No matter how much we love New York, Paris is inarguably the fashion capital of the world. This exclusive version of Fashion on Fifth based at Parsons Paris highlights the international student fashion scene in the style capital of the world.
This week for Fashion on Fifth, I’m shivering. It’s cold in Paris, and I’m getting anxiously attached to my winter coat. I’ve enviously checked the New York weather over the last few weeks, fuming with the knowledge that you all get to wear T-shirts in warm and sunny weather while I’m thawing myself in a hot shower every morning without American central heating. However, one perk of being in Paris is that students get a week-long break in October after our midterms to frolic, travel, and — in traditional European style — sit, smoke, and unwind.
A friend and I decided to explore Amsterdam during our time off, wandering the canals, narrowly avoiding bikers, and excessively indulging in cheese, specifically fondue. The vintage shopping was swoon-worthy, of course, and my dear friend and I pampered ourselves with kitschy tourist talismans, soft leather jackets, and some necessary Miu Miu. My best find was a vintage plaid and suede trench that took my breath away when I slipped it on. I tell this story because this treasure of a trench is what inspired my exploration of coats this week. Now, you New Yorkers can see what your Parisian counterparts are donning as temperatures drop.
Lou Cloppenburg she/her — @civlou
Second-year fashion design student
If Lou’s outfit had an attention-grabbing headline that was impossible not to click on, it would be the 1990s Nike Cortez bag she inherited from her mother. This gloriously vibrant and graphic duffel is what initially caught my attention, eventually leading my eyes to the fabulous floor-length pinstripe trench. The coat is designed by the brand Le Court Mansion, who also happens to be a close friend of Lou. We love keeping style in the non-nuclear family. The red T-shirt poking out of a ribbed, black knit sweater is the perfect, perky pop to this outfit. Baggy black trousers and simple sneakers serve as a simple footnote to the best look for a chilly day.
Milla Baresel she/her — @millabaresel
First-year fashion design student
Milla, thank you for this necessary infusion of color on an otherwise gloomy day. A ray of vibrancy and comfort in a city of drab and monotone outerwear. No hate to a trusty Burberry, but this encounter with green lightened my mood. It’s not a kelly or forest green, no — it resembles a candy lollipop or Jolly Rancher, something that stains your tongue a tasteful amount. Milla prioritizes style and aesthetics when selecting a jacket, followed by a need for warmth and comfort. There are some days where she selects a coat knowing that she’ll be uncomfortable, but the style will be worth it. Luckily, this sugary puffer covers all the bases and combined with her striped pants and high fashion shades, it’s a delicious ensemble that leaves me craving a sticky treat to satisfy my sweet tooth.
Rachel Cacanando she/her — @rachelc.05
Second-year fashion design student
A fur is a necessary inclusion when writing about coats, and Rachel’s is the perfect tactile accompaniment to this boho outfit. Her style revolves around replicating trends from the ‘80s, although I would argue that this specific outfit has more of a ‘70s hippy flair. The fur, leopard print scarf, long white skirt, brown leather boots, and patterned cap are a delightfully retro look that still maintains modernity. Rachel hunts for anything that is furry, big, and long. She’s found it, although I myself am still searching for the floor-length fur of my dreams. I hope we both find success in our endeavors.
Charlie Trapp he/him — @_charlietrapp
First-year fashion design student
Charlie’s leather shearling was acquired on Vinted, a secondhand shopping app that’s more popular in Europe than the U.S. Think Depop crossed with Poshmark and a little bit of eBay sprinkled in. He finally found the coat he’d been searching for after many months of scouring vintage stores in New York and Paris. “Secondhand coats are the best because they’re so expensive otherwise,” he told me. If there’s one thing I believe to be true, it’s that vintage has the best value. Charlie looks for coats that provide warmth with their width, and a neutral is a must. This shearling is a cute combo with his paint-splattered jeans and adidas sneakers.
Summer Swanson she/her — @summerrgracie
Second-year Strategic Design and Management student
Summer’s lovely leather was acquired in New York two years ago, and she assumes it’s genuine material because of how beautifully it’s aged. “Leather will always prevail. I can wear it in the rain, in the sun, everywhere,” she says. Durability is a must, which is why synthetic and plastic imitations are never worth the investment, no matter how stylish they may look. Summer prefers her outwear oversized but has recently started to appreciate a good fit, something that’s apparent in this outfit. The olive green knit sweater and red Wales Bonner x adidas Sambas are great neutral colors to finish the outfit.
The best coat is a trusty one, which might mean reaching back into storage (or the duffel bags under your bed) to fish out last season’s jacket. This is completely admirable, and something I consistently do, but if you have both a shopping addiction and extreme seasonal affective disorder like I do, a new purchase can brighten up an otherwise miserable day. I encourage you to consume consciously, indulging in secondhand and pre-loved pieces. If a coat is 10 years old, it’s got to have another 10 years left in it. Even on the days where it’s difficult to get out of bed, just throwing a trusty trench over your pajamas can help in feeling accomplished and put together. I will be sporting my Amsterdam coat until the buttons fall off, and I look forward to analyzing your outerwear in the months to come.