French Style!

[Party.in.Paris]

I browsed this thread a bit...and I think it's very weird and funny to have the opinions of the foreigners about us..
Though I feel a bit proud and happy, mmmh I have to say that I disagree with most of the comments posted...

 

[stilettogirl84]

^well how would you sum up french style?

 

[dewi]

for a mediterrean people eating in France taste awful like her stylelife. It´s so depressive live there with all polution the cars sometimes kids needs a maske to go school

 

[SophieKawaii]

^ Interesting.. Sometimes i feel like France and French style is little bit overrated.

 

[Jadee]

for a mediterrean people eating in France taste awful like her stylelife. It´s so depressive live there with all polution the cars sometimes kids needs a maske to go school

All the south of france is part of the mediterrean and the dishes are typically mediterrean here so I suggest you mention which part of France you're talking about and where you come from. I've never seen kids wearing masks but I don't doubt that pollution exists as it exits all over europe.

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.

About the 'french' way of eating ... i'm afraid you're talking about something that's soon disappearing.I can asure you then most people can't afford to spend hours on eating and cooking. Obesity has risen, particularly amongst children and the lower social classes. And there are a lot a problem in France affecting people's lives, things like unemployment, that makes life stressful and can lead to bad eating habit and the consumption of cheap unhealthy food.The givt has launhed campaigns to teach basic nutrition facts and advices to the population. I guess the good reputation regarding eating habit is due to the fact that France is the country with the lowest rate of obesity after Italy in Europe. I don't think it means a lot because Europe is getting bigger anyway. Of course the traditional french diet, particularly the mediterrean diet, is a good diet.

 

[SophieKawaii]

^ Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us!

 

[allegra]

I recently spent some time in Paris, and I'm from the US. The biggest difference I noticed is that it's very rare to see women in Paris wearing gym/athletic clothing on the street - in the US, one sees it every day.

 

[Antigone]

I agree with that. I was in Paris first week of March, and I didn't see anyone wearing gym clothes on the street.

 

[Virginielle]

All the south of france is part of the mediterrean and the dishes are typically mediterrean here so I suggest you mention which part of France you're talking about and where you come from. I've never seen kids wearing masks but I don't doubt that pollution exists as it exits all over europe.

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.

About the 'french' way of eating ... i'm afraid you're talking about something that's soon disappearing.I can asure you then most people can't afford to spend hours on eating and cooking. Obesity has risen, particularly amongst children and the lower social classes. And there are a lot a problem in France affecting people's lives, things like unemployment, that makes life stressful and can lead to bad eating habit and the consumption of cheap unhealthy food.The givt has launhed campaigns to teach basic nutrition facts and advices to the population. I guess the good reputation regarding eating habit is due to the fact that France is the country with the lowest rate of obesity after Italy in Europe. I don't think it means a lot because Europe is getting bigger anyway. Of course the traditional french diet, particularly the mediterrean diet, is a good diet.

It's a nice way of life to aspire to, anyway. You're probably right about our tourist perspective. Tourists tend to experience the glorified aspects of cultures. Which isn't so terrible, I guess, if it represents something we can learn from.

 

[chloegirl]

I recently spent some time in Paris, and I'm from the US. The biggest difference I noticed is that it's very rare to see women in Paris wearing gym/athletic clothing on the street - in the US, one sees it every day.

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!

 

[luvmelots1983]

^Chloegirl, that experience sounds like one I read in a book... I forgot what it's called now, but it's about this Australian journalist who moves to Paris after marrying a Parisian man (whirlwind wedding). Anyway, she mentions that one day she goes down to the corner bakery in her PJ/sweats as she would do back home, and when her husband found out, he was horrified! His reasoning was something along the lines of "it's not nice". She asked "why wasnt it nice? What was wrong?" And he says "it's not nice for the people who have to look at you." Essentially, you dress for others there as well as yourself. The woman couldnt fathom that idea, but I guess it explains why you generally dont find locals dressed in sweats and ratty PJs on the street, even to walk just a block.

She also mentions that her lack of self-control is a trait frowned upon by most French. For a while, she was unemployed, so when she was bored, she'd eat chocolates (a particular brand that she loved). Anyway, sometimes she'd eat half the box... out of boredom and that idea of "you can never have enough of a good thing". Her husband, again, was entirely horrified and frustrated at her lack of self-control. His reasoning was that you eat something when you want it... but if you indulge, you really eat well, but in small quantities. So, no low-fat chocolate.... you eat really rich, dark chocolate, but just a small square of it... not an entire box.

I think it's funny because it really does relate to what we're talking about her... they show such self-restraint... in their manner of dressing (where they refuse to succumb to trends) and well as food and life in general.

