How an American Nails Parisian Style
If I’m being honest, American fashion girls enamor me because they have an uncanny ability to slip into outfits you immediately want to wear. They have an understanding of their personal sense of style but aren’t afraid to take risks and experiment with trends in a way that is inspirational and cool. And you know who is killing it right now? Alyssa Rara. The talent relations manager at Revolve and FWRD has a truly unique take on fashion that mixes resurrected vintage pieces with of-the-moment labels.
When she told me she was headed on a trip to Paris, I was instantly intrigued—I’m equally captivated with French style. I was curious about how she would bring her American fashion sensibilities abroad and how Parisian style would impact what she wore.
"I'm guilty of being that American girl in a beret," she told Who What Wear of her choice to wear one of the biggest accessory trends this year, "and I was definitely wearing a cropped white faux-fur jacket in a sea of sensible puffers. But that's the fun of Paris!"
Her biggest takeaway, though, was less about trends and more about an attitude: "Wear what feels right and be unapologetic about it. I felt good getting dressed, and Parisian girls' confidence is their most desirable quality, in my book.” Confidence, after all, is perhaps the biggest style lesson we can take away from French and American girls alike.
Go on to see how this American pulled off Parisian style, and then shop her outfits.
Add some crisp white jeans to your wardrobe.Available in sizes 23 to 31.
Add a pop of pink to your outfit.Available in sizes XXS to XL.
A classic piece for your wardrobe.Available in sizes 65 to 110.
Upgrade your sneakers to this stitched version.Available in sizes 35 to 41.
Finished with a ring handle.Next, read about the comfortable heels fashion editors swear by.
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear with over a decade of experience in fashion, editorial, and publishing. She oversees luxury content and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. She also contributes to podcast recordings, social media, and branded content initiatives. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, MyTheresa, and Luisa Via Roma, and rising designers such as Refine and Tove, and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Before Who What Wear, Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on assistant styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
-
Zara Didn't Tell Anyone About This Sneaky Sale, But I Still Found the Best Items
From mesh flats to elevated basics.
By Eliza Huber
-
People Assume These $60 Zara Shoes Are High Designer (and I Let Them)
No gatekeeping here.
By Anna LaPlaca
-
French Women Are Wearing Socks With These Classic Shoe Styles This Spring
Chic as always.
By Jennifer Camp Forbes
-
19 Things a French Girl Would Buy From & Other Stories' Sitewide 25% Off Sale
Say oui.
By Allyson Payer
-
Zendaya Wore a Plunging V-Neck Gown With a Thigh-High Slit on the Red Carpet
Perfect.
By Eliza Huber
-
French and Italian Women Always Wear This Pretty Top With Jeans in the Spring
Easy outfits ahead.
By Ana Escalante
-
New Season, New French Girl–Inspired Looks: Here's What Our Editors Are Wearing
Sponsor Content Created With Longchamp
By Michaela Bushkin
-
Satin! Sheer! Sequins! Zara's Spring Drop Is a Modern-Day Swan's Dream
I'm convinced this collection will sell out.
By Eliza Huber