French Style!

[Yppe]

Yeah, I think they are. They tend to dress in a boho but very elegant way, and scarves do an important role.

 

[impossibleprincess]

I just watched Le Divorce and God! I am now craving a Kelly/Birkin....red would be preferable. It's a very good movie if you want to see some stereotypical French style.

 

[Ingunn]

I'm on my way to rent it

 

[hermes_lemming]

I just watched Le Divorce and God! I am now craving a Kelly/Birkin....red would be preferable. It's a very good movie if you want to see some stereotypical French style.

Oh I remember that movie. But I prefer the birkin over the kelly.

 

[Petite Coquette]

Le Divorce is one of my favorite films style-wise. I really love Kate Hudson's wardrobe in it.

 

[Odette]

I am not crazy about them(scarves) and perphaps it´s because I´m french but I think there is a great quality when it comes to fashion in France, I think french people(I include myself)think that clothes aren´t just a way of covering up bodies but a way of expressing our spirits. Anyway, Mediterranean countries are usually the one of the bests when it comes to fashion(just need to look at Spain or Italy for example).

 

[hermes_lemming]

I have to say, on average, the French are definitely more fashionable than the Americans. But when compared to the Italians or Spanish - well that's just a whole new level...

 

[starface]

Are there any online french shops apart from La Redoute? I worked for them as a summer job last year and i dont think there really that french

 

[travis_nw8]

french style for me:
rykiel, agnes b and APC for easy-livin' everyday wear and a YSL rive gauche (preferable a velvet lapel tux and drainpipes)for that evening touch!

 

[Plastic'sWife]

I have to say, on average, the French are definitely more fashionable than the Americans. But when compared to the Italians or Spanish - well that's just a whole new level...

On average I think Europe is more fashionable than Americans..for the most part...

 

[Fabulyss]

Can we post pictures of quintessentially French style?

 

[Fox in the Snow]

I have to say, on average, the French are definitely more fashionable than the Americans. But when compared to the Italians or Spanish - well that's just a whole new level...

from what I've heard from friends and seen online, Spanish women aren't that great with style(?)! I find the Italians to be too over the top. Just my 2 bits

 

[Odette]

I am french so I'm suppose to defend the french style and blah blah....but I must say that Italians and Spanish are the best dressed in Europe. I've been in both Italy and Spain(like my second home)and its great, just take a look at people walking by and that's style. Italians are maybe a bit label-girls/boys, but they look great at all times(dinner time, having a coffee). Spanish wear labels too but they don't go around showing them(OK you get teengers and so on showing their polos etc..but thats it).

from what I've heard from friends and seen online, Spanish women aren't that great with style

Well maybe but trust me just by taking a look at people simply walking by in Mallorca, Puerto Banus or during Feria de Abril going out for dinner, you'll see spanish know how to dress themselves and very well

I must say that France is quite fashionable too and I think its the best quality, that's why french clothes are so well known, cause of the quality.

 

[Melisande]

Hi! I've been to France many times and many of my closest friends are French and yes, I do believe there is a quintessential French style.

Only, I don't think it's so much about the clothes.

It starts in the mind, and like Lacroix says in that article, manifest in the gestures and the attitude. And the clothes ONLY insofar as they are extra "tools" to help you express that spirit inside you. I believe one can still exude the same chic completely nude. And like Elbaz says, to me, whoever has that quality will exude that style, whether French or not.

What exactly is that "aura" that shines through in French style? It's a difficult question, but I do think it comes from *knowing* you are a sensual, chic, and seductive being, exactly as you are and without having to change yourself--hence the minimal makeup, natural-styled (but well-groomed) hair/nails and elegant posture, nonchalant shrugs and challenging glance. Different from just "confidence", I think this is the quality that makes me do a double take when I see a woman with no makeup on, flat sandals and slouchy no-name clothes, but simply gliding down the street. I think this is why French women are so often mesmerizing even (and often all the more) with no makeup, dark circles under their puffy eyes, and messy hair. And I suspect it's not unrelated to France being a culture where maturity and intelligence are seen as seductive in women, as opposed to mere youth and "flawless" beauty.

Lastly, about the clothes; it's often true that they own relatively few items that they are proud to wear repeatedly for years, even generations. This is simply because they know what suits and fits them, choose quality, customize, and put thought to coordination and styling but not too much thought to trends...

Phew that was LOoooong!!

 

[cheiby11]

I get inspiration from movies by French director Francois Ozon, he goes straigt to French soul. He is GREAT! I love all his movies. For example - 8 Women: very classic costumes, comedy. Swimming Pool - savoire vivre, summer in South France, 5 x 2 I havent seen it yet but Im lookinf forward very much.

 

[Odette]

I loved 5x2!Excellent!

 

[Virginielle]

^ oh yes!! but sometimes a bit too conservative for my taste, but that really depends on the person and age of the person. I think the reason why the French have such great interior-style, fashion-style and food is simply because it really matters to them. In many other countries most people think all this has to practical and look ok or maybe even pretty. In France style really matters, there is a low socail accpetance of sluttishness polemically said.

Sluttishness? I'm worried this will come out wrong and I hope I don't offend anyone but I've heard Europeans are a bit more forward than Americans, at least, I don't know about other countries. Everyone I've ever known from Europe has been this way and a friend of mine reports the same from Spain where she's been uncomfortable because the men there are so much more flirty than Americans (and take into consideration that I'm in college and deal with frat boys on a daily basis). So what exactly do we mean when we say sluttishness?

Can someone explain? I've never been to Europe so I could be completely off base. Thanks..

 

[Fabulyss]

I'm worried this will come out wrong and I hope I don't offend anyone but I've heard Europeans are a bit more forward than Americans, at least, I don't know about other countries.

I haven't exactly followed this thread so I hope my comment is somewhat relevant. This is only from my personal experience, but I do believe that the A&F shirts such as "squeeze me" (on the chest) and "blondes have more fun" accompanied by the cheesy ultra short, poorly tailored denim skirts are indigenous to America (and rather skanky). When I envision a French woman, I think of chic, well tailored clothing, confidence, subtle sex appeal, sophistication. When I walk down the street in America, I see dirty flip flops, obesity, ill fitting clothing, an overabundance of khaki and cheap jeans, sneakers, and baseball caps.

While the lifestyle of Europeans may very well be much more liberal than in America, their style is indubitably more sophisticated.

 

[Virginielle]

I haven't exactly followed this thread so I hope my comment is somewhat relevant. This is only from my personal experience, but I do believe that the A&F shirts such as "squeeze me" (on the chest) and "blondes have more fun" accompanied by the cheesy ultra short, poorly tailored denim skirts are indigenous to America (and rather skanky). When I envision a French woman, I think of chic, well tailored clothing, confidence, subtle sex appeal, sophistication. When I walk down the street in America, I see dirty flip flops, obesity, ill fitting clothing, an overabundance of khaki and cheap jeans, sneakers, and baseball caps.

While the lifestyle of Europeans may very well be much more liberal than in America, their style is indubitably more sophisticated.

Although this thread is called 'French Style' I was actually referring to lifestyle more than fashion. I'd agree European style is much more sophistocated but what I'm wondering about is the degree of 'liberalism' practiced.

I feel the need to add that Abercrombie is bad but FCUK is worse.

 

[Fabulyss]

^^Ahhh, I see. Well you are quite right then. I share your opinion about Europe being far more liberal. And I certainly don't doubt the prevelance of outspoken men over there