French women DO dress better

I am sorry to say this but it is true...French women DO dress better than American women.. Well, maybe I should clarify and narrow my comparison: Parisienne women dress better than New York women. I realize this is entirely subjective and, frankly, is not something I would have thought or said ten or fifteen years ago.

My first extended stay in Paris was about fifteen years ago. I was disappointed by French fashion: all the women were so conservative in their beige cashmere sweaters, non-descript jeans, Gucci-esque loafers, and horrible, horrible, little Hermès (or Hermès-like) scarves tied around their necks. Oh - and the abundance of, little, "tasteful", gold, jewelry: itsy bitsy earrings and tiny, dainty watches. It was all so boring and overdetermined. So unlike NY in the 90's, where downtown at least, women were a little more adventuresome and outrageous.

Admittedly, I haven't been in NYC in almost three years so my comparison is not exactly based on first hand observation. I have had to rely on Bill Cunningham's photo reports in the NY Times (the comparison between his NYC essay and Paris essay is enlightening) and other sightings of Americans in Paris (I know, not really fair). My guiding example, though, has been the difference between Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld. It seems that sometime in the last decade American women have come to represent the establishment and French women the slightly unkempt iconoclast upstarts

Money perhaps is the problem. Too much money and too many logos. American women (with money, that is) look overdressed, too clean, and too put together. Trying too hard, as they say. And those with limited resources, don't seem to take an interest. Fashion is, I know, superficial. But one has to buy clothes, so why not buy pretty clothes. The problem is also American women want to be (too) comfortable -Sweats and tennis shoes as street wear? French women never (well, almost - always some qualification is necessary) wear gym clothes (even if "trendy" and brand spanking new) on the street. Nor do they wear big, ugly, gym shoes.

I am gladdened every morning, watching French women making their morning commute: women of all ages, on bikes, vespas, motorcylcles, or walking to the metro wearing real clothes (mini skirts, jeans, leather pants) with real shoes (preferably high heels). It makes me happy to see these women (mostly whippet thin, alas) stomping (or careening) down the street. And they always, always, look comfortable.

Paris has regained its glamour. Young mothers, senior citizens, working women -all are dressed up in the latest fashion (or knockoff). Those who can't afford the latest Dior herringbone shift or Louboutin pumps, still look fantastic in their Zara or even Monoprix vêtements.

Stereotypes are of course limited. But French women (and men) enjoy dressing up everyday regardless of age or resources. And they do it with ease and singularity.

American women instead seem to either wear a "uniform", want to be overly comfortable, or alight upon the same exact trend. The effect is grown women dressing like adolescents, boring clothes, or being too perfectly put together. And always too clean. As Roitfeld proves, there is nothing wrong with dirty hair as long as you are wearing a fabulous outfit that uniquely suits you. And high heels, please!