If you’ve travelled through Europe, the flawless class and natural style of French women won’t have escaped your notice. I remember being amazed at how well put together and casually cool they all seemed, I wondered at the time if it was something they were born with or if it’s something taught in French schools…. How To Be Stylish. I’ve since come to the conclusion that European women, especially French women, are just a whole different type of stylish when compared with Kiwi or Australian women, what I can’t decide is whether they care more, or perhaps it’s that they careless at all about fads and latest trends and instead opt for classic.
Trying pin point that certain something which makes French women… so French is hard, but who better to tell you than French women. Right?
How To Be Parisian, Wherever You Are caught my eye simply because it was very clearly going to answer all my questions during my 3 hour flight from Sydney to Auckland. Yes, I picked the book up in an airport bookshop. I probably was drawn in not only by the title, but in a sea of paperback novels it was a hardcover book with a dust jacket, it simply seemed snooty and French-ish before I’d even picked it up from the shelf. Before this I’d never read a book with so many authors that wasn’t a university textbook, but I’m now convinced this kind of subject matter is simply so complex that it requires multiple authors.
The authors are Caroline de Maigret – a model and music producer, Anne Berest – an author of not only books but also for theatre, film and television, Sophie Mas – an actress and producer and writer and stylist Audrey Diwan. A quick google search of these ladies definitely confirms they are qualified to tell us about being Parisian.
Her Essentials
- Jeans “anytime, anywhere and any way . Take a Parisienne’s jeans out of her closet and she feels stark naked“.
- Men’s Shoes.
- Ballet flats
- Basic Over-sized Sunglasses “every day, even when it’s raining….”
- The Very Simple, but very expensive T-shirt.
What You Won’t Find In Her Closet:
- Logos – You are not a billboard
- Ugg boots – Enough Said
- A skimpy top
Now toss aside almost all preconcieved notions of snooty French people rolling their eyes, forget Pepe Le Pew and any other French Lotharios, these French women I believe may in fact have the answer.
It’s an easy, entertaining and witty read with simple to digest “information” and “insights”, it isn’t literature that will be remembered throughout the ages and it certainly won’t change the world… or will it? The book is packed with blunt yet helpful tips designed to help us non-Parisians navigate life.
“In short, you’re not a slave to the cult of the perfect body—so learn to make the best of what nature gave you.”
The Parisian Snobbisms are great, I love them, they sing my soul, almost like slightly sarcastic motivationals about self love…
“As your face gets messier with age,
your hair can get neater… for balance.”
“Always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night, or even picking the kids up from school. You never know” – I guess that’s me out, I go to the local Countdown in my slippers.
I won’t ruin the surprise by giving away all of the great French snobbisms, you’ll need to read the book, but… it is the wee pearls of “wisdom” coupled with sharp wit and the sporadic hints at pure unequivocal style that make this book such a delicious read.
“Enjoy the face you have today. It’s the one you’ll wish you have 10 years from now”
This book is the smart girls version of a trashy novel, it’s the right amount of wit, charm and sarcastic banter. I’d love to say that after reading this that I am now a stylish faux Parisian, but that’s just not me. Perhaps I could write How To Be A Kiwi Gal – All The Damn Time.
