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I spent last week in one of my favorite places in the world. I used to keep a glass milk bottle with “Paris” scrawled on a index card packing taped to it filled with spare change in my teenage bedroom. We visited as a family in 2019, a trip that ending up meaning a lot looking back and at the time felt like the first of many we’d take as a group of four. This time, I went with people I love enough to call family and no real agenda.

That is, besides soaking up the endless sartorial inspiration the city has to offer. People GET DRESSED in Paris, if you’ll pardon the massive generalization. How often am I floating from work to a meeting to a party in an outfit I’ve put together without a second thought? But in Paris, there’s an intentionality in the air. Which made me take out my notebook and start online shopping, all for you, Long Live readers.

Here are ten things I saw repeatedly during my stay. They’re not trends. These are just my Notes apps observations for those among us (me included) who’d like to dress a little more Parisian.

Long, symmetrical trench coats without belts

French and trench coats—it’s not exactly a revelation. But I was relieved I backed my Buck Mason trench specifically because it was way more in line with what I was seeing versus my shorter, double breasted Burberry one.

The trenches i saw were long, sometimes to the mid-calf and worn without a belt. Sometimes buttoned up, but often like a robe on top of jeans and a t-shirt. How comfortable. Practically, try slipping the belt out from your trusty dusty trench coat for a long silhouette. Or shop some of these picks.

Patterned, sheer black tights

Everyone was in tights! But not the opaque kinds I usually opt for. Sheer, a little pattern, and worn for style not warmth. It all felt every Jessica Day twee, but in a fun way, maybe even a little sexy. You can approximate with pairs like this one and this one.

Big scrunchies wrapped once

I hate to say it, but very few claw clips were spotted in Paris. Instead, I was shocked by the number of 80s-style scrunchies I spotted on chic women. These were generally wrapped once and worn in a mid bun. Chava Studio makes the best version of these IMO.

Basic black crossbody bags

Leave it to the French to take you right back to the basics. I wrote that I kept seeing this A.P.C. bag everywhere and to be honest: I get it. It’s a great bag, super sturdy, and feels like a fashion nod, even past its heyday. The good news? You two can be hands-free for a very affordable price on lots of secondhand sites. Here are some great used A.P.C. bags.

Pinstripes!!

Any interesting one! I saw so many people in dark grey pinstripes—pants, vests, jackets. The key was to break the pattern up with other, more casual pieces to keep it from looking too matchy-matchy.

Adidas three stripes

Don’t call it athleisure. This outfit on my barista on the last day (you can’t see her loafers with sheer socks) nearly sent me into a spiral. The good kind! A wool sweater with basketball shorts? What the hell am I doing with my life when there are outfits like THIS to be worn?

Colorful sneakers (esp green + esp Nike AF1s)

I was shocked by the number of people I saw wearing Nike AF1s. They’re a great sneaker! But as a size 11, they’re a little too much for me. There were a lot of green accents on sneakers, which made me super nostalgic for my Stan Smiths. Time for a revival? Maybe.

An absence of gelled-back hair

Just a general note here: no one was wearing their hair gelled back. Not a dig against people who sport this style. I think it looks very cool! I’m just not coordinated enough to pull it off. And maybe the French feel the same way. I saw lots of natural texture, grown out bobs, and tossed up buns.

Market bags

Ruby got me one of these for my birthday, luckily, or I’d be on a wild goose chase looking for the perfect one. Here are some that look identical to what I saw women carrying around. Of course, the basket bag still reigns supreme and I saw my fair share.

Aviator glasses + colored lenses

It felt like everyone in glasses was sporting an aviator shape. How fun! I was shocked at the number of colored lenses I saw, but in the end, maybe this was confirmation bias. I just ordered some blue-tinted glasses inspired by Gracie.

Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, shop my Notion template, and as always, respond to this dispatch for my direct line x