Discovering New Shoe Brands at Galeries Lafayette

Leave a Comment / Shoes, Style / By / March 18, 2023

On one of several walks through the shoe department of Galeries Lafayette, I realized the store was a likely place to discover new brands—brands that were new to me, not necessarily ones that were new to the market. Ultimately, I decided that browsing the shoe selection online would be more efficient. Thus, I set out to round up six styles that represent companies I hadn’t heard of before arriving in Paris. (Although, I may have heard of Jonak before now; I can’t remember.)

Works Sighted

Victoria // Many (but not all) of the sneakers are tastefully emblazoned with the letter V; not to be confused with Veja. victoriachaussures.com

Rivecour // Shoes that are classic, elegant, and walkable. rivecour.com

AGL // A third-generation Italian brand run by three sisters; shoes with character and platforms. agl.com

Jonak // Classic, versatile shoes at a reasonable price point. jonak.fr

Clae // Minimalistic sneakers made from organic and recycled materials. clae.eu

Free Lance // High heels of varying heights. freelance.fr

Shoe Shopping at Chanel: What to Expect

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle, Paris / By / March 12, 2023

If I’ve entered a Chanel store in the past, it has never been with the intention of buying something…at least not until now. I recently visited two Chanel locations in Paris, 31 rue Cambon and 51 avenue Montaigne. My purchase took place at the latter. The fashion advisors who assisted me at both stores were welcoming, excellent conversationalists (we spoke in French), and made my experience memorable. I was also showered in bouquets of white roses for International Women’s Day, which opened beautifully when I placed them in a vase at home. Someone left a bouquet of tulips from Ferragamo behind, so I added those to my collection. Thus, I concluded March 8 with my first Chanel item and three bouquets of flowers. Here’s what to expect on your initial visit to a Chanel location in Paris.

  • Someone will ask you what item(s) you are shopping for the moment you enter the store (after the bonjours and bienvenues of course). It’s a good idea to have an answer prepared. I’d planned to buy a pair of classic ballerines in black and even went so far as to try them on for size at Bergdorf Goodman beforehand.
  • When you arrive, you’ll be put into a queue. At Cambon, I was asked to wait for a fashion advisor in the shoe department on a cushioned bench; one became available within 30 minutes. At Montaigne, I waited at least 90 minutes for an advisor and went to Dior and Ladurée in the interim. I opted to receive a notification via text message when it was my turn. You may schedule an appointment in advance online provided there is availability.
  • You will be offered a drink at the beginning of your shopping session and may choose from either still water, sparkling water, juice, or Champagne. At Cambon, I settled on a bottle of Evian. I asked for Champagne at Montaigne but they’d run out by then; I was there past closing time after all. Also, chocolate wafers from Angelina appeared along with Evian at Montaigne; I’m not sure if they are a staple among Chanel’s refreshments or if they were for International Women’s Day like the roses. If you know, comment below.
  • Everything isn’t on display. Just because something isn’t visible doesn’t mean it’s out of stock. I learned this on a walk around the shoe department with my style advisor at Cambon. To my amazement, she pushed aside several sliding mirrors to reveal shelves upon shelves of shoes not otherwise visible.
  • The display shoes have a price sticker on the bottom. I deduced that the ballet flats I tried on at Cambon had been on display (at some point) from the price sticker on the bottom. They were the last pair at that location.
  • The advisors wear all black. This makes them easy to spot on the sales floor. However, you shouldn’t need to go searching for anyone; your advisor stays with you the whole time.
  • Your advisor will need your passport to prepare the paperwork that will allow you to receive your VAT (value-added tax) back. Please note: it is not advisable to wear the purchases from which you plan to receive VAT on the flight home. In case of inspection, they should look like purchases. Place them in your carry-on.

