Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:28AM Parisian Secrets and a very Chic Giveaway
When it comes to dressing, nobody knows how to do it quite like a French woman. She never quite matches, her hair looks like she's just rolled out of bed, and she always smells faintly of wine and cigarettes yet somehow, she is fabulous. Somehow, the fact that she doesn't seem to care about how she looks is the most appealing thing of all. A French woman's sense of style seems so innate that I always imagined Parisian maternity wards where instead of swaddling the baby, nurses would immediately stuff pudgy newborn feet into high heels and instead of dispensing formula, bottles would be filled to the brim with a good Pinot. Pourquoi pas?
After reading Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange, I've come to realize that getting the laissez-faire look isn't actually effortless at all. And she should know - at 53, Ines has spent decades in the fashion industry as model, Karl-Lagerfeld muse and fashion designer and has come to be known as 'France's icon of chic'. In the new guide, she spills her secrets for achieving that much-coveted Parisian look, showing us how to achieve wardrobe nirvana with the 'Magnificent Seven': a man's blazer, a trench coat, a navy sweater, a tank top, a little black dress, jeans and a leather jacket. She shares her rules for accessorizing, ('Never wear a necklace and earrings at the same time...Non, non, non, non, non! Even at Christmas..') and how to avoid looking like a 'makeup victim'. Ines also reveals her secret Paris, with a perfectly edited list of must-visit restaurants, shops and hotels, unusual places to discover, and even fun, kid-friendly stops, all written in an irreverent, tongue-in-cheek (make that chic) tone.
Whether you plan on going to Paris or not, Parisian Chic ($34 at Chapters) is a must-read for every wannabe-Parisienne.
Want to take home Parisian Chic? Simply tell me your favourite thing about Paris to win a copy. Leave a comment here, on my facebook page, or follow me on twitter and re-tweet to win.
Thanks to my friends at Chapters for the great giveaway. Bisous and bonne chance! I'll draw the lucky winner this Friday.
xo
Reader Comments (4)
I just love the Palais Royal. It wasn't until we had been to Paris a few times, that I realized it was steps from our hôtel. A private backyard, albeit a TRES elegant one, for Parisians. I also love the Place Vendôme, THE perfect square.
The Eiffel tower....at night with all the twinkling lights or in the spring looking up at it through pink blossomed tree branches..THE most romantic place. xoxoxo
-discount Alexander McQueen Leather ShoesLike the meeting of the seagulls and the waves we meet and come near.The seagulls fly off, the waves roll away and we depart.
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