were everywhere!

But now mainly Bal city in blacks a few Gerard Darel.. I got sick of Balenciaga while there..they made it seem so common. Perhaps is the areas I was in? Marais.. Left Bank..

I think the Lonchamp bag perhaps is more of a summer bag..as I mainly saw leather bags..

You could be right, last time I was in Paris was end of summer/beginning of fall...

 

[JunyaSchick]

btw, LV non-logo bags are also very popular in Paris...

 

[Virginielle]

^^I've never really investigated Longchamp's other bags - I was talking about their ubiquitous 'Le Pliage' Tote Bag. I do agree though that darker bags are more classic.

Ah. Now those are overrated.

 

[Virginielle]

I was flipping through an issue of Paris Vogue from about two years ago recently and found an article about French style and the American obsession with French women. The commentary is from a French perspective and seems quite interesting (although I have not read the entire thing---it takes me a while). I will try to scan it for posting.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Please do

Just for the record, I am not obsessed with French women ... though I must say that when I see a picture of Audrey Tautou, her lipstick strikes me as sheer perfection & I wonder why in the world I don't wear that color ... and if I did would it look that great on me

 

[fashionista-ta]

btw, LV non-logo bags are also very popular in Paris...

You mean like Epi?

 

[JunyaSchick]

^yeah, like epi. the red and the black are the most seen.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ Red, I approve That's interesting, considering the conservative reputation ... to me, red accessories are pretty bold.

 

[TrendGourmandise]

i'm a french girl but i prefere british style !

 

[beauxgoris]

So the Gerard Darel bag is still popular? What kind of woman carries the bag? :flowers:

 

[floodette]

it's a bit off topic, but still.... i am going to paris mid march. since i am a tropical girl, what kind of outerwear that you suggest for me to bring? is an impermeable/trenchcoat enough? i used to live in paris, but it seems from the news that the weather is getting colder and colder every year?

 

[JunyaSchick]

^yeah, you'll need something else than a raincoat. a probably a pair of boots.

 

[marya-a]

Cool thread eventhough I've yet to read all of it
French women have such an effortless way of putting their outfits together. For me the epitome of a french woman is Audrey Tatou..I loved her in priceless.

 

[GasolineRainbow]

Floodette, since you are from a tropical climate, you'll probably feel chilly even if the French people around you are dressed lightly. March weather is unpredictable in most of Europe, so make sure to check the weather forecast right before you go. There might be anything from snow (crazy, I know, what have we done to our planet??) to pleasantly mild weather. And always carry a warm layering piece, as the temperature will definitely be cold in the evening, no matter how warm the day is.

 

[Virginielle]

You'll fit right in with those layers. Parisians wear scarves even in the middle of the summer. I was always dying in the 90 degree heat, but they walk around very coolly in light layers even when it's quite hot. No idea how they do it.

 

[mermaidsandcats]

Oh, the art of layering. I would love to have insight into that. Wearing a tshirt over a long sleeve or sweater without looking like I dress in the dark is already a huge challenge for me...

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ I think we have a thread called the art of layering ... have you seen? I'll see about bumping it ...

 

[floodette]

thanks a lot, gasolinerainbow and virginielle, for the kind suggestion.