French chic……..can you create it?

Apologies, I was off in an other world there☺️

Italian men on holiday tend to wear well cut shorts, sometimes with a belt, well fitting short sleeve shirt or Lacoste type polo shirt, sunglasses, women tend to go for dior style sundresses or shifts, , ankle length capris with a smart top. jumpers or cardis around shoulders , elegant designer bags. Yes I do holiday in Lake Garda or Iseo, with Italians. I’m off in a couple of weeks and panicking about my wardrobe which will I have to pack into a carry on bag. It will be the end of the season and everyone will be bringing out their autumn/ winter clothes which will be predominantly black or navy.

Re Italian men and clothes, for some years dd1 had an Italian boyfriend* (still in touch many years later) - met while they were both working abroad for the same NGO.

He told me that in the Italian workplace you are judged largely by your clothes. He said they will sum up the brand and cost of everything - ‘Even your belt!’ - his exact words.

I protested that he must surely be wildly exaggerating, but he insisted that he wasn’t.
A year or so later I asked a young Italian colleague of dh (working in the U.K.) whether it was true, and he said yes, absolutely.

*He was an architect and his own style was very casually but stylishly a mite scruffy, IYKWIM.

OPhere in another region of France now and I can honestly say I was the “chicest” in the supermarket just now!
I’m not showing off, the competition was not strong!

foxie48

My recipe for "chic" is clothes that fit properly, the right shoes. a good hair cut, make up that enhances rather than dominates and great posture. Once all that is in place, the ability to forget about it and just be relaxed and happy. It's not about nationality, it's about attitude. No, I don't always have it but just sometimes I feel I'm almost there!

Love your attitude foxie48. Just think of all those poor English ladies sitting in French restaurants looking around and feeling Gauche'not relaxed and happy as you suggest. even depriving themselves of a pudding and then trundling out with their tartan shoppers that they pretend is not theirs because it ages them along with the flowery dresses that would probably hide a multitude of sins if the right one was chosen.

I think I'm probably 500 miles north of you Sago.
Everyone in this part of France has now swapped their summer wear for waterproofs. Even their navy macs look smart, compared with my Joules parka! But then they do have an affinity with the sea round here.

I immediately thought of this thread and “French chic” when I saw the attached picture of Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron “paying their respects” yesterday at Westminster Hall.

Black skinny jeans and trainers? Brigitte Macron seems so determined to be “down with da kids” that she has forgotten what is proper for what is in effect a sombre and formal occasion.
I don’t think anybody need be intimidated by “French chic” do you?

Maybe she was trying to look like all the other people queuing and did not think it a fit place to make herself stand out, if you're going to signal her out look what President Macron has on his feet.Today is the time for formal clothes.

Equally unimpressed by Emmanuel whose trainers were similarly inappropriate for the occasion.
My point is that they were not queuing, but guests of HM government and the RF.
And I identified Brigitte as the thread is about “French chic” - not a word generally associated with male dressing.
No excuses.
Of course today is formal, but if you think back - those planning to queue to pay their respects were requested to dress appropriately - concessions being made of course for camping out or standing fir hours and hours, even overnight.
No, no excuses!

Maybe during the funeral is not the most appropriate time to comment on what someone was wearing?

Have you seen her today? The epitome of discreet chic dressing. They had been on an incognito walk around London yesterday and obviously did not change. A lot in the Queue was certainly not dressed appropriately for the occasion but for the weather and comfort.
Jill Biden today is the usual barbie doll the only Americans who were ever Chic were Jackie Onasis, Grace kelly and Nancy Regan.

Brigitte and Emanuel look pretty tidy today

Sarah74

Maybe during the funeral is not the most appropriate time to comment on what someone was wearing?

I didn’t appreciate that this thread was only to be about during state funerals.
Pardon me for expressing a personal opinion
The thread police are busy today.

BTW my post was timed at7.48, so hardly during the funeral

Mine was during the funeral and I stand by what I said. I am taking no notice of the thread police. I had to wait until I saw them all this morning.
I know someone who marched behind Diana's coffin and they had trainers on as they knew they would not manage in shoes. No comments were made to them about the inappropriate dress.

I am baffled: just why would anyone visit a Muckdonalds and order a green salad and a glass of red wine whether in Paris or anywhere else?

