Who are these people who tie their sweaters around their shoulders ?

In the coastal town of La Baule, summer evenings have taken on a new ritual: people are increasingly seen wearing their sweaters tied around their shoulders. This seemingly casual act has become a subtle yet powerful identifier of social class, regional origin, and even political leanings. The practice, once associated with American university culture, has evolved into a French symbol of bourgeois refinement, often linked to residents of Versailles, Boulogne-Billancourt, or Bordeaux. These individuals, who typically vacation along the Atlantic coast and attend church on Sundays, have made this fashion choice part of their identity. The habit is particularly prevalent among young professionals such as Sidonie and Antoine, both working in finance. At 24 and 26 years old, they recently purchased their first apartment in the suburbs of Paris. For them, wearing a sweater over the shoulders is not a daily routine but rather a seasonal or special occasion gesture. Antoine recalls adopting the practice after observing his father and grandparents, while Sidonie sees it as a way to elevate her outfit. She prefers this method over the more outdated approach of tying the sweater around the waist, which she associates with rural stereotypes or outdated trends from the early 2000s. This cultural shift traces its roots back to American university life in the 1930s and 1940s, according to Hayley Edwards-Dujardin, historian of art and fashion. Originally, the practice was a marker of allegiance among students and their partners, often involving borrowed jackets or sweaters worn around the shoulders as a sign of belonging. It was initially reserved for wealthier students with access to higher education, but it became more widespread in the 1950s and 1960s as universities expanded their student bodies. In France, the trend took on a different character. Post-war policies helped open up university access to a broader demographic, leading to the spread of these styles beyond sports teams. By the 1970s and 1980s, elite French families, those without direct ties to American university or athletic cultures, adopted these codes, adapting them to fit their own aesthetic. As a result, the sweater-over-the-shoulders look became associated with a more conservative and refined image, distinct from its earlier associations with rebellion or nonconformity. Generational attitudes toward the practice reflect this evolving perception. Older generations, such as 64-year-old former teacher Dominique, still see the style as youthful and stylish, while younger individuals like 23-year-old student Emma view it as somewhat outdated, evoking images of her grandmother or traditional middle-class values. This generational divide highlights how deeply embedded the practice has become in French social consciousness. As the practice continues to evolve, so too does its role in shaping personal and collective identities. Whether viewed as a mark of sophistication or a relic of the past, the act of wearing a sweater over the shoulders remains a small but telling detail in the fabric of everyday life in France. In La Baule, where the evening breeze carries the scent of salt and summer, this simple gesture continues to reveal much about those who wear it.