Emily In Paris Redefined

Let’s be real here: we have all seen the outfits in Emily In Paris, and they seem to be, for the most part, a train wreck. Emily Cooper’s style is as obnoxious and outlandish as her life choices. The outfit choices are over the top, confused, loud, exaggerated, and quite frankly ugly (and not in a campy way). The show is about an American woman going overseas for her high-end marketing firm, stumbling her way through french culture and falling in love. The fusion of cultures isn’t really reflected in Emily’s style; it truly emphasizes the stereotype of gaudy and tacky American style that screams “look at me!” There should be some evolution throughout the seasons in the clothes that she wears to work. 

With Emily In Paris, there is so much potential to really fuse French and American styles. French streetwear is labeled as “chic décontractè,” the in-between of casual and dressy pieces. American style, on the other hand, is typically casual with jeans and a tee shirt. Each person’s style is individualistic depending on how they want to present themselves and isn’t bound by any cultural rules to dress in one particular way.

Emily seems to want to push the boundaries of high-end streetwear by collaborating with the avant-garde artists that she promotes in the show. Just because it is experimental and pushing boundaries does not mean that it won’t look atrocious. 

This is a prime example of Emily mixing patterns that usually don’t go together and it’s for a reason. Emily wears a multi-colored, stripped polo with a green checker mini skirt, and a thick black belt. There seems to be a lot going on visually with the lines of the two patterns contrasting, as well as both the top and bottom seem to be very vibrant on top of the lines in opposite directions.

Emily in Paris

How I would reimagine this outfit to be more cohesive is to choose one pattern or if she had multiple patterns choose two different patterns (ie floral and lines) as well as muting the color choice. If one wants to make a statement with patterns then there also needs a plain color scheme so it’s not too much going on all at once. 

How someone might restyle this outfit: 

Our model here is shown with black and white striped pants that flare out, giving the outfit more personality and drama. Paired with a textured black tank top to match, the outfit is complete with a signature Parisian look with a bright red beret. 

Photo by Sun Jae Lee (@sunjae.leee)

The stylists of Emily in Paris didn’t want to just dress Emily in basic jeans and tee shirt moment. Personally, however, there is some elegance to a plain outfit. It would also be more realistic in a workplace that values professional-chic. 

Again Emily is with a fun metallic coat, a high-neck polka-dot shirt, and vibrant diamond pattern shorts. Again there are too many patterns and vibrant colors that don’t match. The outfit itself shapes her body in a nice way with a tight waistline and figure. I would choose one vibrant piece and then have either the bottom shorts black, or the blacktop to make sure her statement piece really pops.

Emily in Paris

Our models connotate youth and fun while making a fashion statement. In Emily In Paris, we are following a woman into adventures about love, and navigating her life. The clothes are supposed to reflect this personality. These models have captured the elegance in the simplicity of their redefined outfits. Each model looks like they belong in Paris. The model in a white floral gown has the length cut short with a v-neckline to show youth and skin. A beret and a scarf on their neck really ties into Parisian lifestyle but also plays into this sweetness and softness from their outfit. The styling of Emily in Paris oftentimes misses the mark in these tender moments. 

Photos by Sun Jae Lee (@sunjae.leee)

Emily in Paris continuously brings fun and exciting episodes to its viewers. The costumes reflect the vibrant and dynamic personalities of each character. Some moments of the show pay homage to former Parisian designers and odes to Parisian fashion’s history. In this case, the fashion choices feel deliberate and intentional, but it starts to get muddled with the repetitive gaudy outfits. A lot of people agree that the plot is funny, silly, and something to make you feel good, but I think there is a fine line between creative liberties and total chaos. Designers can make a statement through bold, lively patterns that display walking pieces of art. Emily in Paris’s stylistic choices could be revamped to truly encapsulate each character's personality and artistic freedom. 

Styling by BriannaRose Hewitt (@briannaroseh) and Kalyn Lemieux (@kxlyn__)

Modeling by Kevin Salgago (@kvnsw0rld) and Yoonji Kim (@yoonjiikim)