Photos by Garance Dore.
So here’s the thing about Parisian women: they are all beautiful. I’m not even kidding you, as I sat in cafe after cafe I could not help but be in awe of not only their fashionable dressing but also their innate genetically blessed gorgeousness. It is one part inspiring and one part a really fast and easy way to make yourself feel frumpy and gross. :) This came to a head at our last dinner in which the drop dead beautiful hostess- wearing not a speck of makeup on her slightly tanned face and dressed in an oversized men’s shirt tucked into slouchy boyfriend jeans with fabulous heels escorted us to our table (after I picked Andrew’s jaw up off the floor). I thought “if I wore that I would look like an idiot playing dress up, but this girl sashays around looking effortless, cool and sexy all at once! How is that???”
So I made a list of the things I noticed about Parisian women’s style in hopes of cracking their secret code!
1) The number one thing you need to dress like a French woman- the fitted black blazer. They were on at least 50% of the women. Even Andrew noticed. While a few slouchy boyfriend styles were seen, most women had on a perfectly tailored (very important- tailoring) black blazer over everything!!!! I’m investing in a good one (rather, taking my lovely Theory one I already have to be refitted close to the body).
This one by Elizabeth and James would world perfectly.
This one by K Karl Lagerfeld gets you a top Parisian designer label for much less than most of his clothes- $385.
If buying an investment piece isn’t in your budget right now try for one at
Zara- they are all over Paris and I saw plenty a Parisian girl on a budget walking out of there with bags of stuff!
2) The second thing I noticed above all was another top layer- the shrunken leather motorcycle jacket. Also layered over everything and anything- especially dresses! In black or brown (or even a color), I saw them everywhere. I tried to find one for myself there, but alas, I choked. The damn Euro made everything so expensive.
This one on left by
Levis works nicely with it’s distressed look. But I’m REALLY loving this one by
Cole Haan!
Marc Jacobs makes a perfectly Parisian one- but it’ll cost you a pretty penny! So you might try a faux leather one by
Ann Taylor!
3) Boots are THE footwear in Paris. Tons of ankle booties and flat slouchy knee high ones as well, but the trend I noticed above all- COWBOY BOOTS! I was quite surprised- with jeans, tight and skirts, everything! I am so pleased since I really love me a good pair of cowboy boots!
I didn’t see many high heeled tall boots, probably since Parisian women are always walking or riding bikes!
These
Dan Post boots in brown or black would suit any Parisian woman. For a more beat up look try these by
Justin.
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For high flat boots these look perfect- they seemed to like them in suede and looking a bit “tougher” or equestrian.
4) Layering. Lots and lots of layering. Tights were on tons of women- under jean shorts, dresses, skirts- you name it. Scarves as well, wrapped on many a Parisian neck. A classic look you’d see would be black tights, black ankle booties, a feminine mini dress with a shrunken biker jacket or blazer and a scarf. Take these pics from the
Zara site as great examples (the girl on the far left needs a scarf or some bold necklaces though!) The key seemed to be not to think TOO hard about matching or what goes with what but rather having fun and playing loosely with items they loved!
5) Skinny pants. I barely saw one pair of bootcut jeans anywhere in Paris. It’s all about either a really skinny leg or a really wide slouchy leg (but mostly skinny). I felt totally comfortable and chic in my
Jcrew Minnie pants! And I’m coveting this outfit on left from Zara again…lots of animal print seen over there as well, which pleases me to no end!
5) Beauty- Andrew commented on the fact that he loved that Parisian women wore far less makeup than their American counterparts. It’s true, it appeared that they all had glowing skin, bare faces with a hint of cream blush, lip balm and some mascara. Or just a bold red lip and nothing else. What’s amazing to me is that they seemed to have a glow, and yet chain smoke like fiends!!!! Perhaps the key to their glow is all that bike riding and walking?
Here is a look I put together that I think really represents the day to d French woman (yes, they do wear a lot of striped shirts!) I aspire to dress more like them this year and was so very inspired by their joie de vivre and embracing of the fun and creativity involved in getting dressed!
This entry was posted
on Friday, September 18th, 2009 at 7:10 am and is filed under Fashion Fridays, Paris.
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This is a fantastic post! Thank you so much for putting it together, it helps immensely!
P.S. Good luck resolving the blog issue. :)
Bebe has a shrunken leather coat on sale for $65 this week. Was just at Legacy Place and they had a ton of them.
Debated whether or not to get one, but I feared it would be too trendy and fall out of fashion before the snowfall.
