Books as well as Culture amongst Laura

An American Schlump Tries Parisian Chic On For Size

by Laura Scanlon

Encouraged past times Lessons From Madame Chic, I lately picked upwards Parisian Chic: Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 Style Guide past times Ines de la Fressange. The writer - France’s self-proclaimed icon of chic - promises, “You don’t need to live on born inwards Paris to stimulate got Parisian style.”

When I was growing upwards inwards the 1990s inwards the Deep South, mode was simple: shoes fit purse; fingernail shine matches toenail shine matches lipstick; earrings fit necklace; necklace matches dress, wearing apparel matches eyeshadow.

So this persuasion of Parisian chic intrigues me but is to a greater extent than than a piddling foreign.

The writer insists, “Don’t teach for the head-to-toe! . . . We are all exactly steps from a fashion fake pas but the truthful Parisian volition discovery a agency to snatch a triomphe de mode from the jaws of disaster.”

But how? Often enough, my outfits approach the jaws of disaster too thence saltation correct in.

I read on, hoping for enlightening details:

• “Effortless style’ oftentimes takes, equally it says, relatively piddling effort. All yous actually need is loads of self-confidence too a smile.”

So far thence good. But . . .

• “Appearing to examine also difficult is rattling uncool: everyone knows the Parisian buys truckloads of fashion magazines to exceed on abreast of electrical flow trends, but she never lets it show!”

I don’t know, that sounds similar examine to me!

• One basic is a “man’s blazer.” “Belt it,” the writer says, too article of apparel amongst jeans.

Like this:

Hmm:

I intend I’m missing something.

The photos inwards this mass brand 1 lesson rattling clear: To expect Parisian, examine to live on tall, thin, sixteen, amongst swell hair, too high cheekbones.

Well, I’ll run on it. In the hateful time, the writer says to article of apparel . . .

• “A parka over a piddling chiffon dress,”

• “Knee-high cashmere socks inwards all colors (khaki, raspberry, turquoise),”

• “Military medals too badges inwards house of a brooch,”

• “Your teenage son’s shirt amongst a push-up bra underneath,” but not

“cropped t-shirts,” or “too-tight shirts that gape,”

• Penny loafers, which are “absolutely essential” to the Parisian’s shoe

collection. “Team amongst chunky socks too jeans exactly curt of your ankle.”

Check! I’ve done that final one!

Kind of:

• Another staple is a navy sweater. “Understated, but to a greater extent than sophisticated than a plainly dark sweater. (Admit it: sometimes dark sweaters are exactly also easy!)”

So . . . “effortless” is good, but “too easy” is bad. I’m confused.

• Navy bluish is “risk free.”

Phew! I’m glad something is . . . .

• “Unless yous article of apparel it amongst yellowish (in which instance yous are sailing dangerously some the band colors of a certainly Swedish slice of furniture store).”

Well, drat, in that place goes my favorite outfit. Ikea, hither I come.

Perhaps I should halt poring over the text too only purpose the illustrations for guidance.

Chic?

Hmm. Not thence chic.

I laissez passer on up, Ms. Fressange! I intend yous Frenchwomen actually produce stimulate got a certainly je ne sais quoi that nosotros Americans tin never attain.

And maybe that’s the whole point?

Laura is a Catholic Christian, a mother, a part-time lawyer, too a recovering overthinker. She writes monthly hither at on books too culture, too blogs regularly at This Felicitous Life.