Feb 6, 2010
out in Paris
chic
adj. chic·er, chic·est
1. Conforming to the current fashion; stylish: chic clothes; a chic boutique.
2. Adopting or setting current fashions and styles; sophisticated: chic, well-dressed young executives. See Synonyms at fashionable.
n.
1. The quality or state of being stylish; fashionableness.
2. Sophistication in dress and manner; elegance.
I tend to classify the cities I visit, for example: Paris is chic, London is fearless, New York is stylish, Hong Kong is polished, Buenos Aires is trendy and so forth… To be honest with you my European trip was dedicated to museums and enjoying the city as a local, more than shopping or anything else. I went to incredible restaurants (and I would be more than happy to recommend them).
Few years ago when I was at school, a teacher recommended the book “Chic In Paris: Style Secrets & Best Addresses” by Susan Tabak. When I went to Paris (3 years ago) I took the book with me and went to a lot (if not all) of the stores and streets mentioned. This time, I didn’t wanted to feel like a tourist (even though my ZERO french knowledge was betraying me) and I just wanted to wonder around the different neighborhoods, eat in unknown brasseries and eat nutella crepes every two corners.
Paris was as chic as usual; I saw the most impeccable ladies and gentlemen… but at the end of the day I realized that it got to be that way… when you have a city full of history, beautiful old buildings, museums, exquisite food and wines you expect to see flawless citizens too. The above view is from the Sacré-Coeur (I think you can get my point, right?). It’s something in the air that makes them different.