What to wear to Paris in spring – this is the best dilemma I’ve had in ages…!
When this post goes out I should already have arrived in Paris having taken the Eurostar early this morning: I am quite simply beyond excited. I was lucky enough to win La Redoute’s competition to find two brand ambassadors for a year – and as someone who’s been buying from them for years it’s basically a dream come true. I share the role with Nicolette of Archie & the Rug* for 12 months, and it starts today with a three day trip to Paris – oh la la!
There is so much that I’m looking forward to in my new role – I’ll keep you all updated on the blog with everything that goes on. We were given an allowance to buy some clothes and accessories for our trip; I’ve shown a few of them here plus other items and a couple of the outfits I’m taking with me. While I’m there you can follow my adventures via Instagram and Twitter – and see how my vertigo copes with the Eiffel Tower.
(Above, clockwise from top right: La Redoute bag; The Paris storage box La Redoute sent me as a gift; Accessorize trilby, Lulus sandals)
(Above, Outfit 1, on left: Lulus sunglasses, La Redoute blouse, La Redoute jeans, Aldo heels, Lipsy watch, Necklace – unknown. Outfit 2, on right: La Redoute scarf, Asos aviators, Marks & Spencer trousers, Lotus loafers, River Island watch, La Redoute sweater)
I will of course be embracing my inner Bardot/Deneuve/Chanel while I’m there and choosing some simple (for me) outfits with some pastels, a bit of tailoring, my classic trench coat, white loafers, black stilettoes, a leopard print trilby – I’ve been really good and tried to plan my outfits way in advance so as not to over pack. Which I always do, usually. I’m basically keepin’ it chic (as opposed to real?!) and avoiding the clichéd Breton tops and ballet flats – and definitely no berets… how funny would that be? I don’t want to look like I’m trying too hard to do Parisian style.
Another part of the prize was a year’s subscription to Grazia and a trip behind the scenes of a Grazia photo shoot next week, which should be so exciting. So I’ll let you know how that goes too. Wish me Bon voyage…!
Have any of you – especially those outside of Europe – been to Paris before? How did you find it, and of course: what did you wear? Did you think French style was as chic as they say it is – let me know in the comments!
*Amendment October 2014: Due to family commitments Nicole wasn’t able to continue with her ambassador role, so the role has been taken over by Rachel of Lady M Presents.
I was lucky enough to visit Paris several times, I also was a student there for 5 months back in 2006 and last autumn I had the chance to go back there for a whole month. Being much more fashion- (or dressing-) conscious now I realized they (=Parisian women especially) all dress very simply, that"s what makes it amazing. No colour-blocking, hardly any vivid color, but very elegans greys and black and beige and not caring if they wear different shades of it that you'd think don't go together very vell. They never ever wear clothes that are very tight and/or show off too much, this is not the italian-style tight skirts+cleavage+stilettos (which is not a bad style either 😉 ) but not something Parisians would do. Of course they always have some fun/surprising/statement pieces (mostly jewellery or a great bag) and all accessories of a very high quality. By the time I came back from the one month I had bought many classic basic pieces which I never bought before (I always chose the one-of-a-kind instant loves which were hard to build in to the daily routine) and started to feel uncomfortable in t-shirts too tight. That's what Paris had done to me (so far as I am sure it is not over yet 🙂 ). (I'm from Hungary)
Have a wonderful time, Catherine – I'm trying not to be too envious! I ordered from La Redoute on a regular basis when I lived in London and (now that I live in Spain) I have been thinking of ordering from them again. I always love going to Paris (I went there for my 65th birthday party) and I can't wait till my next visit.
Have fun! I love Paris so much. I've been there twice, but the most recent trip was 5 years ago. I'm definitely itching to go back again soon. I'll just have to live vicariously through you for now though!
Chrissi
fieryfinishvintage.com
Congrats girl!
& How funny!! I just posted my Paris outfit post hahahah, I absolutely LOVE Paris.
hope you'll stop by sometime!
xx shirley
http://classifiedcloset.blogspot.com
I know you are going to have an A.MAY.ZING time, dear Catherine!! Looking so forward to hearing all about your adventures…which will include some opportunities for shopping, too, I hope?! I have never been lucky enough to go to Paris, so I will have to live vicariously through you!! XO
http://www.StyleIsMyPudding.com
Congratulations, Catherine! Not sure how long you'll be there but have tons of fun visiting all the delectable patisseries and chocolatiers. I love the street style at Saint Germaine.
Lovely post Catherine. I hope you have a truly amazing time in Paris! Can't wait to see and read more 🙂
Take care,
Daniella xox
Congrats! All these pieces look chic and French : >
Congratulation!!!!! hope you have the most amazing time. I love the french classic style, Ive only actually been to Paris once when I was a child but I have been to France so many times xx
Dress as you are, Catherine! I´ve been to Paris twice and it was in spring and I´d say the Parisian style was always about classic and comfy dressing. Just in case bring an umbrella or be sure to know about the weather, the rain could come and go anytime of the day. 😉
http://dressingupforme.blogspot.com/
I've never been to Paris, but do so wish to go there some fine day!
Cheers,
L A
.Ravishing-Ruby.blogspot.com.
. RAVISHING on Bloglovin’ here.
Congratulations! It was an amazing competition!
Hope you have a lovely time 🙂
Mia
x
http://www.prettyeclectic.co.uk
Oh Catherine – I am so jealous! I have been to Paris once and it was on the tail-end of a 12 day trip right after I graduated high school. I have never been away from home for so long and I was tired of the travel by that point (Oh I wish I could go back and smack my teenage self!) but there were parts of Paris that were absolutely magical, I could spend weeks in the Louvre and we took a river boat tour which was amazing. I was terrified at the Eiffel Tower (fear of heights) but I made it up to the 2nd level and saw it sparkle, which was purely amazing! Have such a great trip! I cannot wait to see all of your gorgeous outfits and instas! 🙂
Have a wonderful trip, loving your new scarf
Lauren
livinginaboxx
Congratulations, and have fun in Paris, I hope it lives up to your expectations. I actually studied fashion design in Paris, for a very brief time in the 80s… ( what we all wore back then was crazy, and here I'm referring to fashion students: the more outlandish the outfit, the better, it was very competitive…). But I'm not the best person to say much about Paris as I've never understood what the fuss is all about (I find London and Barcelona way more exciting… and far less conventional).