Accessorizing the European way
As my travels throughout Europe continue, my shopping habits require adaptation, depending upon what is appropriate for my current location. While the south of France brought the urge to buy designer rain boots and all things “quick-dry,” the northern mountain cities' uniform standards called for knit layers and over-the-knee socks. Moving northeast into Luxembourg, trusty skinny jeans, paired with a more casual, classic style were evident, and sneakers were deemed “a-okay” (which was good news for me, after wearing boots and heels all through France; what a relief!)
Despite evidentially different approaches to dress, each of these cities shared common ground: accessories! Lucky for me, I consider jewellery as important as clothing, and so far, I have come across some amazing finds (except for that Chanel pearl necklace from that vintage store in Paris; if only I had 600€!)
Although I have encountered many great jewellery stores within Europe, from the London-based trendy shop, Accessorize, to one-of-a-kind hand-made bijou boutiques such as Komplette, my favourite place to grab a necklace or two, thus far, has been the famous Galeries Lafayette (aside from my friend Melissa's private collection which actually rivals the one just mentioned). While their flagship shop is located in Paris, massive department stores can also be found around France. Astonishingly, I happened to be in town (Lafayette, that is) at just the right time to be able to take advantage of their once yearly sale. Score!
After endless wandering through their eight levels of clothing, beauty and cosmetics, and home furnishing sections (which I have never had even the most remote interest in, until seeing the crazy knickknacks sold in Lafayette, and around Paris: heart-shaped sterling silver plateware, anyone?), I found myself on a whole floor dedicated to just accessories. Hung together harmoniously as I can only imagine they would appear in, Accessory Heaven. There was jewellery, handbags, belts, shoes, hosiery and outerwear accent pieces.
Purses and bags (or ‘sacs' en français) were categorized by brand. French favourites, such as Longchamp and Chloé, were found among American classics like Guess and Ralph Lauren. The flagship store in Paris divides up its handbag collection further, boasting private rooms and salons for Prada, Versace, and Balenciaga.
Likewise, the shoe department was organized by brand, and mini-sections of mostly French designers of whom I had never heard. It made me wish I was born in Paris, so that I could be familiar with Serafini booties, instead of the North American version found at Aldo. International favourites, like Marc Jacobs and even Uggs, are evidentially popular globally, as I witnessed two women snatch up a pair, respectively.
At Lafayette, hosiery was a whole wonderland in itself, and for good reason; they are a staple in the French wardrobe. Brand name tights like Wolford and leggings by Joe's Jeans lined incredibly-long aisles filled with fashion-forward legwear, ranging from wool thigh-highs to rose-printed stockings. The availability of sheers, patterned, tye-dyed, dip-dyed, ombré, ribbed and embellished tights and leggings, helped me understand why the French hardly ever wear pants. The only small problem that I could think of is how often said items tear from getting snagged on that dazzling bracelet you found in the jewellery section.
Possibly the most fabulous array of sparkle I have ever seen in my life, the collections at Lafayette ranged from vintage-inspired to modern twinkles to trendy baubles. Lafayette's private brand got it right, creating pieces that were on-trend, yet also seemingly “season-less.” Other brand name jewellery collections were also in-store, and the savvy shopper may even find, within herself, the confidence to don a headband with a 40s-inspired feather headpiece attached to it. After all, if it's at Galeries Lafayette, it must be part of that elusive, effortless chic style those Parisians seem to have accomplished so easily.
Despite evidentially different approaches to dress, each of these cities shared common ground: accessories! Lucky for me, I consider jewellery as important as clothing, and so far, I have come across some amazing finds (except for that Chanel pearl necklace from that vintage store in Paris; if only I had 600€!)
Although I have encountered many great jewellery stores within Europe, from the London-based trendy shop, Accessorize, to one-of-a-kind hand-made bijou boutiques such as Komplette, my favourite place to grab a necklace or two, thus far, has been the famous Galeries Lafayette (aside from my friend Melissa's private collection which actually rivals the one just mentioned). While their flagship shop is located in Paris, massive department stores can also be found around France. Astonishingly, I happened to be in town (Lafayette, that is) at just the right time to be able to take advantage of their once yearly sale. Score!
After endless wandering through their eight levels of clothing, beauty and cosmetics, and home furnishing sections (which I have never had even the most remote interest in, until seeing the crazy knickknacks sold in Lafayette, and around Paris: heart-shaped sterling silver plateware, anyone?), I found myself on a whole floor dedicated to just accessories. Hung together harmoniously as I can only imagine they would appear in, Accessory Heaven. There was jewellery, handbags, belts, shoes, hosiery and outerwear accent pieces.
Purses and bags (or ‘sacs' en français) were categorized by brand. French favourites, such as Longchamp and Chloé, were found among American classics like Guess and Ralph Lauren. The flagship store in Paris divides up its handbag collection further, boasting private rooms and salons for Prada, Versace, and Balenciaga.
Likewise, the shoe department was organized by brand, and mini-sections of mostly French designers of whom I had never heard. It made me wish I was born in Paris, so that I could be familiar with Serafini booties, instead of the North American version found at Aldo. International favourites, like Marc Jacobs and even Uggs, are evidentially popular globally, as I witnessed two women snatch up a pair, respectively.
At Lafayette, hosiery was a whole wonderland in itself, and for good reason; they are a staple in the French wardrobe. Brand name tights like Wolford and leggings by Joe's Jeans lined incredibly-long aisles filled with fashion-forward legwear, ranging from wool thigh-highs to rose-printed stockings. The availability of sheers, patterned, tye-dyed, dip-dyed, ombré, ribbed and embellished tights and leggings, helped me understand why the French hardly ever wear pants. The only small problem that I could think of is how often said items tear from getting snagged on that dazzling bracelet you found in the jewellery section.
Possibly the most fabulous array of sparkle I have ever seen in my life, the collections at Lafayette ranged from vintage-inspired to modern twinkles to trendy baubles. Lafayette's private brand got it right, creating pieces that were on-trend, yet also seemingly “season-less.” Other brand name jewellery collections were also in-store, and the savvy shopper may even find, within herself, the confidence to don a headband with a 40s-inspired feather headpiece attached to it. After all, if it's at Galeries Lafayette, it must be part of that elusive, effortless chic style those Parisians seem to have accomplished so easily.