 

[Aceberg]

^Chloegirl, that experience sounds like one I read in a book... I forgot what it's called now, but it's about this Australian journalist who moves to Paris after marrying a Parisian man (whirlwind wedding). Anyway, she mentions that one day she goes down to the corner bakery in her PJ/sweats as she would do back home, and when her husband found out, he was horrified! His reasoning was something along the lines of "it's not nice". She asked "why wasnt it nice? What was wrong?" And he says "it's not nice for the people who have to look at you." Essentially, you dress for others there as well as yourself. The woman couldnt fathom that idea, but I guess it explains why you generally dont find locals dressed in sweats and ratty PJs on the street, even to walk just a block.

She also mentions that her lack of self-control is a trait frowned upon by most French. For a while, she was unemployed, so when she was bored, she'd eat chocolates (a particular brand that she loved). Anyway, sometimes she'd eat half the box... out of boredom and that idea of "you can never have enough of a good thing". Her husband, again, was entirely horrified and frustrated at her lack of self-control. His reasoning was that you eat something when you want it... but if you indulge, you really eat well, but in small quantities. So, no low-fat chocolate.... you eat really rich, dark chocolate, but just a small square of it... not an entire box.

I think it's funny because it really does relate to what we're talking about her... they show such self-restraint... in their manner of dressing (where they refuse to succumb to trends) and well as food and life in general.

The book is called "Almost French" by Sarah Turnbull - I must say it is one of the most entertaining and insightful books I've ever read. Definitely in my top three, very witty and funny at times. I guess it helps that the author is a journalist and really knows how to express herself. I remember reading the sweatpants conversation with her and her husband/boyfriend - pretty funny.

 

[stilettogirl84]

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!

Honestly I agree with this guy you were talking to. That's how I've always felt

 

[laurette]

here are 3 excerpts of the book: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/books/almost-french-1.htm

 

[Virginielle]

here are 3 excerpts of the book: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/books/almost-french-1.htm

Thank you for that, laurette. I had previously thought that the book was fiction for some reason. I'm going to check it out based upon those exerpts.

 

[StellaMare]

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.

 

[luvmelots1983]

Thank you for that, laurette. I had previously thought that the book was fiction for some reason. I'm going to check it out based upon those exerpts.

Virginielle, I totally recommend the book - it's hilarious! And I think you'll really love it.

 

[Virginielle]

Virginielle, I totally recommend the book - it's hilarious! And I think you'll really love it.

Then I'll definitely be getting it. I own/have read Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl and also Fatale: How French Women Do It, both of which were lovely. I find French culture so appealing, I appreciate any kind of information on it; and one of the most interesting aspects just happens to be Parisian women, I believe. I get into the history stuff as well, but for light reading I love books on French style!

 

[chloegirl]

^Chloegirl, that experience sounds like one I read in a book... I forgot what it's called now, but it's about this Australian journalist who moves to Paris after marrying a Parisian man (whirlwind wedding). Anyway, she mentions that one day she goes down to the corner bakery in her PJ/sweats as she would do back home, and when her husband found out, he was horrified! His reasoning was something along the lines of "it's not nice". She asked "why wasnt it nice? What was wrong?" And he says "it's not nice for the people who have to look at you." Essentially, you dress for others there as well as yourself. The woman couldnt fathom that idea, but I guess it explains why you generally dont find locals dressed in sweats and ratty PJs on the street, even to walk just a block.

She also mentions that her lack of self-control is a trait frowned upon by most French. For a while, she was unemployed, so when she was bored, she'd eat chocolates (a particular brand that she loved). Anyway, sometimes she'd eat half the box... out of boredom and that idea of "you can never have enough of a good thing". Her husband, again, was entirely horrified and frustrated at her lack of self-control. His reasoning was that you eat something when you want it... but if you indulge, you really eat well, but in small quantities. So, no low-fat chocolate.... you eat really rich, dark chocolate, but just a small square of it... not an entire box.

I think it's funny because it really does relate to what we're talking about her... they show such self-restraint... in their manner of dressing (where they refuse to succumb to trends) and well as food and life in general.

haha, that sounds so similar to my experience luvmelots! basically it came down to a bunch of canadian girls on exchange in a small town outside of paris with not to much to do (in the city and in school) so we had quite a bit of spare time on our hands! basically we horrified the frenchies beyond belief. apparently we ate far to much and didn't dress appropriately. i attended a a private business school and us canadian girls would show up in jeans and sweat shirts, comfy casual since you're sitting there for 6 hours. the girls dressed business casual in slacks and turtlenecks and were unimpressed to say the least! cultural difference i suppose! there were just so many of us we weren't really hell bent on changing out lazy chic canadian style lol.

at night when we would party at our friends apartments in the centre ville and play about in the square the french locals would stand around and stare. probably in awe of our brightly coloured pajamas haha.

we were far from french chic but had an amazing time nonetheless!

 

[Autumn]

^^ Neat experience. You guys seem a lot more fun than the "frenchies" in that private business school.