Posted July 28, 2008
The French have always been ahead when it comes to trends—they were wearing wide legs last season and are already back to stovepipes. They’re also pros at defying one-season wonders in face of classics like the Bensimon sneaker. People in these parts call them French flip-flops, or Parisian Keds, but we just like to call them the perfect addition to shorts, jeans, and yes, even little dresses (they won’t make your legs look like stubs). To get a thoroughly authentic selection of both men’s and women’s sizes, lace-up and slip-on styles, and colors from basic to bright, head to Marie Eiffel’s eponymous shop in Shelter Island (or call up and she’ll ship them to you). Just say they came from Paris. We won’t tell.

$52.00 at Marie Eiffel, 9 Grand Ave., Shelter Island, N.Y.; 631-749-0707.