Studying abroad in Paris in the midst of Fashion Week means making the most of your wardrobe choices because frankly, you’re in the fashion capital of the world during one of the most momentous times of the year. This Fashionista does a fantastic job incorporating bold prints into her wardrobe by going for floral pants and solid colored accessories. Her outfit is 1/2 loud and 1/2 quiet, allowing for certain aspects about her to stand out, while the rest of her style pieces compliment her vision for the day. Her white peacoat is great because the color allows her to stand out, but the cut of the jacket remains casual with a sophisticated edge. Brown wedges are essential to any girl commuting within the city because the color is versatile and you get height along with comfort.
Not long ago, Paris really served up its population with some brutal temperatures that left people opting indoors for most activities or rushing quickly towards any sign of warmth. It’s easy to let bad weather ruin your outfit and have you opt for the most layers possible with little regard for how fashionable you appear. Seeing as no one really chooses their clothing based on their desire to look like the Michelin Man every morning, I felt it was fitting to capture Fashionistas/os that really embodied the art of bundling up.
Gare du Nord is a train station that services not only various metro lines but also international trains with northern routes. Constantly streaming with people awaiting loved ones coming in from London, Belgium or even just from surrounding French provinces, it wasn’t difficult to find someone adequately bundled up on this frigid day. Stephen Nason of George Washington University happened to be standing nearby one of the platforms when his effortless ensemble caught my eye. After some quick introductions I found myself reveling in Fashionista heaven. Starting from the top, we’ve got the sleek Super sunglasses to shade his tired eyes from the pale and glaring lights streaming through the station — a must for any form of travel… ever. Next up we have a J.Crew cashmere cardigan paired with an Aubin and Wills cashmere scarf, which if I may say so myself — you can never have too much cashmere, but especially not in Paris. It’s a great material that feels lovely on the skin and keeps you toasty, all while looking très cher (in the best way possible of course). As for his accessories, Stephen acquired the perfect alchemy of chic and masculine through his utilization of earthy tones with a splash of color. The Hermès Kelly Double Tour bracelet with the rag & bone messenger bag proved to be charming accessories. Last but certainly not least, the iconic Barbour coat with a faux fur zip lining — an absolute classic and necessity for any cold weather European.
Figuring out what to wear in order to address any of the elements you may face on your commute to class or work can be a bit agonizing, especially in a city where you walk nearly everywhere. For some people, carrying a handy umbrella around is enough to keep them secure from the sudden rainclouds. But what if you like to travel as light as possible? Perhaps it’s not even the elements themselves that are the issue but the temperature. It’s so bitter cold that you end up looking like a marshmallow rather than the chic Fashionista you really are. The best way to combat this little dilemma is to invest in a coat worth a thousand double takes — statement outerwear.
Whether you decide to adorn a Russian ushanka on your head or a floor length mink coat for the gregarious types out there, bold outerwear that keeps you both warm and fashion forward is a quick fix for unfavorable weather. I will always swear by a square cut peacoat, but there are dozens of other warm weather accessories you can utilize to up your wardrobe in the colder months.
