Why parisians wear black

On colder days, a jacket is an absolute must. Parisian women have embraced the leather jacket wholeheartedly; denim jackets have also made a huge comeback; and the trench coat will always be a safe classic. This also helps protect against the cold winds during autumn and spring, when the weather is unpredictable. Burberry Brit midnight-blue twill trench coat net-a-porter. Helmut Lang leather-sleeved cotton and wool-blend jacket net-a-porter. Parisian beauty rituals seem to be quite simple as well—although how French women have such impeccable skin without wearing too much make-up will forever be an unsolvable mystery to me.

Simplicity rules here, too; a clean face will make you look more Parisian. Feel free to accessorize, but in a very thoughtful way as Tim Gunn would say. Dainty chains, bracelets, and necklaces are extremely popular at the moment, and they go perfectly with the laid back Parisian look. Dainty chains, bracelets, and necklaces are extremely popular at the moment, and they go perfectly with the laid-back Parisian look. But slowly, over the course of the years, I have found myself toning it down a notch.

When I showed my purchases from the recent soldes to a girlfriend she commented that everything I had bought was black.

So why is it that Parisians wear so much black? There are lots of theories — black is chic, timeless, slimming — all important things for Paris-folk. But it may come down to something about fitting in with the crowd. Parisians are not naturally extroverted when it comes to fashion. It is almost better to conform than to se faire remarquer to be noticed. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. At my office, on Fridays even the most conservative French males will wear red pants to signify the coming week-end.

Another example: we went to a beautiful country wedding of a dear Parisian friend a while ago. After a raucous, napkin-waving marquee reception on the Saturday night we were all invited back for a brunch on the Sunday morning. There was no official dress code. We arrived to a sea of coloured slacks in every shade of the rainbow — red, pink, green, mustard, blue, you name it.

There are other signs of change in the air. Boost Pigalle , boot camps e. This subconscious protocol requires Parisians to stick to neutral and dark materials, especially during winter. In , when Prince Albert died, Queen Victoria took to wearing black as everyday dress. Her decision to sport widows weeds resonated into everyday fashion, as people reconfigured her mourning into fashion. Subsequently it became the uniform of Coco Chanel and a mainstay for many designers.

Color plays a major role in African fashion and exemplifies the way a person is feeling. Growing up in South Africa, women were and still are afraid of wearing too much black, for the fear of looking too dull.

Colored scarves, sweaters and satchels are often worn to break an all black outfit. Perhaps it is a representation of the African origins, the endless sunshine and the warmth and atmosphere that is so different compared to European living. Black is lazy and easy — but mysterious.

Then there are people who are in the middle, the hybrids and bodies of amalgamated influences. People like me and my fellow classmates, who are stuck in the middle of the fashion scale wanting to fit in with the Parisian dress style but still stay close to our roots.