If there's one thing that French girls have down pat (never mind their perfect skin and natural approach to, um, EVERYTHING), it's their effortless sartorial sensibility. No doubt that it's a cultural thing -- with minor exceptions, the laissez-faire chic allure is simply a way of being in France. There's no sensationalism, no painful strive for perfection or immaculateness, no desire to be obviously sexy, as it's just not how people
Looking at it from my North American perspective, it became easier to decipher the mystery, as I was an outsider from the inside. Having a firm grasp and certain understanding of both cultures and way of life, the differences have become so clear to me. While there is no doubt a social norm to follow across the pond, it differs greatly to the one we have here: the motto Go Big or Go Home is not really in their vocabulary. That approach isn't exactly the greatest for each one of life's angles, but when it comes to style, it never fails. Their apparent (and aspirational) nonchalance is not for lack of caring, it simply is the mere result of having other things as priorities. And that is why, along with a majority of my cohorts, I draw endless inspiration from the place that gave us Coco and Christian.
In a recent discussion about sartorial paths, evolution and identity, my friend Stephanie asked me what it was that I used to wear in my soul-style-searching days, but that I would never in a million years don as my most contemporary self. I wasn't quick to answer because it was hard to put into words all of the nuances that make up the line between the Yes and No columns, but after mulling it over, as i tend do with everything, it became clearer and clearer: I simply would never wear loud patterns, kitschy girlie mismatched preppy prints or anything ostentatious. My affection for muted tones and neutrals has reached an all time high and continues to soar. And I'm pretty sure that it has a little thing (or two) to do with my ties with the French.
Details:
Trench coat - Zara (similar)
Denim - J Brand (similar)
Boxy tee - Madewell
Loafers - Anthropologie (similar)
Bag - Vintage