Here’s how to look French Chic…
What is it about Parisienne women that we admire? How do they manage to look seamlessly put together and glamourous in a low-key contemporary way?
Images from Reiss
Many of my clients say they would love to be able to look effortlessly elegant and “well put together”. We all want to look good for our age and feel confident in what we wear, but we can often be scared to get it wrong – caught between looking like mutton dressed as lamb and prematurely turning into our mum. So how do so many French women appear to achieve the sartorial elegance that makes someone’s head turn?
Firstly, French chic is timeless. This means thinking about classic pieces, that will last the test of time and that you’ll feel happy about bringing out of the wardrobe time and again, even if the same group of people have seen you in a similar outfit (more about this later).
This requires finding quality garments, so forget polyester and acrylic but focus on natural fibres like silk and cashmere, linen and hemp, organic cotton, fine knit wool like merino. The quality of the fabric will make a difference to how the garment sits on your body, how it flows and what it feels like next to your skin. If a garment is made well, you’ll also notice the difference in the little details – the quality of the stitching, interesting cuffs, unusual buttons…
You are aiming for fewer pieces but of higher quality and in fact, if you have less in your wardrobe but the right pieces for your lifestyle, you’ll find it easier to create outfits and you’ll have more choice – less is more!
Secondly, consider your colour palette. French chic is epitomised by neutrals that can be woven together, creating different combinations. So, work out what neutrals suit your colouring best – if you have a warm skin tone you should be considering camel, chocolate brown, cream and ivory. For those with a cool skin tone think grey, white and black.
And don’t forget about navy, such a great neutral that goes with so much – a colour for all! Softer on the complexion than black which can be rather harsh for many as we age.
Thirdly, have some good tailoring in your wardrobe, it will flatter your figure and be your stalwart. But don’t compromise on fit, these must be spot on for your proportions. Mix these garments with your good quality casual pieces and layer – a trench over your poplin shirt with your cashmere jumper over your shoulders or a blazer with dark denim jeans and leather trainers.
And finally, don’t forget about your accessories, they will be the finishing touches. A great pair of earrings, a necklace sitting in the right position in your neckline, a silk scarf tied elegantly at the neck, a good quality leather bag, stunning sunglasses – these will make all the difference to your polished look. The little details finish the picture and make you stand out as being distinctive. And this is where you can add a subtle pop of accent colour to express your personality if you wish.
So, by following these guidelines you will develop a timeless capsule wardrobe that will give you maximum outfit options. So that you can wear your pieces time and again because you’ll have lots of subtle changes you can make to mix it up and not feel like you’re wearing the same outfit.
You don’t have to rush to get there, take your time and enjoy finding those special gems that you might be missing in your wardrobe. And you don’t have to buy new, sometimes the best pieces can be preloved or vintage where you can find some great quality classics. (I have a St Michael’s lambswool roll neck that’s amazing, it’s never bobbled and looks as good as new!).
Also, consider dress agencies, where you’ll often find those distinctive quality garments at more affordable prices. (I got a pure silk ‘Wyse’ dress the other day for the price of a new T shirt).
If you need some help developing your Parisienne style in a sustainable way, don’t hesitate to give me a call so I can give you a helping hand.
