Arguably, my favorite thing to do in Paris is look at the shop windows! And given my demonstrated fondness for accessories, there can be little surprise in learning that I love to look at scarves and jewelry most of all…
I think that one of the reasons that the Parisienne has such a reputation for chic personal style is the wide range of accessories that are available in Paris. When confronted, from birth, with such a vast number of choices, any person has to begin to clearly define their preferences and inclinations early, and continue to refine that personal style throughout their life. Without a sense of direction and focus, shopping for a simple ring or scarf in Paris can be completely overwhelming!
Many of these photographs are of the windows in a chain of shops called Diwali – yes, the Indian festival of light! These shops carry an amazing range of scarves and inexpensive jewelry, and if you can’t find something there that strikes your fancy, you’re either dead or REALLY REALLY picky… I find their windows are always delightful to me…
I was tempted to buy ANOTHER bracelet – that top left one sort of called my name… and the bracelet at the bottom right would make a great wardrobe palette, wouldn’t it? I’m also endlessly delighted to see that you could find any sort of bug or flower or leaf in a brooch, somewhere in the city. If you must have a pansy brooch, I can find it for you!
I also looked really long and hard at rings – the bottom middle one with the white and black pearls has my name all over it! But I managed to control myself – mostly because that store was closed the day we saw this ring in the window.
I also admire how plain and simply clever the multi-stone ring is – with the stones arranged in a circle. I’ll bet that it’s really pretty on someone’s hand…
More rings – including a couple of really winsome and charming floral ones…
If you were pondering using green and purple (or any other pair of colors!) as accents in your wardrobe, there’s a Diwali store window somewhere that will give you some very good ideas!
If you’re more the type to want a simple gold bracelet, or silver necklace, there’s one to be found…
I was really impressed by this creative combination of pink, orange and grey…
There’s always a beautiful “statement” necklace with your name on it, too. If I were a bit taller, I could see the merits in that pearl necklace… but I felt it would be a bit overwhelming on me!
Blue, turquoise, and blush, with gold jewelry… sigh….
If you are particularly drawn to a specific semi-precious stone, you can find all sorts of pieces to suit. All of these were in the same window, and I suspect that there were a lot more choices inside.
Navy, turquoise and soft grey with silver jewelry – classic and beautiful!
You want a ring? There’s so much choice – it’s so different from here in Chicago, where you have literally just a handful of the “department store” designers. There ARE other possibilities, but you have to hunt for them; in Paris, they’re everywhere…
I particularly admired this range of colors – so warm and luscious…
There are lots of designers in Paris, making jewelry in small lots, and in unique designs. If you keep an open mind, and an open eye, you’re bound to see something that appeals… I love the pearl necklace with the tiny Cupid arrows…
The touch of yellow here was inspired!
If you prefer to wear really simple clothing, with accessories that do all of the “heavy lifting,” Paris is worth a visit. The store that carried the top left geometric necklace had literally dozens of variations on this kind of theme.
And those pearls… sigh…
If you struggle to find warmer-toned accessories where you live, Paris will give you some great choices. I know that in Chicago, almost everything is designed to work with black, and you seldom see ONE orange scarf – let alone a window full of them!
I did do a bit of shopping… I’ll share, and I’ll wrap up all of the miscellaneous bits and pieces of my observations tomorrow…
love,
Janice
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I think it's about the displays. I could find most of this stuff easily where I live in the Boston area, but they don't put it together so beautifully so it isn't tempting to buy. I'm always astonished by shop windows in Europe. We just don't seem to care here (I think it has something to do with strolling, but you don't even see windows this good in our walkable cities).
Janice,
What beautiful displays and color combinations ! Thanks for sharing these !
I love Diwali shops! I shall go to my scarf drawer and choose a Paris scarf to wear today. Thanks for sharing the displays which are inspiring even when the shops are closed.
I mentioned Diwali to a friend who was headed o Paris last year – she LOVED it! But the most difficult thing was trying to make a choice – there was just so much on display.
Would you be kind enough to share the addresses? Merci.
What a great post. Thank you.
When do I move in? Just lovely! Curious, though, have they just stuck earring posts through the scarves? Won't that damage them? Thanks for sharing.
I'm always drawn to either blues and greens or berry reds and greys with silver jewellery. Lovely window displays, I too would be standing there for ages, but I don't think I could walk away without buying something. Actually, it reminds me of a time when I was in Florence, Italy and every day walking along the Ponte Vecchio bridge I had noticed an unusual but beautiful hand crafted bracelet in a jewellers window display that just stood out from the rest. I drooled over it every day for a week and then on my last day, I glanced in the display window to take one last look….and it was gone. I was gutted that I hadn't gone in and bought it sooner. Well, three months later on my 40th birthday a Florentine print box appeared on my bedside table and inside was the beautiful bracelet. Apparently, my husband had gone in whilst I was packing to buy it and that the shop keeper had noticed me looking at it every day and was so pleased that he had bought it for me. It's still one of my favourite pieces of jewellery and I kept the beautiful box too. Sharon, U.K.
That is so beautiful Sharon – in every way. Carol S
What a lovely…delayed…ending to your trip to Florence Sharon, a memory to keep fresh each time you tell your story. They say our memory is only as strong as the last time we thought/spoke of it. It seems you attract 'keepers'…the bracelet, it's box, your boy. Blessings all around.
I love all the scarves you show in your posts but I wonder if you could do a post showing how you wear them and tie them. Perhaps also how the Parisians do it
Dear Pon,
The best source I know of on the Internet for how to wear scarves is http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/
Tai is beautiful, and knows more about scarves than anybody else on the planet!
hugs,
Janice
"Navy, turquoise and soft grey with silver jewelry – classic and beautiful!" I fully agree.
I love the wonderful displays you've posted however I tend to be overwhelmed by the more 'dense' ones and come away with the impression that there is nothing for me…unless, as it often happens, my subconscious takes me right to my wow piece. I have found it's fine when I have 'me' uncluttered and controlled but if I am 'out of sorts' I am like 'can I have a hissy fit now?' or 'can we go now!'. Usually I when we get back to the hotel Sweetie gets to witness the meltdown.
I have discovered if I pack for my trip in a conscious and thoughtful manner, perfect for me, travel, and travel shopping is much calmer…and I make sure I 'nest' at the hotel and Sweetie has learned to give me that time and space so he explores the tv channels as I unpack.
Work in progress here for it is in the doing of it that I am learning how to do it. Each trip is a reason to aim for that Packing Peace so we can focus on the destination and all it has to offer once I truly arrive which don't happen till I Create Calm in my temporary home, be it my seat in the plane, the hotel room and my slash proof travel tote as I bravely explore new horizons.
"…if you can't find something there that strikes your fancy, you're either dead or REALLY REALLY picky…" Sorry, not sorry…but of all of the above only one semi-precious necklace…the single bead at the top left…spoke to me. Not dead yet so I must be picky but that is what minimising, right-sizing, decluttering does to a person. The purchase has to trump whatever I have at home.
I love your work, read every word and study every picture. Thank You.
I alway stop in to Diwali just to enjoy the riot of colour. But the price for the quality does not lead me to buy. I think the American eye is knocked out by the colour and ornamentation. Stores like Diwali do not thrive in those North American cities- look what happened to C. Wonder, who were similar in merchandising and quality. You can find Diwaliesque things on Etsy from Indian sellers, but you have to hop around many sites.
What beautiful displays …. makes so many of the pieces rather tempting!
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