“Where the Boys Are” in Paris, besides at WORK (which is less important to most Frenchmen than to most American men) is in two places, IN THE CAFES or OUT SHOPPING!
As the mother of two Frenchmen I can tell you that my son Rex has more bath and beauty products in his bathroom than his wife or me, his mother! Frenchmen adore smelling good (they are the great “noses” at Ferminiche in Grasse the company that creates my perfume juices.) Men today are also the first to discover new haircuts (just follow the French PSG soccer stars) and of course to create the artistic trends of facial hair. Rex developed my first fragrance, Ulysses, while a student in Parisien St Germain de Près high school, with his best buddies, testing the samples on the boys with the pretty seventeen year old French girls choosing. Ulysses is still selling twenty-five years later.
It’s also important for women to know where all the attractive French men hang out as these special cafes are also frequented by the chicest happening models and show biz celebs. The most fashionable ladies can get a preview of the newest, hippest fashion trends while enjoying delicious French cafe and perfect crispy croissants.
This man can only be French seated on the beautiful red straw cafe seats on the Rue de Grenelle. Wearing a purple suit with rust Oxfords showing off his lovely ankles, he has on the go-to trend of the hip folk today, SHOW THOSE ANKLES.
Menswear jackets and blazers are transformed with each fashion season. However, for the last five years the jacket has been very tight, very short and very curved to show off men’s front and derrière. Today the jacket is longer and mid-thigh. It is so long it’s almost like a short bathrobe.
The short, curved, yellow jacket with wine pants on Rue de Grenelle.
A man wearing the super-chic long grey jacket while walking on Blvd St Germain after shopping at Le Bon Marche. (THE hottest store in Paris)
The long gray jacket in window at Armani on the Blvd St. Germain, worn with expensive linen pants.
Mixing all the fashion styles and mixing same colored prints in one BOHO outfit is a trend for women. Clean lines is the trend for men. However, wearing the white sneaker with no socks showing off a SEXY ANKLE is the TREND of our times for both men and for women.
This lineup is at Cafe Voltigeur Rue Roi de Siècles in the 4th.
The,” I love you”, cafe tells it all, cafes are for hookups, and the salads are delicious!
Clean minimalism is the newest trend for men, as women are all jazzed up or patch work-blue jeaned up. The chicest trendy men are clean and understated with outerwear in modern shapes that today are worn without ties, but with printed T-shirt’s with big sayings across the chest and radically clean-line minimalistic pants in expensive English linens.
Shoes are also minimalist for men in the world’s most expensive leathers. On weekends or on holidays men will wear bright white sneakers with pop art that women now wear as well.
The hot hangout cafes for the hot Frenchmen are in these arty arrondissements (not the 8th or the 16th) The French prefer to conduct business meetings in cafes and not in the office.
Le Buci , Rue de Buci 6th Teddy Bear
La Varenne , Rue de Varenne 7th
La Fontaine, Rue de Charonne 11th
Le Voltigeur, Rue de Roi de siecles 4th
I do tell American women, if you see a cute Frenchman alone at a cafe with no wedding ring on, just stare at him, then smile, then curl your finger to come over. He will. It’s how we live in France. Friendly, talkative and hooking up with whomever, even if it’s just for a lively conversation.
Wearing orange colored pants is not a trend, it’s something all Frenchmen do, especially with a navy top. It’s called Hermès Orange and it’s bigger than ever.. 2019 is the year of wearing COLOR, the protest neon yellow, mixing all bright colors with French navy or Gauguin purple is the forever trend.
Arty Dandy on Place de Furstenberg is a “go-to” shop for men’s accessories in the 6th.
The perfect Frenchman going on a date to meet his lady at a café, with his ankles showing, and a beautiful floral bouquet. He is ready!
Darling Vicky, as always, A STAR, love the fellas fashion statement. Not before time – it’s so attractive. xxxxx Vanessa
And I’m ready to go to Paris!
The Title of the article, “Where the Boys Are” caught my eye and attention immediately…it was a
well-written, informative, and fun article about the current menswear fashion scene in Paris…a la Vicky Tiel!
Vicky, I LOVED your article!!! Your photos are stunning, and makes me want to be back in Paris, immediately. Unfortunately, leg surgery is keeping me from traveling to Paris this summer. Forgive me for missing the book signing, but I’m glad I was able to help with some ladies attending. Have a wonderful summer – I know you are – Now that I know this site, I will keep checking for your wonderful reads. Love, Terry