Urban Outfitters Intervention

The American Study Abroad Girls are everywhere suddenly.  I guess they were always lurking, but maybe wearing black J.Crew pea coats, so I didn't notice. 

Now, they've sprung forth like sparkly, beaded daffodils, their fringe-y ponchos blowing like petals in the wind.  With the headscarves and the peasant skirts, the flip flops, the crochet with sequins--everything colored, everything printed. 

And my god, the t-shirts with ironic phrases.  "Gettin' Lucky in Kentucky"?  Good for you!  But do we need to know that "Jesus Loves You," too?  IF YOU'RE STILL WEARING A TRUCKER HAT, EVERY PARISIAN IS THINKING THERE IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY THAT JESUS DOES NOT, IN FACT, LOVE YOU. 

Everytime I pass one of these girls, I have the urge to grab her by the arms, like the imaginary illustrator in an old Donald Duck cartoon, and erase, oh, just ELEVEN of her layers.  I know you, Study Abroad Girl.  You are my kin.  So it is with the greatest love and compassion that I say:

IF YOUR NAME BE NOT MARY KATE, WEAR YE NOT ALL THINE ACCESSORIES AT ONCE. 

Comments

[sammy]

Funny, we DID just get a shipment of 'Study Abroaders' here in Montélimar - last weekend. (I believe it is something to do with the 'nouvelle trimestre')

So MAYBE they are newbies, and DON'T know any better. Maybe you SHOULD 'help' them Coquette!

[Magabe]

You didn't notice it before-- because it's spring break right now in the US... That's why they're all out!!

[R J Keefe]

Ah, Coquette, it will be to you that we turn for the next redaction of Scripture.

Jesus was always upset by excess. But he would have been kind to erring women. One can imagine him saying exactly what you've said.

And we thought you were in it for the clothes!

[SaraJane]

Couquette - One of you best posts! ha ha ha... ***more nervous laughter as I think "I wonder what people thought of me when I was studying abroad"***

I distinctly remember going shopping and saying things like "Excuse me, Miss Salesgirl? Do you think this will travel well, because I am studying abroad and I am here buying things for my travels."

I guess I will need to go back to the photographic evidence... hmmm.

[kim]

Trucker hats should not be worn anywhere, at any time, by anyone who is not actually a trucker.

This is like those velour jogging suits, who are only worn by people who have NEVER GONE JOGGING THEIR ENTIRE LIVES!

just say no, kids!

[Mathieu]

Perhaps they, like homeless people, need to wear it all in fear that the Thenardiés they are staying with will steal anything left behind in their room?

[DDJ]

Maybe the customs officials should actually start checking bags at CDG for prohibited clothing. "Les chapeaux d'Ashton Kutcher sont interdits."

I did see a great t-shirt the other day though. Brought back those 1980's childhood memories. The shirt had a drawing of a wagon, and said "You have died of dysentery."

[kim]

DDJ, that totally rocks!

[gleek]

hahaha, the mary kate reference is priceless.

i always thought that less was best. hhmmm, this is a whole new breed of hipster i'm not used to.

[Bob]

I totally don't have any accessories unless you count my cell phone, and I don't even wear that all the time. ;)

[aryn]

i am a (soon-to-be) study abroad girl and even i cringe when i see the trucker hats. i thought paris would be a positive influence...sigh.

love the post, coquette. :o)

[rachel]

I leave for Paris TONIGHT on a trip, and I am so glad I didn't pack anything fringed or beaded or sequined or crocheted. Oh, and no trucker hats or "Princess" t-shirts. *Phew*

Maybe I'll run into you at Le Pré Verre, Coquette. ;)

[Gloria]

Hee! I worked when I was in Paris, so I was generally in suits, thankfully, but my friends took classes and they dressed in typical American style, which is to say they stood out, but they were always confused when people were able to immediately pinpoint them as Americans. I didn't know what to tell them.

[Ms. NOLA]

I had a friend prep me before going abroad. I was told to buy a new shoulder bag as soon as I got to Paris so that I wouldn't look like an ugly American. With my long black wool coat and bobbed hair, no one knew I was, in fact, an American.

What really made me roll my eyes was the fact that people came all the way to study in Paris, but they would choose to go out to faux British pubs like the Frog and the Princess. Is that still there? I hope, for your sake, you don't even know.

[schuey]

very witty indeed, i have myself posted something quite atrocious today, euh in fact worn...

[Asian Leprechaun]

"IF YOUR NAME BE NOT MARY KATE, WEAR YE NOT ALL THINE ACCESSORIES AT ONCE."

Somebody tell that to that neckless fatty, Hilary Duff. She wears her entire collection of scarves, belts, and necklaces all in one shot, ALL THE TIME.

[miss e]

in MY study abroad days (Buenos Aires, 2002-2003) i didn't bring a lot of clothes - instead i went shopping a lot and did as well as i could to keep up with the argentinas. my favorite moment was when this american girl came up to me and in broken spanish asked me if i could watch her stuff for a minute (i was in a bus terminal). i was like, YES! I blend in! the last time i was there (july - south american winter) i could spot my compatriots a mile away because of their shorts and sandals.

[Lady Amalthea]

Coquette,
I totally agree! A friend of mine was just complaining to me that people always automatically speak English to her, but then I looked at her bleached blond hair and old high school T-shirt. I mean; what could I say?

[linda]

haha. hahahaha.
trucker hats are pretty bad.
so is the layered-cotton-tees-one-size-too-small-for-your-body paired with extremely snug citizens of humanity jeans and a tiffany's silver chain bracelet with heart charm dangling from the wrist.
*that* look is official.

[brando]

you remember the Disney illustrator who tormented Donald Duck? i feel such a connection to you now, cherie

[Diana]

It is so true; the packs of study-abroad girls are everywhere now, I've been wondering where they've been hiding. I remember when I was one that I was so proud when the poll-takers started to stop me on the street, I was like "I blend in!" It's also getting to be the season for my favorite game, "Guess the nationality of the tourists on the metro." Walk by them on your way out to hear their language and confirm your answer!

[issy]

When I was abroad studying I did everything I could to blend in. Once I graduated and came back to Paris to live I met my husband and made it permanent. The irony here? He told me recently that what attracted him to me in the first place is the fact that I stood out from the crowd. And I thought I'd done such a good job!

[chaton]

Fucking fashion statements!

Trucker hats can be cool, but like everything else, when worn by the right people with the proper attire!
yes: grease covered overalls, and a rasberry donut stain on a white T-shirt that says: "Duff Beer" does qualify!

[Kathleen]

Well, I think it's safe to blame Britney Spears and Kevin Federline for bringing "poor white trash chic" into its hey-dey... The day you see a "MILF in Training" tee in the streets of Paris is the day I will officially be ashamed to be an American.

But trucker hats in Paris? Ce n'est pas possible?! I second DDJ - stop them at customs - and add "Off with zeer heads!"

[Pepi]

DDJ - those are Busted t-shirts. They're everywhere here, it's getting very annoying.

http://www.bustedtees.com/product.php?name=dysentery