Love this post! I'm saving it and plan on referring to it often.
Great recap! I agree on all fronts, and after spending a month there myself, would humbly add these 2 items to the list:
- chucks! I saw a ton of lovely ladies sporting chuck taylors, with everything from skinny jeans to flowy dresses!
- the mix of high and low. french ladies are not label slaves.
Ah, paris! I miss you!
I just ordered the 9 West Frollic boot: love it! Thanks so much. All the French tips are great. Those women do sort of make you sick, don't they?!
LOVE LOVE it all! Thanks so much for sharing!
What a great post–thank you so much! LOVE to hear the news about the cowboy boots!! I'm pulling mine back out! :)
why can't i be french? if i only i would look that cool wearing cowboy boots and smoking….i would just look like a texan!
loving that necklace!
Good eye Erin. I found much the same when I was in Paris. You are 100% spot on with the boot cut jeans, it's like the boat carrying all the boot cuts was lost at sea and never reached France!
I totally want to go to Paris now! This was an awesome post…I'm headed out to get some skinny jeans this weekend!
I'm headed to Paris in November. Thanks so much for this post.
Hi, I have been reading your blog for a couple months now(I heart it). This is crazy so I had to comment: 16 years ago I bought the most awesome book from Express that taught me everything. I was a Francophile way back in grade school. This book is titled FRENCH STYLE: HOW TO THINK, SHOP, AND DRESS LIKE A FRENCH WOMAN
AUTHOR: Veronique Vienne . So looking it up to give you the exact author I find that this thing is selling for up to $200! I am overwhelmed you will love the book if you happen to buy it, And no, mine's not for sale.
Tara
Love this post! Tara, great tip. I just checked and my library has the book.
I love fashion Fridays! I love the blazers and boots!
What inspiration as I go to get dressed for the day…well, inspiration to get myself out shopping for an update that is!
Janell
So can you wear the skinny jeans if you're over a size 6? I love the look on these girls but I'm afraid I would look silly :( But the layering and boots are things I'm looking forward to this fall.
so chic are the french. great post. love the boots.
What a great post! I do love their style.
Le sigh….
I love all of those looks tremendously and will remember your post as I get dressed this fall (once the weather cools down here). I do agree with you though, even if I'm wearing your gorgeously chosen inspiration choices at the end of your post, I doubt I will feel as put together and chic as they look.
Have a great weekend back at home Erin!
Wow, some really great finds! Loving the motorcycle jackets & boots :)
Is there a link to the fab Marc jacket?
Love all of the Paris posts, very inspiring! I'm currently reading "French Women Don't Get Fat" which gives a nice glimpse into French culture and the daily habits of French women. They do drink a lot of water (the required 8-10 glasses) so I'm sure that helps with their natural glow, along with all of the walking.
I really need to go shopping now…I suddenly feel frumpy:)
I love the Cole Haan leather jacket — sublime! Also coveting the Nine West flat boots and the Elizabeth and James blazer. Fab post!
Erin great detailed post. I'm curious about the Frenchwomans hairstyles. Did you notice any hair trends?
My cowboy boots (vintage, broken-in, and PURE Texan, BTW ;) are standing at attention – waiting for me to be fierce enough to pair them with cutoffs and black tights. Courage {sigh}
Such a fun post!! Thanks so much for your insights into dressing more chic. =) Loved it all!!
Thank you for posting this. I've been really enjoying your Paris posts. After watching The Day Before on the Sundance Channel (if you love fashion, it's must see!!) and watching the movie "I've Loved you so Long", I decided I wanted to dress like a French women !
A great post! Love those french women that make it look so easy. I could sit in cafes and watch them for hours!
Thank you!!! This post is the final kick in the booty for me to get my wardrobe together. French women are fluent in choosing timeless pieces that defy trends and define personal style. Amazing!
Hi! I was just all over Paris last week and here's what I noticed:
You're right about no bootcuts.
Didn't see ONE cowboy boot at all.
Loved the high topknots for hair
Loved the white blouses and tunic blouses.
Loved the ballet flats
They're NOT that pretty!
Big, quality leather handbags, carried WITH another gorgeous tote!
Very classic looks, not so much creativity as usual…
French girls: Please use more makeup, just a touch!
Man what a great post! Now I'm dying to get a great blazer.
I've loved all your Paris posts!
This is my first visit to your blog,I ate up every word about "Fashion Friday French lessons"
Great observation.Any key notes about menswear??
