Skip to main content

The Glamour of a Parisian Woman


So much has been said and written about the understated chic of French women; countless articles have tried to shed  light on the almost unattainable:  to look like them.  

During my literally dozens of visits to Paris, I have admired and even envied their classic, effortless ways of dressing.  The look of a Parisian girl emphasizes classic style over passing trends; a simple dress, jeans, t-shirt, tailored blazer, cashmere sweater, and a scarf, are key elements of her wardrobe. Parisian women believe in investing in long-term fashion rather than buying hot trends which turn obsolete shortly after they are seen on a runway.

I come from a long line of very fancy women; my paternal grandmother never left the house without wearing a hat, and my maternal grandmother had an old Hollywood aura about her and was always very well put together.  Both women, in spite of modest means, were able to look beautifully even with the very limited choices offered in communist Poland during the 50'-80's.  None of their  fashion sense rubbed off on me.  I try, I really do, but somehow my efforts fall short of what I would be satisfied with.  There is something lacking in my effortless chic. Achieving that perfect balance is a gift that French women possess.  Don't get me wrong, there are beautifully put together women walking around NYC, and other cities all over the world, but there is just something special about that quintessential Parisian look.

Here are just a few observations from the streets of Paris:


A few years ago, I saw this woman as she stood in the middle of Blvd. St Germain.  She appeared to be in her 60's, was dressed in a lovely black dress, heels, and her accessories were a watch, earrings and sunglasses.  She looked absolutely stunning, and timeless.



This chic Parisian girl was strolling near Saint Sulpice on a nice July morning.  The hair seemed air dried, but it worked great with the large hat.  My air dried hair makes me look like a crazy cat lady:(



I saw this elegant lady who was heading to do some shopping on rue Cler.  Her hair, dress, and shoes were lovely, stylish, and feminine.



A Parisian girl shopping.  I need to get one of those snazzy carts for myself.  I saw one with pictures of macaron, that would be perfect for me.


This Parisian mom and her equally stylish mini Parisian daughter were leaving a produce market.  Somehow she made a simple sweater and pants look fab.


Baguette in hand; it doesn't get more French.





This woman was on a bike, in heels, a skirts, and writing in a notebook; multitasking at its best!




Just a few years ago, sneakers were only seen on American tourists.  These days they are worn paired with skirts and dresses by some of the very chic women around Paris.  I think it all started a few years ago with the popularity of New Balance sneakers, and moved onto Stan Smith, now the streets of Paris are a sneaker heaven.  I thought that this Parisian looked superb.  I have copied this look all summer:)



Not all Parisiennes wear muted colors, aparently.




A Parisian lady is stylish holding a Kelly


or a pooch.



Joanna


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bordier Butter - The Best Butter in France

France is in the midst of a butter shortage!  Due to a decrease in milk production and a substantial demand for French pastries all over the world (mainly China and the Middle East), the price of butter has increased by 60% in one year.  The French are stocking up and thus creating shortages.  French newspapers are publishing articles titled "A guide to cooking without butter".  So, with hopes that the shortages are temporary, here is my ode to the best butter in the world.  I'm not kidding.  The. Best. Butter. In. The. World. Mr. Bordier, a grandson and a son of cheese mongers, became a butter artisan in 1985.  He acquired a creamery originally founded in 1927.  The supreme taste of the Bordier butter was first recognized by a chef from the Plaza Athenee while vacationing in Brittany, a beautiful region in northwestern France. Bordier is the lone butter master to still use the old method of kneading the butter according to the 19th century t...
4 comments
Read more

Indian Accent, NYC

Often when a question arises as to what to eat for dinner, I think of Indian food.  I am a very happy gal with chicken makhani, basmati rice, an onion kulcha or a nan laid out in front of me.  I have heard some very good things about Indian Accent, a relatively new restaurant in midtown Manhattan, adjacent to the Parker Hotel. The décor here is unlike most Indian restaurants I have visited; no boldly colored fabrics, beautiful tapestries, intricately carved wood, or lanterns.  Indian Accent restaurant looks like something that Daniel Boulud would envision.  There are about fifteen wooden tables and a few small booths, fabric covered modern chairs, a lit bar with glass shelves and golden accents throughout, and large glass vases filled with flowering branches. The menu is complicated, however, our terrific waiter took his time and explained each dish and even made some wonderful suggestions.  Actually, everyone at the restaurant was really professiona...
2 comments
Read more

A. Lacroix Patisserie, Paris

My visits to Paris are usually carefully planned out; practically every meal is decided far in advance, and same goes for pastries, ice cream and macaron.  While I have not visited every pastry shop in Paris, that would be almost impossible given their numbers, I am aware of most of them.  Imagine my happiness when I came across a brand new patisserie, one that is barely a year old!   A. Lacroix is a lovely tea room/patisserie opened by an American woman and a Parisian pastry chef.  Jackie, the founder, is originally from Ohio but has been living in Paris for nine years.  She left her job in the telecom industry in order to pursue a dream of opening a tea salon.  I'm so glad she did!   This is a charming patisserie/tea salon with beautiful stone walls, wooden beams, plenty of seating space, and location that just can't be beat.  One side of the place looks at the Notre-Dame Cathedral! A. Lacroix is not just a pastry sho...
Post a Comment
Read more