Paris Vacation

I finally graduated from the University of Arizona and to celebrate the family went on a trip to Paris.  We chose the location because I have a French minor and also to learn about fashion from the best.  It's really important for us to observe what is current in a city that is a few years ahead of even the most fashionable U.S. cities and believe me there was plenty to look at :-)

One of our days in Paris we took a short train ride to Versailles Palace, where we visited the chateau, the grand gardens, and also the home of Marie Antoinette.  She is obviously an enormous fashion icon so seeing where she lived gave us great insight into her life and the inspiration of what she would wear. 

The building to the right with the pink marble was Marie Antoinette's second home, where she did most of her entertaining.  The inside was full of ornate furniture with covered in surprisingly bright fabric.  Below that is a photo of my mom and me in front of the rosh bush under her window. 

Here is me on one of our obligatory trips to the Eiffel Tower!  So beautiful!  Unfortunately, there were mainly tourists here and not a whole lot of fashion inspiration.  I was surprised though to see two French girls in very short black sequined outfits with black stockings bearing the cold, seemingly on their way to a party. 

At night it starts twinkling every so often, which was the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. 

Area near the Louvre.

Glitter Eiffel Tower on a shop window.  Cry Baby if we lived in Paris? 

More of Marie Antoinette's home.  Notice the pink marble columns.  At the time there was also a bride and groom having a photo shoot.  I was never able to tell if they were models or a real couple, though I think they were a genuine couple using the beautiful palace as a backdrop for their wedding photos.  Later on they were faux ballroom dancing for photos on the tile. 

While I am sad to be back, it was wonderful to study fashion from the streets and see what they were wearing in the fashion capitol of the world.  One thing that I noticed was much different from my last visit was that the French are wearing a lot more color.  The first time I visited two years ago, anything too bright or bling-y made you feel out of place and garish.  No longer were the muted ensembles prevalent and instead they plenty of brighter accents filled in.  Skinny jeans were still the #1 style of pants, though the exact opposite- harem pants, were quite popular as well. 

The one thing that has not changed in Paris that I wish more Americans would embrace is not showing too much skin.  Both times coming back from Paris, I have that first shock at the airport when I see older women baring their chests in low cut shirts and barely there denim mini skirts.  It never ceases to amaze me how the French will wear tailored blazers in the summer- regardless of whether they are wool or whatever else as long as they look chic!  Never will you see them in shorts and a skimpy tank top just because it's 85 degrees.  They have not adopted the American view of dressing for comfort, which was wonderfully refreshing. 

We had a wonderful time and I will fill in with additional pictures and commentary soon.  A bientot for now!