dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
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Post by dep0515 on Jun 27, 2007 10:27:03 GMT -5
A common question among first time visitors is what to wear in Paris so as not to "stick out". It is something that I have wondered about as well. Although I don't think there is anything wrong with being a tourist, and I doubt I will fool anybody into thinking I'm a Parisian simply by dressing a certain way, I'd still like to do my best to fit in. I came across this website and found it useful in getting an overview (they have candid pictures and a good write-up) of what people are wearing in Paris. Thought I'd pass it along so other people who are looking for some guidance could benefit as well! www.parisescapes.com/paris_wear_w06_photos.html
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 27, 2007 10:53:28 GMT -5
Yeah...those pictures are lovely. Unfortunately, as a tourist, I'm in the position of trying to pack light, pack things that won't show the ice cream that dripped down the front of me, not wanting to pack BOOTS, trying to make three articles of clothing look like twenty different outfits (hence the 45 scarves)... I can assure you that those ladies, even though they're 25 years younger than I am, have nothing on me when I'm sashaying around MY hometown, Boston... ;D
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dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
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Post by dep0515 on Jun 27, 2007 11:05:51 GMT -5
Happy - I have no doubt you are the Belle of Boston!
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 27, 2007 11:08:23 GMT -5
Yes, dep, that's what everyone calls me
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 27, 2007 13:19:33 GMT -5
???I think that article just told me that capris are for men and not for women! I think it also just told me that I could just wear tights with a shirt. Maybe I'd better go back and read that again!
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 27, 2007 13:32:03 GMT -5
Well, all I can say is that when it comes to fashion one "can" do many things -- but that does not necessarily mean that one should do those things! (Remember that fad a couple of years ago where very skinny women wore jeans under dresses? Talk about something that - IMO - really just didn't work at all . . . .!)
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dep0515
Full Member
Next time I'm hiding in your suitcase.
Posts: 205
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Post by dep0515 on Jun 27, 2007 13:35:56 GMT -5
I agree with you all that these fashions aren't something I would run out and try (in Paris or ANYWHERE else) but I know a lot of people are curious as to what the Parisians are wearing....and this tells it like it is! Capris for men....Goldenmama, you read correctly!!
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Post by Anne on Jun 27, 2007 13:52:40 GMT -5
What is it that you call "capris" ?
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Post by luckyluc on Jun 27, 2007 13:56:43 GMT -5
Des pantacourts, Anne.
Capri c'est fini! Et dire que...
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Post by Anne on Jun 27, 2007 14:11:28 GMT -5
Thanks Luc . Then yes, young men and boys do wear capris (of the loose style) . Only one doesn't use the name "pantacourt" for men . Not sure how to call them either : my son calls his "bermudas", but then they can be mistaken for the above-the-knees kind ...
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 27, 2007 14:47:21 GMT -5
I think that you see every length of both pants/shorts and skirts. One shouldn't necessarily see some of them but...
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Post by Truffaut on Jun 27, 2007 18:14:34 GMT -5
Yes, men DO wear capris, and they're very comfortable, thank you very much! I bought two pairs in Paris last summer. Both are very light weight--like sheeting material.
Let me tell you, when it gets really hot on the Metro in July or August, I'd gladly wear a g-string if people wouldn't stare too much! And it would look particularly nice with the pink cashmere beret with maribou trim (though cashmere really should be reserved for the cooler times of year).
