Paris Style Report: Spring/Summer Edition
Planning a trip to Paris soon, or just curious about what Parisians are wearing these days? Here’s my latest Paris Style Report. Thanks to a recent stretch of warm weather, I had a chance to catch an early glimpse of what summer style looks like in the City of Light—so I’m sharing not only current Parisian style trends, but also a preview of what’s ahead for the warmer months.
Today I’m joining up with several of my blogger friends to share our travel style tips and ideas: Annie (Most Lovely Things) | Cindy (Cindy Hattersley Design) | Mary Ann (Classic Casual Home) | Jennifer (A Well Styled Life)
Style trends in Paris for spring & summer
This analysis is based both on what I’m seeing in the shops and on the street. (Though there’s no way to determine who’s actually “Parisian,” I’ve tried to filter out obvious tourists.) While style has become more global, I do find that every city or region has its own unique fashion “flavor,” including Paris, of course!
A few common themes emerge, many of which aren’t that different from what I’m seeing from U.S. retailers. With very few exceptions, most of the style trends noted here are not restricted to any age group; I’ve spotted them on women of all generations.
Light neutrals + texture
Lots of white, ivory, beige, “natural” (undyed) tones, and some white both in stores and being worn. Almost all pieces I saw both worn and on display included some texture for visual interest (such as crochet-effect, open knit, linen, embroidery, even sequins). I also noticed a lot of women wearing white tees, relaxed but not oversized, and with some structure.
(While it may not be practical to travel with an entirely light-colored wardrobe, you probably don’t want to pack all black or dark items for the warmer months either.)
Shop light neutrals
(Use the arrows > to scroll for more selections.)
Open-weave, crochet-effect, and eyelet details
Eyelet, lace inserts, and other open weave details were prevalent, offering cooling air flow.
Shop eyelet, open-weave styles
Stripes
While you’ll always spot iterations of Breton-stripe tops in Paris, this season I noticed almost every brand included pieces with vertical stripes. (For budget-friendly styles, check out Monoprix, which had a large section of striped shirts, pants, dresses in linen and cotton.)
Shop vertical stripes
Wafty & print dresses
On the warmest days in Paris, I noticed quite a few women in longer, loose print dresses: florals, stripes, geometric, block-print, and some “artisanal” patterns. Most that I observed were worn loose and unbelted, though I also clocked a few printed (long, loose) skirts. (Tighter dresses, and mini-skirts were mostly worn by very young women.)
Shop wafty dresses
Relaxed denim in lighter washes
Relaxed and wider leg jeans in lighter washes are the predominant denim style, both in the shops and on the street. Even straight leg styles have a bit of ease. I saw both cropped and extra-long styles worn most often (sometimes cuffed to keep from dragging on the ground). Washes are even, without whiskering or faded areas, and I didn’t see any with rips or obvious distressing.
Paris-ready denim
Footwear
Sneakers still reign supreme…everything from classic Converse to chunky “technical” styles…(often worn with long, loose-fit jeans). You can’t go wrong to pack your favorite comfortable pair.
But on the warmest days, many Parisians opted for sandals. As Paris is a walking city, I didn’t see a lot of flip-flops or flimsy styles. Almost every footwear brand does some “homage” to Birkenstock Arizonas (and you see a lot of this O.G. sandal as well).
Pack these sandals for summer in Paris…
Micro trends
Quilted print jackets. I noticed these in several shops, and being worn in the streets on cooler days. Usually in cotton.
Shop quilted jackets
Earth tones and “sour” colors. When Parisians wear color it’s often subtle. They do seem to favor earth tones currently: brown, rust, mustard, olive, chestnut. But I noticed a lot of acid yellow and “sour apple” green in the summer collections in stores. It will be interesting to see if Parisians take to those brighter shades.
Style-wise, you’ll see a little of everything in Paris, so there’s no need to be intimidated. When planning your packing list, opt for neat, simple, and comfortable styles. Most of the time, “smart casual” is as dressed up as you’ll need to be.
Which of these Parisian style trends would you wear?
I can’t wait to see what my blogger friends have shared. Please do go visit their lovely blogs!
Most Lovely Things | A Well Styled Life | Cindy Hattersley Design | Classic Casual Home
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Thanks Susan for sharing with us what women in Paris are wearing. I would wear the wide leg trousers with a t-shirt, scarf and X-body bags. Although I love neutrals, I will pack navy wide leg trousers and a navy soft swishy skirt, otherwise I would spend every night washing clothes. It is so true though, that fashion is pretty much the same the world over. Can’t wait to see what is happening in Milan – enjoy
I love the ensemble at Sessun. The brand has s shop in Nice and luckily I will be there next month!
My new obsession is wide-legged pants!
