I Recently Returned from Paris—These 6 Outfits Helped Me Blend in Like a Local.
Kristina Ang is an editor in residence at Who What Wear, a fashion writer and content creator, and a social producer for Spotify. She previously held the position of social video coordinator at Harper's Bazaar. Paris is always a wonderful destination, but spring in Paris feels like a completely different city. I just returned from my fourth trip to my second-favorite city globally (New York City will always have my heart), and this was my first experience of it in spring. I'm used to dressing for the colder Parisian winter—think Uniqlo Heattech, long wool coats, and outfits often obscured by layers. Function has typically triumphed over aesthetics.
This time, however, was distinct. The city was beginning to blossom into spring, and I found myself dressing for leisurely mornings, café breaks, and golden-hour strolls along the Seine. Envision coquette tops, two-piece ensembles, and ultra-romantic silhouettes. At last, I got to fully experience French fashion when the chilly weather doesn't prevent locals and visitors alike from showcasing their style—myself included.
Suffice it to say, I went all out. Keep reading for a glimpse of everything I wore during my recent Parisian visit.
**Day 1**
On the first day of my trip, I landed in Paris at 6 a.m., and despite being extremely jet-lagged, I couldn’t afford to waste any time. Since I was staying in my favorite neighborhood, Le Marais, it naturally turned into a shopping day. Unfortunately, even with blue skies and sunshine, the wind was quite fierce, making this outfit the perfect choice.
When I think of Parisian style, I envision simplicity and elegance, but New Yorkers bring an edgy twist to their style that makes it feel distinctive. This double-button Fancì Club jacket became the focal point of my outfit, and I built the rest around it, pairing it with my go-to straight-leg blue-wash Uniqlo x JW Anderson jeans. The accessories were where I had the most fun. Since I was working primarily with neutral tones, I aimed to remain within that color palette while introducing something unexpected. My leather patchwork Coachtopia bag ended up being the perfect quirky addition that pulled the entire look together. For footwear, I chose my Maison Margiela Tabis because, when in Paris… After some time breaking them in, I found them surprisingly comfortable for walking several thousand steps a day.
**Day 2**
Believe it or not, I usually don't wear much color, but Paris felt like the perfect opportunity to try something new. Ever since I got this pink suede blazer from The Toé, I've been eager to wear it. If you're familiar with me, you know I have a penchant for the pink-and-red color combination, which guided my outfit choice—just in a more subtle way. I kept the base classic with a white T-shirt and jeans, then accessorized with maroon-toned items from two iconic Parisian brands: a Gerard Darel handbag and Veja x Baserange sneakers.
**Day 3**
On days three and four, I made a quick detour to Bordeaux—France's renowned wine region and the capital of canelé. Located in southwestern France, Bordeaux was significantly warmer than Paris, allowing me to wear my red two-piece Tyler McGillivary set. If you haven't been to Bordeaux, I highly recommend it. There’s so much to see and do, and it’s just a short two-hour train ride away. Plus, it’s lovely to experience what other French cities have to offer apart from Paris.
That evening, our group dined at Symbiose, a charming, intimate old-world restaurant in downtown Bordeaux, so I chose to dress up for the occasion. I initially thought this floor-length, drop-waist dress might be too formal for the restaurant, but when in Bordeaux… Naturally, I brought my vintage Bally mini bag, the perfect accessory for an evening out.
**Day 4**
On my final day in Bordeaux, I visited Darwin Ecosystem, a collaborative space filled with cafés, shops, and small businesses that support sustainable development and creativity. With unusually warm weather, I opted for a spring dress from Maeve (Anthropologie’s little-sister brand) paired with classic black ballet flats from Dolce Vita. Polka dots will always be in style, in my opinion.
**Day 5**
On my last day in Paris, I decided to have a relaxed day. For one final outing in Le Marais, I chose a double-breasted peplum top from Niihai and my reliable straight-leg Uniqlo jeans. No bag needed—just my Gerard Darel phone crossbody.
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