franco-american alliance

Eileen fisher cardigan, Ines de la Fressange bag

For those who are getting tired of the travel related posts 🙂 , something a little closer to home….

earrings: vintage (similar) | necklace: vintage (similar) | tee: Leon & Harper purchased in France (similar) | cardigan: Eileen Fisher (similar) | bracelets: Aurelie Bidermann, Stella & Dot | jeans: AG | bag: Ines de la Fressange purchased in Paris (similar) | shoes: Gentle Souls

I feel as though I’m still catching up with myself after a long (for us) trip. On Sunday my hair magician Brian paid us a visit: color touch up and cut for me, cut for le Monsieur, and Karen joined us too for some highlight action. After the marathon hair session Karen and I went to grab a late lunch, and I wore this outfit, a casual trans-Atlantic mix of French and American pieces.

Ines de la Fressange bucket bag

Yes, that’s the white-with-gold-splashes tee from Babette’s boutique and the bag purchased at the Ines de la Fressange boutique. So far the red one does not seem to be available on their website, so I’ve linked to some similar styles below. The necklace is probably 12-15 years old, a single long chain that I’ve worn doubled here.

gold metallic shoes

After seeing all of those lovely metallic shoes in Paris, I knew something in a similar vein would get lots of wear in my summer wardrobe (and go nicely with that gold-splashed tee) and spotted these from Gentle Souls at Bloomingdale’s. This is a brand I’ve worn before and found to be extremely comfortable, and this style is no exception.

I think I’ve become better over the years at choosing clothing souvenirs that can be worked into my daily wardrobe. That’s certainly true for the tee and bag! When you travel, do you buy clothing or accessory souvenirs?

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27 Comments

  1. Your red bag is really beautiful and quite honestly, your style equalled (or even surpassed) the photos of the French women. As an Australian living in Saudi Arabia for many years I couldn’t wait to get to the USA or Europe for clothes shopping and would go back with suit cases bursting with ‘souvenirs’. On my first trip to Neiman Marcus I ended up leaving the shop with a NM credit card and a Chanel 2.55 bag. As for European clothes, I tend to prefer Italian labels over French ones – not sure why, but I found shopping in Rome easier than in Paris.

  2. My best vacation purchases are semi-planned. If I know there is something special in the area I’m visiting and think I need that in my wardrobe then the purchases have usually worked out. I’m not a carry-on traveler so I usually try to pack with the location in mind -bright beachy things for the beach, camping gear for outdoor trips, city style for urban spots- so I can avoid impulse purchases on vacation.

    I think the red purse is a prudent vacation purchase. It’s high-quality, a red bag is something you’ll pull out for several years for a pop of color, it doesn’t scream “I went to Paris and bought this purse” too loudly. It is a little outside of your normal color scheme. Travel is supposed to expand our horizons, perhaps this trip will see you add a little red to your usual line-up 🙂

  3. Just found you, and am enjoying your posts…very relatable and fun…I just returned from a short excursion, and yes, I do buy clothing and accessories as souvenirs…Lovely to put something on that reminds me of a treasured moment. I’m even establishing favorite little shops in frequently visited airports and locations!

  4. I usually do not shop for clothing when traveling. An exemption was made one year when we found ourselves in San Francisco on short notice and we had not remembered about their cold summers! I bought a light jacket which I still enjoy. Other than that, my travel purchases have been limited to an occasional scarf OR a piece of jewelry. One of my favorite jewelers is in Santa Fe, NM. It is Fairchild Jewelry and they can do anything! I especially like their jewelry made form ancient coins. But, they are also master craftsmen and were able to reproduce one of my favorite silver rings in gold. I really trust them.

    Your red bag is so pretty and is going to be very useful I think. I find myself carrying a red bag many days.

  5. Great casual chic look for any continent. It represents a global style to me. In NYC, London, Paris, Rome….a go to that does not scream tourist or sloppy. But that bag, my oh my, that has me written all over it. Lucky you, wear it well!

  6. I always used to carry a red bag, and not sure why I stopped. I love yours, the bucket shape is great.

  7. Clothing souvenirs are my favorite kind! Bucket bags tend to visually widen my hips and the shade of red can be tricky to get the right. Your bag is really the perfect shape – more vertical and not so wide at the bottom – and color.

  8. I don’t like flashy logos on bags but that Ines name is very classy . I usually buy bits of jewelry or scarves as holiday souvenirs – easy to pack too

  9. Wow. The gray and red and gold and white color combo is fantastic. And I agree, I tried on a pair of Gentle Souls once, and although I didn’t buy them, I remember the feel as one of the nicest ever in a shoe.

      1. I checked them out, they are extra ordinary. The spikes and the key. I wouldn’t know which one to prefer. As I have too many jewellery anyway, I will fight this temptation haha.

  10. Shoes and bags are my favourite purchases on holiday. Brics lightweight travel bags and shoppers from Italy and of course Longchamp Le Pliage from France. Best pair of slip on sandals ever were bought from a shop in Alberqueque New Mexico which turned out to be a European brand called Arcopedico!

  11. I love that bag on you! I’m thinking maybe a red bag too … Also thanks for your find of the Gentle Souls wedges. What with my recent foot problems (stress fracture!), I’m thinking they could be just the ticket for my everyday NYC life/upcoming trip to Paris. Maybe in the graphite color, though I also love the gold. Can you give us any idea of the sizing? Do they fit more like sandals or closed shoes? Merci!

  12. That is a beautiful bag. My bags are very practical for the bicycle and always the same, an over the shoulder nylon bag called something like a healthy back bag, a more professional-looking one-shoulder version of a back pack, or a larger one I can carry my laptop in. Are bucket bags really practical for toting stuff? The leather is sumptuous.

    I have arthritis, so I always check out any shoes that look supportive, comfy, and work-worthy. Lovely grey cardigan.

  13. Whether and what I purchase when travelling depends upon where I am, but I tend not to spend time shopping for clothing when I travel.

    I enjoy and learn from your travel posts and encourage you to continue writing them as often as possible!

  14. I never buy clothing when I travel, although I have been known to look. Maybe inexpensive jewelry, or something important that I did not include in my packing, like another sweater, thicker socks, etc, but not clothing as a souvenir. But I have carried home a rug from Morocco, and once shipped a table from China, small pieces of art..things that will keep the memoriy of the trip a part of my everyday life forever.

  15. If I could be a fashion ‘victim’ in just one European country, it would be Italy. Specifically Milan.
    If ‘chic-est’ is a word, they are. Men and women alike. Bella.