After the cold weather of the past few weeks, last week’s holiday was a shock to my system and to my wardrobe.
Having carried out the necessary prepping allowing me to bare my legs in public, actually committing to and wearing summer dresses and sandals seemed like a strange experience. My tootsies weren’t prepared but thankfully I was having a lazy beach holiday so didn’t need to share my un-pedicured feet with anyone as they were safely hidden in Crocs.
But, did you know about a new fashion faux pas? Forget strap lines or white bikini marks, you now have to watch out for Croc Spots!
Bearing in mind the weather was so awful before I left, I didn’t really expect everyone in the city to be in full summer mode when I ventured out in long trousers and trainers whilst sporting my new beach tan. How did all these French women get their feet done, their legs waxed and a fake tan so quickly? It seemed as if every woman in my local Carrefour was in sandals and summer dress mode. They must all be extremely organised, I bet they all had in scheduled in their diaries as I can never make an appointment that quickly! The beauticians must have made an absolute killing last week.
As for me, well, I’m busy exfoliating and will be going to get a pedicure this week to try out a new gel type varnish devised especially for toe nails. It’s supposed to be long lasting so we will see about that.
I also need to sort through my wardrobe and devise some city suitable outfits for my larger shape given that all the clothes I wore last year are now too small and all the clothes I bought this year (so far!) are suited more to the beach than the city. If I can’t find anything then I think a trip to New Look will be programmed, not the best quality clothing but at least I know they’ll fit!
I noticed in the warm, Paris weather that The Sundress is definitely in vogue this spring. They were *everywhere* this weekend when I was out and about. And yes, how do the Frenchwomen do it? Do they pedicure and fake tan year ’round so that they are ready for spring? Maybe they have a radar device inside of them which tells them when is the precise moment to book and get those pedicures and fake tans… I know I don’t have that device!
LOL @ Croc spots!
Let us know how the new nail polish (I tried to type “varnish” and could not make myself do it, lol. “Varnish” to my American ear sounds like something that goes on furniture, not toes. I did try to leave it, though, haha!) works, and I hope that you have a successful shopping trip for less-casual summer wear! The Sundress, I tell you, The Sundress. (In fact, the ones shown at the Gap website are just it. Those, and the maxi-length ones that were also popular last summer. Pretty much any dress at that Gap link will make you one of the sheep ’round these parts, lol.)
…warm, Paris weather…: now that’s not something we’ve heard a lot of over the past few weeks is it? Hopefully it will last and summer is finally here to stay!
The Sundress is something I have been wearing for a couple of years now as you don’t have to worry about them fitting round the waist!!! If you’re bloated from too much alcohol or eating too much BBQ then you’re fine so long as the dress is quite loose! Maybe I started the trend? LOL
We’ll be seeing everyone in Crocs next! Unfortunately I don’t fit in any that I have bar one which I bought from Rene Derby (?spelling?) a few weeks ago!
Thanks for the links BTW, I will be having a look at those GAP ones for sure!
We say Nail Polish too, it’s just I call it nail varnish! Maybe the toe nail stuff is more like industrial furniture varnish then! Perhaps its said more so in Britain than I think – can anyone else comment?
ps. Love the ‘radar device’! I think you’re right! You have to be, its the only way they could possibly get everydone in time for a sunny day!
Ohhh crap, I messed up the links up there. I must have forgotten a close tag for one of them.
They are, respectively:
The Sundress
All Gap Dresses
Sorry ’bout that.
Piglet, this clothing thing in France stymies me. I mean what’s the deal? Doesn’t anyone have hips? And shoes…well I’m at the top of the size charts here so I take what I can get. I just tried on a few of my last year’s clothes and they still work after a winter’s worth of bread, cheese and wine, although the skirts now seem to work their way up as I walk. I guess they’re trying to find a more comfortable place to fit! BTW, I use leg makeup at this time of year, but I have visitors bring it from the states. Can’t find it here…yet. What is the brand of nail polish?
“I mean what’s the deal? Doesn’t anyone have hips?”
The Parisian women don’t, and it is highly annoying, lol!!
And, Piglet — oooooh, LOOSE sundresses!! Yes! I need to get a couple of those!!
I’d be happy with giving you credit for the discovery of The Sundress.
How French women give birth with their lack of hips is beyond me. All the French mummies I know are teeny tiny, so jealous of all these French women! I am going to spy on them and find out what they eat and what excercise they do!!
Loose sundress indeed! Tight round bust and loose round middle and bum. Work’s a treat! Am going to see if I can get some more cheap this w/end
No-one in this city seems to have hips except the members of the polyester brigade. I think that if you have hips you are supposed to join the PB and then wear long shapeless polyester tunics in ghastly colours and patterns.
Don’t talk about shoes
Shoes have been my worst struggle in France, size 41 feet – you should see the look on most shop assistants faces when I ask my size! For years I could only find my size in Paul Smith (expensive!), BATA (cheap) or back in the UK. Sizewise it’s improving now as more and more youngsters get bigger feet (I think?) and I now know which shops to go to. Besson Chaussures isn’t bad for the big feeted.
Lucky you! I would love to be able to get into my summer clothes after a winter full of bread, cheese and wine! mmmm, bread and cheese now there’s a thought that’s got be salvating at 8 am!
What is leg make up? Is it like bronzer that you powder on to your legs? Does it come off? I’m not familiar with the concept but it sounds an excellent idea, shame we can’t buy it here. Maybe online?
I’ll let you know for the nail polish, I’m going later.
It has suddenly got seriously sunny here. I noted 23deg at 17h when I went to the pharmacy. I even had to made an emergency dash into Nice to my most favouritist of shops – Decathlon! All the cheapy Domyos summer trousers and tops, and the Tribord sandals! Heaven… (providing you are an uber-casual dresser, which I am. Wouldn’t win any prizes for expensive chic, moi!).
I think when you were writing this it was peeing down in Lyon… but warm it definitely is! Are you still having good weather today or have the storms caught up with you?
An emergency dash to Decathlon! Sound’s good! I love their clothes and sandals too
Especially with my size 41 feet LOL 
I’m more comfortable beach bum than city chic but with no sea or sand for miles & miles here a combination of the two is required if I venture out from my home. Beach bum at home though – all the way!
I found it…I found it. The leg makeup is available on Amazon.fr!
http://www.amazon.fr/Sally-Hansen-Airbrush-Brillance-moyenne/dp/B002B5UPAC/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1274947966&sr=8-15
This is the medium color which I like the best. It’s expensive here…but what’s new? Doesn’t come of on your clothes but maybe a little on the sheets if you don’t shower it off. Scrub it off in the shower and that’s it! Summer here we come!
Thanks Delana! I’ve just ordered myself some! Now I can be ‘ready’ for summer just like all the Frenchies!