One of Echo's designers, Sarah, went to Paris recently and came back with notes on what styles are in Paris stores and what they're wearing on the streets. 
She said Paris was only half ready for spring this season.  The major department stores still had a lot of dark winter clothes   Yet, there were a lot of beautiful spring clothes.  Most of the stand alone shops on the left bank were in full spring mode. Overall, the clothes and accessories were very pretty and wearable with great attention to detail.

As always, the French are obsessed with all things nautical and there was more of this theme this year than ever.  Every designer had their knit stripe sailor tee but the newness was in the unexpected color and details - such as ruching, piecing and the use of different scale stripes in the same garment.  There were whimsical additions such as hot pink palettes sewn into little flower shapes atop a pink and white striped sweater at Sonia Rykiel; silver chains applied to a draped boat neck at Kookai;  wide studded belts wrapped around gondolier tops at Victoire. Paul Smith and Claudie Perlot had applied fabric bows on shirts, dresses and pants.

Nautical stripes are a great addition to your wardrobe for spring - in a scarf, dress, umbrella or a cardigan. These are easy, simple pieces that can be the statement in your ensemble without making you look like a sailor on the high seas. Unless of course, you want that. Pirates are all the rage right now. 

Striped cardigan;  striped scarf ring; bold stripe umbrella; one shoulder sailor striped dress; striped t-shirt dress with cut out