VINTAGE CLOTHES

Antique look scarf, chunky lacy knit dress, wedge heeled boots

 I LOVE VINTAGE CLOTHES

 I think I like shopping for Vintage clothes  best.  Really it’s the easiest way to find something different, mostly below budget restrictions and usually of quality.  I cannot resist charity shops and I also cannot pass a swap shop.

 OK , so I've added modern accessories ie the scarf, boots, leggings.  Well you have to be of your own generation, even younger if it suits you.  Actually I wouldn't recommend  vintage underwear unless it comes with a government warning or to be the foundation of a truly period piece.

The picture on the right is pretty standard attire of a vintage black top but this one has lovely little "mother-of-pearl" buttons, at the wrist.  The jeans are the current skinny type, another cheat, sorry, but I found it a flattering and practical look and if worn with nice jewellery could take me nearly everywhere. 

 Here are a few of my favourites

With modern accessories and an imaginative way to assemble an ensemble one can almost be considered chic, even in France !!   

There are little flowers embroidered at neckline

 

 This outfit is from Portobello Road Market in London.  It is a knitted dress that fits flatteringly around the hips and is probably circa 1969. 








I teamed it with a flame coloured silk pashmina.
                                                                Boots, as before, they remind me of  high heeled sports shoes.

Below is a blue suede shirt-waister dress which I found in the new(ish)Vintage Clothes Department of Galleries Layfayette, Paris.  I've added an Ungaro belt of three colours which has been in my own wardrobe for a very long time.  I couldn't part with it.   Hmm - worrying when one finds"vintage" in one's own wardrobe! Oh well!

Another thing is to be prepared to alter garments, either you are handy with a needle or else you have found a tame alterations dress maker to re-create and re-fit.  I don't mind the effort as the result is most satisfying.  At least you can be assured of having an outfit unique to you.

I shortened the dress and opened up slits on both sides.  The dress is teamed with wine coloured tights and navy blue suede booties with stacked heel.

You will find a Vintage shop that is of your standard acceptable, but mostly the garments are lovingly restored to their former glory.  I have also noticed that the owners and their helpers are usually cheerful and helpful, even in Paris.  They tend to be pretty chic too and certainly creative.  

As for the chic part, in Paris, if you happen to have spent time in a vintage clothes shop near closing time, the staff are often quaffing champagne out of stylish champagne flutes, certainly of the vintage variety.  I thought I might have been offered a "coupe", but perhaps I hadn't spent enough money that day to merit even one glass. Maybe next time.

Come Vintage Clothes Shopping with me in Paris - www.bestvintageclothesshoppingparis.com

  

I LOVE PARIS WHEN IT SPARKLES

 

I LOVE PARIS WHEN IT SPARKLES BEFORE CHRISTMAS

The pictures in this post are taken where in live in Paris and where the Christmas Lights have been switched on just this week.  The mood is festive and bustling and I had a hard time dodging the cars.

I am posting photos of just a few observations taken on my nocturnal walk and wish that my pics would show the full extent of the sparkles.  Maybe Papa Noel will bring me a new camera !?

 

Here are some of the things that drew my attention

Shop Window in rue St. Dominique

This little sugar plum looks like she's dreaming of her Nutcracker Prince in her Christmas Party dress.  Perhaps she is a future Sugar Plum Fairy with the Paris Opera.

What I love about French children is their knowledge of who they are.  They are aware that they are children and they know that polite children do not command total attention.  Instead, they remain poised next to "maman" and wait to be spoken to by a grown-up.  I marvel at their little bodies, slim without being skinny.  It must be the good food and lack of snacks.  You never see a child walking down the street eating a bar nor do their jaws move unattractively in order to chew gum.  Perhaps that's why "French Children don't Throw Food" Whew that was almost a preach !!

The Restaurants look Warm and Cozy whether they be in the ..........

                    Modern style...........

 

 

 

...........or the more traditional

And as for the flowers

The flower shops are blooming with both 

...........the real 

                                                     .........or the fake

France, or Paris at least, has embraced Christmas as a time to be jolly, friendly and festive like their Anglophone neighbours.  

Good times are being had by all.

A Trendy cafe on the rue Cler

But the most Sparkling of all Lights remains, for me, the symbol of Paris which is non other than the Eiffel Tower

Bon Noel tout le monde and bonne fin de l'annee

I LOVE PARIS NOW IT'S SIZZLING

We have been having wonderful summer weather in September in lieu of August ? Oh well we can't have it all. all of the time. So I am holding out for a while before checking out the autumn fashions in the shop windows.  We are all getting back into summer wear and instead of having to remember to bring something to keep out the chills I can go out without packing a small suitcase.

In the picture above you will notice that the attachment of locks have started building up.

 It started on the Le Pont Des Arts and has broken out like a rash.   This practise has now become viral on many of the bridges of Paris.  Bridges have become the place where not only lovers declare their undying love by writing their names on locks and fixing them onto the bridge then throwing away the key, but also “friends forever”, parents and children, maybe even dogs and cats are compelled! to do the same! These locks ! what to do ! The bridges are overloaded by the weight and one section of the Pont des Arts had to have its side rail repaired. 

LE BON MARCHE

  Loving the return to warm days and balmy evenings and sipping an apero(S) outside a cafe with friends and when it gets too hot drop into a beautiful shop to cool off.

 

 


Market days are always a pleasure and worth climbing all those steps.

Nice to be back in white jeans again !





  I just love the market. There is always something unusual to see and it's not always French !!

  Then back over the bridge. The lock and key collection is building up !! 

Hmmmmm carrots for dinner !!

 I count myself fortunate in having such a route to and from the market, which is a very good one, and I can look at the fabulous bridges for which Paris is famous.
 

The beauty of the bridges of Paris is best by looking up river and at the golden Pegasus horses of Pont Alexandre III when bathed in the strong light of the summer sun is spectacular. The nymphs and muses of this most extravagant bridge in Paris connects the Place des Invalides and the Champs Elysees and the area of the Eiffel Tower.

 A more detailed view

Another bridge of note, in recent history, is the Pont Alma being made even more famous due to the sad fact that Princess Diana met her untimely death in a high speed car crash below the quay de Pont Alma between the bridges of Alma and d'Iena "Diana!". Close to the bridge there is an exact replica of the Statue of Liberty torch flame "Candle in the Wind!". The candle sculpture has been adopted by Parisiennes and tourists alike as a memorial to the Princess and August 21st marked the 20th anniversary of her death.  Many floral tributes and messages of condolences and praise were placed around the golden fllame. Even throughout the year there are often gatherings of people who take the time to give a few moments to contemplate her sad demise.