Looking for a quick, charming, and fashionable read? I strongly recommend the Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange with Sophie Gachet; it is the quintessential guide to French fashion, culture, and lifestyle. The guide is such a fast read with plenty of exceedingly entertaining sketches of French fashionistas by Ines herself. Parisian Chic is divided into four informative sections. The first section suggests tips on how to dress like a Parisian and gives a generous amount of boutiques and websites that are French fashionistas’ faves, followed by advice on beauty. Chez Moi the third section of the guide offers suggestions on décor listing several shops and websites to visit. If one is actually fortunate enough to journey to Paris, the last section carves out a dream itinerary from the chicest bistros and salons to the quaintest hotels. Even though I do not plan on traveling to Paris anytime soon, I found the style tips on fashion, beauty, and decor immensely informative. This does not mean I am not going to emulate every single style that the guide suggests, but I am definitely going to incorporate many of the suggestions that Ines provides into my everyday wear. The aspect of the guide that I found most helpful to enhance my style is the websites and boutiques that Ines recommended.
I have gleaned from the guide some of my favorite websites and boutiques to share. If one wishes to be up to date on the latest French trends in culture, fashion, beauty, travel, cuisine, and lifestyle go to Do it in Paris (http://www.doitinparis.com). I thoroughly enjoyed the hilarious sketches of French fashionistas and garnered some delectable French recipes from the kitchen section. Under lifestyle, the website offers an endless list of French hotels, museums, spas, and cafes to visit that is if one has the pleasure of traveling to France. The category Mode gives a plethora of designers’ clothes for bargain prices. The style guide emphasizes the French fashionista’s passion for finding the best deals, and this website certainly depicts her frugal fetish. Handcrafted leather sandals in a variety of colors can be found at Sandales Tropeziennes Rondini (http://www.rondini.fr). I will warn that the sandals are a bit pricy, but the quality and detail are superb to say the least. If it's exquisite leather gloves one craves then go to Causse (http://www.causse-gantier.fr). It is rumored that Jackie O’ wore Causse gloves. Of course, prices are extremely high, but the gloves are truly impeccable pieces of art. On http://www.ba-sh.com, in huge hot pink letters the homepage screams, “Shopping is cheaper than a psychologist.” As the website’s quote bodes, it offers amazing prices for unique and rare French couture. I found the items on this website that Indes recommends most affordable and accessible. A website that is synonymous with this but a bit cheaper and offers more of a selection is (http://www.petit-bateau.fr). Even though one is granted some valuable insight into French fashion through these websites and boutiques, I absolutely suggest purchasing Parisian Chic in order to completely embrace the style of a French fashionista.
Sketches of French fashionistas from Do It in Paris
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