I've just got back from five days in Le Marais, and I've decided I want become Parisian, s'il vous plait.

[TossDaily]

So there.

EVERYBODY looked fantastic. EVERYBODY. DP and I just sat open-mouthed in fascination. Whatever their age, they looked amazing.

So I'm sitting here on a diet, wearing an Isabel Marant jumper and frantically googling 'How to turn French.'

As far as I can tell, the rules are:

1. Be thin, despite the fact you are walking down the street at 11am gnawing a cheese and ham baguette the length of your forearm.

1. Have your hair the colour and texture of natural hair.

1. Have the most amazing skin, despite the fact you have a permanent Gauloise on the go.

1. Never get pissed and lairy, despite the fact you are having a glass of red wine with your lunch and it's Tuesday.

1. Wear shoes you can walk in.

1. Have an amazing coat.

1. Know how to tie a scarf so it looks like you have slung it on and it's just choosing to snuggle up to you because you are SO FRICKING GORGEOUS.

1. Have a pharmacy on every corner that is just an Aladdin's Cave of miraculous skincare delights for less than a tenner each.

Anyone else have any tips? Joking aside, I loved the style - the shops, ohmigod the shops! It was like I'd walked into my internet shopping history.

I could actually walk around in my biker jacket without feeling like a twat.

I want to be French. Aidez-moi.

This has been so interesting, thank you.

I am also slightly confused about the long waisted thing- I thought it was about having a longer distance between boobs and waist, rather than armpit? I have terrible trouble with dresses (Boden in particular!) being two or three inches above my natural waist, and I'm only 5'4.

I'd love a botemp blog! But also, you know when people here post pics, of the same outfit but with different tops, or shoes, and other people give advice? I'd like somewhere for that kind of thing (because mumsnet limits pictures, and on the mobile site it can be tricky to see/ close them)- does anyone know of anything like that?

I received my beautiful faux fur stole today. Very, very pleased with it!

Thanks, Botemp

Yes to a botemp blog! even though it would probably bankrupt me

Botemps I love those parkas you posted. Where is the first one from?

Lovely to hear everyone is happy with it though! We must think of a secret signal to go with it

Kimchi, it's the IRO Balfred coat, apologies in advance, it's expensive.

I'm finding some of the pp's assumptions and stereotypes about build, clothing, manners & diet () of "tourists" (especially Americans, and no, I'm not American) a little bit distasteful. Otherwise, very interesting, thanks Bo.

Zara’s good for parkas

It's a lighthearted thread, Elledorado, no need for distaste on any level.

I saw the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibition in Paris a couple of years ago, it was amazing, well worth the queuing. We have some brilliant photos from it, there was no problem having a camera which was very refreshing. The Dior one looks great.

I'm getting very excited about my fur stole now, it's been dispatched. It might solve a couple of Christmas present problems too if it's good.

I really do love my new stole, and will be wearing it over a black trouser suit shortly on my way to work on train/tube . Thanks again Botemp!

*Can we talk about the pharmacies?

I spent SO MUCH MONEY.*

How much? Then we can talk

I used to find French pharmacies more exciting but all their skincare brands are available in the UK/Ireland now so not as much of a novelty.

Am loving this thread - as a pale (some might say pasty), red headed, skint, permanently windswept and slightly toddler- and dog-smeared mess, French chic is not my natural habitat, but one can dream, oui?

And then I came downstairs and we are having croissants for breakfast avec coffee - I had totally forgotten having bought them in honour of DH having a day off! I shall eat them wearing my best pyjamas - the ones with a Breton-esque stripy t-shirt as the top half. I feel more French already

Erm...it was a long time ago now, I've forgotten. Honest.

Elledorado

My reference to build was in no way meant to be disparaging. British people are, on the whole, taller, broader and bigger-boned than many French people. This is, of course, a sweeping generalisation and there are innumerable exceptions. The teeny, tiny, frail Parisian build that some posters have mentioned is v unusual in the UK.

There is also a certain fairness of skin that is typically British/Irish and that you don't find so often in France (or Germany, or other European countries). I never said that it was unattractive, on the contrary.

I have no issue with vibrant or clashing colours; I've just noticed that the French tend, often, to go for more muted tones and they mix and match far less.

Please can this thread continue in the spirit it was meant? I'd hate it to go down a mumsnet rabbit hole of recrimination. It's joyous and we're soon to have a new mumsnet official scarf. Is anyone prepared to post a photo of the real thing?

I've been very much enjoying this thread, @botemp seems to be the font of all knowledge on all things chic and french, I second third fourth? the botempblog idea. It's my birthday soon so I gave in and had a look at that site, and now I want everything. I've been wanting some white trousers for a while and surely bullfighters trousers would be great for wrestling with a toddler? And I need a Breton cap too obviously.

I can’t have a new scarf, but inspired by this thread, I am today wearing A. Earrings and B. The closest thing I have to red lipstick, which is a Clinique chubby stick in Roomiest Rose (B.B. that’s not all I’m wearing, I do have clothes on) and I feel tres chic. And later, I will be wearing my good coat to go out with my favourite scarf, because life is short. And I’ve polished my boots.

