Emily in Paris - Fashion or Faux Pas?

Well, I just finished watching season two of Emily in Paris and, I have to say, I am ready for the next season to come out! Naturally, I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from the show. Although I absolutely love most of the outfits that the cast wears, I have to admit there were some that didn’t completely ex-see-te me. But that is what is so interesting about the fashion on this show - it’s fun, yet a bit controversial at times. Is it American or French? Is it truly wearable or costume? Do some of the looks on season two go too far?

I started to wonder (cue Carrie B.), do the outfits of the cast really resonate with that “je ne sais quoi” quality of French style? According to my sources that define the main qualities of a Parisian’s approach to dressing, I don’t believe so. After a little research, the results are in:

It’s a “oui” in terms of - elegance, sensuality, fun, creativity, and breaking the rules.

It’s a “non” in terms of - effortless, understated, refined, classic, and individuality. Signature styles of the French have less to do with brands and trends of the moment than unique finds (e.g., the bag charm is basic).

But is this comparison really problematic in terms of the show and it’s upfront devotion to fashion? No. I appreciate my fashion sense being challenged and pushed outside of my comfort zone, and I always get ideas about pieces I wouldn’t have necessarily opted to wear myself. I’ve also been inspired by Collin’s looks outside of the costumes that she wears as Emily on the show, as well as her other cast mates. In fact, she’s the only celeb I’ve really enjoyed following on Instagram because her looks are always fantastic and thought provoking.

Here’s a few ways the entire cast has inspired me on and off the screen:

Shoes - If nothing else, Emily in Paris is a constant reminder that I need to up my shoe game. I’ve never been a big shoe person and tend to gravitate more towards classic black boots, heels, and flats to keep it practical. While there is nothing wrong with investing in the classics that will last over seasons and years, it gets a bit boring if that’s all you have in your closet. The show has really opened up my eyes to the potential that heels, colored shoes, and more daring styles (like the multi strap black heels that Gabriel rips off of her feet) can create for even the most understated or classic looks. I’m thinking of solid colored suits with bright pink heels, a t-shirt and jeans with studded combat boots, and shorts with suede gladiator sandals that tie up your legs. Don’t forget about the shoes with floral or animal prints on them to brighten up your everyday outfits. Ooh la la.

Color - My clothing is almost exclusively neutrals and black in the colder months until warmer temperatures creep in. Emily in Paris really showed me how to bring color, prints, and even texture into outerwear and cold weather layering. Emily wears several coats, jackets, and sweaters that embrace bright colors and abstract patterns while complementing her overall look. And mixing prints and colors is an art that’s not easy to master, but she does it very well. I started thinking, why not buy a bright green or pink wool coat? In fact, I love the pink coat she wears while meeting Camille for the first time at the flower vendor. In this season, I thought her white vest, bright yellow blazer, multi colored striped knits, and abstract grey and yellow jacket were all fun additions to her already busy outfits.

High impact pieces - Emily doesn’t hold back with accessories, and that is one thing we definitely have in common. So, it’s no surprise I was drooling over every belt, necklace, and handbag she wore this season. But the show has definitely taught me that high impact pieces can be loud and elevated fashion at the same time. For example, I’ve never thought about buying a tweed or crystal encrusted handbag until now. I also loved every belt she wore to tie her outfits together, especially the red Valentino belt and striped wide navy and red belt. I have to admit that the bucket hats aren’t for me, although I give her a lot of credit for pulling them off. In any event, the whole cast does a great job of showing us how accessorizing can elevate an already fashion forward outfit. As I mentioned in my last post, the key is finding balance. If you wear a large statement belt, you may want to minimize the size or amount of jewelry you have on. Let one piece be the star with the other accessories playing a supporting role.

The best thing that Emily in Paris gives us is a fresh, creative, and uninhibited take on how to express ourselves in a world that operates very differently after the pandemic. So, why not bring the fantasy of fashion on the show into our reality now and in the future?

How has Emily in Paris inspired your fashion sense or influenced your personal style? Drop a comment below to join the convo!

Keep scrolling to see some on and off the screen photos from the cast, plus a bonus one from moi! (photo credit: cast member’s individual Instagram accounts)