Trend Alert
Amanda Caruccio
Trend Alert!
Trends are constantly moving and hard to keep up with and honestly, can be quite annoying. This page is to keep you all informed on what is coming back in style, how to recycle old looks, and where to shop for these vintage looks!
Less is More
16/04/24
In Paris, style is measured by individuality and sophistication. In order to be seen as fashionable, you have to find a way to balance the new and the old when it comes to trends. However, one of the biggest mottos to stick to when it comes to incorporating French influence into your wardrobe, is that less is more. Never overdo it with the accessories or patterns in one outfit. The French strive for a more simplistic look with neutral colors as the basic palette and perhaps spicing the outfit up with one bright accessory. They really value quality over quantity when it comes to fashion and it is important to them that their looks remain timeless. When trying to achieve an everyday look, the French will pair something like black trousers with a white blouse and perhaps a red scarf. The look is not giving too much but it still shows people that you have a good personal style. It is so easy to add individuality into this motto by simply throwing in a fun accessory that you like.
Image: Vogue France
Animal Print in the City
09/04/24
Looking around, there is a certain print that seems to be screaming at you as you walk past it. No… maybe roaring? Yes, that’s more like it. Roaring at you as you walk by. Animal print is one of the boldest prints that has ever been done and it has been making its rounds again it seems. This time on pants. Printed pants is a bold trend that can spice up any basic look. Now putting cheetah print on pants, well, that is certainly a way to draw some eyes to your look. The printed animal pants have actually been seen in Vogue France recently as one of the new spring styles to watch out for. Try pairing cheetah print pants with a black cropped cami and some black boots and a leather jacket for an edgy look for a night out with the girls. Or, cheetah print pants with a black button up for a more casual day to day look.
Cropped Jackets? In or Out?
02/04/24
Cropped jackets are a garment that have been in and out of style for decades. They are something that I personally do not like very much, but as I have been looking around, they are EVERYWHERE. I have seen so many in different thrift stores, retail stores, and even on the street. The jacket is perfect for spring weather, as it keeps you warm but also allows room for air to pass through. They are offered in multiple different fabrics such as denim, suede, leather, and more. The cut usually falls right below the naval but it can also differ. In my opinion, these jackets look a bit tacky as they don’t really serve the purpose they are intended for as jackets; keeping you warm. However, I understand that they can be styled correctly if someone were to really like the garment. Try styling a denim cropped jacket with a cropped tank and some khaki pants for a casual look or a leather cropped jacket with a red slip dress for a night on the town look.
Image: Who What Wear
Images: Vogue France
The Rise of Baby Blue
26/03/24
Moving towards the warmer seasons, color palettes tend to get lighter and brighter. In this sense, lighter. Baby blue is a classic spring color that is seeming to make its way back into the trend rotation. Seen in both the Fendi and Stella McCartney spring/summer 2024 shows, baby blue is one of the colors to look for this upcoming spring season. It can easily be paired with other colors as it still is pretty neutral, but it also brings in a pop of color to a bland outfit. A good way to pair this spring color can be a baby blue blouse with a long white skirt or even pair the top with black trousers for a more business casual look. The color adds a feminine touch to an outfit and can be worn by people of all genders looking to bring a softer touch to their spring looks.
Sporty and Chic?
19/03/24
As the weather starts to get warmer and the sun finally starts to shine in the city of light, more people are starting to spend time outdoors. If you look around, you may come across a familiar trend that has made its way in and out of style for decades; the rugby shirt. Over the past week, I have not gone into a thrift store that did not feature an entire rack filled with vintage rugby shirts. They range from bright colors like green and yellow to darker neutrals like black and gray. The rugby shirt can be thrown over most outfits to warm you up a bit while also adding a touch of style to your outfit as well. It can be paired with a light wash denim pant for a more casual look or even a black mini skirt for a more classic look.
Images: Vogue France
Pop Ups Around the City
11/03/24
Walking around the city, you are bound to come across something new and exciting every time. Currently, I am working as an intern for a Second Hand Vintage company called Tutti Frutti. This company specializes in promoting second hand shopping and also hosts many pop up events around the city where local vendors are able to sell their products. This past weekend, I was able to work at the first one since my time here in Paris. The pop up was located 5 minutes from the Republique metro station and was in this large event space. I was able to meet a lot of locals at this event and talk to them about their brands. There were people selling second hand luxury clothing, vintage clothing, hair pieces, handbags, and even handmade jewelry pieces. Each vendor seemed very excited to talk with the interns and customers about what it is that they specialized in. I was able to purchase a beautiful second hand Dolce and Gabbana shirt for 70 euros and Canada was able to purchase a silver John Paul Gaultier bag for 75 euros. This space hosts many different pop up events over the year. Last weekend there was a plant pop up event and who knows what could be there next weekend. My advice to you is to keep your eyes peeled for anything new that may catch your eye because you never know what you will come across in your time here.
