sourced from http://www.scpr.org
Macaroons, croissants, wine and baguettes to you all! This week I’m blogging from the quaint cobblestone streets of Paris as I take on the city one board room at a time. In between fierce meetings (Buy! Sell! Buy! Buy!) I’m finding myself exploring this beautiful city as a flâneur (a person of leisure wandering the streets) and clearly brushing up on my French! My goal is that when I take the stage in a celebrity death match-style karaoke battle later this evening I won’t be told “tu chantes du yaourt” which literally translates to “you sing yogurt!” That’s apparently a French thing. Yogurt singers. While my French obviously needs a wee bit of brushing up, my French fashion style is on point! After many a fun trip to France for the work ( ooh I sound so fancy), I’ve become pretty aware of what makes Parisian women some of the most fashionable in the world. So grab your beret and your over-sized sunglasses because I am about to share with you five ways you can bring ze Parisian flair to your daily wear. Props to my lovely Parisian coworkers for being French, stylish, and willing to allow me to chase them with a camera.
- Structured Pants: Many still consider Paris the fashion capital of the world and while we are often enthralled with what’s happening on the runway, the fashion on the streets can be just as notable. There’s a perception that French women rock the fancy frocks all the time, but the reality is that they want to be as comfortable in their day to day wear as you and I (sans yoga pants; sad face). The French love a good pair of trousers for their versatility and comfort level. The average lady on the street would much rather be in a nice pair of slacks coupled with a stylish top than to be dressed to the nines on a day to day basis.
- Minimal Make-Up: When it comes to make-up, French women abide by the “less is more” philosophy, which also happens to be my personal philosophy on eating steamed carrots. In this theory, make-up should be nude and almost invisible, used to merely enhance your natural features yet not stand out on its own. The rare exception might be a pop of color on the lips for a little ooh la la man flirting. This way the only thing that should be standing out is the bootay!
- A Fitted Staple Jacket: Another stand out wardrobe staple for the ladies of Paris is a well-cut jacket that is tailored to their body. Rather than having a closet full of jackets that almost fit, French women will spend the big bucks to have one or two jackets made especially for their body for daily wear. And with the versatility of a exceptionally tailored jacket they really get their money’s worth.
- A Statement Scarf: French women love to spice up an outfit with a sassy neck scarf. With all the amazing fashion brands available in Paris, the scarf is the most financially accessible for the average person to add to their wares. In order to incorporate upscale elements into their outfit, French women rely on scarves to help show the season’s current trends without breaking the bank. It’s almost like French women invented the phrase “ballin on a budget!”
- Neutral Palette: I have also found that French women dress in primarily neutral colors, especially black, to serve multiple purposes. Relying on nominal but thoughtful accessories to add interest to the look, French women can wear their neutral palette wardrobe in a variety of ways to make an expensive but minimal wardrobe serve any event. (Just beware of that powdered sugar on your delicious crepes! It will leave hand prints. And trust me, trying to lick them off does not work. )
You can combine these looks together or you can pick and choose different elements to create your own je ne sais quoi! Now, I am off to a power lunch with a street mime, a plate of cheese, and copious amounts of wine. It doesn’t get much Frenchier than that! Au revoir, chiennes!
