Thursday, April 02, 2009

Paris Wows with Colors??

Usually I find it's pretty predictable to figure out what the 'it' color will be in Paris by spotting a glimpse of a certain hue a few times on the street. Well, I was stumped this time -- the only exceptional color I noticed parading along on the Parisian sidewalks was a fair amount of fuchsia-colored scarves. Surely that's not the new trend, I thought.

If only.

Looking for a fashion weather vane, I poked around to see what was being promoted in the store windows. Get ready, folks. Think no further than your Easter-egg dyeing kit, or your bag of Skittles, because this season's hot colors are apparently all variations on sweet candy.

Bubble-gum pink, apple green and an electric blue ...best left undescribed.

For those who can't stomach the brightest of brights, a creamier, paler pastel version is also acceptable.


OK fashion gods, have at it: Paris has gone 60's preppy. Neo-preppy? Neon-preppy? Who knows?

The BCBG window says it all.

But also home decor, this at Madura. Get me my PAAS egg-dyeing kit! Vinegar and those little metal hoops for holding the eggs.

And you men can stop hiding in your navy, forest green and cognac-colored duds. Oh, no, you are not spared. PINK is all over men's apparel.

Uh, right down to the unmentionables. No more tighty-whiteys -- now the nec plus ultra is -- what? -- slinky-pinkies?

Last spring I spotted a few street glimpses of this color trend, and photographed samples at Calypso, a chic boutique in the 16e; but, then, as far as I could see it never really panned out. Yes, one year ago, no kidding: I was all ready to contact Lilly Pulitzer and convince the owner to open a boutique in Paris (with me as marketing consultant?) to capture the magic of the fashion moment. But I figured it was just a flash in the pan.
Dang.

Coulda woulda shoulda.

Update: I wanted to include the photo taken last year at Calypso, just to make me an honest woman. Here it is:


10 comments:

Fifi Flowers said...

Paris is colourful and WONDERFUL... hope you are ENJOYING!!!
When you come back... could you tell me who this dog belongs to if you know...
http://fififlowersdesign.blogspot.com/2009/04/polly-vous-francais.html
Merci Beaucoup!
Fifi

M said...

I guess I had better prepare for an influx of those colours in six months time for our summer.

Can't see the males in my life getting into hot pink underwear, somehow.

Who is Mary Blake? said...

To Michelle
I can't see the males in my life.

Starman said...

I like the colors. Send black back, yellow is mellow.

Susan said...

I have seen purple, violet, lilac - all shades - all over Zurich this Spring. I noticed quite a bit in Paris last month, too.

Cynthia said...

Love the pink shorts - wish I was in Paris to buy them. My Frenchman and I are getting married in 3 weeks and I'd like to see him in something other than the black, boring things the wedding night! We're in the French Alps (Im an American expat) so we're not quite neighbors but close. Fun blog. Cynthia in France

Virginia said...

Ah I see my friend Starman has been visiting. This is my first stop here. LOVE this blog and will be back. I'm headed there the 23rd of May for a month. Imagine my delight when reading hot pink is HOT in Paris!! I have a fab tote I just bought that color for the trip. Hope you'll visit my Paris photoblog upon your return: http://paristhroughmylens.blogspot.com It's still up from my last trip but I won't start posting again till May. Now I've got to explore yours some more.
V

Polly-Vous Francais said...

I like color, too. These are just so...VIVID! I imagine that as usual the dress code will be "just a splash" or an accent. Time will tell.

The Pink U-trou were just great -- especially so prominently displayed next to place de la Madeleine.

Fifi -- I 'll see if I can tell whose dog you're talking about.

Virginia -- I look forward to checking out your blog. Have fun on your return trip.

And Mary Blake, you are a jokester as always!! I missed seeing you.

Carole Buschmann said...

Polly I have especially enjoyed your posts, but in particular this one on color. I made refererence to it in my blog, Color creates. Thank your for your astute and fun observations.

Polly-Vous Francais said...

Thanks, Carole! Paris is indeed so full of those color splashes. In my mind it's what makes "la mode" in the beautiful city.

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