How to Dress Like a French Woman

Corset

How
to Dress like a French Woman:

-First and foremost, throw away uptight.

-Of course, own one of everything in
black, plus know the fashionable color of the season, and have it in
your wardrobe too: This year it is gray with hints of floral pink.

-Dare to wear red gloves.

-Stuff your pockets with confidence in
your beauty, walk knowing you are worth a billion dollars.

-Smoke without shame.

-Wear matching sexy, jamais boring, ni
basic white, undergarments.

-Ditch the tennis shoes and socks.

-Have a "day" perfume and an "evening"
perfume, make it your calling card.

-Dress for the occasion, wear leather
pants to the grocery store, and always have champagne in your
refrigerator.

-Celebrate your femininity, breasts
are more than two lumps.

-Add a twist to the ordinary: Jeans,
lace top, leopard print high heels. Do not be afraid to express yourself.

-Sit straight, hold your head up,
guard your tongue, and admire other women.

P.S.

The scarf thing, if you cannot
tie it without stress, just unbutton another button and call it a day.

___________________________________________



Comments

45 responses to “How to Dress Like a French Woman”

  1. Ha! I know I’ve got a pair of leopard heels SOMEwhere…

  2. hehehe Corey.. I can’t imagine myself dressing like that.. but I do love black, lacey and white dress.. teehee

  3. Linda C.

    You’ve nailed it Corey! Bit worried about how many buttons I have to unbutton though..

  4. I just got home from Paris and you are absolutely right on with the most important element being CONFIDENCE. They all look beautiful because they carry themselves like a Queen.

  5. Oooh, ix-nay on the smoking, dear Corey. It was once chic, but is becoming so-o-o-o passé. Nowadays, NOT smoking is sexier!
    I understand that even France has passed laws limiting smoking in certain public places — even though there’s still a long way to go to catch up with the progress in our native California.
    I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but just yesterday (May 31) was World No Tobacco Day. This year’s campaign focused specifically on getting women to quit/never start smoking.
    Esthetic reasons not to smoke:
    1. Complexions of women smokers have been shown develop more WRINKLES on their faces — and sooner — than on the faces of non-smoking women. These wrinkles are caused by a combination of repetitive motion on the facial muscles from the act of smoking, as well as oxygen deprivation to the skin. (Never underestimate the value of vanity reasons for deciding to quit!).
    2. As some long-forgotten sage once observed, kissing a smoker is like licking out a dirty ashtray.
    (And we won’t even mention health issues — says the non-smoker whose pulmonologist has ordered her never to be anywhere near second-hand smoke ever again, due to permanent respiratory damage from a near-fatal bout of pneumonia + complications a few years ago).

  6. Well I have to agree with Kathie B. on the smoking, it does do dastardly things the complexion, not to mention the rest of your body, but I will defend to the hilt a person’s right to smoke (my husband does).
    As for the lingeried, I’ve always loved sweet white sexy cotton and lace, something a bit Victorian but more modern, daring but not too revealing. I think it’s far sexier. Tennis shoes are definitely not sexy, but oh God what stilleto heals do to a woman’s back, she will pay for wearing them ten fold in pain when she gets a bit older and they are horrible for the posture.
    I would compromise with a pair of feminine, not-so-high espadrilles or something similar!
    Chris

  7. Natalie Thiele

    Well, one out of thirteen ain’t bad. I definitely have the black wardrobe. Maybe one or two others- no tennis shoes, dress up for a trip to the grocery store. Unfortunately, our lists differ after that. I need to take a field trip to Paris!

  8. I don’t smoke but admit to loving every word of your french dressing tutorial. I’ve always suspected that the mixture of studied style and carefree, take it all in attitude (‘Let them eat cake!’)is exactly what makes the French woman so alluring!

  9. Ahhhhhh today I will work on my posture! Must wear scrubs and comfort shoes to work, but I can at least have that “French” posture thing down! 🙂

  10. So fun! I think I just got my confidence back. I’ll be wearing my tennies today as I traipse around in soggy gardens, doing write-ups for a charity walk next month, but, I’ll have my earrings on, my signature perfume, and a scarf – I can always use it to swat the mosquitoes away or wipe my brow.
    I love your playfulness. Of course, we don’t have to smoke or wear stilletoes. The message, I think, is one of self-confidence. I thank you.

  11. I own some sparkly high heels, but they usually just decorate my studio … wouldn’t they just be wasted stored in a closet?!?
    By the way, I posted yesterday about a couple of drawings done in France of my parents in 1945 in Verdun. Have you been there? What is it like?
    ~Violet

  12. Perfect! Now if I was just skinny like French women and could walk on leopard heels I would be set. Yep, I can throw a scarf on. Maybe that will cover some flaws. And forget the smoking.
    Thanks for the list.