Works Sighted

Meridame II (navy/ecru stripes) // J.Crew Martie pant (black) // Chanel classic ballerines (black)

Packing for Paris

Leave a Comment / Lifestyle, Style / By / March 7, 2023

I’d intended to settle my wardrobe for Paris in advance and not wait until the day of departure. But alas, that is not how the story unfolded As the flight time drew nearer and nearer, I decided to concentrate on packing the essential electronics: laptop, phone, watch, camera, chargers, and all accompanying cords. As for clothes, I brought two sweaters, a white shirt, and the Saint James/Martie pant uniform I’ve been wearing all winter. Et voilà ! No thinking necessary. I had clothes in my suitcase and time to get a mani/pedi before the flight. If I’d left something behind, I figured someone in Paris would sell it and searching for the vendor would lead to an adventure.

Works Sighted

An assortment of Saint James marinières and J.Crew Martie pants; Eyewitness Travel Guides: Paris // Alan Tillier; Cook Like a Local in France // Lynne Martin and Deborah Scarborough; a sketchbook from The Met Store; The Bigger Carry-On by AWAY

Paris Bookcase Inventory

Leave a Comment / Books, Lifestyle / By / February 26, 2023

Now seems like as good a time as any to take inventory of the collection of books in my Paris bookcase; my upcoming trip will present many opportunities to purchase more I’m sure. Despite the name I’ve aptly given it, the case also contains books pertaining to other areas of France and French culture as a whole. I’m open to recommendations and disagreements in the comments section. A library should be highly curated after all.

Style

Scenic Paris

The Table

Biography and Memoir

History and Culture


Language Learning

Further Reading

My French Soul: An Introduction

Wine Totes

Leave a Comment / Bags, Style / By / February 17, 2023

That sinking feeling when we arrive at a Main-Line restaurant for dinner without a bottle of wine. Everyone else will surely have theirs. Some even bring two. We’ve left our Cabernet Franc and Sauvignon Blanc at home—again. Maybe a wine tote would have reminded us to bring our own bottle as the acronym says. The Main Line is dotted with BYOBs, and life here requires a wine tote. I intend to acquire one soon; displaying it artfully by the front door seems like a good idea.

Works Sighted

Olive St Leather leather wine carrier // Mark & Graham canvas double wine tote // Awl of the Small Things leather wine bottle carrier // Mark & Graham leather wine tote

Mark & Graham essential wine tote /// Uashmama wine bag carrying tote // Elizabeth and Marin personalized two bottle wine tote // Preferred Nation dual wine dual bottle wine caddy carrier

Picnic Time bottle basket // Uncommon Goods recycled cotton bottle bag // Silver Crafts leather wine holder // Sprinkled with Pink shadow monogram wine bag

The L.L.Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Coat

Leave a Comment / Style / By / February 9, 2023

I began my search for a puffer coat with defined criteria. The ideal coat would have a two-way zipper, protect against the cold, and be polished enough for New York City.

The J.Crew parka I purchased in 2018 served me well for a few years, but eventually, the tape ends of the zipper became damaged. This prevented it from functioning properly, and I started snapping the coat closed or not closing it at all. A two-way zipper would have enabled me to unzip the coat from the bottom when sitting on the train, which would have allowed for more mobility and prevented stress on the fastening. Thus, I considered a double zipper an indispensable feature this time around.

Puffer coats vary in quality and intended temperature. I decided that one made of down would be the warmest option and black the most elegant color. The thought of splurging on a Moncler or Canada Goose coat crossed my mind, and had I not discovered the L.L.Bean Ultralight 850, I may have continued to consider options out of my preferred price range.

I’m not sure why I hadn’t discovered this gem of a coat on L.L.Bean’s website sooner. It seemed to have appeared unexpectedly one day…maybe it did. I ordered three sizes and selected the one that could be worn with a tee shirt and could also accommodate a blazer or sweater underneath. (The other two were returned.)

I was concerned that I wouldn’t feel polished enough if I wore the 850 on outings in Manhattan, but as long as I don’t pair it with leggings and gym sneakers, it doesn’t give running-to-the-grocery-store-at-11-PM vibes. The coat feels like a warm sweater, mobile, not restrictive. It’s lightweight and folds into a pocket for easy stowing; here are instructions for how to do so. I’ve been wearing it on my commute to and from the office—so has everyone else (in various variations) on the Main Line—but it could also complement a workout outfit to and from the gym.

Works Sighted

L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 down hooded coat