French / Parisian style if you're not skinny

[DanceBeneathADiamondSky]

Or even slim! I'm a tall size 18 or thereabouts and all boobs and hips.

Please don't recommend I lose weight - as if I haven't thought of that 😂

But, I love the whole effortless, Parisian chic look I see everywhere these days.

I actually lived in Paris years ago and definitely could have worn it then, but didn't really get into it.

Thinking things like camel trench coats, loafers and jeans with shirts.

Has anyone who isn't a wee slip of a thing managed to pull this off without it veering into the f word territory? Not fuck - the other f word we aren't allowed to say....rhymes with grumpy

I'm 39 if it matters

Based on other threads on here I think you have no chance with a trench coat as everyone seems to think they look like dressing gowns if you're not tall and slim!

The rest might be doable though.

Just wear it and see.

Oh dear, it's not what you wear, it's your confidence wearing it.

The French really look down their noses at fatness because it doesn't look stylish no matter what is worn, and unfortunately, being fat in their eyes would rule out any anything looking chic or stylish.

Better to model yourself on the body confidence/ plus size US/ ME style where women look fabulous because they are confident and don't care what others think because they are too busy having fun 😊

Is this really true about how the French perceive being overweight. Are there no stylish overweight French people?

Genuine question.

this sounds similar to what I wear - I am 5'9 and 13st 12, with a dress size veering between 14-18 depending on the item and the shop.

although everyone here knocks trenches, this is possibly the most complimented item in my wardrobe, often by younger women, so give it a try. I only ever wear it open, (because it's a generous size 12 from way back and I can't do it up anymore).

Otherwise I wear plain fine knits (uniqlo), shirts, and tailored trousers or jeans, either cigarette pants or wide legged. I'm no style icon, but IMVHO it's as good a look as any on my fat arse.

Sorry, I did say in my op that I lived in Paris. I met many fat Parisians there and this simply wasn't true when I lived there. There were occasionally bitchy sales assistants but they were not the norm

@mintbiscuit

IME, yes there were lots of fat French women who were stylish. But the ones I knew dressed quite formally, so not the jeans and shirt type look. The formal style is not me at all unfortunately

Thanks @TheTurn0fTheScrew. I will have to try on some trench coats! I might just buy an inexpensive one to begin with and try it out before committing to any sort of investment

"The French really look down their noses at fatness because it doesn't look stylish no matter what is worn"

But hey be confident OP, that's all that matters!

Honestly

😂😂😂 I know @Ohow

Lucky for me, I'm not a sensitive soul eh?

My mate is not a small unit and always looks very chic and stylish. She’s short, a size 16, with G cup boobs. She also lived in France and is into the look you described in your OP. She says the key is to always dress as if you’re proud of your body, in good quality clothes, and if necessary opt for fewer well-cut pieces that actually fit. I am bad, like lots of women, for scrimping when I’m bigger than I ideally want to be, whereas she doesn’t, ever. She also really accentuates the positive, and pretty much ignores the negative.

She also takes a lot of care of her hair and skin, French women are right into maintenance, as you’ll know, and she always has minimal but well chosen make-up/accessories.

So I know elegance isn’t to do with weight and height, it’s all about sustained effort and good picking. That’s the part which so far eludes me 😂

Same @Rinkydinkydoodle

I'm pretty good with skincare and make up, but I just don't style my hair ever 😬. I think it looks fine tbh, but I'm sure if I made more effort I'd look a bit more polished.

Thanks, I definitely need to buy fewer pieces and better quality and fit

@DanceBeneathADiamondSky Just got to a charity shop and look in both the mens section and the women’s section for a trench coat. I think they can be stylish on all bodies.

I quite like 'Rouje' for inspiration..possibly not strictly Parisienne but there styles seem more adaptable to me as a curvy woman.

You could look on Vinted etc for vintage trench. The key I think is making sure your neutral colour palette suits. I look rubbish in a light beige trench but navy, deep camel etc all fine.
Nice natural materials . I've got a lovely v neck tobacco coloured cashmere that makes me feel v nice.

Tbh as a curvy I've kind of given up on actual full blown Parisienne. I felt a bit boring in them.

*their
I'm tired

@OrangeSpicedBun I know what you mean. There is absolutely a fine line between chic / understated and boring / CBA. It's those little details I need to work on.

