expectation vs reality: what to wear in paris

good evening guys, well i guess it’s officially morning now since it’s about 2:30am. i’m leaving for paris in the morning and have been tying up all the endless loose ends. i’ll be away for about 3 weeks so there’s a lot to do and packing has been something i postponed till the last minute, thinking i had that, at least, down pat. normally i’m a pretty goood packer but for some reason this trip i seem to be suffering from over-packing syndrome and can’t seem to get it together. my bag must be 60 lbs already! i’ll be in the city and then down south so that means a really varied wardrobe from casual to chic. paris is a city that even in summer makes you want to represent as far as style. it asks you to bust out your sunday best and yet wear it as casually as possible. i’d love to be one of those great street style gals but now am thinking, what really makes the outfit? it’s not the quantity, that’s for sure. before i zip my bag i wanted to give it one last edit so i took a stroll thru my pinterest style board just now. heck, pinterest is practically my very own closet, since i’ve been saving dream looks to it for a year or more. thought i’d share a little of what i discovered just now about paring down some of the bulk in my suitcase, and going from aspirational to attainable. these first photos are sort of inspiration and the second set is what i may be able to pull off. should have done this days ago. sigh. well if you’re traveling, hope this helps!

i’m not going to a ball. even if there is one i won’t be neededing a ballgown, or stillettos. not that i’m packing quite that crazy but i may have some fancy stuff i don’t need to bring…

i do wish i had a super cool jacket from somewhere exotic and will keep my eye out for one.

it would be great to have a perfect white shirt with frenchie details

a little black dress with sleeves is chic. and the heels are great, but mine would have gotten stuck in that train track behind her. murphy’s law.

blazers set a tone, like you’ve really got it all together, even with just a white tee underneath. i’d better pull out a couple even though it’s june…the forecast is pretty chilly and now that i think about it, didn’t even pack one

she’s super chic and simple in a white tank and skirt with skinny belt

and these airport looks are glam but i think flats and loose clothes are the way to go to relax, eat and sleep

a white skirt is chic, whether it’s long or short and so is a long sleeve black shirt

paris is the place to play with fashion and push design boundaries

the perfect LBD is a must

of course, so is being ready for anything which in this case means having the right accessories…glasses and a good bag

it would be so much fun to be these glam girls but now reality is setting in…

wait, actually yes i do have something to wear…in fact i probably have some version of all those things. and i didn’t pack any of them! where’s my black tank?

i have a hat and glasses, i’ll restart with that.

and pull out my long sleeve black top and stretchy skirt

and long white skirt

and ballet flats

i have a khaki dress, that can stay

and a clutch, watch, bracelet

comfort is key, maybe i should pack my converse after all

and i said no to my jean shorts but maybe one pair would  be ok

 

do i have a black blouse? no but i can fudge that

 

i do have white shorts, so easy to wear with white or a dark shirt. stick with solids.

white tops

a simple white tanks look great under anything

and i do have a couple white tops of course

a tank, a button down…funny that NoNe of this is what i packed.

well i do have a boho bag like this

white jeans, check

dark blazer, wide belt, v neck tee

colorful blazer

and where is my LBD?

neutrals!

jackets…have them…didn’t pack em

but…my mom sent me some vintage scarves she’s had since the 70s so i’m definitely bringing those. ok it’s official. i’m about to go unpack and hit the reset button.

my new rule when i put anything in the suitcase now will be the kiss principle…keep it simple.

and lighten up! thanks for letting me work it out…good night!