The Chic List: Meet this season’s scene stealer 

We all have a fantasy job we’d love to have done in another life. Mine would be a location scout for the movies or, these days, most likely Netflix. 

I already waste a lot of time trying to find the perfect spot to take an Instagram-outfit street shot. I’ve got quite nifty at spotting a photogenic corner.

Last year on a trip to LA, I met an Uber driver whose husband had been a location scout on Pretty Woman. Remember those fire escape stairs Richard Gere climbed up to woo Julia Roberts? That was her husband’s work. 

He even had a cameo in the film – driving a soft-top sports car with a child in the passenger seat gabbing away on a gigantic mobile phone. Rewatch it and see if you can spot him!

She also revealed that, sadly, her husband had passed away and she was now driving her cab around Hollywood to pay the mortgage. Her loneliness was tangible – she clearly just wanted to talk about him and his life to someone.

A more recent brush with a genius piece of location finding is the charming restaurant from Emily in Paris. In the Netflix hit it’s owned by her love interest, chef Gabriel. In real life it’s an Italian called Terra Nera situated near the Jardin du Luxembourg. 

A proper old-school establishment, it’s been serving delicious pasta to Parisians for decades. And the owner, whom I met there – a stout middle-aged Italian – seems torn about its new fame. He spends a lot of time telling young Emily in Paris fans who barge in looking for a coffee – too broke or tight to buy a meal – that ‘This is a restaurant!’

It’s located right next door to the classic boulangerie that’s also in the series – and Emily’s apartment is nearby, too. How clever of the location scout to find so much of her Paris in one small beautiful square, once slightly off the beaten track. 

But it’s not anonymous any more, as it’s now filled with tourists taking photographs while locals make fantastically French ‘pfff’ noises of irritation behind their backs.

Of course, when it comes to fashion and deciding on what to wear, location – plus a little fanfare and fantasy – couldn’t be more important. And now that dress season has officially commenced, I’m imagining where I will prance around in this French toile design from high-street brand Cos.

When it comes to dresses, I normally like them pared back with a simple silhouette and worn with a blazer. 

I’m not a fan of florals, but if you are, this spring brings a new twist: 3D flowers! Off-White, Loewe and Bottega Veneta have all transformed simple garments into blossoming works of art.

Zara’s new star

Necklace, £25.99, zara.com

There’s a new style icon on the Gram – Marta Ortega Pérez, daughter of Zara founder Amancio Ortega. Since being appointed as the non-executive chair of Inditex – which owns Zara – her outfits have become social media hits. 

And I’ve noticed Zara’s latest accessories – such as this bold necklace – have upped their game.

Bags for the boys

In Paris I saw men with Chanel totes, Harry Styles has a Gucci Jackie bag (pictured) and actor Jacob Elordi uses a Bottega Veneta cassette bag

There was once a time when handbags were seen as for women only, but in 2023 they’re going unisex. 

In Paris I saw men with Chanel totes, Harry Styles has a Gucci Jackie bag and actor Jacob Elordi uses a Bottega Veneta cassette bag.

Big mac

Nothing says spring like a trench coat. Find preloved Burberry ones online at Vestiaire Collective or Phoenix Style, or try Mango and Cos, which have chic options.

Coat, £139.99, mango.com