French women (most notably La Parisienne) have always been revered for their sense of style, beautiful skin and slim figures. What most people do not realize about the French, in terms of their style in particular, is that they are quite conservative. The upper echelons of French society lean towards a simple, cultivated style that eschews trends. They prefer classic, timeless pieces that are easily incorporated into their existing wardrobes. What is even more interesting is that the size of their wardrobes are much smaller than the average American's. We appear to be hoarders in comparison. As our wardrobes are packed with endless cheap, throw-away, trendy fashions that only last a season, theirs in comparison, are carefully and thoughtfully managed. They do not shop often, yet when they do, they look for quality above all. You will not find a French wardrobe overrun by Polyester.
My favorite book on the subject is Lessons from Madame Chic, by Jennifer L. Scott. She has excellent advice on how to simplify your life by creating the perfect, cultivated, 10-piece French wardrobe.
I once worked with a woman that had been an Executive Assistant at a prestigious finance firm in Paris. She recounted to me about her first day on the job. "Everyone was so beautifully dressed. Expensive designer suits and shoes. I've never seen people so impeccably put together. Then I noticed something interesting. They wore the same thing over and over again. The same 4 or 5 outfits were in rotation."
Here are the main keys to the small, chic, cultivated French wardrobe:
I. You are able to afford an impressive designer wardrobe if you save up and only purchase a few pieces a year to build upon.
II. A smaller, higher quality wardrobe is better for the environment. Interestingly,
Europeans have a much smaller carbon footprint than Americans.
"The average American produces three times the amount of CO2 emissions as a person in France." Shopping is not a sport for Parisian women. It is a careful investment and they hate clutter—and have no space for it! The apartments in Paris are small.
III.
Keep it classic and simple. If you are a busy woman with children, spending hours trying to put together some trendy
Olivia Palermo-style wardrobe is just painful. This may be cute and fun for a 20-year-old girl that makes a living getting you to buy more and more bizarre outfits each season, but for grown women—this is simply a bad investment in one's time and future. Those $1500 feather and sequins sandals not in anymore? Imagine that. French women do not like to be made fools of for fashion.
IV.
Americans save the least for their retirement. Age
quickly creeps up on you. Spending thousands upon thousands of dollars on throw-away fashion eats away at your nest egg. Invest in your health (good food and exercise), your intelligence (challenging books, museums, art), travel (you gain greater happiness from new experiences), your family and friends (support networks keep us healthier, living longer and happier) and charity (giving is good for the soul).
V. There is something mysterious and captivating about a woman that shows restraint with her look, that doesn't overly embellish (i.e. too much makeup, overly styled hair, flashy plastic jewelry, too many bright colors and patterns, cleavage, short skirts, etc.). French women stand out because of their restraint due to cultivation. American actress
Kelly Rutherford is my fashion icon when it comes to this perfect balance of looking simply and expensively put together, but never overdone.
Here are a few of my wardrobe staples:
Easy, Simple, Chic & Understated ...
The reason that French women do not wear a lot of bright colors and patterns, is because you get less wearability out of those pieces, and therefore have to shop more, spend more money and often lose interest more quickly in those pieces (more waste in the landfill). They will add a little color and variability with accessories, which is much more environmentally friendly and easier on your pocket book.
The little black dress with an elegant necklace and fun shoe.
A simple leather jacket with a white t-shirt, skinny jeans and booties.
V-neck gray sweater with skinny jeans and booties.
Navy blazer with white t-shirt, fun scarf, skinny jeans and booties.
***Note: I have a purposefully and painfully edited small wardrobe (5 sweaters, 5 pair of jeans, 3 pair of slacks, 5 button-down shirts (white and blue), 3 silk blouses, 7 dresses, 4 pair of shorts, etc.) and wear the same outfits in rotation. I only purchase a few new pieces a few times a year. As a busy mom, putting together complicated, trendy outfits is just painful and in the end you look less expensive and less elegant. It is difficult to have restraint when there are so many glossy, shiny clothes and shoes whirling around store windows and magazines, but in the end, with more stuff, you just complicate your life and drain your finances. I would rather eat amazing food, drink exceptional wine and travel—and still look chic!***
