Bamyan

Whenever I travel, I try to fit in as much as possible. I don’t like to stand out like a sore thumb as a tourist. By definition I am a tourist, though I prefer to think of myself as a traveler. The easiest way to stand out as an American in Europe is to wear shorts and white Reebok’s in the summer. Oh, and getting drunk and rowdy in the streets isn’t going to help your cause either!

My first time in Paris, I noticed that most of the women wore scarves. Of all shapes, sizes and colors. The older, put together ladies, tend to wear smaller silk scarves, with classic patterns, tied in a knot around their necks or larger ones spread out loosely under the collars of their coat. Think Hermes. The younger crowd usually opt for longer styles with fringe. And the colder the weather gets, the thicker the scarf.

I was immediately taken by all the scarves. Paris is a fashion capital, so these scarves serve a stylish purpose, but also a practical one, since Paris can get windy and chilly…any time of year, especially with all that rain. Keeping in mind my desire to *blend in* in Paris, wearing scarves seemed like a great way to resemble a local. It is no wonder I found myself…quickly addicted to scarves.

It’s hard not to be really. You can find them anywhere and everywhere. Small ones, long ones, silk, cashmere, wool, viscose, pattern, no pattern, bold or muted colors. The list is endless. There are even kiosks set up in some of the metro stations, which is where I bought one of mine. I seek them out, no matter where I go. It is a goal of mine to buy a few new ones every visit. They are a perfect accessory…like shoes and handbags…you can never have too many!

One of my readers, Jill, picked up on something I said in a previous post about liking to collect scarves and bring them home from Paris. She asked me if I would share my favorite places to buy scarves with you.

I have purchased quite a few lovelies at various points in the city. A few of my favorites are from the very touristy area of Montmartre. A funky pink printed accordion-pleat style, called my name from a window display in the very chic St. Germain des Pres, and came home with me. But my favorite spot so far is a little gem is on the Ile Saint-Louis, one of my favorite places in all of Paris. It is called Bamyan. Not only do I love the quality of these scarves, but the service is what keeps me coming back. Every time I go in, I gently rummage through the neatly fanned out stacks to find what I like. Madam always nods that I can try one on. Inevitably, she wanders over to style me pretty. Apparently, I never pick my correct *color*. She, finds my color, and like a magician performing a disappearing trick with a magic cape, she twirls, poofs, fluffs, ties, wraps, adjusts… and voila! Yes, she actually says voila! She is always spot on. It never fails. I always love what she chooses. And more importantly, the gorgeous way she drapes and ties it on me.

Though my ego is a bit bruised because I obviously don’t know myself like any real Parisienne should, I am elated and grateful for Madam and her beautiful scarves, but more importantly for her gift of just knowing what looks best on you. It is a talent I have yet to acquire.

This past visit, I came away with this beautiful plum, fringed, raw silk scarf. I wore it all over Paris for the rest of my trip. With Madams help, and my new scarf….how could I not blend in?

How about you? Do you like to wear scarves? Where are your favorite places to shop for scarves? How else to you fit in when you travel?

Bamyan
24 & 72, rue St Louis-en-l’Isle
Paris, 75004
01 46 33 69 66

Paris Parfait
November 16th, 2007
Yes, I have lots of scarves, as you might expect, living in Paris. (But I had lots of scarves when living in San Francisco). No matter how chic the scarf, I still don’t look like a Parisienne. I think Hermes is one of the best places to buy scarves, although they are expensive. I’ve never bought a scarf in Bamyan; must wander in the next time I’m on Ile Saint Louis.

stephanie
November 16th, 2007
Oh Robin, so lovely this purple scarf! YES, I love scarves and bought one, that I am wearing ALL the time, in Spain. It’s a pashmina type that I can wear as a shawl or a thick scarf. My husband even noticed all the men with scarves and is on the look out for a perfect one!

My Melange
November 16th, 2007
Tara,
I know….I never look like a Parisienne either! I try real hard though Please do wander in and report back…I hope you’ll love it!!
Stephanie,
I love the thick pashmina kind too! I bought a beauty that is wool with pink, grey, taupe and cream paisley print. I was so suprise to see the men wearing them….my other half is not quite as convinced yet….maybe your hubby could work on him for me

Maryann
November 16th, 2007
I love your scarf. I love purple

Geggie
November 16th, 2007
I love to wear scarves and always have. I have quite a collections from little ones to great big ones, all colors! I’m so happy for the cooler weather to wear my collection.

