After a couple days of deep rumination, I think I've cracked the secret to French street style. Oh yes, everyone knows French women pretty much invented chic, and that they live and breathe fashion the way ordinary human beings have to eat food just to survive. Everyone knows they don't get fat. And everything they do, from walking down the street to buying bread to smoking a cigarette, oozes elegance.
- An "undone" or even underdone quality: One thing I notice is that American fashion is incredibly over-accessorized. Just look at that recurring section in InStyle where they put together outfits that are supposed to go with different kinds of outings/occasions. Bangles, earrings, necklaces, sunglasses, watches, etc etc etc. Geez, man.
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Ease: They never seem to think too hard about it. With the exception of skinny jeans, they seem to prefer flowy and organic shapes comfortable enough to wear all day.
- Proportion & fit: Classic cuts, and everything judiciously edited, perfectly balanced, as if the outfit was grown on your body.
- Color: Mostly neutral, ranging from black, tan, gray, navy, and hunter green.
- Quality: Fine fabrics, well-shaped silhouettes, good stitching, lovely details.
- Thinness: I was serious. I don't think French women would look nearly as good if they were as fat as Americans.
- Something unexpected: There is usually some small flourish that makes you look twice, either a pop of color or an interesting embellishment.
- Bangs: Yes, hair always looks perfectly mussed, left long and loose.
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Minimal makeup, perfect skin: Eyes are lined, smoky, or plain. Lips nude or classic red.
- Black tights: Seriously, it's like every woman in Paris owns about 5 pairs.
- A luxurious handbag and/or a beautiful scarf: That's all the accessorizing they need.
- Fantastic shoes: They really pay attention to shoes and use them to make a statement.