It’s been a long time since I’ve posted a blog. I guess I got overwhelmed with life and moving back to the US from France. And not only just back to the US, but to a new state. Last June, my family packed up our lives in France and flew to California where we spent time with family and friends. Then we met movers at our storage unit and had everything put into a moving truck to be shipped all the way across the country to Florida. It was an enormous move!
Every move is disorienting, but some moves have been more challenging than others (in the last 10 years I have moved 6 times internationally!). This move was a big one, and it took a long time to resurface and find my creative energy.
Every time I’ve moved, I’ve had to reassess how I want to dress.
Since moving to a completely new place (new environment, new weather, new lifestyle, new vibe) I’ve been thinking about how the place where you live influences how you dress and your fashion and style identity. Every time I’ve moved I’ve had to reassess how I want to dress and how I want to present myself. It’s much easier said than done!
When I moved to Paris it threw me for a loop. Discounting the fact that the lockdown hit us 6 weeks after we arrived, I was not sure what to wear in that new city! The weather was so much colder and gloomier for much longer during the year than I was used to. I was walking around using public transportation rather than going from house to car to work, so I needed to wear coats over my outfits every day. I needed to wear shoes that would be durable and comfortable for walking in, and prepare my hair for walking in the rain on a daily basis!
Not only that but the people in Paris dressed with a completely different attitude than I realized. Most people in European cities, Paris included, tend to dress in dark neutral colors all the time, saving colorful elements for scarves (which Parisians always have!) and accessories. Women wear one pair of shoes to “commute” in (walk long distances, climb lots of stairs, and run to catch public transportation) and change into heels just before they arrive at the office. They carry tote bags with them for their extra shoes and to carry their scarves and jackets in case the weather warms up (occasionally) or the unventilated subway is too hot (always).
The new lifestyle and new culture changed how I felt like dressing and how I needed to dress.
It was a completely new lifestyle in a new culture. I managed this change by investing in outerwear so that rather than plan a cute outfit that no one saw because it was covered by a coat, I had several options for cute and vintage-style coats. I had never been into scarves, but I needed them in Paris and started a scarf collection. I invested in some practical, comfortable, and cute shoes. I shed the hair flowers I wore daily and instead wore hats.
Moving to Florida threw for a loop!
Fashion Identity:
How it Changes When We Relocate
Moving to Florida I found another completely new environment! It wasn’t the dry desert heat of California that cooled down at night. It is humid and often muggier at night during the day. Wearing trousers is impossible during late spring through mid-autumn. Wearing a coat? Forget about it! (Except on those 3 random December days that decide to bring frost). It’s challenging to re-wear clothes because you get so sweaty you need to wash them after every wear.
I also found myself going from wine lunch city mom to suburban mom. Suddenly I was driving my kid-packed SUV everywhere and standing on the sidelines of a soccer field multiple times a week or heading to a cub scout event with the kids. The wardrobe I had developed in Paris was now impractical and uncomfortable in my new environment.
I’ve been in Florida for the better part of a year now (how did that happen??) and I’m finally finding my groove for my daily outfits. Washable dresses, cotton tops, and culottes instead of shorts. The same pair of sandals in several different colors, my trusty pair of Ked sneakers. I’m also happy to report that hair flowers are more often than not finding their way back into my hair. Which frankly, makes me feel happy. I’m still way too dressy for my environment, but at least I’ve found a practical and comfortable way to dress that works for me.
In my next post I’ll talk more about these perfect hot weather outfits in more depth. For now, thank you for following my journey.
Sandra Demetriades says
Love this! Very interesting read for me as you and I switched places and wardrobes the last year!
נערות ליווי בצפון says
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Lurline says
Your writing kept my attention from start to finish.