Paris

This half term I was lucky enough to go away for a few days to Paris. I'd only been once before when I was about seven and all I could really remember were the obvious things like the Eiffel Tower. Of course, this time I had more important things on my mind... shopping. It sounds strange but I ended up buying only one thing when I was in Paris, and that was film for my camera because I ran out. And yet I didn't feel dissapointed at all! In those few days I did some of the best window shopping I'd ever done. The problem with Paris is that everything is SO expensive, but the shops are designed so beautifully, and the items to buy and so interesting and unique that Paris is more about the 'shopping experience' than actually buying anything.

My favourite shops in Paris, and the ones that it is most famous for, are the concept stores. These sell a huge variety of items from brightly coloured watches, to old fashioned style radios, to books about graffiti and so much more. A good way to explain it to someone who doesn't know what a concept store is, is probably to say that it's a bit like Urban Outfitters (although Urban Outfitters is sort of a copy of the Parisian stores). The most famous concept store in Paris is called Colette and it was the first one. I was amazing and I loved practically everything in it: the hi-tech gadgets, the independent fashion magazines, the designer clothes and the random, brightly coloured bits and bobs displayed by the checkout. 

As well as the concept stores the clothes shops were also amazing (I know, a bit obvious - it's Paris!). While shopping and also just seeing people on the street I realised that there are two main distinct looks that most Parisians seem to go for. There is the one that most people associate with fashion in Paris which is the very sleek and modern, yet also classic look, usually in a colour palette of black, white, grey and nude. This style is simple yet it looks so refined and expensive. The other style was not what I expected at all, it was mainly seen on young males and it was a sort of slightly geek chic, slightly grungey look. The uniform is:

- vintage jeans, either skinny or baggy, but, if the latter, then rolled up above the ankle
- a shirt, buttoned to the top
- a statement coat or jacket

The accessories seemed the most important part:

- modern, chunky watches
- brightly coloured headphones, either peeping out their bags or slung around their necks
- and most importantly a pair of nike high tops, in most cases blazers, or a pair of battered converse

This look is quite a general one in the sense that you see it often, in many cities, but for some reason I noticed it much more in Paris. Perhaps it was because they were doing something slightly different, or maybe they just wore it better.

Here are some photos from my trip...