January Sales

Basically, it's Black Friday in Paris.

For the entire month.

I'm sure these would be very cliche here,
but I'm adding them to my list of "to get my hands on."

St. John's must have known this when they put me in this rotation. Like I mentioned on Day One, the first word I learned was "soldes." It is everywhere on every window and so welcoming!

At Champs-Elysees the other day, we couldn't help but go into H&M. Dresses for 7 euro? Unreal. In my excitement, I bought a pair of very Parisian looking pants that I had been dreaming of in the wrong size! My dream obviously turned into a nightmare.

OHH THE DRAMA.

So, Korrie and I, after my 10-12 and before my 3o'clock class, ventured to Rue de Rennes, pretty much the SoHo of our location, to find that branch of H&M to exchange them.

We never made it.

I was in and out of stores like I was patrolling the street, and had to be back on campus by 2 o'clock. 40 euro later, I had a very sedating session of retail therapy.

TRENDS FROM PARIS THAT YOU MAY SHOULD BE INTERESTED IN SCOOPING UP:
a fur scarf. I'm shopping around for the best priced one, but I vow to wrap my neck in one.
leather pants. If you know my obsession with leather, you've grasped how exciting this is that it's so socially accepted and expected to have them. Get with it America, they're not tacky.
any type of pants that are not denim. 'nuff said.
thick-rimmed glasses. Perfect eye sight? Who cares? These facial accessories look good on anyone! Yeah, I know we've known this for a while in the states, but round is up and coming, ditch the square. Just sayin'.
lace-up boots. Flats? Heels? Doesn't matter. These are my personal fave.

Even this young, he knows
he looks good and is working it.

Basically, they dress to impress from the moment they pop out of the womb until they turn into dust. And I do not joke; parents may decide what it is to dress their kids in, but they rock the hell out of it. And the old dudes too! I saw a man today with a completely coordinated ensemble, from his corduroys to his Kangol cap.

Even the little kids are decked out in the trendiest shoes and matching skirts completely with scarves and hats.

On a cultural note, when you walk into a store, you say "Bonjour." They take their shopping very seriously and their store is like their home in which you are a guest.

Show me the sales and I'll call you my queen! That's no problem!

If you think New York knows about fashion, you've seen nothing. Paris is vastly underrated for their couture. It is literally part of their culture. Baseball caps are non existent and if you're wearing sweatpants it's only because you're working at Adidas.

I have a completely different view on what "dress down" is now. Dad, ready the garbage bags for all of my t-shirts. They are simply unacceptable.