I am sure I have a few of these styles in my wardrobe, grin.
Greetje
Susan,
I love all of these styles! I have notived that every brand has a version of the croche-open knit options in neutral colors. Pretty with white or light denim.
Love stripes! And the vertical stripes too! I don’t wear a lot of prints, but I think I might have to add something floral this season! We leave for Paris at the end of the month! I always love to read and study your take on what’s trending! I’ll be on the lookout for all of these looks!
xo
Annie
I think the shop on rue des Saint Peres is called Shade.
Interesting to note the vertical stripes coming in too. Will be more flattering for me – and others I suspect!
What a fun trip…almost as good as being with you. Love all your observations, Susan. One that I will particularly take to heart is the lighter denim! Practical for travel (easier to keep clean than white). The quilted jacket is a fun one too!!
Wow I loved looking at all the Paris fashion. I could and would wear everything in the shop windows. I am enjoying your trip so much.
Keep up the great photos because I study and enjoy each and everyone.
Enjoy the rest of your trip and more pictures please!
I saw many of the same trends in Madrid and Valencia last October as weather was very warm. Give it a year or two to come to the small town where I live. I’m wearing it anyway. It’s actually really cool in the heat here in the deep South.
I do wear lighter (mostly) once June through September weather hits NewEngland. Today? I’m freezing, so added a sleeveless gilet over my eyelet mans shirt. Faux pas I’m sure!
I wear these: Light, wide leg pants. Vertical stripe shirts and (linen) wide leg pants. And I like a monotone white/ivory body with perhaps a colored shirt or accessory added–always feels cool in the hot temps.
I love, love, love that the wide leg pants are there.
And some texture/crochet is nice.
And my feet love my Birkenstock soft-bed Arizonas. I am breaking in a pair of pale rose Milanos, which is an Arizona with a back strap, that has the sheep wool lining. Nice in the air-conditioning in the summer and outdoors when cooler, but it is my first pair without the soft footbed, and despite the cushioning of the wool, these are taking much longer to break in than the soft bed Arizonas.
I do love traveling with lighter neutrals. I find them soothing to wear. The crochet and open pieces are so fun. I’m seeing lots of that trickle into shops here too. I loved seeing the store displays! So fun.
Oh, this was so much fun! I love all the openwork and crochet, light denim, and many looks. I cannot wear Birkenstocks. I would love to try one of the imitations. Any suggestions for comfortable ones?
Thank you, Susan. I love these looks you’ve shown us. They all seem wearable and comfortable while being stylish no matter where one goes. I particularly like the touches of embroidery and broderie anglaise.
Light neutrals, texture, trouser cut denim (mid wash), sandals, earth tones, tout le temps
maxi dress (not too billowy), de temps en temps
stripes, sneakers, quilted jacket, rarement
acid colors, jamais!
😉
I would and do wear the wide leg pant, shirt outfit. I have the Madewell wide leg linen in salt. it’s a cooler neutral, and I love a faffy dress. Birkenstocks are a mainstay for me, whether they are in style or not. While I like it on others, I’ll be passing on the crochet and sequins.
Thanks for this Susan! Very timely. You answered my questions about light versus dark for this summer. You’ve given us great choices. I think my biggest challenge will be ‘marrying’ the Paris segment with the Greek Islands cruise segment! I’ve found that I pretty much have to stick to Brooks sneakers because the sleek versions are on a last that is too straight for my foot–unless you have other suggestions! Thanks again Susan!
Hi Susan,
Wonderful post thank you and such atmospheric pictures of Paris bliss. I bought a dress from des petits hauts in Bristol and it’s a lovely brand for petites.
Take care happy weekend!
I’m getting flashbacks to the late 70s, when my friends and I were wearing maxi dresses, wide legged pants and crochet! My mother made me a beautiful blouse of cotton gauze with insets of crochet and crocheted trim on sleeves and hem. I kept it for decades, and recently gifted it to one of my nieces.
Mom also gifted me with a cotton quilted jacket. One side has a coral print, but the other reverses to a sour apple paisley. My mother always had excellent fashion sense.
I find this season’s styles very appealing; thank you for sharing your expertise and style. I love that faux-Birkie cheetah print. I have two pairs of Arizona and one pair of Mayari. If it wasn’t so cold at my workplace I would live in Birks during the summer. I would definitely wear the Sessun mannequin’s outfit.
Oh good, the French love fisherman sandals as much as I do! Glad to see they’re sticking around, I have some fly Londons that have taken me many steps through the cities.
I’d love to know more about those cute little blue shoes shown with the light/pale blue jeans. Are they embroidered? eyelet? Anyway – they are cute little flats for summer!
Hi Roxanne, I think they’re grommets actually, and yes, very cute!