I think it might come down to things like jewellery and accessories? Making sure all hardware matches but not in a matchy matchy way. I don't really know how to do this, but I think I might try following some Parisian chic types and adapt.

I do follow some Parisian bloggers and some of them wear very short skirts. I do have good legs (if I do say so myself 💅) but wouldn't wear bare legs out at my age and height even if I was a size 6! But maybe with tights or something...will that unfrump things a bit or just be desperate 🤔? Think there will need to be a lot of trial and error. I like neutral colours anyway, so happy to do that.

I am also getting my style analysis done online. Just waiting on my results. They do colours and body shape etc and seem quite body positive (dress for the body you have sort of thing), so maybe that will help

Yes you can definitely do this look in larger sizes. I think they key is that everything needs to fit well- something like a navy blazer that fits you perfectly (pea coat style can work well) eg https://uk.saintandsofia.com/products/cambridge-blazer-cotton-navy?gclid=CjwKCAjwxr2iBhBJEiwAdXECw9G5CKp78UboBl_H-8D2yb5I6eIOP1L7owHIn96uoEsw0dgg9AKSHxoCf68QAvD_BwE)

Loafers- of course
Jeans- of course just make sure they are a good fit and suit you
Shirts- I have big boobs too and love shirts- would suggest trying some of the brands that are cut for curvier shapes so that you can fit over your boobs without having too much fabric elsewhere. Avoid breast pockets. Experiment with undoing buttons- buttoned up too high in unflattering for curvier women.

I don't think this look is f*** at all- key is that things fit well, not too tight but also not swamping you. Also grooming.

Thanks @FixItDuck. That's useful advice.

I am inspired by Parisian style too @DanceBeneathADiamondSky and think that you have to do your take on it otherwise you won’t feel comfortable which I think is key. This might be well worth a read https://www.whowhatwear.co.uk/french-fashion-essentials Most of what is in the article can be found at different price points etc.

I definitely think you can get this look without being size zero (though admittedly most Parisians are!) It's all about the colour palette - navy with neutrals. Perhaps a little pop of colour in your artfully Hermes-style scarf. You might not look so good belted up tightly in a trench, but you can still wear one open. A navy blazer is also a good option or even a denim jacket. Cross-body bag (in tan or navy). Then you need to look groomed, but not overdone. I was looking at Adele in carpool Karaoke with James Corden this week and thinking how English her look is - overdone hair, so much makeup it was rubbing off on him when she gave him a hug, stilletto nails - very artificial. Parisians don't do make up (or if they do then you can't tell they're wearing it), they don't do those long pointy nails. DD says she can spot a gaggle of English girls a mile off in the Metro by their hair and make up. And Parisians are always in flats or trainers because they walk everywhere (even on nights out).

I think you absolutely can achieve this look on any body size & look great.

My tips, for what they're worth, are buy the best quality you can & really look out for great cut / tailoring & good fabric - cotton, silk, linen, wool & cashmere etc

I think its mostly muted colours like oyster, grey, navy, black, cream & due to my colouring I add lots of bottle green, burgundy, plum etc

Really good quality leather goods- shoes & boots, bag & belt if you wear one. Great flat leather sandals in summer etc

Good jewellery. Well maintained hair. Nails done. I detest long nails but always have mine short & manicured & painted

I travel a lot & spend a lot of time people watching in different cities at different times of the year & I've built up a European city look for each season

I'm in my 50s & size 12 on top / 14 on the bottom so not exactly a 20 something waif

I love this woman.

https://unefemme.net/

She is American but highly influenced by French style. She is a not super slim and she has brilliant ideas etc.

On the trench issue... i am only 5 ft and found a burberry full length trench in a dress exchange store. It was my size and -well- Burberry !! so i bought it. Bleeding heck. I looked like a fat bandaid. I gave it in the end to my mother who adores trenches and was beside herself with excitement at being the proud owner of a Burberry.

Watching with interest - this look has alluded me so far, I’m sure there must be a miracle outfit out there which will make me look like I’ve just stepped off La Rue de Chic.

Why not try it? Get a really nice camel coat (Zara have several different styles at reasonable prices) a crisp white shirt with a neckline and cut that suits your shape, some dark straight leg jeans and good boots, loafers or sandals.

I think almost anyone looks stylish in that outfit.

Just to clarify- she is not super skinny I mean. She is slim, but relatable. I think she looks fantastic.