Molly Bloom knows style

Braniff Airlines had the best stewardess uniforms. This was back when flight attendants were in the same league as models and faced a weekly weigh-in by their employer. Many of the uniforms were worn with bloomers because of the micro-mini skirts — I imagine there were a lot of napkins dropped in the aisle if you get my drift. Designers included Emilio Pucci (he of the swirly psychedelic mega-prints) and Halston (he of the sexy-chic and the column dresses and the disco).

Looking for some object lust? Here’s an eBay auction lot featuring 90 pieces from Braniff Airlines uniforms designed by Pucci & Halston. The listing says that the collection was amassed by a 20-year Braniff employee. It includes the space helmet! I’ve never wanted anything that cost $250,000. Except maybe a check for $250,000.

Jezebel created a quiz to match the stewardess uniform to the airline from the photos of a private collector. There’s not a Braniff in the bunch.

These are some of my favorite shops. The list is far from comprehensive but it’s what I remember.

Thu Nguyen - Great boutique in Le Marais, pictured above. So Paris, so wonderful. I was especially taken by the large necklaces — almost like armor — displayed in the window. Everything here is wearable and beautiful. (1 Rue Ferdinand Duval)

à Fragonard - This upscale shop specializes in shawls but it was a delicious blue coat that got me in the door. I also purchased a dress here, a confection of patterned silk with burnout treatments. Next time I’ll buy one of the buttery suede wraps. (61 Rue Faubourg Saint Honoré)

OUT - Brightly dressed mannequins in a courtyard signal this independent shop where local designers sell their wares. I bought a little black dress by Yaanbath, who zipped me in and sold me the goods. Located in Le Marais near the Musée Carnavalet. Cash only. (9 Rue Tiquetonne)

Galerie Simone - I purchased a one-of-a-kind skirt here as well as a short-sleeved blouse I am aching to wear in warmer weather. The store is efficiently curated and has great shoes and accessories. Near the Picasso Museum in Le Marais. (124 Rue Vieille du Temple)

Petite Bateau - Soft, slim-cut T-shirts made in France. My favorite! They also sell cute children’s clothes. In addition to the tops I bought a T-shirt dress which is surprisingly flattering. There are shops all over Paris, including Le Marais and Champs-Élysées.

BHV - This large department store near Hotel de Ville has an entrance in the Metro stop. I didn’t pack enough socks for the trip and had to buy more. I was feeling short on jeans so I bought an inexpensive pair here, in the Parisian style of wearing skinny too-long jeans with high wooden-heeled shoes. Another purchase at BHV: cushy inserts for my boots.

Today I got a timely email from a reader. I’ve been meaning to tell you about Paris style. Here you go.

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What’s the trend in the streets of Paris this Spring? I am leaving Friday, April 18th to attend French classes at the Alliance Francaise. I’m a stylish woman but need some advice re Paris style. I am kind of desperate. Tried many websites but could not find concrete information.

Thanks,
Marta

When I was packing for Paris I twisted myself into a bit of a crisis mode. Did I have the right shoes? Should I bring all my black sweaters? What about the dresses?

Here is my best advice: Whatever your suitcase is lacking, buy it in Paris. There are boutiques everywhere for window-licking. The French have that je ne sais quoi because they are French. It’s best to fake it with French things.

If you’re wanting to blend in on the street, think about what people will see as you strut past: outerwear, handbag and shoes. A new purse is a practical addition for travel; I bought a larger tote-style purse to accommodate my map, travel guides and purchases. There are amazing accessories everywhere in Paris, from independent boutiques to the scarves sold by street vendors and antique pins at flea markets. It will not be hard to spot something you suddenly cannot live without. You may want to buy the quintessential Parisian accessory, the scarf. To truly go Parisian, tie a silk scarf to your bag and add a few pins to your coat. Keep things sleek by wearing no more than two colors at a time.

The spring fashion windows were calling me but there was no use for sleeveless tops and blousy, billowy pants because the weather was cold when I was there. Women wore boots with jeans and skirts. Jackets were slim-fitting and I saw a few women wearing big leather belts on the outside. My chocolate brown coat stood out on the Metro as being not black but it’s well tailored so I didn’t feel like a clod. You can leave the sporty/outdoorsy stuff behind; Paris does not wear Patagonia, yoga pants or sneakers.

When I got to Paris it just sort of happened: I started pairing my clothes in ways I hadn’t before. I got better at the scarf thing. I noticed women wearing flesh-tone stockings so I bought a pair and they were exactly what a new dress needed. The exchange rate works against Americans traveling to Europe but you can find a mix of high and low shopping to get a true Paris look.

