Shorts-Sighted

Once upon a time, we thought shorts were a no-no in Paris. We read in guide books that only tourists wear shorts in this oh-so-fashion conscious city, and for a long time, our personal experience reflected this rule. But soon after another American-in-Paris blogger reinforced Paris' no-shorts policy, we visited Nature Capitale and noticed exceptions. Lots of them.

First, there is an epidemic of man-capris in Paris, which comes as no great surprise.


We know these aren't the same thing as shorts, but once you start wearing capris, it's a slippery slope down . . .

And just in case you thought this was the work of rogue Frenchmen, flaunting their pasty legs in the face of fashionability, think again. The Champs-Elysées boasts some of the most coveted window-display real estate in Paris, and even there, shorts are beginning to appear.

Normally we'd be excited about this liberalization of men's wear, since the unspoken ban on shorts has always seemed unfair. But as we said, it's a slippery slope from capris down, and we saw evidence of the unsightliness that often accompanies shorts-wearing.

Short shorts remind us that as France transitions into a shorts-wearing nation, it must set a new standard for warm weather clothing. I recommend we call it "comfortable chic." Emphasis (as always) on the chic - sorry, short shorts fans.