. A lot in the Queue was (sic) certainly not dressed appropriately for the occasion but for the weather and comfort

But the Macrons we’re not in the queue, unlike David Beckham and other “celebrities” but in their official capacity as French President and wife.
Anyway, it’s all in the past now and I think we all agree we saw some very chic women of all nationalities in the Abbey on the day.

Maybe we shouldn't have been taking notice of what people looked like but thinking of the passing of the Queen.
Do clothes really show respect? I have seen some "sights at funerals and weddings, people seem to wear what they want these days and are often requested to wear something bright, an Irish lady I know of asked everyone to have a splash of green.

Joseanne

I think I'm probably 500 miles north of you Sago.
Everyone in this part of France has now swapped their summer wear for waterproofs. Even their navy macs look smart, compared with my Joules parka! But then they do have an affinity with the sea round here.

That looks a bit like my mac from Sainsbury's, Joseanne

I've never looked chic in my life - it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it! ?

Yammy. I think the days of head to toe black being compulsory for funerals are pretty much over. The Queens funeral was exceptional. It was a state funeral too, so there would have been strict protocols and dress codes.

When my husband died, everyone wore a touch of burgundy, his favourite colour, ties for the men, shawls scarves etc for the women. I myself wore a pale blue silk dress and jacket ensemble. Did it mean I mourned his loss any less because I wasn't in black. (My husband loathed me wearing black, so I wouldn't have dreamed of wearing it).

When a young man who was a keen rugby player I know died, most of his mates turned up at the funeral wearing rugby shirts. It was their way of honouring him. His parents were very touched.

I think funerals have become a lot more personalised these days, where people choose outfits, music etc that are more relevant to the deceased. I don't think it's one size fits all any more.

Yammy

Maybe we shouldn't have been taking notice of what people looked like but thinking of the passing of the Queen.
Do clothes really show respect? I have seen some "sights at funerals and weddings, people seem to wear what they want these days and are often requested to wear something bright, an Irish lady I know of asked everyone to have a splash of green.

Maybe.
Are they mutually exclusive?
But on a thread about French Chic - how is it inappropriate to comment on French chic- or an absence of it?
Plenty of threads about the Queen and space to express one’s regrets elsewhere.
And I still think more disrespectful to the host nation for the wife of a head of state to rock up in skinny jeans and trainers.

As for being chic.....well I try. I do enjoy clothes. I know what suits me, no frills or flounces, nothing gimmicky or gaudy, no flower prints. I aim for "classic with a twist".

I have quite an extensive wardrobe, most of which is pre loved and even some vintage pieces. All lovingly collected from charity shops or eBay. Some items, such as coats are probably around 30 years old, but good fabrics will last a lifetime with proper care.

I stick to plain good quality basics and switch accessories to ring the changes or update my look.

You don't need to spend a fortune to look good and I do think it's worth making an effort.

Having spent a week in France in late August, I looked around at the French women to see if I could find any evidence of French chic. As on previous visits to France I noticed very little, if any evidence of it. It’s a total myth, yes maybe the odd woman, but usually the French women look little different than British women in their dress. However I did notice a very marked difference in body size. The majority of French women are not fat. Far more British women than French are fat.

I think French women's eating and shopping habits are different from ours, and this keeps them slim. Most of their supermarket aisles aren't crammed with crisps and snacks, biscuits, cakes or chocolates , and the choice of bad things is less. Instead they have lots of fresh fruit and veg, dairy and deli counters, and all types of fish. I'm sure they eat smaller quantities too, and no in-between snacking. Apparently eating slowly also prevents you becoming fat, so the lengthy French lunch (up to 2 hours) obviously works well.

J52

Some women ( maybe some men) always look as if they stepped out of ‘the band box’. Their hair is always neat, their nails grow immaculately and they maintain weight effortlessly.
Not a description of me!
I do think having the knack of putting colours, textures and the style of clothes together is the key.

I would bet money on the fact that none of it is effortless.
Not a description of me either, I have long given up any ideas of being slim, svelte or immaculately turned out for others to admire.
Once a person has accepted that, they can be free to be themselves and to be relaxed and confident, which in my view is much more attractive.