Why the whole world wants to be French
Gone are the days of freedom fries: the world is having a love affair with France. Non-Frenchies want to know how to not get fat and how to pull off an outfit with attitude without even trying.
French women have it good: why the whole world envies us. That’s the headline on a feature story in the August 20 issue of French Elle. It explores the concept of the French woman as the ideal woman in the fashion world—here are their reasons:
Because they’re the queens of “chic cool”: Apparently we Americans refer to it as “effortless style” and the English call it “je-ne-sais-quoi.” Whatever you want to call it, the French do have style. However, I hesitate to apply this to all Frenchwomen—the breezy look of skinny jeans and heels or Repetto flats and a perfectly-cut blazer is much more Paris than Provence. The Parisians, however, can work an outfit—and somehow look chic running up Metro steps in blister-inducing heels— like no one else.
The secret: they don’t try too hard. You don’t see French girls with perfectly straight hair, painted-on makeup or matchy-matchy outfits. They’ve realized that being natural is sometimes the sexiest option of all.
Because their actresses have conquered Hollywood: True, the Amelie effect has taken hold on Hollywood. America loves French people and the sexiness they exude, from their accent to their style. French actresses, like Audrey Tatou and Marion Cotillard, are in more and more mainstream American movies, instead of just French films that make it big.
Because their designers are hip: Who doesn’t want to have French style? Some of the coolest new French designers, like Isabel or Vanessa Bruno, have just opened shops in England and America—bringing French style straight to the un-hip masses.
Because they age well: This one is dead on. French women are put together, whether they’re 15 or 75. They take pride in their appearance, no matter what age they are. They shop at the same stores as their daughters. (There’s a great ad campaign going on right now for Comptoir des Contonniers that features mother-daughter pairs both wearing the brand.) Sure, they spend a fortune on creams and cosmetics—and perhaps a bit of plastic surgery—but they accept aging with grace, instead of a relentless and ultimately unsuccessful fight. French women aren’t scared of getting old, they don’t try to turn back the clock: they accept it as reality but never let themselves go. I love this piece in The New York Times about the French woman’s secrets to aging well, because it’s oh-so-true.
Because they stay skinny: Portion control, fresh ingredients and buildings without elevators: it works. The French laugh at the idea of cardio and no-carb diets: they’ve found a way to have their cake and eat it too. Eating is an experience to be enjoyed, not an activity to be denied or overdone behind closed doors.
Because they’re at the top: There are still plenty of clichés surrounding the French, but the perfectly coiffed and styled Frenchwoman is more reality than myth. Sure, cigarettes and espresso still play a big part in the diet, and those perfect heels don’t come cheap—but no one said they were perfect, just French.
