twenty four hours in Paris – what do you pack?

by Sharon Santoni

So here’s the thing …. you have been invited to spend an intriguingly romantic 24 hours in Paris.   Maybe it is your husband who wants to treat you, maybe it is a new love in your life. Whatever …… you intend to enjoy every minute.

You will arrive in time for lunch, spend the afternoon taking in an exhibition, a little shopping, a walk in the Jardins de Luxembourg … tea … champagne …. back to the hotel to change, and out for dinner somewhere divine.

Monsieur has made all the arrangements, venues are kept secret, it is hinted you should dress comfortably and look chic, but not overdressed.

It is the autumn, temperatures are dropping, there is a risk of rain.  You only want to take an overnight bag, so your coat and handbag must work day and evening …. this is your precious time, your stolen moment, this is when you have to feel special.  You want to feel beautiful,  and you want  your clothes to be so perfect that you don’t have to think about them and you can concentrate on enjoying the present ….

I have imagined a few things to pop into my bag, but tell me , what would you pack into yours?  What look would you aim for?  What style would you be most comfortable with?  We are looking for an outfit for le jour, the day, … le soir, the evening … and a few essentials to pop into your handbag.

 daytime wear in parisevening wear in parishandbag essentials

The beauty of these fantasy shopping pieces is that there’s no need to hit the changing rooms, or worry about a good fit.  And although I’m not trying to sell you anything,  I am often asked where to find the pieces I show in my posts, so if you scroll through below you can click to find all the details.

 

 

 

30 comments

Zanna from Zona October 21, 2014 - 8:15 pm

Looks great. You have a wonderful fashion sense. Do you have any of our beloved Oscar de Larenta’s clothing in your collection? We are so sorry for the loss of such a wonderful man and a wonderful designer. We all have been influenced over the years by his love for the female form and respect for detail. He will be greatly missed.

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:36 am

You are right Zanna, he was a wonderful figure in the fashion world … I should have included something by him as a token tribute

xx

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La Contessa October 21, 2014 - 9:27 pm

The turtle neck and THAT DRESS are a MUST!
HAVE A MARVELOUS TIME……………..XO

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:42 am

I love the turtle neck too, can you imagine walking through Paris wrapped up in that …… YUM!

Not a real invitation I’m afraid, just a bit of fun 🙂

xx

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Karena October 21, 2014 - 11:07 pm

Sharon this looks like a perfect combination to take one through the day! You would look beautiful anywhere in Paris!

xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:43 am

Merci Karena, you are as always, very generous,

xx

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Cindy October 21, 2014 - 11:44 pm

Seriously??? These are lovely items but completely unrealistic for those of us on a normal budget of any kind. Keep it real…very disappointing and insulting to those of us who live in the real world.

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:46 am

Hi Cindy

So sorry you were insulted! Certainly not the aim of this post!

It is simply a bit of fantasy and fun. I’m not trying to sell the stuff, and I’m not saying that my wardrobe includes designer names, but it doesn’t stop me admiring the beauty of a well cut coat, or a perfect pair of boots.

We all live in the real world, which is precisely why a little dreaming does us so much good 🙂

Sharon

xx

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Bebe October 23, 2014 - 7:01 pm

These items are pricey but I’ve had moderately priced items that are nearly lookalikes. The exception: The ivory wrap coat was cashmere.

Much of the fun of fashion is checking out the looks on the high end, then finding more moderately priced versions that can be assembled to replicate “the look”.

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Sandra T. October 22, 2014 - 2:44 am

I am in LOVE with that Helmet Lang sweater!! I would feel sexy, sophisticated and fashionable in that soft and generous sweater. It is something that our own Grace Kelly would have worn with black slacks and black flats and looked like 10 million dollars. Holy cow-you made my day Sharon!

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:48 am

Can you think of anything that Grace Kelly wore that didn’t look like 10 million dollars?! 🙂

But yes, I think you are right about the sweater, we’d all love to be wrapped up in that one!

xx

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Sue M. October 22, 2014 - 3:03 am

Oh, how I love your fantasy picks, Sharon! You have a wonderful sense of style in all things, as these lovely items show. It’s fun to dream about such beautiful things and as well as search for similar looks within my budget. 🙂

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:50 am

Exactly Sue, I love this fantasy shopping … and when I do go shopping for real, I can take these images with me and use them to help me choose well, within my budget

xx

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StitchinSweetSue October 22, 2014 - 3:40 am

don’t forget to smell wonderful 😉 enjoy!

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 7:52 am

Of course Sue, the perfume would be in the overnight bag, and I didn’t have space to show all the contents! 🙂

xx

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Debbie October 22, 2014 - 4:18 am

Sharon, I love your fantasy picks. It’s fun planning what to wear for a special weekend or holiday. I enjoy looking at all the expensive designer clothes on line and with pictures in my mind of what would suit me and what I actually like, I peruse the local boutiques where I live and my local Target. The high end designers may be out of my budget but I think there are enough other designers making well designed clothes so that keeps me happy. My motto is “More Dash than Cash” The funny thing is the average person would not recognise an expensive designer item from another unless the tag was on the outside or they worked in the fashion industry.
I love the trench coat and the boots. At the moment I am “Shopping my Closet” Sorting through everything and discovering what outfits I can put together. I laughed when I heard that polo necks were back in fashion. I’d kept two sweaters with polo necks and was just about to give them away as I thought they were old fashioned.
Debbie

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 8:08 am

Hi Debbie

A little closet re-working is fun, and amazingly productive! I think we all use the designer images to help us shape our dreams and guide our real purchases.