Vive la 🇫🇷!

I've spent the last 2 days reading this with interest.

I agree that a lot of English/British don't have the typical French or Italian look of dark and petite (although, my Parisian french friend was tall and red-haired ). I think certain elements can be incorporated into one's own style. I think I dress quite British with elements of French and Scandi style.

Things I like and will use are: scarves! I already wear them loads and have a big, burgundy fur stole (from topshop) already
Baker boy hat
Lots of neutrals, base of capsule wardrobe, some very good quality vintage/second hand clothes
Good flat shoes, but I think anyone who lives in a big city (I used to live in London) walks loads
Taking good care of you, really looking after your skin, hair etc. rather than focusing on what to put on top, but not obsessively so
I'm absolutely against starving yourself but eating less, but better quality food is healthy and will help your hair, skin etc.

Just popping in to say I'm loving this thread.

The Dior exhibition looks wonderful, thanks for the photo's Botemps and I'm loving all the links.

Am currently sitting here in muddy post dog walk clobber but after my shower, I will be wearing blueberry crew neck jumper over a white shirt, jeans and knee length boots - not decided on tan or black yet - totally inspired by the Tourjours navy pullover link. I'll maybe even wear some ruby woo!

Tanaqui, the long waisted thing is at the height of your armpits but measured between your breasts, so not a diagonal measurement. Breasts themselves can be at various spots depending on whether you're full on top or bottom or both so they'd make for a bad constant. I think there is a further complexity with long and short waisted as clothing patterns work with an average height per size which will place the waist according to that height. It's also how sizing can get a bit muddled. When I was a UK12 I was probably more likely a UK14 or 16 but because I'm medium waisted and shorter there's extra material available, and because I'm an hourglass with a small waist there's even more extra material available, so I could easily 'size down' without it being too small. Now that I'm at a size closer to my pattern height there's far less wiggle room. An apple would have the opposite problem, and you can see that quite clearly, narrow hips and slim limbs but large midriff mean they're buying larger than they are in relation to perceived sizes.

Elle, I think no one should be spared criticism and that includes this thread but I think from the outset in the OP it's pretty clear we talk in massive sweeping generalisations. My observations wrt American diet were merely made purely from observation and the knowledge of several scientific studies that show this correlation between HFCS diets and distribution of fat (and it's not limited to the obese or morbidly obese), it affects their posture and probably incentivises their choice of chunky white trainers. It's not something I hold against Americans, tourists or otherwise, at all, it's almost impossible to escape the HFCS in their diet as it's heavily subsidised and the Corn Lobby is almighty and powerful in the US. Can't even blame them for electing the establishment (on both ends of the political spectrum) that keeps that as the status quo as the US political system has been failing its own people far before the emergence of Trump, the Citizens United ruling really being the final nail in the coffin IMO.

Ah, Spudlet, you've just reminded me of a Fench man declaring that a, "Woman at her most sublime wears just her jewellery and a red lip, and nothing else." He somehow made that not sound sleazy.

L'Exception (multi-brand store with physical locations in Paris) currently has a selection of up to 40% off. The French tend to do promos collectively, so they all happen at once, hence I usually have a stash of cash waiting but I spend it all in Antwerp. I do prefer it as it's not a constant thing, equally the sale dates are still regulated by the government so they price down heavily from the first week on but online will see little promos like this occasionally.

I lived in Paris for half a year once and there is something very chic about them, isn't there? But there is no fun in it. A mix of the OP:s humourous spirit and the chicness would be perfect. :D You want to live a little and be able to go fuck it, I'll just wear my pyjamas to the shop today. ;)

This is the Frenchiest blog I know, and I believe she's German - www.maitaispicturebook.com/ it's all about Hermès scarves and the comment section is amaaaazing, all "ma chérie, vous êtes vraiment très chic et les couleurs sont merveilleux, sublimes".

A mix of the OP:s humourous spirit and the chicness would be perfect.

A mix of Anglo-French would be a good aim I think. The thing I love most about Botish fashion is the variety. May not like all of it and wouldn't wear some of it but take London for example, you can sit on a bench and people watch for half an hour and see dozens of different styles and clothes. Literally anything goes and no-one bats an eye. You can wear a tutu with dotty tights and a parka if you like or 6 inch heels and a tailored power suit. (I went a bit 80’s there but you get my drift.) Bit different in rural areas but still, there’s a sense of fun and individuality.

A hint of that blended in with the French coolness, attention to detail and careful thinking would work really well.

That reads like bollocks and made more sense in my head but I’m leaving it.

*British fashion

I know what you mean, Enid. I like the individuality of British style, the chic Parisian (apparent) insouciance and Scandi cool.

I'm not petite, skinny and dark but tall, medium build with celtic colouring. I need to adapt some of those things to suit me. I do like that Parisian idea of being the best you, being stylish by accepting what you are but without the restrictive rules.