Isabelle Lichtenstein

Top | Jeans | Jacket (Last seen here) | Booties (Last seen here) Yet, as someone who studied abroad, visited over 10 separate nations, and had experiences many other people do not, I can tell you with complete certainty that Paris was one of the most gorgeous cities and most amazing experiences I’ve ever had the pleasure to have. Being in Europe meant I had a limited wardrobe to begin with (check out my capsule wardrobe here), so picking out the best of the best was not easy, but I tried my best to be innovative, stylish, and comfortable. So, my first day in Paris brought a lot of just wandering, so I brought out a comfy and casual outfit that went from day to evening in an instant.

So when I took to dressing more feminine, I felt like I was drawing more attention to myself and my weight, yet everyone seemed to think that it was a way better look for me. It’s the days that I wake up and lose the battle to be comfortable, struggling to wear booties with heels, skin tight jeans, and a feminine top that I get the most compliments. Maybe that’s why feminine clothing is said to be more suitable for plus size women: if we can distract others from our weight with shiny accessories and pastel dresses, maybe our body will be deemed more societally acceptable. And if plus size women feel good rocking something, no matter how feminine or non-feminine it is, who’s going to take that amazing feeling away from them?

I had no idea the weather here would be precipitation, partly cloudy, and precipitation — all in the same day. It’s a crazy adjustment from living in places where the sun shines 97-100% of the day. I do love dressing for cold weather, though, and I haven’t yet been disappointed in that department. So, cold weather + a short walk = cute clothes and no heavy coat to cover it up.

It’s really cool: the promise of a new country every weekend, living in a castle (yeah, you read that right), and taking in the culture of a land foreign to me. But when you’re studying 4000 miles away (or 6500 km, as they say here), you don’t really have the luxury of taking your whole wardrobe. Plus, I’m staying in a kind of remote farming village, so there’s no chance I can just go out shopping on any given afternoon. A capsule wardrobe is such a wonderful thing, and I can’t believe it took me this long to try it out.