Woman in Paris says a stranger approached her in public and told her to ‘have more respect’ for herself. Then she shows her outfit: ‘that was insane’

A TikTok influencer says she was caught completely off guard after what she thought was the perfect outfit for a day in Paris earned her an unexpected critique from a stranger. Fashion creator Lizzie Cao says a passerby told her to “have more respect for myself” because of what she was wearing.

Cao brushed the interaction off, saying “that was insane.” But judging by her page, she’s no stranger to turning heads. As a fashion creator, much of her content revolves around bold styling choices. They aren’t necessarily outfits you’d describe as provocative, but they’re certainly more editorial than what you’d typically find on a department store rack.

For creators like Cao, making people stop and react is often part of the appeal. Whether that audience is millions watching the Met Gala or a stranger walking the streets of Paris, the goal is often the same: spark a conversation.

Parisians have a reputation

Ironically, the outfit in question was relatively understated compared with some of her other looks — a black tank top paired with white trousers. Yet that didn’t stop the comments from becoming almost as divided as the encounter itself.

One user claimed, “Guys, it’s France. It’s illegal to wear beach clothes in the city everywhere. Check the rules when you go to another country.”

Others quickly pushed back, arguing the criticism reflected stereotypes about Parisians more than anything else. One commenter wrote, “You look cute. Why are people acting like Paris is some special place?”

Still, many people agreed that Paris has long been known for placing a premium on style. One of the most-liked comments simply read, “Oh baby, you’re not in Florida. You’re in Paris.”

Judging by her subsequent posts, Cao didn’t let the incident spoil her trip. She later joked that she “runs Paris” and posted other videos, including one parodying Vogue’s celebrity “What’s in my bag?” interviews. If anything, the criticism seems to have become just another piece of content.

The idea that Paris has its own unwritten fashion standards isn’t exactly new. Pop culture has played with the stereotype for years. In one memorable episode of Modern Family, Mitchell Pritchett finds himself immediately identified as an American while walking through Paris. After changing into a more polished outfit, the joke is that locals suddenly begin addressing him in French.

People have different tastes

The French have always been portrayed as unapologetic fashion critics — especially in France itself. If your outfit doesn’t pass their imaginary runway test, don’t be surprised if someone lets you know.

Whether that reflects reality is another question. Like any major city, Paris is home to people with very different tastes. But it has earned a reputation for appreciating polished, fashion-conscious dressing, and many visitors are aware of that before they arrive.

Ultimately, what you wear remains a personal choice. Some travelers enjoy embracing local fashion, while others prefer to stick with their own style. Either way, if your outfit attracts attention in one of the fashion capitals of the world, chances are someone will have an opinion.