Fashion Flair, the French Way

Submitted by: Big Little Wolf

April in Paris?

Can’t find the green for a trip to the French capitol? I know one sure-fire way to welcome the new season with a smile. A French fashion update!

I was chatting with a friend about that, just last week. She lives the overloaded life of a working mom, and she’s had her fill of sweaters and sludge. She’s worn down by winter, weary of her wardrobe, and wants to perk up her pallor and put a bit of zing into Spring.

“I need help!” she cried, and so here I am, with the French perspective on a fashion and style makeover.

Fashion and Style Sense – Where to begin

Maybe you’d like a total makeover – hair, clothing, cosmetics, and ways to look and feel more relaxed – the works. Who wouldn’t love to jet off to a spa and a stylist, complete with beauty treatments and stylist consultations?

For most of us, that’s not possible. Our daily dance cards are pretty much filled – to overflowing. So for my friend, and so many other harried women, I thought I’d share some easy tips on fashion and style the French way. And easy is key, certainly for my friend, with three rambunctious boys part of the motherly mix. She was happy for any suggestions I could make that were reasonable, so to get the ball rolling, I condensed them into a set of Five Fashion Lessons à la Française.

Fashion Basics and Wardrobe Staples

We started with a discussion of basic styles and wardrobe staples (skirts, tops, sweaters, jackets, pants, and yes – jeans). Of course we included shoes!

We went on to tackle issues of body type and proportion, as well as dressing up and dressing down using many of the same essential pieces.

We chatted about neutrals, and how they allow you to vary your look without spending a fortune. We talked about colors – those that are your favorites, and those that show you in your best light. Of course we dealt with realities: budget, time, job, commute, home life, social life, age of children, and your age. We tossed in a bit of the age old fight – the winter weight gain that most of us endure – those annoying 10 pounds that make us want to steer clear of the mirror, and even the sale racks.

I can’t go into everything we mentioned, but I will say this:  Any woman can feel like a million bucks – or Euros – when you approach fashion the French way.

French Fashionista

As for my credentials?

Mais oui, I love my French Elle Magazine, and of course both American and French Vogue. But it’s more than that. I have lived, studied, worked, dated, and loved in France. And I’ve had the good fortune to spread those séjours across decades – from my teens into my forties, and even… well, we’ll just leave it at that. Yes, I speak French, and I admit that helps, as I’ve had incredible experiences with both French friends and French amoureux, no doubt, part of why I find French men irresistible.

What else?  I’ve always loved fashion, and I learned my best lessons over the years from French women, and their style secrets. In so doing, each time I’ve lived abroad, I’ve managed to fit in, feel  good, and look good doing it.

So what have I learned in all my ventures and adventures, and in my own way – as an American française?

As I said, I have five easy lessons, and I’ll be sharing them in a series – so each gets its appropriate due. To give you a taste of what’s in store, here they are:

• Lesson One:  Find your style
• Lesson Two:  The power of perfume
• Lesson Three:  The scarf, your secret weapon
• Lesson Four:  The signature accessory
• Lesson Five:  The beauty of confidence

Did I whet your womanly whistle?

If this caught your interest, and you’d like to do a little homework in preparation for Lesson One (Find your style), flip through your favorite fashion magazines. Check fashion sites for looks you like. I recommend Spring Ready-to-Wear on Style.com. Plenty to see and ponder there!

Then stay tuned. Consider this the menu for an upcoming five course meal. Each plat, to be enjoyed the French way, by savoring.

Meanwhile, here are a few additional references you may enjoy – but do take everything with a grain of salt. You may not always agree with what each source says is a “must.” And that’s part of finding the balance that is uniquely about you, your lifestyle, and your taste.

• Harpers Bazaar Wardrobe Staples (Ed Note: I agree with some, and disagree with others.)
• Real Simple: Wardrobe Basics Checklist (Ed Note: same as above – but a great start!)

© D A Wolf

These days, Big Little Wolf (”Ms. Big”) reflects on life and her Daily Plate of Crazy, where she writes essays on everything – sometimes serious, sometimes fun – whatever strikes her on a given day as interesting, unusual, entertaining, or of concern.

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