My Melange
November 16th, 2007
Maryann~ I love purple too. My camera overexposed the color a bit…it really is plum. Which is good for me, as plum is apparently *my color*!
Geggie~ I am happy with cooler weather…but within reason…I like Paris weather beacause they rarely get snow. I could do without it!!

melinda
November 17th, 2007
I love a good scarf and I bought a beautiful red wool scarf one year at Bon Marche. I will have it forever – it will never date. I must check out this shop next time I am lucky enough to get to Paris! I fancy Madam helping me pick my correct colour too. LOL

Chouzy
November 17th, 2007
Robin – I remember that store, though not the name. From your picture I recognize the place. I went in and admired all the pretty scarves there, but I didn’t buy anything. (My thoughts were on the Berthillon ice-cream that I was about to buy.)
I don’t wear neck scarves, even though I think they look very feminine. I simply refuse to wear anything that would get in the way of a pretty necklace. But I DO love wearing pashminas, which I find so perfect for adding that extra bit of warmth that I sometimes need and crave. They’re especially useful when I go to the movies because some cinemas here are so air-conditioned that that I’d freeze if I didn’t have something to wrap around my arms and shoulders. Sometimes I even let my hubby share my pashmina with me while we’re watching a movie. Cuddling up with him makes the movie even more enjoyable.

My Melange
November 17th, 2007
Melinda~ I have a feeling that the red suits you, but yes, please do stop in next time you are there. I’m glad we both have memorable Paris scarves!
Chouzy~ You are correct. Berthillon is right near by. I can imagine you now…on a mission! Such a cozy warm image of you and hubby. Are you sure you even remember what the movies are about after all that cuddling hee hee

Erin Perry
November 17th, 2007
Ah yes – the Parisian scarf! When my partner and I went on our honeymoon three years ago in Paris we set a goal for ourselves to buy at least one scarf each, every day we were there. And we exceeded that goal! Some of our favourites were purchased at the Place Monge outdoor market. I wear a scarf nearly everyday and it’s so fun to have my lovely French collection to choose from.
Erin in Morro Bay, Cailfornia

Kimberly Ann
November 17th, 2007
The color of that scarf is gorgeous. I too like scarves but I always look dorky when I try to wear one. I just don’t have the knack, I’m afraid. Too bad there isn’t a local Madam (of the scarf variety, not the other) who could show me the way.

My Melange
November 17th, 2007
Erin~ Sounds like you and I have similar goals I’ll have to check out the Place Monge next time!
Kimberly~ I really don’t fuss over putting them on. When I wear a long one, I just fold in half lengthwise, put it around my neck with the two ends trailing down, then slip one half thru the loop of the other half and adjust! Voila! Try it, I don’t think you’ll look like a dork!

Mélanie
November 20th, 2007
It seems to be a wonderful place

Laume
December 9th, 2007
I fell in love with scarves a half dozen years ago when I realized that a winter scarf with a sweater or light jacket was far less bulky and much warmer than a bulky winter coat here in our cool mountain weather. But I only knit and wore long winter scarves. In Paris I discovered the pleasure of woven scarves and I ended up buying two while we were there and loved their flexibility and warmth. Now every time I wear them I’m reminded of Paris.
Since then I’ve become quite the “scarfophile” and wear them them often, having collected quite a few more. I don’t feel like I’ve finished dressing without one, particularly if I go out but even at home if it’s chilly. I’ve found a wonderful secret – shhhhh – people don’t know about scarves. I suspect they buy them on a whim or are gifted with them and then after sitting in a closet for a few years, are donated. I’ve found some gorgeous scarves in thrift shops. My latest is a huge wool/silk scarf in russet orange and burgandy. Although today it was soooo cold (the high was 31 degrees Fahrenheit), I opted for my hand knit Gryffindor scarf. Along with scarves, I’ve also learned that in mutable weather a sarong comes in handy. It can be a wrap, a blanket, a bag, a scarf, a skirt, a dry spot to sit on the grass.
I’m afraid my ooohing and ahhhing, complete butchering of the French language, the camera always slung around my neck, and less than petite shoes gave me away as a tourist. But I must of not looked that terribly American because I was surprised how often someone asked me for directions or assumed I understood or spoke French. Mostly we were asked if we were Canadian. We’d spent most of a month in the UK before we went to Paris so my guess is that enough of an accent had rubbed off that we sounded “not quite American”. Who knows, I could be completely wrong.