French Connection
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What do Russian princesses, cowboys and the French Legion all have in common? They are the inspirations behind the chicest looks found on the Parisian streets this fall. The season's palate consists of rich colors such as aubergine, burgundy, and chocolate brown. Intended to echo the seasonal changes found in the parks and trees of the city, they signal a progression from the warm summer tones that adorned the city's well-dressed just months ago. With the change in color comes the gradual change in both materials and layering, with clothes carefully combined to form collages of fabric and design.
Among the most noticeable change in the wardrobe of French women is the trend of wearing longer, heavier skirts with more traditional patterns, a step away from the more cutting-edge, shorter versions found during the balmy days of summer. Full, embroidered peasant skirts of heavy luxurious materials are often paired with high leather boots, an exemplary dichotomy of current trends and timeless style.
An equally intriguing trend is the come-back of the black leggings. While relegated to bad 80's reunion nights in the United States, they have found a new audience across the pond in Paris. While these black footless tights could easily recall dancer's workout ensembles, French women use them to accompany light denim mini-skirts and sometimes dresses. By keeping the legs warm, they extend the life of the mini-skirt or the summer dress into the colder autumn months. What was once cast aside as the weather turned can now be worn longer and in a variety of outfits.
Even Parisians are not above wearing jeans, and they are all too common during the colder days of autumn. Common casual attire on the streets of the city includes fitted jeans tucked into leather knee-high and cowboy boots. These are often paired with fitted olive military jackets and delicate lace blouses for contrast. The juxtaposition of the feminine stand-by with masculine outerwear is the ultimate in boy-meets-girl fashion.
Another import from America graces the streets of Paris. Alongside black tights and tight jeans, Converse Chuck Taylor high tops meet straight leg jeans for a more collegiate look. The tangible punk influence of this style hearkens back to the days when The Sex Pistols roamed Europe, trashing hotel rooms and enlivening the continent, but also add a touch of American college fashion to a city renowned for its own unique, ahead-of-the-trends styles.
For all the inroads that American fashion has had on the French market, there is still a certain je ne sais quoi associated with their style. With such memorable fashion figures as Coco Chanel, Christian Lacroix, Carine Roitfeld and Yves Saint Laurent, the French look is distinctive and timeless. French fashion absorbs the best of international fashion with its own to create a melange of unique style.
Even as the fashions change alongside the seasons in the cafes and restaurants of Paris, the inimitable and international French fashion will always be a cut above.
(Clockwise from the top left) Two 12- and 13-year-old girls show off the fitted jeans and military jackets that are a Paris fall presence; a Frenchwoman demonstrates the ethnic patterned skirt popular in the fall; a black or blue women's blazer adds a sosphisticated touch; layers are ever popular for chillier weather; a skirt paired with jacket, jewelry, and handbag exemplifies casual, street-chic.