Image: Vogue France
Red Alert!
26/02/24
Parisians love to wear neutrals. Black, white, beige, you name it. However, if you look down for a second (a weird thing to ask), you may notice a pop of color. Red. Specifically, red pumps with a pointed toe. Red has always been super trendy, more recently with the deep maroons often seen during the fall and holiday season. But, this time around the red is a bit different. Think more of a cherry red. Fun and exciting and perfect for the spring weather that is hopefully right around the corner. A colored pump is a classic way to spice up an outfit and is so easy to find in thrift stores around the city. For a red heel specifically, you might need to keep your eyes peeled a bit more because of its growing popularity. A perfect way to style a red heel would be with a simple black dress and black coat. This is very chic and can be worn for so many different occasions. A more casual way to style a red pump could be with white trousers and a black sweater.
Western Fringe in Paris
19/02/24
From Pharrell Williams’ Louis Vuitton show, to every thrift shop in Paris, one particular statement piece has really been standing out. Fringe. Specifically, the fringe jacket. Something that is so famous for being part of “western American” style has made its way over to Paris. Personally, I did not see this trend making it rounds for at least another 5 years, but alas, the jackets are everywhere. From suede jackets to leather ones, you cannot go into any thrift shop here without seeing one thing with fringe on it. It is more popular among menswear rather than womenswear, but the trend can work for anyone. For a more masculine look, try styling a brown suede fringe jacket with a classic denim pant and white button up. This gives you that famous western look, and if you really want to dress it up, pair it with a cowboy boot to push the look even further. For a more feminine look, try taking a black leather fringe jacket and pair it with any mini dress you have in your closet. Pair with a black boot, maybe even a cowboy boot, and you are all set. At most thrift stores around the city, you can find one of these jackets for around 40-80 euros, a much cheaper and sustainable alternative compared to a name brand.
Image: Vogue France
Image: Nasty Gal
Vintage Spotlight: The Hippy Market
16/02/24
Eclectic, fun, and bold. These are the three words that I would use to describe the Hippy Market. With multiple locations featured around Paris, it is easily accessible to many different people. You walk in and you are instantly transported back in time to the 70s. You can find just about anything here, from jeans to furs to slip dresses, you name it. Even pleated skirts, if you want to stay in with the trend mentioned in the last post. The store varies in prices; some more expensive jackets that are around 80 euros to cheaper sunglasses that are around 13 euros. This is one of the larger vintage shops I have been to around the city and they even have dressing rooms in the back to try things on. Most of these shops have 2 different floors to widen their variety. If you are ever in Paris, I really recommend looking at where the closest one to you is!
Image: Instagram @linda.sza
Image: The La Collection Sada Trousers
Image: Anthropology
Are pleats coming back?
12/02/2024
Taking the metro around the city invites the eye to a multitude of stylistic Parisians who always appear very put together. Recently, my eye has been seeing a trend I have not really seen since the 2010s; pleats. Pleated pants, pleated skirts, even pleated blouses. The pleat is a perfect way to spice up any regular outfit, whether it be for the office, a night out, or an everyday street look. For a pleated skirt, try a classic cool gray to match with red tights and a black turtleneck for a cool 90s inspired look. Or even, match a black pleated skirt with a deep maroon bodysuit and a black pump for a night on the town look. For a pleated trouser or pant, try styling a brown bottom with a white or beige cardigan on top of a brown top for a trendy monochromatic everyday look. To add a pop of color to this look, you can swap the white cardigan for a deep green one or even an orange one if you are really looking to stand out. When styling a pleated blouse, it is best to make that the staple piece of the entire look. Try choosing a pale colored blouse, such as lavender or light green, and pairing with a simple denim pant and black boot. This outfit is so versatile for any occasion and the blouse can be interchanged in any color to spice up any look. Parisians commonly stick to very neutral colors, famously black, so even sticking with the basics will truly give you that French look.