Saturday, September 15, 2012

What to Pack for Paris

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A major source of stress for me this week has been around packing for my Paris trip.
I have been told and read so frequently that I must dress / look a certain way otherwise I will hate myself, feel like a slob and therefore miserable, French people will not view me favourably or  I run the risk of looking like a tourist. I have also been told that I must forget the notion of buying anything to wear as Paris women - ALL Paris women are thin and therefore the French do not make size 14. But I must wear black, high heel and don't forget my accessories. 

So I have found myself this week researching like crazy what to wear. OMG! If I am to believe everything i have read then I am doubtful they will grant me a visa based on my bum size! What if they search my bag and my ensembles don't stack up? Just say my shoes are too, well too casual? 
Will I have to walk the runway of shame? Surely not? 

I actually started putting my stuff together in a way that was not about my comfort but about appeasing "French eyes". I had just about resigned myself to accept that I probably will feel bad about my looks.

Then I read this and it made me think of an article I read recently by an Australian Comedian who spoke about how she longed to go the Paris, went there, compared herself to all the stunning French women and felt terrible the whole trip and how now she looks back and could kick herself for not just enjoying the moment and not worrying about how she looked. Things began to make PERFECT sense then and there.

So yeah, I am not going to postpone my life until I lose weight,  get the right skirt, hair cut, etc - I am going to pack clothes that reflect my style, my comfort and go over to Paris and sample the culture as ME. I will be a tourist. I will be size 14. I won't look Parisian - because I am Melbournian and that's good right?  I won't be wearing high heels because I will be walking km's and km's.  I will accessorise, because I always do. I won't look like a slob because I am not a slob. I will wear black and a bit of colour and drink up all the sights and I will enjoy every minute of it - I won't be thinking of my dress size!





 

8 comments:

CurlyPops said...

I reckon life is way too short to worry about any of that. Dress as you - whatever makes you feel good, and then you'll have a blast!

Bron said...

Absolutely....you are a tourist and not trying to be "french" whatever that is really....just like what does an Australian look like.....have a fabulous time and be the you you are. xxx

kgirlknits said...

Melburnians have their own unique style, and the French will most likely be admiring yours!

enjoy the sights, soak it all up, and knit your heart out!!

Kelly @ Polkadot Lane said...

How exciting and fabulous for you! I agree with the other commenters - dress however you like, and enjoy the experience. Have a wonderful time! xx

Anonymous said...

Yes - you GO GIRLFRIEND! I totes agree with your conclusions and I'm so pleased you had the epiphany before you went rather than after. In any case, my experience in France was that, just like any place, some women look amazing and some look, um, well like me ie, a less-than-perfect mother of small kids. Also, most Parisians are lovely - they won't sneer nearly as much as you expect! Have a total ball. (Your husband is a keeper).

Catherine said...

Have a FABULOUS time you lucky girl! Can't wait to hear all about your trip! Cx

hester said...

Wow! Just caught up with this amazing news. You DO have the best husband in town! Lucky lucky girl. Have a wonderful time and don't give those chic French women another thought. When I stayed with a French family in Paris in 1987, I saw a woman look elegant in a tracksuit!!!! I was gobsmacked. Can't wait to read all about it.

Unknown said...

Hope you're having fun and who cares what the french think ...you're with Mr G in Paris...how good is that!!