French Style!

[luvmelots1983]

^Virginielle, I totally agree with you - I love reading books on French style, whenever I've got the time. Not an obsession, but a great, leisurely hobby. Along those lines, would you recommend the two books you mentioned above? And are there any others you think are worth reading? I'm into all aspects of French (usually Parisian) life.

Chloegirl, your experience sounds so much like mine, when I went to Paris at 17. We were the typical loud tourists, eating pastries like there was no tomorrow, expecting quick service, and being very obnoxious. Sounds like you had a great time though, boisterous or not! And like you, I think that was one of the best experiences of my life.

 

[HiHeels]

Having spent the past week in Paris I've got a lot of inspiration right now..
However, my "scoop" as to how the french dress isn't really different from what I'd heard before..
The top three things I saw on people were basically:

1. Scarfs. They're everywhere and usually done in a sort of bohemian thrown across the shoulder way.

2. Vanessa Bruno Cabas bags and Longchamp Pliages..I saw some Hermes and Balenciaga as well but these were the ones I always kept seeing.

3. Ballet flats. Repetto mostly, and quite a lot of pointed toes. I went to the Repetto store and tried on a bunch of style and the quality is really excellent.

Overall most people were classic and subtly stylish.

what a fun review. thank you for posting!
were the scarves silk or were they those longer more sloppy-style globs of fabric that ensconce the wearer?

 

[Virginielle]

^Virginielle, I totally agree with you - I love reading books on French style, whenever I've got the time. Not an obsession, but a great, leisurely hobby. Along those lines, would you recommend the two books you mentioned above? And are there any others you think are worth reading? I'm into all aspects of French (usually Parisian) life.

Absolutely. Read Entre Nous first, then Fatale. I also own Frederic Fekkai's A Year of Style, which is terrific. He's from Aix-en-Provence and gives some really interesting tips---on pretty much everything. The book is divided into 12 chapters (one for each month), each with an individual theme to do with style. He references Provence quite a bit and you get the feeling that he's got a really good feel for French style and that you can learn something from him. I've had the book for over two years, and I still read each chapter at the beginning of every month. It's as close to a step-by-step guide to French style as you're ever going to get. While the other books are informative on the topic, this is more instructional. Even if you're not fascinated by French style, this book has advice you can use. God, I sound like a advertisement. Anyway, as well as great style tips, I've gotten a few of my favorite recipes from A Year of Style.

 

[StellaMare]

HiHeels: The majority were sort of sloppy and usually pashmina/pashmina lookalikes.. They're very stylish though, I bought one in a deep red colour and I wear it every day.

 

[Lina5]

wearing PJs out of your house or ugly tracksuits is really unheard of in Europe. you can wear tracksuits but they have to be good looking and you would never wear them to school or work or cinema, just to the local store for example or to the gym.

 

[stilettogirl84]

wearing PJs out of your house or ugly tracksuits is really unheard of in Europe.

It's not unheard of here.... but it ought to be!

people who leave home looking like they jsut rolled out of bed are so lazy slopy tasteless

I wish people could be a little more European/ sophisticated and at least try a little

 

[Whitelinen]

wearing PJs out of your house or ugly tracksuits is really unheard of in Europe. you can wear tracksuits but they have to be good looking and you would never wear them to school or work or cinema, just to the local store for example or to the gym.

Unfortunately I think it's slowly becoming more frequent here I see a lot of teens wearing them to school etc.

 

[HiHeels]

HiHeels: The majority were sort of sloppy and usually pashmina/pashmina lookalikes.. They're very stylish though, I bought one in a deep red colour and I wear it every day.

sounds wonderful! deep red is exactly what i would have bought too!
thanks - i just wanted to clarify whether they were dressing elegantly (silk) or casually fashionable (pashmina).

 

[just_me]

I don't think you can be truly stylish on a really, really tight budget.

A adore the look of well-fitted cashmere sweaters, Chanel tweed jackets (in black!) ,straight legged pant, , and a pair or repetto flats are essential!
When I think of Parisian chic-I think black with red lipstick, reality is far from it as many there really like their light jeans.

It's not so much about their style but how they read-they are intellegent and that seems more important to them. Just my thoughts..

HiHeels I just saw your blog 34 pieces, I LOVE the concept, and look forward to see more outfits.

How many black dresses does one need in the wardrobe? I have many.. they are not all the same, but they are jet black.

 

[Party.in.Paris]

I agree with you SophieKawaii , if I didn't know people were talking about my country I would be like 'wow this country sounds wonderful" It might be because people have a tourist/ outsider point of view. You're more aware of the bad things as a native. Plus with the presidential election coming in a few weeks I'm all to aware of all the troubles france is going through.

couldn't agree more with you!!!!

