The April issue of British Vogue has a feature on the new Roger Vivier book and an interview with Ines de la Fressange, at home. I'd share it with you but unfortunately it's not online. The author of Parisian Chic says that she loves wearing jeans, wants to throw her iPhone out of the window and that her car is littered with 'crushed biscuits and chewing gum wrappers.' I properly love this woman. And her shoes. And her maison. But it's her comment on French style that I found most interesting, 'In France, there's an idea that chic means being uptight. But I've always thought you can be chic without being conventional.'
Being British, I agree. I've often thought that the chicest people are the ones with more of an idiosyncratic look: part tradition, part rebellion, always something a little unconventional going on. That's why Phoebe Philo is such a hit at Céline with her minimal tailoring and mink-lined shower shoes.
What do you think?
Ah, love her too - and her style. However, as far as "being unconventional" goes, I don't quite buy it. Her style is very classic and relatively conventional - which isn't bad at all. Maybe I've just lived in the UK for too long where "unconventional" really means "off the wall" as opposed to the French idea of "unconventional" ;-) xo
ReplyDeleteAgreed - her shoes are TDF. And I love her "I just threw this on" style. She always manages to make it look chic, while I often look like "hey, you just threw that on".
ReplyDeleteI find her to be so stylish in these pictures!! She is my top style icon and I so desire to be able to throw on a pair of jeans and flats and look like this!! I think losing about 50 pounds would help! I actually read and re-read Parisian Chic with a highlighter...I am determined that some day I will pull this off like Ines!
ReplyDeleteI love her style, always have. One other element that seems to come through in her version of "chic" is simplicity...nothing looks overdone or too studied, and that's what appeals most to me. I know a lot of people dismiss her style, saying "well of course she's so tall and thin so anything looks good," but I've found it's that element of simplicity that translates well to many body types, including my own short and curvy one.
ReplyDeleteI little subversive style is always good!
ReplyDeleteMake that "A little subversive style..."
ReplyDeleteI think you are right, but then again I think you're right about everything.
ReplyDeleteInes is the perfect melange of insouciance and nonchalance (there is a nuance there; they're not quite synonyms).
xo,
Tish
Yep, couldn't agree more
ReplyDeletePreston
She always looks so elegant and laid back... And those gorgeous R.V. flats are wonderful... Need to get myself a copy of this Vogue for sure. x
ReplyDeleteAh, the fabulous Ines...she's such an inspiration...I want to throw my iPhone out of the window at times too...
ReplyDeletechic without being conventional...I like it ;-)
Have a lovely weekend.
xx
Let's fly the flag for the eccentric Brits!
ReplyDeleteI don´t like the word " chic " at all, it´s all worn out.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Ines makes everything look so easy on her, around her.
Chic to me is someone who is bien dans sa peau and well groomed (make up isn't a necessity). Warm regards
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ines's definition of chic, but I am curious to know if she's right about 'chic' meaning 'uptight' in France. Perhaps someone from France could clue us in. Mette is right...chic is overused....suggestions for a new term?
ReplyDeleteInteresting thought...being unconventional and chic. I like it! I find as the years go on, some of us find our own way with style, breaking from the conformity of our 30's and 40's and start wearing what we like. Is my wardrobe chic? I try not to think to hard on that one, I just wear what I like. Unconventional? in some crowds, yes. It depends on what part of the world I am travelling.
ReplyDeleteMy mother-in-law visited me in Vietnam, where I live. She lives in the USA..in a conservative town in Connecticut, where I lived once upon a time. She looked at my wardrobe, designed for the tropics and suggested that she likes it for this part of the world...but not for anywhere else. I have lots of caftans. That is when I decided I was bringing it all with me when I next visit. At 56...I think I can wear what I like..wherever I like.
Sorry for the run on but at 56...I feel I need to say what I want to say...while I can! :)
I have just put my copy of Parisian Chic next to the bed, I haven't touched it since it launched and I love looking at pictures of Ines. Very chic, most certainly not uptight x
ReplyDeleteInes is right but I love the part rebbelious thing you said about British style.
ReplyDeleteSimplicity is my favorite word. Ines is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Ines. She makes everything look so effortless. If I were to put on the exact same outfits, in which she looks so chic, I feel that I would just look...boring. I don't know how she does it but she does it with such grace!
ReplyDeleteHer book is on my amazon wish list already.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand messy cars but Ines has a unique and great style!
Annette
Lady of Style