For those of you that think I was referring to ice cream in writing the above title, stop reading here.

Ahhhh, fashion. I pay much attention to the style around me, as following fashion is one of my greatest loves.

While France is considered by many to be the home of fashion, you wouldn’t know it by looking around. Not in Montpellier, at least. People here certainly dress more formally (i.e. button downs, dress pants,) but they absolutely do not dress better.

In this fine year 2014, one should not find peasant blouses at the mall. One should also not find tops with excessive ruching, ruffling, or banded bottoms, and graphic tees shouldn’t be marketed toward any non-child demographic that values themselves and how others perceive them.

I’m not talking about past season, or even a few past seasons, I’m talking about trends from several YEARS past. If you’re going to be trendy, stay current. If you aren’t creative and into fashion, or don’t have a disposable income- dress classically and minimize trendy buys.

You don’t have to be a fashion wizard to spot a trend. Even the most fashion-handicapped chick could tell you that your black cashmere V-neck has a lot more longevity than those heinous wedge sneakers that you thought were a good idea Summer 2013.

The local municipality should appoint a style overlord to restore order and safety in the clothing stores here. That might sound bold, but it’s really a shame to juxtapose gorgeous architecture with nothing but printed pants. Louis XIII would have wanted it this way.

^ This season on Etam.com: Med-washed denim shorts, coral foil print bow-back t-shirt disaster, and coral cork ankle-strap wedges.

^ New from Pimkie.com: Nothing says rebel quite like your grandmother’s living room furniture made practical with pleather wannabe Doc Marten’s.

I rest my case.

XO,

RJB

Location: Montpellier, France