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Post by cybee on Jun 27, 2007 18:19:26 GMT -5
Yes, when my brother went to Amsterdam and France a couple years back, he noted the "capris" and has since taken to wearing them himself. They are not the fitted capris women may wear, but like really long, long shorts (i.e. capri length but baggy fit). I think they look nice, myself. Ha, Truffaut! Yes, I am sure you would be dashing in a g-string and the pink maribou trimmed beret! You might start a trend, eh? No more capris..let us really be "cool"! (there's a bit of essence of the Irish one in what you say too...) (then again..you might be literally "dashing"...that is...for coverage! )
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Post by mez on Jun 27, 2007 20:13:42 GMT -5
I must admit that when I see these types of questions my first response is to roll my eyes and ask myself 'Again?? This is followed by a 'Don't be nasty' comment to myself.' From all the clothing questions I have read I find they typically fall into 3 categories: - clothing to suit the weather/terrain - clothing that masks the fact I'm a tourist - 'I'm going to Paris – if I don't look like I stepped out of The Devil Wears Prada then I will be laughed out of town' Let's tackle each of these topics… Clothing to suit the weather/terrain – A perfectly understandable question in my opinion. Knowing the vagaries of the seasons in other countries is best described by the people that are there. This is the only type of clothing question I can really tolerate (except for when several of them are posted on forums in a flurry – why don't people use search functions???) Clothing that masks the fact I'm a tourist – Yes, I am dressed in the height of Parisian fashion and I'm standing in line to get into (insert tourist site) but because of my apparel no one will mistake me for a tourist. These are classic cases of self delusion. There are so many other give-aways that you're a tourist that your clothing will not matter. I understand that people like to blend in for security reasons but there are other (read better) precautions to take than thinking you're 'costume' will save you from the nefarious happenings that supposedly occur on a regular basis to tourists. 'I'm going to Paris – if I don't look like I stepped out of The Devil Wears Prada then I will be laughed out of town' – You're travelling into a city of millions of people. The majority of these people will never meet or see you and a large portion of those that do will simply not care. Believe me, Paris is not waiting for you with the red carpet rolled out. Having reads loads and loads of travel related posts, I've come to the conclusion that one of the few things that people really need to pack is the right attitude. The right attitude will make your travels that much smoother and pleasurable than a surly attitude wrapped in the latest designer duds. Now that I've finished philosophising, here are the practical tips: - comfortable shoes that have already been worn in - dark colours – they are forgiving. (Personally I'm more likely to stare at someone wearing stained clothing than 'tourist attire - haha) - layers – peel 'em off and put them back on when needed -less is more. Yes, you will get sick of wearing the same things over and over again, but your posture will thank you and your smile will be wider when you literally can run circles around the poor souls who decided to pack everything – including the kitchen sink) Mez (whew - who knew I had so much to say on topic. I feel so much better now that i'v elet it all out ;D)
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Post by Becky (Berkeleytravelers) on Jun 27, 2007 20:23:59 GMT -5
Okay, Mez -- that was well put, and I agree with all of it (especially about dark colors, layers, and no new shoes!). It's harder to do than to say (especially the "pack light" part, although the weight limits on planes are starting to enforce that) but it's so so true, and any veteran traveler (or even tourist!) knows that. It's fun to be mistaken for local (has happened to me a few times when people came up and started talking a mile a minute in the language of whatever country I was in), but as you say -- in the long run, who cares what someone else thinks?
And thanks for continuing to have such admirable patience with those who haven't done it before -- they will learn soon enough that no matter how few things they thought they were taking, and how many "essentials" they thought they were leaving behind, they still aren't going to wear 40% of what they ended up taking and could have spared themselves a lot of grief!
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 28, 2007 4:29:41 GMT -5
I realized that men wear capris, but what suprised me in the article was that I thought it said that women don't wear them? LOL at the image of you in that get-up, truffaut. Remember, we will be in Paris at the same time, so if you try to wear that outfit I just might recognize you!
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Post by phread on Jun 28, 2007 4:33:38 GMT -5
One point that is rarely addressed and that I take to heart is the theory of "like attracts like". When I travel, I like to see the sights, but I also hope to meet interesting people, preferably locals, but other travelers, too. In order to meet the "right" sort of people it is best to just be yourself. This will help guide you to other like minded souls, who tend to dress the same way you do, regardless of their address and orgins. Hope I've made some sense.
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Post by Shoesy on Jun 28, 2007 5:58:49 GMT -5
Mez - I have exalted you on your excellent post.
When I was in Paris, I practically laughed when I remembered all the "what should I wear?" posts because I found myself among so many tourists, who were all dressed a little differently, but basically wearing the clothes that they obviously owned and felt best in. I don't recall seeing anyone looking particularly weird. All I cared about was enjoying Paris and being comfortable. NO ONE stared at my white sneakers. My big mistake was not having any sleeveless tops for evening wear because it was so hot at that time and the restaurants we ate in weren't airconditioned. I'm not talking about fancy blouses, but something a bit nicer than the everyday shirts I walked around in.
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Post by Happygoin on Jun 28, 2007 6:53:36 GMT -5
Truffaut, the looks I was referring to were definitely not men in capris...I think that's a great look. I'm talking about the ladies who wear snug white slacks with black bikini underwear or the ever-popular men with sandals and knee socks with a Donald Trump-esque toupee that is three shades darker than the thin tufts of their own hair that are peeping out by their ears. Don't these people have a spouse/SO to gently TELL them that people might look at them funny?? (At this point, my friends would be saying, "OK, Cinderella..." )
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Post by goldenmama on Jun 28, 2007 7:05:30 GMT -5
LOL Happygoin! dep0515, I will always look at these kind of questions and I very much enjoyed looking at the link. Even if I weren't going to Paris, I would still be interested in any topic involving clothes!
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