The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Gallico, Paul. Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris. Bloomsbury Publishing Plc, 2010.

Paul Gallico’s novel, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, follows the story of Mrs. Harris, told from a third person omniscient point of view, as she traveled to France to purchase a custom Dior dress. At the beginning of the novel, Mrs. Harris, a London charwoman, resolved that she will own an expensive designer dress after seeing Mrs. Schreiber’s Dior gown. While the main character lived a humble and modest lifestyle, she decided that the dress will improve her self-esteem and devised a plan to acquire enough money for the luxurious purchase.

Mrs. Harris initially believed she could win the four hundred pounds necessary for her dress if she won the weekly football bet. She confided her plan to her close friend, Mrs. Butterfield, who was skeptical and believed Mrs. Harris’s idea was foolish. Mrs. Harris won money by betting on the football matches, but her winnings were not enough to finance her trip to Paris. She decided to save her money and cut back on luxuries like tea and nights at the cinema.

After two years of saving, Mrs. Harris acquired enough money to execute her plan. She procured a passport and new hat before boarding a flight to Paris. When the charwoman arrived at the House of Christian Dior, she was startled to find that the austere building was not like department stores in London. The manager, Madame Colbert, was frustrated that the brusque cleaning woman interfered with her daily schedule and attempted to usher her from the building. She respected Mrs. Harris's tenacity and decided that her own pessimistic attitude was uncalled for. Madame Colbert extended an invitation to Mrs. Harris for the dress presentation that afternoon.

Mrs. Harris was delighted by the couture gowns at the Dior presentation but deflated when she learned that the dress would take at least one week to make. Mr. Fauvel, the Dior accountant, offered a room in his apartment to Mrs. Harris during her extended stay. Natasha, a young model, drove Mrs. Harris to André Fauvel’s apartment later that day and the three unexpected friends spent the evening together. The young model was delighted to spend time with middle-class people while Mr. Fauvel relished spending time with the young model who he had been in love with for years. Throughout the week, Mr. Fauvel, Natasha, and Mrs. Harris spent evenings together and Mrs. Harris realized that her assumptions about French people and culture were inaccurate. She discovered that her French acquaintances shared her same desires for love, friendship, and understanding.

When Mrs. Harris returned to London, she visited her favorite client, Miss Penrose. The aspiring actress was distraught when Mrs. Harris entered her apartment because she had nothing to wear to an important social engagement. The well-intentioned charwoman offered her new Dior dress to Miss Penrose who greedily took the gown. The next day, Mrs. Harris returned to her client’s flat and found a large burn mark in her designer gown next to a curt apology note. She was distraught that her most valuable possession was ruined and returned home to cry. Mrs. Harris reluctantly opened the door to a delivery boy who made her sign for a special delivery from Paris. Natasha, Madame Colbert, Mr. Fauvel, Christian Dior, and the marquis sent her a myriad of flowers as a token of their appreciation and friendship. Mrs. Harris realized that the most valuable thing she gained during her trip was not the Dior dress but the friendships with the people she met abroad.