Many apologies for the lateness of this blog.  I am in France this week. And I’d like to say my blog took precedence over sightseeing, nibbling cheese, and wine tasting, but, well…non.  This week I continue my quest to discover what it is that makes French style so alluring.

During this trip, I interviewed two American women who have both lived and worked in France. I asked them to explain their take on French style.

Emily 

Emily is an American who lived, studied, and taught in France. She admires French style because it appears to be so effortlessly pulled-together.

Emily says: “I would love to get inside the mind of a French woman when she goes to her closet each morning. It would be fascinating to understand her thought process, as she goes about putting together her outfit for the day.”

Emily says, “French women grow up with stylish role models all around them…mothers, grandmothers, teachers.” It is truly a cultural legacy.

Even though French women usually have less closet space than American women, the  pieces they own are mostly neutral colors, high in quality, and fit like a glove. They wear these basic pieces again and again, always changing up their look by adding unusal accessories.

When Emily lived in France, her closet space was non-existent. She used necklaces and scarves to mix up her look. “I spent many weekends in Paris,” says Emily. “I loved observing timeless Parisian style.”

Julie

Originally from the U.S., Julie is now married to a Frenchman and lives in a small French village where she and her husband raised their two children. She currently works as a travel guide.

Julie insists that French women have a real desire to embrace their femininity. She says:

“While American women are busy ‘burning their bras,” French women are buying and wearing lace ones.”

And let us not forget the femininity factor!

Next week..Three essentials for French style…

But, for now, more photos from France…