Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Paris style report: l'automne 2009 - Boots and Sweaters

Une femme channeled her inner paparazzi a bit last week in an attempt to snap some surreptitious studies of les Parisiennes in their natural habitat.
I may have mentioned that boots were everywhere. From ankle to above-the-knee styles, les bottes seem to be de riguer right now. As I mentioned, the styles are a bit softer and more slouchy,

and often include some interesting detailing (bows, buckles, fringe, laces).

I really didn't spot many over-the-knee styles, and when I did, they were predominantly worn by younger women.

Another observed shoe trend is the low- to medium-heeled mary jane with a thick strap. Loafer/moccasin style shoes are also ubiquitous, and the occasional flat oxford/brogue style was spotted. Despite popular lore (and Fashion Week street style photos) one really doesn't see legions of women teetering around in stiletto heels.

Frequently seen were oversized, textured sweaters,


as well as those with ruffles, belts or other details.

Note that blacks, greys and other neutrals still predominate. Color, when seen, is usually worn as an accent.

More Paris style tomorrow!
~
Posted by at 5:00 AM
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22 comments:

  1. Thanks for the `real´pictures. If you only get to view the photos of the Sartorialist, the picture you get of the women in Paris is naturally quite different. I can imagine, that the amount of boots caught your eye, maybe because they are not so much `needed´in LA, due to it´s climate.
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  2. Thanks so much for your Paris posts and for bringing us some "real world" snapshots. I enjoy your blog every morning with my coffee.
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  3. Well boots aren't really needed so much in Paris except on chilly winter days, but they don't look strange as they would in LA most of the year, except as a funky fashion accessory.

    Will pseu be trekking up to SF to wear her boots in the chilly grey weather they get by the Bay?

    I love my medium-heeled Mary-Janes; they have two slightly-thinner straps on each shoe, which is kinder in terms of looking less chopped-off at the ankle. They are so comfy and look so cute on the bicycle. Looking for new boots now. We need at least two or three pair: a pair similar to these ones or a bit lower, an ugly pair resistant to slush and road salt (yes, depressing as that sounds, the verb "trudging" also replaces meandering, strolling, lilting and anything pleasant, light and gay) and a dressy pair with something of a heel.

    Parisians walk a great deal, and many of the streets are cobbled, so heels are really not practical for moving at a good clip. There is a lot of practicality in Parisian wardrobes, such as the predominance of darks and neutrals, and accessories for colour.

    The Sartorialist is always seeking out exceptional people, whether in NYC, Paris, Italy or elsewhere.
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  4. How fun to glimpse the real street style of Paris! And wow, lady, you took some great shots on the sly, there ...
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  5. To me they dress like New Yorkers ;)
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  6. Fabulous!! This is playing right into my fashion jones right now -- long, slouchy, and with a substantial shoe. If only I were in Paris...
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  7. with your reporting about boots, boots and more boots, i remember i had a pair of new ankle boots i purchased last february for my italian adventure that have not been worn. so, i pulled them out. and, i will be wearing them in the near future. we have had two mornings of frost here and fall is definitely here.

    now the place to see heels is in rome and florence...even in february and march. it amazes me how they walk on the very uneven stone pathways. chuckling to myself.
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  8. Fabulous photos. I appreciate these photos of real people much more than the photos of fashionistas posted by the sartorialist.
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  9. In many Eurpoean cities, you can wear the same boots indoors as outdoors, even through the winter- but not in my climate, nor lagatta's. Al lthe boots you show (and the ones you bought) would be called "indoor boots"- at least from end of Nov. through March.

    IF I have fashion boots, when I leave place A to go to B, I'd wear change into outdoor boots and carry my indoor boots. Totally unworkable, as they don't fit in a bag or briefcase.

    An outdoor boot in Canada is serious gear, built to withstand the salt and slush, and insulated- too heavy to wear all day inside.

    Fashion boots are mainly worn by women who don't have to move from here to there much: at home, or worn in the office and left there overnight.
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  10. You're like Bill Cunningham! Love it.
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  11. That last sweater (?) jacket is very interesting. I will never tire of looking at street photography of French women.
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  12. Your photos make me think I'm there. I enjoy them so much!
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  13. D.P.: You are a much, much better photographer than someone we both know.

    Now I see what you were talking about with the little rectangles. How clever you are.

    It was grand.
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  15. Wonderful - I am so loving your Paris style report comments and photographs - thank you so much. I have looked forward to this since you announced your visit and it has not disappointed!
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  16. Oh this is so exciting...I love the "real woman on the street" look - I have always found les Parisiennes" so inspiring. Got to get me some of those Mary Janes.
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  17. Oh, I love the mary janes! And clearly I'm going to need some slightly slouchy boots for our next Antipodean winter. I am also very pleased to hear that Paris is not full of women teetering on ridiculous heels - I find their ubiquity in fashion coverage depressing. Thank you for your real fashion perspective!
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  18. Good Job!!!! Love it!Glad you are back safely!
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  19. I'm glad everyone enjoyed the pictures! More tomorrow.

    lagatta - actually we do wear boots in LA too. ;-) I wore my new boots today underneath my jeans, and will wear with a skirt and tights during our cooler season (Nov-May). I'm grateful to not have to deal with the kind of winters that would require mukluks.
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  20. Mukluks are no fun, but necessary where I live. BTW, I was at Talbots today and saw that the "Paris" scarf is on sale. I bought a new outfit with a coordinating scarf, something I don't often do. Pseu, you are rubbing off on me!!
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  21. Fantastic photos and very inspiring now that winter is alomost upon me!
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  22. Well, not quite mukluks, which would be of no use in cities anyway, but certainly boots that are heavier and stodgier than any of us like to wear. Either supposedly waterproofed leather or ugly synthetic materials (yecch). Pity, as les Montréalaises really like to look chic.

    I hate buying those ugly things.

    I'd much rather live somewhere with a milder winter, but it would need a métro system and good public transport. I'm a 10 minute walk from two métro lines. I'd never live in LA despite the climate as it is so car-centred.

    I thought the young woman with the high boots was riding a bicycle and smoking at the same time, which would be very Parisian, but she is just leaning against a parked bicycle.
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