Yesterday I took a trip to the purple hued perfumerie of Serge Lutens. What luxury and splendor.

My dear friend Candace insisted that I go to Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. I tend to take Candi’s advice because she’s usually right (she introduced me to Ted, among other life-changing bits). She is also the friend who wants to make sure I am having the most fun possible. So I put on a new dress (by Poleci), went to the Ritz, got drunk, and took pics in a bathroom fashion show. Witness!

Paris is fantastique. I promise to do a fashion show for you and my tripod’s ready to go. I just can’t seem to get the timing right — it’s either dark or raining when I’m ready to model. For now this headshot from my apartment will have to do. I am getting better at the scarf thing, oui?

As for faire du shopping, I’ve yet to blow the bank but there’s still time. Especially of note was my mini-spree at Galerie Simone in Le Marais. I was interested in one-of a kind skirts that are painted but wasn’t sure which size to try. The shopkeeper pointed to one in particular, saying it was my size because I’m “petite à la” and pointed to her hips. Paris, you make me feel good. Of course I bought the skirt, it’s magnifique.

Since I arrived I’ve been walking past a shop staring longingly at a pair of shoes. I need to try them on early in the day or else my battered, swollen feet may distort the fit. But oh, if they fit, mon cheres, they will be unlike any other shoes in my wardrobe.

Here comes the rain again, time to grab my umbrella and hit a museum. On deck for the day: La Musée Carnavelet, which includes Marcel Proust’s bedroom and a fin de siecle jewelry store designed by Alphonse Mucha, he of the Belle Epoque posters. I’m keeping more of a travelogue over at my other site, in case you missed it.

Retail therapy works. I know it’s not right, and you can’t buy happiness blah blah, but when you’re traveling and you’re maybe a little lost or feeling like you haven’t gotten into the spirit of the place, there’s nothing like a $50 purse to lift the spirit. Or a little orange wallet. Or a cheap scarf with a Provençal print. I’ll share photos once everything dries out.

There’s a cute pink-walled supermarché a few blocks from my apartment. I bought a baguette, cheeses and a bottle of wine there for lunch. One of the cheeses smells like a dirty sock in a wet barn. The other cheese was made by angels, from the milk of cows who eat exclusively four-leaf clovers, underneath a rainbow.

You know what brightened my gray day? This ad for a store’s new spring dresses. Mais oui, little piggie!

I’ve been in Paris since yesterday. And let me say: Paris, I love your shoes. I plan on buying all of them tomorrow.

So far I haven’t done much shopping. I saw the cutest store of all time but of course it was closed on account of it being 10 p.m. Which reminds me of the concept store I’ve yet to open. It stocks chic, slightly overpriced wares and is open from happy hour on. Because you know you buy more stuff when you’ve been drinking. A little wine, a little impulse spending. Like bread and butter, baby.

I did do a little shopping today but cannot share the booty just yet because my purchases are gifts. I was heading through the Hotel de Ville Metro station when I saw a display of flashing lights and duct tape. My people! So I headed into the light and cuteness of all cuteness, there is a hardware store in the Metro station. Srsly. Too much. Here is a picture of the dog I met there.

OK… I don’t want to short-change you. Here is another shopping story, back at the hardware store. I was in line to pay for my stuff and was secretly flummoxed that I wasn’t in the buy line but was instead in the return queue. A gentleman a few places ahead of me approached the cashier with his basket. A great jangling started and soon became a cacophony. I looked up to see him uncoiling a giant chain from his basket, like a cartoon. People started exchanging glances and the chain just kept going. By the time he paid for his chain and started coiling it into a bag, I almost wet myself.

Sephora now has a section highlighting products that are 3 oz. or smaller and appropriate for carry-on. Smart. And a great way to try higher end products.

There are some favorite products I can’t go without, even for a weekend. For travel I like these small Nalgene containers because they don’t leak, unlike the drugstore empties I’ve tried in the past. Note to self: label the containers to avoid using shave product as hair goo.

Burning Man runways got a workout this year. This year’s trends included short, flouncy crinolines and wedgie-deep-up-your-bottom pants for women. There was omnipresent fake fur and metallic fabric. Men are still wearing coveralls, too-small dresses and [most unfortunately] fleece vests adorned with glowsticks. For those of you who write to ask when I’m going to feature some of my own creations, look no further: the dusty corset and bustle pictured above were made by me. Note the bowler hat accessorized with a headlamp.