Hello Starr Readers! I hope your week has been nothing short of amazing in your part of the world. I can gladly say that the burn is over…at least for now. There is something amazing yet unpretentious about the french people. An elegance and class that isn’t perceived by the showiness of outward apparel but by a simplistic appeal that is rare to find. Growing up, I had private french lessons for a while. At some point, I could understand conversations and speak it but I never followed through on being fluent. As the years went by, I literally forgot most – if not all of it; but i never forgot the style, the grace and poise of my tutor which brings fond memories that i think are worth emulating today.

When it comes to style, the rest of the western world take their cue from the french people. To be à la Parisienne, there is a standard of beauty and elegance coupled with an under toned rebel beneath the surface – a defiance to popular trends of following the status quo that one must posses. The way you move, how you open your bag, how you cross your legs – just little things. It is said that, ‘you see a french woman first before you see her clothes’ and they do not overdress. A couple of style icons that are a source of inspiration to me lately are Bridgett Bardot, Audrey Tauton, Carla Bruni and Constance Jablonski; their sense of fashion is classic!

How To Be A Style Icon – With French Elegance!!

♦     Less is more – is much more! Designer pieces and accessories are great but the      problem comes when you have the name brand of every designer who has walked the earth on every part of your ensemble. When there’s too much going on in your appearance, you become a blob of ‘designer everything’ – which is too much stimulus to take in all at once talk less of being fully appreciated for all your effort.

♦     Alluring pieces that give what I like to call ‘The Push – Pull Effect’. A leather jacket which is considered hard over a soft floral dress. A beige pair of pants over an an insanely bright blouse. Minimal makeup when wearing bold colors or jewelry.

♦     Disheveled is not always a bad thing. The clothes look put together but not in a stiff or stoic way. A look that seems effortless, soft and graceful but also well thought out.

♦     Minimal accessories. Investing in good pieces every now and then is a great way to accessorize any outfit – a really nice bag, a nice hair piece or sunshades; these add to your look without being too overpowering.

♦     A lot of neutrals. The ability to mix and match when you have neutral items of clothing in your closet open up endless possibilities especially when you have a time crunch.

Are you French? Have you  ever been to France or lived in France at some point in time? Your comments are welcome! Feel free to share your thoughts about the things you love about the fashion sense and lifestyle of the french people. I’m attaching a few pictures of the Winter/Fall French Fashion Week for 2017 that I find really cool. The countdown is on for French Fashion Week come September 25 through October 3, 2018. Until I come your way again, I remain

Periwinkle Starr

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