la masquerade parisienne
wardrobe heroes, cobblestoned streets at late dusk, and new beginnings
Parisienne is a new column about an American moving to Paris. In some ways, it’s about blowing up your life at 40, but it’s also about new references, cultural nuances and the process of recreating a blueprint for life after a plot twist. Oh, and the clothes, of course.
Six months after we lost our house in the Palisades fires, we moved to Paris. I don’t have a good answer to why. Mostly, it was driven by a desire to find a way out of the loss, to reframe a devastating experience into something of meaning.
At a consulting interview for a luxury fashion client, I nailed every question, until she asked, why are you moving to Paris?
I froze. How do you tell a complete stranger, in a professional setting where you are trying to demonstrate measured control and emotional maturity, that you have no idea what you’re doing? That even though the move makes financial and professional sense, you’re terrified it’s the wrong one for your daughter, who has already been through three houses and two schools? That while this move may seem glamorous and exciting, and in many ways it is, what you desperately want is to find a way back home?
Instead, I smiled and said something about how we’ve always wanted to live abroad and give our daughter the invaluable experience of understanding different cultures and languages. Which is all true. But if you believe the omitting the truth is equivalent to lying, then there I was… Pinocchio in Courreges and The Row.
In some ways, there is a beauty to blowing up your life at 40. My version of this is less Miranda July and more of a detour from the linear progression that I’d planned out from a very young age.
We arrived in Paris a week ago. I made no restaurant reservations. I didn’t check the museum exhibitions. Instead, we bought groceries, and toured schools and apartments until our feet pained (now I know why Parisians wear sneakers). It was a quieter, less swinging Paris, but a more peaceful one. Trepidation softened into ease as logistics began to fall into place (the school, the apartment) and it became enchanting in its own way, in the cobblestoned streets and the woman who gamely spoke French with me at the boulangerie, and the nights laying in front of the fan because AC isn’t common here, even in 90 degree heat.
I packed for life, not vacation, which meant no sky high stilettos, flats that could withstand miles of walking and clothes for work meetings and events, family evenings and school interviews. A French friend told me to download the following apps: G7 (like Uber but better), Le Walk (walking paths from local creatives), The Fork (restaurant reviews) and Citymapper (public transit map. If you bike, and you will, pick the quiet route for a less hectic ride).
The magic of being in a city full of people with true style is that inspiration isn’t safeguarded at the Ritz and the Louvre. It exists in all the little moments: the boho proprietor of the flower shop with her unbrushed Brigette Bardot hair, the impossibly chic women zipping past the Arc de Triomphe on their bicycles (and often in block heels), a school interview where I resisted asking the director who her facialist was (if I find out, you’ll all be the first to know).
So, below, the outfits on rotation for my first week as a Parisienne, with a few new ideas inspired by the women I saw along the way.
OUTFITS FOR MASQUERADING AS A PARISIENNE
Disclaimer: Since most of this is what I actually wore, a lot of these pieces you’ve seen before (and some are similar alts). They’re the wardrobe heroes.
This By Malene Birger Rowani jacket is still my most complimented item, thanks to its thick leather, boxy crop and exaggerated whip stitch (the black version is on sale here). It’s particularly good at offsetting an of-the-moment pink skirt.
This linen and cognac leather Metier bag has become my go to, for its ability to conceal a laptop and be light enough to carry at a cocktail party. The traffic in Paris is terrible, which means I’ve spent a lot of time working in coffee shops (and yes, hotel bars) in between meetings because it’s impractical to go home.
I’ve been very into a capri pant. It’s trendy yes, but also a fun way to make an errand outfit a little more interesting. The Rohe ones are my pick, but current fashion favorite Colleen Allen makes a great pair with a tie embellishment. You also can’t go wrong with Toteme’s.
Maria McManus is one of my favorite brands, and this red sheer skirt is on constant rotation. Very into it with this perfect white shirt and a sneaker.
The goop sale is 70% off right now, and quite good. A few pieces from my own closet here, here and here.
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FROM THE ARCHIVE
who do you want to be this summer?
At some point over the last few weeks, it became summer. Small talk shifted from school benefits to kids camps and family trips, and a look at my unplanned, impromptu summer and my closet made me realize I am woefully unprepared for both.
This is one of my favorite pieces you’ve written. Beautiful, Noora. And look forward to following your new adventure.
Paris! So excited for you & your family to pivot to this! Looking forward even more to being a part of this new journey of yours here 🥂