You may be a little harsh about the difference between a designer item and a high street piece. The few times I have come across a real designer or couture piece, I am amazed by the effortless structure and superb fit ….

xx

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Bebe October 23, 2014 - 7:07 pm

The structure is not where it shows. I used to be my own “designer”, enjoying constructing clothes for myself that were special. The various linings and underlinings, along with the interior finish and the hand-finishing touches like hand-bound bottonholes, covered buttons, and so forth – not to mention hand hemming and zippers put in by hand so that they would be blind.

The clothes always look and fit better, and they last longer. And the fabrics are a world apart. Even the threads used are different.

Will stop now before I sound like a pedant…

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Bebe October 23, 2014 - 7:10 pm

Should have said “the structure does not show on the outside” meaning it is not readily apparent. The elements that give a designer garment its line.

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Amanda Rush October 22, 2014 - 5:48 am

Hi Sharon, Just lovely! You have made pretty choices. The specific brands shown in your photo examples are irrelevant, – it is the colours, style/cut and combinations that are the winners – on any budget. Have a happy day, from Amanda

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Sharon Santoni October 22, 2014 - 8:08 am

Thank you Amanda, have a lovely day too

xx

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Jeanne McKay Hartmann October 22, 2014 - 2:53 pm

Sounds like a dream, Sharon. Love your picks! I’m a notorious over-packer but love the idea of keeping it simple and fuss free. My Burberry trench would be a must, as would my classic Chanel bag – they go anywhere. A dress that wouldn’t wrinkle – maybe something in a silk knit from Tory Burch or M Missoni, flat boots for day and a more dressed up flat or low heel for evening. Hmmm… I guess this light packing thing isn’t so hard (at least in my imagination).

Thanks for starting my day with an imaginary trip to Paris! Hope yours is just lovely. XO

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Jennifer Clark October 22, 2014 - 11:24 pm

That dress is smashing! Not really a silhouette that work for me, but the fabric is divine. These two ensembles are both attractive, and look comfortable. If one is planning to wander through Paris, comfort is essential! Two questions; first, what if its raining? Will you still wear those pretty suede boots? Next, I took as baby blue suede jacket to Paris in May. All I saw were dark coats. I didn’t want to look like an standard (gauche) American tourist. I found a vintage clothing shop in the Marais and purchased a brown leather jacket. Must have worked, as an American gentleman came up to me and asked for directions in halting French. And waiters began to give me French menus. Most gratifying!

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Penelope October 23, 2014 - 12:36 am

I love all your selections! Makes me wish I was there!

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Mumbai October 23, 2014 - 2:48 pm

A very chic combi but when you go to Paris in autumn and expect rain
I would not wear such light colors and would pack black/grey instead.
Two colors they look super as well casual as dressed up for the evening. Anyway love the idea of a fantasy luggage.

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Michelle October 26, 2014 - 10:51 am

Agree, lovely pick for a chilly Atlanta or Texan city weekend (is there even such a thing?)

Parisians wear black/grey. Full stop.

Perhaps a pop of color in a scarf, belt, or ribbon on a hat.

unless a lady is 6 feet tall and fresh off a photo shoot (or Has the name Kim Kardashian), in these fantasy clothes, one would stand out as a wannabe tourist, esp in that dress with those gorgeous boots.

Ps: I much like your blog and never post, but this post/pick for Paris threw me into a backflip.

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Bebe October 23, 2014 - 7:13 pm

Up the line I should have been more clear:

Should have said “the structure does not show on the outside” meaning it is not readily apparent. The elements that give a designer garment its line.

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T October 24, 2014 - 6:26 am

What a perfect idea! I love the colour palette, fresh and very autumnal. While darker colours might have been more practical for the time of year, what you chose looks more like a special romantic overnight trip. I recently returned from a 4 day trip to Paris and I would have loved to have had this as an inspiration to build on. Thank you……

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Candice@NotesFromABroad October 24, 2014 - 8:54 pm

I love the jackets but I have found everytime I go to put on a little jacket to go out, I end up wearing one of my new longer soft sweaters that sort of drape . I think I am liking that less tailored look these days. My habit has always been pack only black and white so everything will go together .. these days it has just been black. Ah well … I need to go back to Paris .. how will it feel to go on my own for the first time ? !

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Edith October 27, 2014 - 4:38 pm

LOVE the whole outfit! I’m a redhead, that would look gorgeous. If I ever make it to Paris, I won’t care what the locals prefer to wear, I’m going to wear what looks terrific on me and enjoy the whole experience. I can pull off greys and blacks, but they aren’t my best and that is because I’ve got English and Scottish blood, not French at all.

LOL my freckles and porcelain skin prefer to speak chic in a different palette.

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