French Fashion. The arbiters of style from french designers in clothing, perfumes and cuisine.
The French have long been known as arbiters of
style, in clothing, perfumes and cuisine. Coco
Chanel, the epitome of the smart French
businesswoman as well as the creator of a
multitude of fabulous clothing, fragrance and
accessories, created looks for women that set the
mode for modes that are still with us today.
Today, we call Coco’s great stuff, “classic”:
there is no greater acknowledgement of her genius.
(And when a reporter once asked Marilyn Monroe,
“What do you sleep in ?” She replied, “Chanel No.
5”.)
American style tends to revolve around the “more
is more, new is best” idea, which is the absolute
opposite of French style. French women know that,
when it comes to style, the thing to do is buy one
perfect, timeless item that will last truly all
your life. In four or five years, buy another item
that complements the first one. Perhaps it’s this
fashion ethic that enables French women to
purchase costly French real estate on middle-class
salaries.
Exquisite moderation in fashion is reflected in
another French attitude: French cuisine takes the
part of the carcass we usually throw away—the
marrow, the intestines, the fish heads—and creates
magnificent dishes that are then priced at
top-dollar in bistros. There is a charming
sensibility in which a woman in a
three-hundred-dollar dress sits down to a luncheon
of delicately prepared tripe. Add wine,
Chardonnay, I think, and a cheese plate. After
which she returns to her job as a sales woman at
the local gift shop. Just another day in Aix…
The classic French hair style comes in two
versions: one for short hair, one for long. Short
hair is severely bobbed: long hair is worn in a
twist. Chignon is for evening, bien sur. What else
could you possibly need?
If you are considering embracing French style,
your wardrobe will tend towards neutrals, which
are all-season and cannot go out of fashion.
Black, and white, red or blue accents for scarf,
purse and maybe (if you’re the daring type),
shoes. Red lipstick, which works on most women.
Mascara, but no eye shadow, except maybe for
evening.
Don’t be fooled by American television design
shows that purport to advance ideas of Parisian or
French Country chic. Twelve layers of toile is not
chic: painting your living-room red to mimic
bistro walls will only give you eyestrain when you
try to read your Vogue (which also is not French,
unless you happen to buy the French Vogue.) (Also,
research shows that people fight more in red
rooms.)
I hope this short discourse on French fashion
gives you something to muse over when considering
ways to simplify your life without sacrificing
style or life’s pleasures.
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