Getting cold feet

Posted by Isabel Dexter at 23:41 on 14 Jun 2009

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Paris is drowning. "Quel mauvais temps!" (what awful weather!) has become my opening refrain as I trot from fashion showroom to fashion showroom in an ill-chosen assortment of footwear. Sadly not Roger Vivier's python gladiator sandals or the Vivienne Westwood embellished slingbacks that I've been lusting after. Je souhaite. (I wish). Actually it's my £1.99 Primark pumps trying to hold up to this thoroughly British weather.

While I'd feel utterly silly running around London inappropriately shod, this crazy rain spell seems to have taken the Parisians by surprise as well. I've spotted numerous bare feet and strappy sandal ensembles and quite a few dangerously high stiletto heels on slippery pavements. Parisians aren't interested in anything as banal as useful footwear after all. The dark jackets are back out in force as well, especially on the pavement cafes which are still full for 'le happy hour' but with outdoor heaters and canopies. Frankly, having just paid ten euros for half a beer, I almost expect them to throw in some fur-lined gloves and toasted marshmallows too.

The rain is playing havoc with the dreaded frizz as well. I mean big hair is one thing but fluffy hair? Non, non et non. The French girls seem uncharacteristically unbothered by the effect of humidity. "I told you we were more low maintenance," says the Balmain Babe as she twists her naturally sleek hair into a faultless bun. Apparently the secret is only washing your hair twice or at most three times a week, using hardly any product and letting it dry naturally -so you get that sleek but wavy thing going on.

£1.99 shoes? Naturally wavy hair? Cascades of rain in the middle of June? Since when did Paris turn into a British seaside town? Come back Skegness, all is forgiven.

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