Vanessa Paradis featured in French fashion magazine · Sep 1, 03:03 AM by Jimmy Smitts
THE legendary Coco Chanel once said, “Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.”
How right she was. Elegance and style are always about a woman’s attitude and confidence, after all.
The French seem to be privy to this fashion truth. Most French women, from the corporate executive to the serveuse at the local café to the sales assistant in Galeries Lafayette, dress with glamour and that indefinable je ne sais quoi. In spite of different personal styles, French women possess a certain flair that’s emulated by women all around the globe.
What is it exactly that makes a French woman so chic, anyway? What makes Audrey Tatou and Vanessa Paradis, not to mention Brigitte Bardot, such style icons?
Well, I’d like to think it’s all due to a rather simple, although cultivated, approach to fashion. French women don’t always follow fickle fashion trends. Instead, they invest in good-quality staples that suit their personality. Then, they dress up these basics with more disposable trendy items.
The good news is, élan is not exclusive to those with Gallic bloodlines. Glamour and grace are, thankfully, not genetic traits. Yes, these can be learned and developed.
If you want to dress with as much style as Les Francaises, start off by knowing what’s right for your age and body type. You’ll never pull off a look unless you’re completely comfortable and confident. Next, dress according to your personality and never follow trends unless they suit you. Remember, clothes are not just a means to obtain glamour. They should also be used to highlight your assets and disguise flaws.
On a more practical (and très fun!) level, you can also dress like a chic French woman simply by borrowing some of their basics and mixing them with your own pieces. Items like a beret, tweed jacket à la Chanel with pearls, a striped sailor shirt, a Dior New Look-inspired skirt or dress and the ubiquitous scarf are all identified with French Fashion and can help inject some Gallic flavor into your wardrobe.
Take inspiration from these different looks that Inquirer Fashion and stylist Mela de Luna put together to help you achieve a bit of French Flair. Don’t be scared to experiment and create different combinations, as long as you’re comfortable.
And remember, wear your clothes. Not the other way around!
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