As the summer months cap off and we slip into the myriad of warm tone leaves and light layering pieces, there’s one phrase I’ve been seeing all across Paris.
La rentrée.
A nationwide notion of returning to school, work, and normal daily routines. It’s on every sign, in every conversation, and everyone is on board. This return also signifies new exhibitions at galleries and museums, new releases in stores, and this general feeling of a new start.
I know I’m not speaking for myself when I say that the “back to school” feeling never stopped returning in September. For those like me who think new years is overrated, this is our January 1st. Nothing adds a sense of renewal to an otherwise melancholic end to every summer quite like September 1st.
It’s my first la rentree in Paris and the energy in the city is palpable. But really, what’s more impressive is how the majority of businesses can just take off during the month of August. Everyone is off to the South of France, Italy, Spain—wherever else we love a summer moment. I really felt les grande vacances as all my go-to spots were closed for weeks. ‘Réouverture le August 28th’ with no other explanation. My neighbourhood was a ghost town.
These two events might have to be something I adopt into my yearly routine. Summer break was always the best part of school for me anyways, so why not build it into my dream life? If an entire country can afford it, I’m sure I could too. Plus, my la rentrée has been super productive so far.
I’ve:
built out some prototypes for a physical product I want to test,
gotten into a great writing routine,
started to post Regularly on YouTube again,
planned for my next move,
& refreshed my wardrobe for fall/winter 2026.
On that note, here are some outfits I’ve been worn and loved recently. (Plus a few extra ones from this summer that I’d love to repeat next year.)
Doing & wearing
1.
I got these amazing track pants from Lululemon this summer and they’ve been my go-to “fun pant” when I can’t think of what to wear. The drawstring at the cuff can actually be released so that it’s a long jogger or wide leg pant but cinched up has been my favorite way to where them.
It’s hard to find capri-length pants that flatter my larger calves so being able to adjust the length of these really makes them the perfect option.
I wore the blue pair when Janice and I went to Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, the market in Saint-Ouen, and I loved how comfortable they felt. This Anthony Vacarello sweater is one of my favorite second-hand finds ever—perfect for the transitionary fall temps.
2.
Will never get over the beach bum detective comment but I felt great in this fit when I was in it so beach bum detective it is. Never thought I’d be dressing up a pair of sweat pant bermudas but sometimes you just have to throw in some whimsy. I honestly love the contrast between the flowy and more formal silk top + trench and the structured sweat short + flip flop combo.
This was the ultimate girls day shopping outfit. Clothes that are easy to get in and out of in fitting rooms. Comfortable to lounge at a café after too.
3.
One of my main ethos for getting dressed is making sure that I’m comfortable for what that day’s version of life looks like. I would love to be in mini dresses and fur coats daily, but my lifestyle asks for quite the opposite.
A very quintessentially me outfit formula is the “plaid shirt + jeans + loafers”—probably something I wore a million times last fall too. I’ve always loved a plaid shirt but I reach for this one especially often because instead of being a warm flannel, it’s a light cotton-blend, making it a great layering piece or a light throw-over. I got this in the men’s section in Simons. It’s no longer available but this one from Madewell looks like a great alternative.
Went to my favorite neighbourhood café to get some work done and do my monthly reset routine. I’ll be re-wearing this outfit to death again this year, it’s just too easy to throw on.
4.
My favorite moments to pull out my precious pink city bag are on girl dates. Janice and I went to go hunt down the photobooth inside of the Eataly in Le Marais but we were disappointed to find that it wasn’t actually vintange.
The in-between weather has really allowed me to make the most of this trench coat that I only bought this summer and I already know it’s a piece I’ll be keeping for a long time. It just drapes magnificently and the slightly transparent cream fabric adds a lot of texture.
5.
One of my favorite brand discoveries in France so far is American Vintage. From the outside it looks quite similar to their version of a American Apparel but when you head inside, you’ll see a lot more intentionality and style to their pieces.
I was on a hunt this summer for baby blue and turqoise-coloured tops and while teal has never been attractive to me, I actually ended up loving how this looked against my skin tone. I did also pick up some baby blue tops from them as well and may have to go back for some other colours.
I finally also picked up Repettos this summer and I do understand why they’re so dearly loved. My only bone to pick is that I wished they were leather on the inside as well rather than having the canvas backing but other than that they’re perfect. Chose the Lilouh almond-toed pair but I’ll have to go back for the Garance with the square-toe.
6.
I finally visited the Grande Epicerie but it was so that I could bring some French butter and snacks back for my boyfriend and his family. It was spectacular, I could honestly spend hours there. It’s a little too out of the way for me to make it a regular occurrence for my own groceries but I’ll definitely be back to buy some specialty butter for my own enjoyment as well.
One of my favorite things about Parisians so far is that nobody saves their “nice clothes” for a special occasion. Grocery shopping? Tabi heels. Library day? Dolce jeans. It feels like everyone puts their best foot forward every day and I love it so much. Don’t get me wrong, people aren’t dressed to the nines here (unlike what I’ve seen in Milan). Style here is simple and casual for the most part but everyone has it. It’s like the entire country understands clothing proportions and fabric pairing. Gosh it makes me so happy.
7.
Usually when the morning temperature drops below 15 degrees, I’m preparing for my annual fall/winter hermit because in Vancouver, that usually means rain. While we’ve had quite a few gloomy days since I wore this outfit, rain never seems to last long in Paris (aka my dream come true).
I love a cozy rainy day—just not for weeks straight with no end. Finally got to take out this beloved Studio Nicholson trench that I thrifted in Vancouver and I’m finding it’s even more suited for Paris fall. Don’t think they make this specific coat anymore but this one from them also might be even better…
With all that being said, this is the first fall that I’ve worn something suede at least 3 times a week. Vancouver me could never. I was originally eyeing the chocolate brown version of this bag* but ended up with this more natural auburn brown and I’m loving it way more than I expected.
Chocolate brown feels easy for me because it leans more neutral or cool and fits with my typical colour palette really well. However, I’m all for a touch of contrast and I think this natural brown suede actually compliments my cool-toned wardrobe quite well. Also the capacity of this bag is wild. It looks slim and sleek but I can fit 3 books and my A5 journal in it.
Bonus
I’ve been notoriously bad at writing updates this summer so here are two outfits from pre-rentrée that I loved. The top, skirt, and capri were all thrifted for a grand total of less than 30 euros. While secondhand designer is outrageously expensive here, there are still really great independent thrift shops that are well-curated. I’m still finding them as I go but let me know if you’re interested in a list!
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Angel xo
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14: Finding a routine in Paris
It’s officially September and I’ve been seeing sweaters and jackets come back onto my feed but Paris is still feels like summer and I’m not mad about it. I love a good layering piece, don’t get me wrong, but I’m definitely not rushing the summer sunset.
13: How lucky are we to design every version of us
At some point this year, I started to really psyche myself out about writing on Substack. I still can’t quite pin point what the feeling is (fear? anxiety? nerves?), but I think it relates to feeling like I should be way clearer about my throughline.
12: Finding joy in life again
This morning I woke up from a dream feeling oddly loved and warm. I was spending time with a friend I used to know, someone who isn’t in my life anymore. But instead of sadness, I felt grateful. Grateful for the friendships I have now. The ones I can’t imagine living without. The ones I know I’ll carry to my deathbed.