Having spent the past week in Paris I've got a lot of inspiration right now..
However, my "scoop" as to how the french dress isn't really different from what I'd heard before..
The top three things I saw on people were basically:

1. Scarfs. They're everywhere and usually done in a sort of bohemian thrown across the shoulder way.

2. Vanessa Bruno Cabas bags and Longchamp Pliages..I saw some Hermes and Balenciaga as well but these were the ones I always kept seeing.

3. Ballet flats. Repetto mostly, and quite a lot of pointed toes. I went to the Repetto store and tried on a bunch of style and the quality is really excellent.

Overall most people were classic and subtly stylish.

repetto shoes and Vanessa Bruno bags are indeed very populare here!!!

 

[HiHeels]

just_me thanks!
black dresses as in LBD, or just generally an every day black dress?
i have 1 LBD.

 

[just_me]

LBD, I think it's too many but I really love them, I can always rely on them when a party invite comes up!

But it's hard because most style books always say 'one LBD is enough'.. but you can't always wear the same one?

How do yo pair down in summer? How many dresses do you need? What are the basics?

 

[HiHeels]

oooo i dont konw. oddly enough, "basics" can be very subjective.
you can play a lot with one black dress though, through accessories - different cardigan/jacket, different belt, different shoes, how you wear your hair, etc.
like i said, i have 1 LBD that i can wear about... four or 5, maybe 6 different ways.
watch my blog and you'll see them all, eventually.

 

[luvmelots1983]

Unfortunately I think it's slowly becoming more frequent here I see a lot of teens wearing them to school etc.

^ Oh no! Yuck!

And Virginielle, thanks so much for the advice... I definitely will go hunt out those books... cant wait!

 

[just_me]

watch my blog and you'll see them all, eventually.

I'll be looking forward to it as it's a very french approach you are taking!

How does people feel about wash on jeans? I'm really considering some really light denim now that spring is approaching, I'm quite skinny so I think I can pull it off, any thoughts?

What would I wear it with to still look chic?

It's not that classic though maybe.. but I already have 6 pairs of black jeans.

 

[HiHeels]

I'll be looking forward to it as it's a very french approach you are taking!

How does people feel about wash on jeans? ....
It's not that classic though maybe.. but I already have 6 pairs of black jeans.

recently someone brought it to my attention that i ought to be working with less than 34 pieces to make it a real challenge!
light jeans: a light cotton blouse (untucked) with a belt perhaps. light-weight v-neck sweater maybe...
i was young in the 80s, but i still remember them well enough to not touch light jeans. lol
in the summer i wear white jeans sometimes.

 

[Sylphide]

re controlled chocolate consumption: it seems like I'm going to have a hard time finding my inner French girl.

 

[stilettogirl84]

^ lol!

 

[Sylphide]

I just read the Sarah Turnull excerpts and it kind of makes me sad that she says you can't be NICE if you want respect! Is that really true? I used to work in a French school (not in France) and some of the mothers were kind of standoffish and uppity but I hope that's not really the French way. Is it?

 

[Fabulyss]

i did a university exchange last year for about 5 months in a city outside of paris.

anyway... i had this sweatpant discussion with one of the guys i met in france and basically he could not believe that i would even consider wearing sweatpants outside. he was essentially horrified that us canadian girls would wear them to class lol. basically his reasoning was that someone who wore sweatpants or didn't dress to "impress" didn't take care of themself. he was like "don't you want to look nice, like you take care of yourself and put effort into your looks" is what he was getting at. i think that's the french mentality that most french (at least the university students) appear to have. they were less then impressed with us canadian girls trekking about in our sweats! altho it did make it very easy to spot a north american-er!

just my 2 cents!

First of all, it is important to note that ^this statement^ came from a guy

What is interesting about this statement is that it goes both ways. I shudder when I see girls walking into class dolled up in heels, freshly straight-ironed hair, and caked makeup. I think it's ridiculous. Frankly, I believe anyone who looks impeccable every minute of everyday has too much time on their hands. And I can't even imagine walking in heels on cobblestone streets? (how do the French do it?!)

Don't get me wrong, I adore nothing more than dressing up - I have far more 'dress up' clothes in my closet than I do casual ones...but there is a time and a place for it. That said, there is HUGE problem with Americans lacking any sense of shame. All of the time I see grown adults wearing pajamas to the grocery store, I even saw one girl wear her boyfriend's boxers to class...c'mon!