Spring 2013 Paris Fashion Trends

Paris is considered by many to be the fashion capital of the world. Naturally, one of the many reasons I've always wanted to visit Paris is to absorb the street style, shop the stores, and observe the trends. One of my first stops after arriving in Paris last week was the Galeries Lafayette department store. Even in my jet-lagged state of mind, I was immediately impressed and awakened by the opulence and creativity of the visual displays. Everything oozed over-the-top luxury.  Later in the week, I browsed at department store Au Printemps, which was equally impressive. Scroll down for a closer look at some of the fashion trends and displays that caught my eye.












So what trends did I see? Stores stocked an abundance of African prints, jungle motifs, printed harem pants, bold graphics, peasant tops, bohemian accessories, and destroyed denim. In terms of color trends, coral and cobalt really took center stage. 

The top budget-friendly stores that I enjoyed shopping at included Etam, Promod, Bershka, and Monoprix (which is similar to Target). When it comes to shopping, my Paris trip taught me that the French are better at luxury shopping than fast fashion. They appreciate classic, well-made pieces that endure the test of time. Many of the women that I observed while I was shopping in stores and walking the streets of Paris carried designer handbags. In general, the women I spotted also wore minimal makeup, had natural hair, and carried themselves with a quiet confidence that I admired. I also noticed that trench coats and scarves were key items for the rainy May weather. I saw so many women wearing scarves that I was inspired to wear a scarf on each day of my trip. You can see more of my Paris vacation photos and personal style on The Key To Chic. 

Whenever I return home from a trip, I realize that traveling inspires me and offers me a fresh perspective on culture, fashion, food, and history. I also realized how much I missed the warm and sunny California weather!