French chic style

[thoughtsbecomethings]

How do I put together the French chic style ?? What are the essentials ?

[hedgefund]

wear black and have a fag on

[FrugalFashionista]

Ines de la Fressange has a style book that will explain you the basics.

[Ironbluemayfly]

Breton top, pedal pushers, too much eyeliner, cigarette, nonchalant stare.

[PetiteRaleuse]

Doyou speak French? If so this French stylist has a post on it here blogue.sophiemartel.ca/2012/08/les-essentiels-de-la-garde-robe-feminine.html?m=1

Could be a good idea to go through original French web versions of La Redoute and other French shops/brands online. You'll soon see a pattern. The basic wardrobe is always neutral, classic stuff to last more than a year. Supplemented with more colourful bits and pieces depending on fashion.

[vitaminC]

Classic, well-cut clothes in neutral colours, paired with expensive shoes, bags and contrasting accessories.

Very few French women smoke these days (certainly my generation - late 30s - and younger, although I do still see a few older women smoking).

Oh and stay away from La Redoute! That really is the bottom of the barrel in French fashion

[PetiteRaleuse]

I didn't mean buy from La Redoute - just have a look at some of the collections. Agree that the quality is rubbish!!

[YoniOno]

Be thin, smoke and wear simple clothes in dark colours.

[valiumredhead]

Wear navy and black together and smoke and drink coffee

[santamarianovella]

have a look at how young french actresses like melanie laurent,virginie ledoyen dress.

you can have a look at zadig and voltaire , vanessa bruno et alt
you dont need to shop there but they do the french thing quite good.

[Ogooglebar]

Have long, wavy, unbrushed medium brown hair.

[JazzDalek]

Watch lots of French films, the talky ones set in Paris always have lots of swooningly elegant women

I don't usually notice the clothes tbh, I'm too busy wondering HOW they seem to pull off messy hair and no make-up and still look amazing they aren't always even conventionally pretty, they just have SOMETHING. Like Audrey Fleurot in Engrenages. She isn't really beautiful, but she gives the impression of being beautiful.

[Ogooglebar]

It might have something to do with bone structure, having a tan, being very slim and hair always looking in good condition even though it's not done?

[PetiteRaleuse]

I think it is self confidence, and being aware of flaws and knowing how to hide them.

They rarely trowel the make up on but go natural or look like they don't wear much. Foundation is light, not too many colours elsewhere. Ie if they are wearing a colourful lipstick the eyes will be much more subtle.

I think the younger generation are seduced by the cheap clothing chains, but the older women wouldn't hesitate to spend a lot on just a few key pieces which fit perfectly and in obviously quality material. Lots of beige and navy, which can be transformed with a colourful scarf.

[santamarianovella]

ogooglebar, you have just described my hair!my friends always rave about my "french hair", but i had an ombre done a few weeks ago to add a bit of color,and now they say i lost "it" and it looks more like victoria secret hair,which is too much in their opinion .

OP,if you ever get the chance to go there,visit one of the fashionable areas, like saint germain,place des vosages or le marais, that were you get to see the true fashionable people.autumn is the best time to go there,they really really know how to dress for the colder seasons

[Ogooglebar]

I'm sure it's lovely santa, ombre or not!

[JazzDalek]

It might have something to do with bone structure, having a tan, being very slim and hair always looking in good condition even though it's not done?

That rules me out on all counts then! (Well, am reasonably slim, but other than that).

But yes, you're probably right!

[Gingefringe]

I'm sure they have their share of scruffy dressers though! On holiday a couple of weeks ago we watched a french equivalent of TOWIE - and yes, they looked pretty trashy.

[welcometomysillylife]

Yes you need a French body not a British one i.e. skinny, flat-chested not hips and boobs. Wear flat shoes not huge heels/platforms/porn shoes on a night out so you can stroll casually not hobble. Dress for the season i.e. coat in winter not bare arms and corned beef legs. Keep it subtle and simple. (I do not follow this advice btw. I am too try hard to look cool.)

[LynetteScavo]

Firstly you must be thin. If you are not thin, you can just forget it.

[Rulesgirl]

Understated.

[Ogooglebar]

I think it has more to do with thinness than style. When I was last in France (Grenoble, not Paris) I thought most women looked rather drab in their dark clothes and there wasn't much individuality or interest going on, clothes-wise. But take a tall-ish, very slim woman with good skin and put her in the same dark, simple clothes and she'll look chic.

[starchildmum]

French chic is classic and understated. Expensive and well combined. Neural colours or if colour just one.
True thin is a must otherwise its not chic at all!!
HairManiPediWaxing all done very regularly.
For French I guess u have to be Parisian to be chic. The rest of the country is not chic at all (apart from the summer residences in the SOF).

[naturelover]

Ogooglebar I am tall, slim, have good skin and dress in dark simple clothes. I aspire to Parisian chic. But I feel sure I fail miserably. I think my style is boring, staid and unadventurous. I have studied Paris chic but to be honest I don't think I'll ever have that elusive "flair" or "style"!

I think the best I can hope for is "classy" or "elegant".

[Ogooglebar]

Well I would say French chic is classy and elegant rather than especially stylish or full of flair - so you're probably nailing it! But I know what you mean - I tend towards dark and simple and some days it feels chic and French, other days drab.

[lalalonglegs]

I live in an area of London that is packed with French women. They can do amazing things with scarves - I can't quite work out what and, as they tend to travel in packs, I haven't managed to pull one to the side and get the secret but there's definitely something about their ability to wear a scarf that takes a lot of beating .