  13. Great advice!
    Never again will I go shopping in my Nike running suit and running shoes. I felt like a lump…especially when into the store walked a beautiful girl with windblown, long blonde hair, jeans tucked into tall leather boots, a leather jacket and a lace camisole underneath.
    Lesson learned. So Sunday after singing at a church service, I kept on my little black dress and patent leather stilettos when I went to the grocery store. Much better!

  14. Julie Ann Evins

    Pretty much bang on the money I would say Coco. Your keen eye no doubt the reason your photography is so divine, jx

  15. Oh, I wish I could do the scarf thing! I try but I look as if I were attempting to hang my with a granny knot.

  16. Warning. The following line will make you blush.
    My husband refers to my leopard print shoes as handrails 🙂

  17. Minodora

    How can you learn that thing To carry yourself like a Queen?’Cause i know it’s important.
    I’m good with the scarf part,i love scarfs -i have a few,love the perfume,with high-heels is a little bit…painful.After a day in such shoes,i love sport shoes!

  18. “The scarf thing, if you cannot tie it without stress, just unbutton another button and call it a day.”
    How adorable! I must remember that one…:)

  19. Love this. Except for the smoking, I will I will strictly follow these instructions. What is YOUR “day” perfume?

  20. I love, love, love your blog! We just got back from our very first trip to Paris and I love your rules (have to agree with the no smoking band wagon, though). I was impressed with the SHOES – even casual outfits merited some mighty fine shoes. I agree that the attitude is key – it is obvious in how French woman carry themsleves. It was a bit embarrassing to see how some tourists dress – I do think sporting a fanny pack should be considered a federal offence!

  21. Thanks for your tutorial – ♥ it!
    “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!” Coco Chanel

  22. Very sound advice! Especially about always keeping a bottle of Champagne in the fridge. I follow that rule diligently.

  23. Oh I would love to do all of that but, Corey, it is just too hot here in East TX. The perfume would have to be loud enough (gross) to cover the sweat and the leather pants just might melt to my legs! Ouch! Is it coller there now?

  24. That would be ‘cooler’? not coller. The heat got in my eyes.

  25. Oh, Corey! What a delightful read, as usual!
    I wish I were your neighbor, you could show me how to dress, how to brocante well and how to take stunning photos.
    I LOVE LOVE LOVE this blog of yours. Time for the book, wouldn’t you say?

  26. Dear Corey, Thank you for all of your tips which are in perfect timing for my travels. Just have to find an alternative for those tennis shoes and socks I live in. Thank you for the faaaaaaabulous reminders.

  27. What a fun post! I spent last weekend at a wedding where the groom was French. All of his women friends and relatives were so stylish! We American gals felt tres envious!

  28. Well this was interesting Corey! But I don’t think I would do any of them except the scarf thing…I love hats so I would wear hat and I like tennies although right now flip flops or barefoot have to show off my painted toesies…I loved reading this though. As always a delight!

  29. I’ll try it,thanks Corey!

  30. My best friend was a former Parisienne in LA; I used to watch her every day, she had a routine: up at 6 AM, her hair, 30 minutes; her eyes, 15 minutes ; etc once a month, the examination of the wardrobe, trying on her clothes in different combinations. FAscinating!

  31. Brilliant!
    Thanks, that is exactly what I needed to hear.

  32. I had no idea I was French 🙂

  33. Elaine L.

    It must be interesting as an American to have a French daughter.
    ~elaine~

  34. This post is specifically designed to bring out any woman’s “inner Gaul!”

  35. jend’isère

    Those invisible accessories are that appeal!

  36. Ah, French women are beautiful and they dress so perfect. Tall, lean, fashionable. I loved the look you had for the Brocante market Sat.
    hugs…

  37. maryelle

    Note to self: Must buy Champagne!

  38. What a great guide! I’ve just recently decided (as I near 40, and after nursing two babies) that it is time to celebrate my girls (and cleavage). Too bad my confidence wasn’t greater 10 years ago! I need a Victoria’s Secret special just to get them in the right place, now!

  39. Corey, This is a great post and I especially enjoyed your P.S. advice!

  40. What a fun read! Working on my french attitude now…just curious – what are some of the most popular day and evening fragrances among French women?

  41. I am trying to return from 5 years of caretaking with no respite. I am gonna take this advice to heart!

  42. Love this post! Ah if I only had red gloves.

  43. Haha, love it! “Always have champagne in your fridge” is a must!!!

  44. I have the same feeling as you, so good. however, if you add some explanation below the pictures, it’s better.

  45. It is easy to be wise after the event?You never know what you can do till you try?

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