Just a quick flight across the Atlantic Pond, lays a city of hopes and dreams, diversity, livelihood, and another fashion capital: New York City. There is a special feeling that comes with being in the city, one that makes you feel like you can wear anything you want without any judgement. There is an easiness to trying something new, wearing more color, leaning into different styles. The city has always been an epicenter for diverse cultures, embracing individualism and styles and eventually influencing New York’s restaurants, foods, and of course, its fashion.

Somehow in New York everything seems possible. The city feels like a hall pass to experiment with different styles. Your skirt can be too short, boxer shorts are acceptable even if you aren’t hungover, colors and patterns are seen everywhere, and most importantly you won’t be getting death stares for wearing athleisure to get your morning croissant. Each time I arrive in New York, I somehow never end up wearing the outfits packed in my suitcase but instead rummaging through my friends’ closets. I tend to grab a baseball hat on the way out and switch out my ballerina flats for my friend’s all black leather sambas with low rise baggier jeans. I feel empowered to try on something I wouldn’t normally wear in Paris, forcing myself to try something new, but then struggle to feel the same way back home as my closet lacks unique pieces. I noticed, the Parisian It-girl will have what we call a “capsule closet” whereas the typical New York cool girl will opt for a more fun closet with statement pieces, like the iconic Carrie Bradshaw. But wouldn’t it be ideal to have the best of both worlds? A capsule closet with unique pieces to elevate your everyday style. This fashion mindset has motivated me to find more pieces, hidden in Le Marais’ notorious vintage shops, to accessorize my closet.

As I am writing my blog about the differences in fashion styles between Paris and New York, I got a text from my best friend living in New York “Is it socially appropriate to wear Ugg’s in Paris?”. It got me thinking more in depth about the social judgment that comes with getting dressed in Paris. The glares in the street that make you wonder if you’re dressed well enough, if your skirt is ridding up a little too high, if your outfit is up to the standard to wear in the city that rules the fashion industry. Sometimes when in Paris, I find myself wanting to wear a more fun outfit (risking an awkward metro ride to my destination) but I will always end up wearing a little more conservative, timeless, and probably an all-black outfit. But, perhaps due to the standard Paris holds to its citizens, tourists, iconic fashion houses, and longtime history is why the city remains the fashion capital of the world.