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French Dressing

Headed to Paris for Bastille day and a grand celebration of the storming of the Bastille and the start of the French Revolution?  If you're wondering what to pack, Karen Klopp is here to help you. Klopp's Blog (what2wearwhere.com) specializes in packing conundrums, and it's also chock full of other fabulous style advice. Here's her take on readying yourself in order to look Parisian chic. Her inspiration? The colors of the French Flag (she always recommends a color scheme for ease in mixing and matching), which is why all of these picks include navy and white with pops of red, paired with gold-accented accessories. Bon voyage!

By Karen Klopp

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White Jeans

Summer travel starts with a good pair of white jeans.  They should have enough stretch to be comfortable and enough denim to be flattering to your derrière.  These Toothpick Jeans from J. Crew are just the thing.     

 

J.Crew jeans, $98; j.crew.com
Photo Courtesy of J.Crew

Stripes!

The classic stripped tee from the GAP is so French and so chic, with its flattering wide V neckline. It is made of 100% rayon which make it ideal for travel because it won’t wrinkle and you can wear it multiple times without washing.

 

Gap t-shirt, $20; gap.com
Photo Courtesy of Gap

Cork Ballet Flats

Add a great and comfortable pair of ballet flats for strolling the boulevards.   We love the combination of the cork with a little gold accent, which we will pick up in the accessories.   

 

Annie Cybil ballet flats, $50; zappos.com
Photo Courtesy of Zappos.com

Large Tote

J’adore this MK bag for tooling around the city.  It is large enough for your camera, guide book and anything else you need for a day’s outing.  Don’t forget a bottle of water, our favorite is Badoit, to keep you fresh throughout the day. 

 

MICHAEL Michael Kors tote, $178; michaelkors.com
Photo Courtesy of Michael Kors

A Neutral Watch

Don’t forget your watch so you will know when it is 10:00am to view the military parade down the Champs-Elysées, led by the President.    This is such a wear-with-anything for summer with its soft champagne horn bracelet.

 

Michael Kors watch, $250; bloomingdales.com
Photo Courtesy of Bloomingdale's

Chic Stripes

Ooh la la!  This off the shoulder dress is perfect for a trip to the city of lights.  Wear it by day with a belt and flats and by night with a great pair of strappy sandals to storm the Champ-de-Mars and Trocadéro to watch the fireworks over the Tour d’Eiffel.

 

Lauren stripe dress, $100; ralphlauren.com
Photo Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Comfortable Wedges

Wedges are perfect when traveling to a city.  The platform lifts you off the street and cobblestones and creates a cushion of comfort.  These Jack Rogers Mid Heel Espadrilles are so comfortable you can just put them on a go forever.

 

Jack Rogers wedge, $178; jackrogerusa.com
Photo Courtesy of Jack Rogers

Cardigan

This Tory Burch Shrunken Cardigan is a terrific wardrobe addition that layers well over anything - the shorter length is very flattering.  It comes in many colors and for this trip, we recommend the white or navy. or both.  They fold very small for packing.  

 

Tory Burch shrunken cardigan, $195; toryburch.com
Photo Courtesy of Tory Burch

A Woven Belt

Wear Ralph Lauren Wide Woven Leather Belt can be out-fit maker as the subtle gold really pops.  And the woven closure lends itself to the flexibility to wear it either at your waist or hips.

 

Lauren woven belt, $68; ralphlauren.com
Photo Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

A Versatile Wrap

The search is over for the perfect wraps – Nordstrom’s Tissue Weight Cashmere Wraps.   They are so well priced that you can take two to wear together or separately!

Absolutely essential for travel, they can function as a pillow or blanket on a chilly flight, and add color and glamour to any ensemble.

 

Nordstrom wrap, $98; nordstrom.com
Photo Courtesy of Nordstrom

Straw Fedora

Don’t wait another minute to try on this stylish trend of a Tory Grosgrain Fedora.  The short brim makes it a perfect hat for travel and cet chapeau captures the playful essence of a femme fatale Parisienne.

 

Tory Burch fedora, $95; toryburch.com
Photo Courtesy of Tory Burch

Cat Eye Sunglasses

These Ralph Lauren Super Cat Eye Sunglasses are the height of Parisian chic.  They are universally flattering and bring out the French ingénue in all of us.

 

RL Collection sunglasses, $160; ralphlauren.com
Photo Courtesy of Ralph Lauren

Chambray Trench

Never leave home without a packable rain coat or jacket, even in the summer.  This Merona Chambray Trench from Target is an updated look on the classic.   Always check www.weather.com to track the forecast for your holiday destination.

 

Merona trench coat, $40; target.com
Photo Courtesy of Target

Mini Me

Milly Perforated Leather Mini is just the right size for stepping out at night.  It will carry your phone, credit card and red lipstick all with great style.

 

Milly perfortated bag, $250; millyny.com
Photo Courtesy of Milly NY

Heeled Sandals

For a little night-time glamour, what could be better than a pair of gold strappy sandals?  This snake-embossed metallic leather has a muted gilded patina that makes it a great dress-up/dress-down shoe.  Wear them with white jeans or cocktail dress and look smashing in both. 

 

Kate Spade sandals, $350; bergdorfgoodman.com
Photo Courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman

Day and Night Earrings

For day or night jewelry, we love the updated designs of Kara Ross.  For day we like the

braided maple hoops trimmed in gold, while we bring out the glamour of the night with the White and Gold Lizard dramatic drop earrings.

 

Kara Ross earrings (left), price upon request; kararossny.com

 

Kara Ross earrings (right), $135; kararossny.com
Photo Courtesy of Kara Ross NY

Statement Cuff

Make a fashion statement with this Tory Burch Ram’s Head Cuff.    Clear Lucite and antique brass combine for  a look of high drama. 

 

Tory Burch cuff, $175; toryburch.com
Photo Courtesy of Tory Burch

A Pop of Red

What could be more French than a dash of red lipstick!  This Estee Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick  in Cherry Passion will last all day and perhaps get you kissed under the fireworks at the Tour d’Eiffel.

 

Estee Lauder lipstick, $24; esteelauder.com
Photo Courtesy of Estee Lauder

Essential Travel Kit

We never leave home without one of Fekkai’s Travel Kits.   Who wants a bad hair day in Paris!?   Couldn’t agree more with Federic, “A woman's hair is her best accessory.”

 

Fekkai travel kit, $43; fekkai.com
Photo Courtesy of Frederic Fekkai

Shoe Insoles

The last item on our list may be the most essential Dr. Scholl’s Insoles with massaging gel.  They are divine to walk on, especially in summer’s bare feet.  And they are great for all your open style shoes,  sandals, slides, slingbacks and strappy sandals.

 

Dr. Scholl's shoe insoles, $11; drugstore.com

 

For more packing (and style) inspiration, check out Karen Klopp's fabulous blog, What2WearWhere.com

Get Sexy French-Inspired Lingerie here.

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Photo Courtesy of Drugstore.com
First Published June 20, 2011

What’s your reaction?

Comments

Kathryn Fenner07.19.2011

White jeans for traveling in a city! Get real!!!
Stiletto heeled sandals anywhere you have to walk more than from your car to the dining table? C'mon!

adam jackey07.16.2011

Thankful compliments! I love french dress. Exactly the colors of the French Flag is awesome. :)
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