The enigmatic parisienne carries only what she needs. She doesn’t adhere to trends, but rather leans into heritage and design. She carries the same Louis Vuitton Noé bag — which is re-emerging on the streets of Paris — for decades before passing it down and purchasing another. Her choices are intuitive and speak to her style as it evolves.
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An appreciation for tradition is passed down from those who came before. Grandmothers, mothers, aunts, and sisters share what they love, what they turn to for inspiration, and tailor their favorites to meet each generation as it comes.
The French lean into what works, and they continuously reach for quality materials that withstand the test of time. The latest technology, creams, and books are tested gingerly, until they earn their place among the handbag staples.
A Parisian’s Favorite Bags
Before leaving home, French women take their trusted everyday bag, ready and filled with the essentials. It should be durable and versatile — as reasonable for the office as it is chic when meeting friends on the terrace.
Bags, like coats, are investments in the everyday. Although Parisians often keep more than one handbag in their collection, they opt for what’s worth repairing and returning to. Leather, coated canvas, and other durable materials make for reliable bags which age beautifully.
Reading in the Park and on the Go
Essentials for the French, and notably for Parisians, are the very things that stimulate the mind and promote confidence in day to day living.
Books, while still preferred, are heavy when moving across the city, and are often switched for eReaders. Turning to the classics, the News, and her favorite magazines limit scroll time while promoting a personal sense of cultural cultivation.
Gentle Background Noise
While moving through the city, Parisians turn to headphones. A podcast or favorite playlist bring the city sounds to a gentle hum, allowing one to ease gently into the day or back at the office.
SPF for Glowing Skin
Although Paris is known for its overcast skies, city dwellers regularly pack a travel sized SPF with them no matter the weather. Effortless glowing skin starts with protection from the sun, providing a gentle base for blush or other light makeup.
Easy, Versatile Beauty Products
When it comes to beauty, the French famously apply their makeup sparingly. Everything is subtle, slightly undone, and “effortless.” Exceptions may be a touch of color on the lips or on the eyes to add a playful element to her everyday look.
To bring a little life to the cheeks, Parisians keep a small piece of jewelry nearby along with her trusted lip color, which will smudge beautifully on the rim of her wine glass. To accentuate the eyes, a favorite eyelash curler is kept nearby too, all gathered in a pochette at the bottom of her bag.
Pretty Journals & Notebooks
French women keep with them not only the essentials to move through the day, but the means to nurture bursts of creativity close by too. Notebooks are for doodles, grocery lists, and moments of solitude.
Seasonal Produce
At the end of a busy day, Parisians make time for the market, replenishing their fruits and vegetables. In the springtime, French groceries are flush with seasonal asparagus and strawberries. They sit amongst the most valued daily essentials she carries home.
Parisians have long been a point of intrigue. We wonder what they like, what they choose for themselves, and what they reach for in their favorite bags — but what they carry is less mysterious than it is practical planning. French women return to the formulas built by the women before them, investing in the elegant bag and sunscreen, without the pressure to choose an item they don’t love, just because its new. Each item is gently considered and returned to again and again.
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