Why Paris shouldn't be considered the Fashion Capital of the World

[LittleSally]

For the average Joe who's never been to Paris, or France for that matter, Paris is and will always remain the fashion capital of the world because of all the pop culture and 'myths' surrounding it.

The thing with Paris is - people don't wear fashionable outfits. They don't go out of their way to look stylish, daring, different, intriguing, unique.

All Parisians and French people in general love their basic colors and most of their outfits consist almost entirely of those basic colors, most of them not considered colors at all:

Black

White

Grey

French people dress safely. They don't experiment with clothing, they don't go for bold choices. They stick to the classic styles which you can see on preppy people all over the world. Especially those who don't really have a style of their own.

Of course, the French style of dressing is still a style, it's just not specifically French. It's casually classic or classically casual.

If your definition of fashion is "a popular or the latest [daring, bold or different] style of clothing, hair or decoration" then Paris, France is definitely not the city for you.

If you admire the classic 'colors', the absence of colors in one's wardrobe, simple shirts, pants and designer handbags then Paris IS the fashion capital of your dreams!

P.S.

Just to clarify, yes, France has many famous, high-end brands known all around the world, but that's not the point of this MyTake. The point is that Paris is considered as having the most fashionable people walking their streets - that's the myth debunked in this MyTake.

[Oram52]

I've never been to Paris (but hope to), and I hear the same thing about NY too, they're all into black colours. Hence I completely agree with you, there are more colours than black and white. And if your style does not reflect that then you can not be deemed fashionable.

French girls do have a stereotype of being feminine and elegant, one of the sterotypes is also they have style. But if there style includes just black and white then yes I wouldn't say Paris is Fashion Capital or that they have style.

[Oram52]

Forgot to add I've read they don't wear heels either. I'll never date a girl who doesn't have shoe game. Surely you can't have style without shoes to go with, of course doesn't necessarily have to be heels.

[SirenDep]

I don't like plain boring French style. But I love this kind of style, which I associate with cool rock chicks in France for some reason. Correct me if I'm wrong please.

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[SirenDep]

Thanks for mhg!

[goddess87]

A city being a fashion capital does not mean they are considered that bc of what all the residents in the city wear. If that were the case, places like NYC would be far from it bc not everyone there looks like they just walked off the runway.

A fashion capital means a unique city rich in culture and beauty, with top design schools, designer head quarters, top fashion magazine headquarters, and that has a market of wealthy and influential people who can afford to buy high class fashion to set the trends.

So yes there are residents who can and do wear them, but that doesn't mean the majority of the city walks around looking that way and that's not what a fashion capital really means. I guess I can see how people, not having been to any or kept up with the industry, would think that though. If you factor all of that, then it's easy to understand how Paris is still one of the biggest fashion capitals of the world.

[millyvanilly]

Wow! Reading this is so weird, because I just got back from a first time trip to Paris just a few days ago. I went there after spending a week in London, and I was so confused because I'd always heard that Parisians had amazing style, but I actually walked away thinking that it was London with incredible style and not Paris. You're right... it was a lot of black (not that there's anything wrong with black, I wear a lot myself) and not much branching out in terms of clothing. London, on the other hand, was literally like walking down a runway on the street, I mean I was discreetly taking pictures of the people's outfits rather than the landmarks!

[sketchy]

In this day and age, there are no "fashion capitals". The way people dress has very little to do with where they live, and everything to do with their level of wealth and social class. Go to an affluent part of London, and people dress well - in the rest of the city, they dress like chavs.

[Louloubum]

I think fashion is art. Art needs to be innovative. Hong Kong innovates... always has. well since the 90's anyways. To me, that's where the heart of fashion is... take a look at and tell me they aren't ten steps ahead. I shop aliexpress because they always have great deals on stuff you don't find here for another 2 or 3 seasons at 4 times the price.

[Oram52]

Highly unlikely, its usually Paris, NY, Milan and London. Never heard of Hong Kong being on radar. Chinese models are becoming global but thus far I've not heard or read Hong Kong being fashion centre.

[Louloubum]

@Oram52 yesh no its not a popular opinion, which is why I think it's so fascinating. They are constantly being copied and Europe & NY designers take credit. I worked in fashion for long enough to have the skill and means to provide examples. They REALLY aren't the centre, they are not even on the radar really, so yeah, that's not what I'm saying. More like they are the fashion world's dirty little secret. I think Paris is a terrible contender for fashion capital of the world - I completely agree with LittleSally.

[confusednbored]

Totally agree.
Paris must get a large income from selling their branded products worldwide but they are not for the locals.
Like, a five stars restaurant chelf may not be able to cook an amazing dinner for himself every night as he does not have money and time

[MarkRet]

Paris is now full of muslims who have NO fashion sense, and only wear BLACK, so of course it wouldn't be the fashion capitol.

[LittleSally]

*It's always been like this... I'm talking about native French people here... Didn't think I needed to point that out.

[vyvyn]

@MarkRet Good point. Didn’t think of that.

[Felinegirl]

Female muslims actually often wear very fashionable clothing beneath their burkas

[ManaX]

Haha what? I think it's considered a fashion capital because they make all of the top brands e. g. Chanel, Louis Vitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Longchamp this list goes on who hasn't heard of those.

[CT_CD]

Never heard of those

[ManaX]

@CT_CD Then I don't think you're familiar with high fashion. If one isn't interested in fashion, I don't think they should be the ones deciding who should/shouldn't be named fashion capital.

[CT_CD]

Are you from France?

[LittleSally]

No... it's to do with their fashion sense as a country.
Yes, they do have some very famous brands coming from there... but that's not why people admire Paris's street fashion...

[ManaX]

@CT_CD No I'm not but I've been there multiple times. And like I said it's considered 'one of' the fashion capitals, it's not even 'it' any more.

[Imustacheuaq]

I would assume LA or NYC are the true fashion capitals. That's where a majority of fashion photographers, modeling agencies and clothing line headquarters exit and operate.

[anewgirl]

I thought it was considered that because that’s where so many fashion-related things happen...

[LittleSally]

No... it's talked about their fashion sense as a country...

[anewgirl]

Shows what I know lol

[LittleSally]

You're not wrong about it being an important city for fashion manufacturing, but my take focuses on the French people (who aren't related to the fashion industry) and their sense of style being idolized in the world.

[anewgirl]

In that case I can see what you’re saying

[0112358]

So you're saying 'Paris has well dressed people, as opposed to the fashion victims in LA'.

[Phoenix98]

France isn't considered the fashion capital of the world, first it was France then it was Milan and now it is New York City actually.

[vyvyn]

No way. Haha.

[Phoenix98]

@vyvyn Yup.

[ATuairiscean]

I understand where you are coming from but I love that French subtle style, it may not be in your face fashion but it is so elegant.

[Cosytoasty]

I've always thought Milan is better. Paris is good for bags like you said though and perfume/scents.

[April10]

Everywhere has cool fashion and their own unique style

[sedrftvgyhujik]

some of the pepole can be quite rude and china is cheeper as always

[Yuki_JPN]

i agree but personally French style is too simple. i like Tokyo's fashion.

[MohammedAZ]

there is no ONE fashion capital
it frequently changes
Paris, Milan, London and now New York I guess
I'm not sure tough

[ArabianPwincess197]

Interesting Take but I think Milan is more

[alice55]

I don't agree with you at all.

[Italiangirl5]

The fashion Capital of the world is MILAN!