It’s the people, not the clothing or hair that make the French so attractive. I had this realization when I saw a woman on the metro who was absolutely stunning. I immediately looked at her wardrobe thinking if I wore similar clothing or style I could look as good. Her outfit was actually rather ugly, it was HER who made it look good; it wouldn’t look good if anyone less attractive wore it. She was wearing a baggy multi-colored long-sleeve shirt that came past her bum under a long, baggy grey sweater; one of those “had to have seen” moments. It was simply odd. Anyway, overall more effort seems to go into piecing clothing items together here than most Americans do but it’s the confidence behind the clothing that makes the clothing look good. So here’s the secret to looking “French beautiful,” yes I figured it out and I’m sharing it with you.
French Style Necessities
- Confidence, wherever you go, whatever you wear, this is a must
- Layers (like over-sized unbuttoned cardigan over a cotton tee or a black or white turtleneck under a cute, black cotton dress)
- A scarf most or all days of the week (except for summer but then silk scarves are appropriate)
- Skinny jeans (or nylons if wearing a skirt or dress) with ballet flats, boots or heels. Tennis shoes are rare
- Dresses and skirts even in the winter, just add more layers
- The bangs haircut that’s straight across the forehead, as opposed to the side bangs, is REALLY popular here. Much more so than I’ve ever seen in the states. I haven’t had that cut since I was in elementary school but the French girls look so cute with it I’m thinking of getting a French cut before I return to the states.
- Simple, natural make-up, if any
- Natural hair color with simple hair styles (either down or pulled back, nothing elaborate). Very few people in their 20’s or younger have dyed hair, it’s not nearly as common as in the US.
Journal entry from le 13 octobre, 2012:
I just saw an Islamic woman running to catch the métro. Usually they look very godly and bored while wearing religious attire that either entirely, or almost completely, covers them including head scarves called hijabs. Anyway, I took great amusement in watching this woman running full tilt toward her ride, pushing that baby-stroller like a bobsled right out of “Cool Runnings” with her long robes swirling behind her feet like fresh snow that has been kicked up and caught in the wind. Definitely not something you get to witness every day. Side-note, I have yet to see anything like that since then.
There’s a lot of North African and Middle Eastern influence here, in the Lille-area and every time I’ve taken the métro I’ve seen at least one Muslim woman wearing a hijab and the other attire. Other proof of the diversity is the large number of delicious kebob shops in the area. Most culturally diverse place I’ve ever been to let alone lived (seems appropriate in 2004 Lille was selected to be the European Capital of Culture due to its diversity).
There were absolutely adorable children on the tram next to me that I described in my journal on October 15th:
The children next to me are absolutely adorable. Blonde with blue eyes and freckles, the mother told me that the little girl is 5 ½ years old and her brother is a few years younger. French children, just like the French adults, are typically dressed up more than those back in the states. The girl is wearing a dark blue pea coat with a little scarf and is sitting very properly in her seat like a doll. There’s a bit of green market left on the boy’s cheek that I can see because he’s standing next to me, looking up at his mother with impish and loving eyes while playing with her purse and practicing counting with her. He’s actually having fun counting and she gently helps when he forgets a number. Seriously, they are melting my heart with their cuteness.
Tartiflette
I succeed in making my first French recipe since arriving in France last night. It’s called “Tartiflette” with potatoes, herbs, crème fraîche and reblochon cheese (French cheese from the Alps region of Haute-Savoie that has the texture of brie, but with more flavor). A rosé complimented it as did bread from my favorite bakery in Tourcoing.
