I recently had a request for a blog post on how to dress like the French, or at least not like an American in France.
First and foremost, I'd like to express my love for a comfy t-shirt circa Y2K and Chacos flip-flops, à l'américaine. But it's true that wearing these items here in France may make you stand out like Wonderbread in a row of baguettes. Fortunately, the rules have relaxed considerably since we arrived five years ago. You can now wear baseball caps (Louis Vuitton, please) and even Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts. Très à la mode in 2009.
I won't go so far as to say that dropping the American look is the 'right' thing to do when in France, but if you're looking for an authentic experience with the bonus of not sticking out as an easy target for pickpockets and tourist scammers, it is an idea worth considering.
2. Just say no to white socks.
3. Shorts are for a) older men playing boules, b) teenage boys making noise in the back of the bus, c) young women who paid a lot for them at high-end fashion boutiques.
4. Grown-ups don't carry backpacks. One exception: middle aged women with leather backpack-style purses.
(c) www.leatherbackpackpurses.net
5. Likewise, grown-ups do not wear tennis shoes unless actively participating in a sport. This applies particularly to the ladies. Low-heeled sandals are pretty much the standard.
6. Dockers, Crocs, denim shorts, Rainbows, braided leather belts, Chacos, insulated coffee mugs and sun-visors are American flags.
I still wear my Chacos. Just call me Madame Patriotic.
7. Man-pris are in. From what I hear, they are not (yet) in style in the US, so wearing them will make you look as if you are from this side of the Atlantic.
8. T-shirts that give information on what you've been up to (Class of 2009, Borders Family Reunion, Hard Rock Café Las Vegas, I ate the 5 lb burger at Joe's Beef Barn...) are to be avoided. However, if you're in highschool or college and want to share your interests in English, that's very popular (Live to party, Glamour flirt, I have hot...)
This is an official shout-out to my Dad
9. Bright colors get trumped by black if you're wanting to blend in.
10. If you want to be accepted and treated well by locals, respect their standards. Don't look at the other visitors to France and assume that if they can wear shorts, you can too. Take a look around to see what are the locals wearing to museums, restaurants and to the market. You'll have much more rewarding experience if you dress appropriately for the setting.
Any other suggestions, Franco-American expat-y folks?
First and foremost, I'd like to express my love for a comfy t-shirt circa Y2K and Chacos flip-flops, à l'américaine. But it's true that wearing these items here in France may make you stand out like Wonderbread in a row of baguettes. Fortunately, the rules have relaxed considerably since we arrived five years ago. You can now wear baseball caps (Louis Vuitton, please) and even Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts. Très à la mode in 2009.
I won't go so far as to say that dropping the American look is the 'right' thing to do when in France, but if you're looking for an authentic experience with the bonus of not sticking out as an easy target for pickpockets and tourist scammers, it is an idea worth considering.
Hear me yell this loudly:1. Sports sandals get the thumbs down. Although you may occasionally see some men sporting them, in general this is a look reserved for Americans and Germans, verstehen Sie?
I am not saying you shouldn't wear these things.
I am not saying that you will never, ever see a French person wearing them.
I am saying that IF you want to avoid looking American, here are 10 tips.
2. Just say no to white socks.
3. Shorts are for a) older men playing boules, b) teenage boys making noise in the back of the bus, c) young women who paid a lot for them at high-end fashion boutiques.
4. Grown-ups don't carry backpacks. One exception: middle aged women with leather backpack-style purses.
(c) www.leatherbackpackpurses.net
5. Likewise, grown-ups do not wear tennis shoes unless actively participating in a sport. This applies particularly to the ladies. Low-heeled sandals are pretty much the standard.
6. Dockers, Crocs, denim shorts, Rainbows, braided leather belts, Chacos, insulated coffee mugs and sun-visors are American flags.
I still wear my Chacos. Just call me Madame Patriotic.
7. Man-pris are in. From what I hear, they are not (yet) in style in the US, so wearing them will make you look as if you are from this side of the Atlantic.
8. T-shirts that give information on what you've been up to (Class of 2009, Borders Family Reunion, Hard Rock Café Las Vegas, I ate the 5 lb burger at Joe's Beef Barn...) are to be avoided. However, if you're in highschool or college and want to share your interests in English, that's very popular (Live to party, Glamour flirt, I have hot...)
This is an official shout-out to my Dad
9. Bright colors get trumped by black if you're wanting to blend in.
10. If you want to be accepted and treated well by locals, respect their standards. Don't look at the other visitors to France and assume that if they can wear shorts, you can too. Take a look around to see what are the locals wearing to museums, restaurants and to the market. You'll have much more rewarding experience if you dress appropriately for the setting.
Any other suggestions, Franco-American expat-y folks?
11 comments:
That's great! Thanks so much. As a follow-up, could you make some suggestions as to what one should wear? I'd like to pick some things up in the States, if at all possible, since it is less expensive, especially since our income is in dollars, not euros.
Thanks for the shout out!
Dad
So nice to see someone else call them tennis shoes.
I have a feeling I would be very American in France.
Oh snap. I have pretty much that exact leather backpack bag, and yes, I am a middle-aged female. Pretty much my entire wardrobe screams "totally un-stylish and gauche American". But then again, I'm not planning a trip to France any time soon, so I can take a deep breath and relax. But "man-pris"? There went my blood pressure. When I see Glenn wear them, I suppose I'll have to accept it. Til then? Not so much.
Hey, did you write #4 and then realize your mom sports a leather backpack? Am I middle age?
thanks for the cultural lesson of the day - love all that I learn from you. Someday I may get to come to Europe!
I've been thinking that my son's shorts were dead give-away that he's from the U.S. I mean, they're not THAT short, they cover his knees, but not long like those garcon-pris, which seem to be the only things little boys wear around here!
I'm trying to figure out how to avoid wearing white jeans with black japaneese lettering down the leg --cause that's all I can find. Yuck.
One more thing Kari, I've noticed a trend TOWARD the American look at my lycee. Like you said, A&F is a big winner right now. So is Polo and the whole preppy feel. The raised collar is back!
Many of my male coworkers are fond of the manpris (pantacourts). It still makes me laugh (quietly now) everytime I look at them. It just looks so wrong.
Even though I am now older than I like to admit, I still dress like a teenage skateboarder most of the time (shorts, tennis shoes, baggie button down shirt) and don't get much slack for it. And I even wear white socks!
I did finally buy a nice, stylish jacket though. The big puffy Dallas Cowboys jacket was a little too much.
I'm American & my husband is French... somehow, we seem to have gotten these all mixed up.
There he is, toting his backpack around in his running shoes & white socks... a wacky slogan & picture blazing across the front of his T-shirt.
I think that it's those Euro man-pris that enable him to get away with it.
I don't pay much attention, though... I just try to make sure that I'm covered before leaving the house - I've heard that streaking causes a bit of a fuss in both countries.
Cheers!
Oh, & nice to meet you, by the way. :)
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