Shay~
My husband grew up in Paris, and we go to visit my in laws every other year- so I know exactly what you mean about that glow and that effortless beauty. I attribute that fabulous beauty to a lack of stress as compared to what we have here in the states. The average worker in France often receives 6 weeks vacation- even if you are a waitress or waiter. The health care is wonderful, and, while people drive like maniacs, they take their time to do everything- it's a much slower lifestyle. That glass of wine at lunch and dinner doesn't hurt in taking the edge off, too.
I adore this post. Thanks Erin!!
Now I want to burn my entire wardrobe and start fresh!!
I love this post! It's so fun to hear your observations on Parisian chic…makes me feel like I was there!
Alas though, skinny pants aren't gonna work for me (hello athletic thighs!), but I'm totally down with trying all these other trends this fall.
Erin, I have been loving your Paris series of posts! You bring a great eye to their style, as always.
I think you would like the book Entre Nous: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl. It's written by an American woman married to a Frenchman and is wonderful. She writes a lot about how French girls grow up to trust their own fashion and beauty instincts instead of always chasing the latest fad. American women are constantly saturated by images of how to transform ourselves into something better, while French women learn to use their assets to their fullest advantage. Also key is that French women do not fear the aging process like Americans do–they embrace it and continue to look gorgeous into their older years. What a liberating concept, no?!
Erin, fabulous post! Loved reading it. You've inspired me to incorporate some new ideas in my wardrobe. Perhaps just a touch of red lipstick! Lynn
fun! i think i've got it all: blazer, boots, skinny pants, shrunken motorcycle jacket (vintage bebe!). now to to get that glow…
Your Paris posts have been great! I went a month ago for the first time and couldn't agree more with these lessons on "looking more French." I was bewildered by how BEAUTIFUL all of the women were, and how none of them seemed to wear make-up! I tried to be more French towards the end of my trip and started wearing less make-up but then I'd catch a glimpse of myself and think, "Oh God, I'm too American for this."
Loved, loved this post…as well as your hearing about your adventures in Paris! I so look forward to reading your blog every day!
One Question….the first picture to this post..the left picture…girl in the grey sweater/coat and black mini with boots….who makes the grey sweater/coat?? where is that picture from??? please answer!! love love loveee it!
This post is absolutely amazing! In fact, it inspired me to buy a blazer yesterday (when I should have been studying ha!) It sounds like you had a great trip and thanks for sharing some of the magic with us! :)
Loved this post Erin and wanted to let you know that it was the inspiration for my journal so I linked your post in my blog post today highlighting my journal. Thanks for sharing, fondly, Roberta
http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/09/day-10-the-21-challenge.html
fun post, very enlightening.
what about the hair? please do tell…what's the look.
Just catching up on your blog and had to say: you could never be frumpy or gross!!! What are you on?!? Hello, swan swimming in a duck pond.
Okay, sorry about that.
But I'm having fun reading all of this. The Red Carpet was hilarious and informative. I think you need to host your own TV show.
Thank you thank you for this! I've always coveted the effortless beauty of French women, and this is a truly comprehensive guide. J'adore.
I lived and worked in Paris for years and years. There are plenty – plenty! – of Parisian women who are not at all beautiful, but they are all quite certain they are, and nothing convinces like confidence.
Love the fact that Parisian women tend to get good hair cuts (sadly, more often then not French women fail miserably when it comes to hair colouring) but then allow their hair to more or less do its own thing. I never met a single French woman under the age of 60 who owns hot curlers, hair spray or a straightening iron.
French Women Don't Get Fat is entertaining but mostly fictional. French women don't drink heaps of water nor do they "take the stairs" unless they live in a building without an elevator. However, they do not snack between meals, they consume very little pop, they obsess about their weight (in some ways, far more than Americans), they smoke like fiends and consume lots of coffee. And trust me – I worked for a company that studied these things; the French are quickly joining Americans in the Size Explosion; they're just lagging by a few decades.
Paris apartments – even the larger ones – have precious little closet space so Parisiennes own few items of clothing but definitely spend vast chunks of time deciding how to put together "effortless" looks. Style does not come easily to them, either, but they are disciplined in their application and also to their devotion to trends and therein lies the greatest difference between Them and Us.
and oh, by the by, the wonderful Passage des Perles has a related post this week…
http://passagedesperles.blogspot.com/2009/09/when-french-women-shop.html
Yeah, I adore all these looks and can't wait to wear regular close {esp. pants} again.
xx,
Julie
ps. great post E.
sooooo in need of a jacket and suede boots.. hope i get them by the time season settles in