Paris is obviously the best city on earth…don’t even start to argue with me, it is! You already know I have a love affair with the Isle De La Cite and the surrounding areas including the St. Germain, Le Marais and the Isle St. Louise. The City of a Thousand Greys, Life in Pink, The City of Lights, it actually is that magical.
When we were there in May I made a point of paying attention to the fashion on the street. Why are the French known for their fashion? Here’s what I discovered, it’s not mind bending so don’t go getting all excited…buuut I basically discovered the secret to good fashion. Simplicity. Yes that’s it, write it down and remember it every time you go shopping. As Leonardo Da Vinci says, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication”…that’s a nice quote, I should put it on a plaque.
The French wear a lot of basics (yes I know I already gabbed about this, but it's true). You may not look at them at think, wow that’s a fashionista, but that’s just it. They don’t ride the rollercoaster of trendy fashion, they keep it classic, and high end. Even among the wealthiest, it might look like a basic tan handbag, but with a closer inspection it’s an Hermes satchel. The point is, it’s the right basic tan handbag. Now that doesn’t mean they don’t lead the fashion trends for the world, but they do it with subtlety and close attention to details, nothing is overstated.
Clothes are in neutrals and not overly fitted, there are less bright colors and patterns, and both men and women are dressed fairly formal on a daily basis. Women’s Makeup is light and natural and their hair is less done- it isn’t overly curled or ironed, they let it wave with its natural shape and color and maybe twist it into a bun on a sunny day.
To contrast that, they are also never undone although they may give the air of breezy carelessness. Grubby clothes and old sneakers aren’t the norm, but pristine flats and a nice blouse with a scarf around the neck for good measure.
So I changed the way I shop. I buy less, I buy better, I buy understated, I buy elegent. It keeps me from the utter exhaustion of trying to keep up with every new bold and trendy fad floating in and out of Urban Outfitters…omg I love Urban Outfitters.
So - detailed well fashioned basics. Simplicity. Write it down.
If you do it right, you'll look exactly like this girl…right?
Photos by Trever Hoehne for Darling Magazine