How to Dress Like A French Woman: R-E-S-P-E-C-T

A lot has been written about how to dress like a French woman. Last month I spent four days in Paris and made my own list of ideas.

Even my husband, not usually tuned in to fashion, noticed “a lack of colorful clothes” on our trip.  He didn’t know it, but he was honing in on the classic strategy of dressing in neutrals. 

And that’s the whole point, really. There’s nothing magic about looking like a French woman. Most of us want to look like ourselves in ways that make us happy and at ease in our surroundings. 

The French seem to have mastered some classic rules for doing this.  Day after day, they appear looking effortlessly appropriate and stylishly ready for anything.  That’s why we copy how they dress.

And so my Dos and Don’t’s are really ideas for dressing well, inspired by the French.   The Do’s are what I saw.  The Don’t’s are what I did not see in Paris—these are clothes I see a lot in the U.S. (including my own closet), and on travels to the UK.

Did I miss anything?  

DO :

• Try this uniform: skinny jeans + boots + a great jacket – seen on women from 16 to 60
• Anchor your outfit with a neutral color
• Go for excellent fabrics
• Go for the best quality construction possible
• Wear clothes that fit – that suggest the shape underneath
• Aim for grown-up femininity
• Have well-made shoes (ballet flats, boots, and pumps)
• Make friends with scarves
• Favor solid colors
• Keep your hair natural
• When in doubt, go for the understated look

DON’T

• Wear pastels
• Buy cheap, “fast fashion” a la Target, Walmart, and Old Navy
• Choose fabrics that wear out, pill, fade, or fall apart in one season
• Dress in an overtly sexy way
• Wear capri pants and a tee shirt as a summer uniform
• Wear sneakers or workout clothes except for working out
• Hide your shape under shapeless, baggy clothes
• Wear head-to-toe colors
• Wear head-to-toe prints
• Overdo your hair or makeup
• Give up on fashion after a certain age

For me, the really compelling idea is that French women give off an air of “I’m happy with myself.” I think it shows self-respect to buy a few clothes that are well-made, expensive, and beautiful – to take clothes seriously, but with restraint.

The French way of dressing reflects this.

The French seem to value food the same way – quality over quantity. And this, too, shows in what we think of as the French fashion “look.”

Let’s face it—clothes look different on thin people than not-so-thin. And even though obesity is on the rise in France, French women as a whole are still thinner than Americans and British.

As an American woman with a few extra pounds, I know first-hand the complex and usually painful issues most of us have with body image and weight.  They’re closely tied in with how we dress.   

But I take encouragement from what I saw in France. Can we American women use the French example to treat ourselves with as much respect as possible concerning clothing, food, and body-image?

That seems like a great basic rule for dressing well.

Cheers, Sally 

photos used with permission, from www.thesartorialist.com

Expert Advice: How to Buy and Care for Cashmere Sweaters

I’ll never forget the birthday sweater I bought myself three years ago.  It was the most perfect shade of blue and thick, soft cashmere.  The only problem was that after I wore it—once—it was covered with pills under the arms and back.  Into the return package it went.  And you can bet I never bought a sweater from that company again.

I hope this hasn’t happened to you, but I’m guessing it has, if you love cashmere.  

Cashmere is the fiber of the cashmere goat, and it’s been a luxury for centuries.  For most of that time, it was truly a luxury item.  A sweater could cost $200 in the days when $200 went farther than it does today. 

But the last fifteen years have seen an influx of dirt-cheap cashmere into world clothes markets.  More and more manufacturers are selling cashmere, some of it at very low prices.  

isn’t she cute?  Link, here. 

The good news is, cashmere is more accessible to many of use than  it used to be.  There’s just more of it around—it’s even showing up in thrift stores. 

The bad news is, unless we know what we’re buying, we can be very disappointed in a cashmere purchase. 

Here are some cashmere facts that can help us make good buying decisions (see my sources at the bottom of post).   

• Today, China has become the world’s largest producer of cashmere—in the past, France and Scotland were top producers.
• Quality varies according to length and width of fibers.  Width determines softness, while length determines strength.  Long, thin fibers are the best quality and will get softer over time. 

To Test Cashmere for Quality….

• Rub the surface with your fingers.  Low-quality cashmere will pill almost immediately. 
• Crush the fabric in your hand.  Fewer wrinkles equal better quality. 
• Gently pull the sweater.  Good quality springs back to its original shape. 
• Look for tags that say pure fibers or wool blends only.  Blends with synthetics can mean lower-quality cashmere was used.   

Pish Posh Pashmina

“Pashmina” is not a material separate from cashmere.  It’s a name used to mislead consumers into thinking they’re getting cashmere.  The word “pashmina” comes from the Persian for wool—Pashm.  A garment with a fiber label of “pashmina” in the U.S. is breaking federal regulations that require the exact content of cashmere be disclosed. 

A better use of the word pashmina is to refer to the scarf-like shawl.  Pashminas are super versatile items and I highly recommend having one….but don’t assume it’s made of cashmere. 

Care of Cashmere

Knit cashmere is best hand-washed.  Hand-washing is actually better for the fibers than dry-cleaning, and will result in a sweater that just gets softer over time. 

If you buy cashmere that pills up, try an inexpensive shaver or a sweater comb. 

The Bottom Line

A good-quality cashmere item can last a lifetime if you choose well.  Before you drop good money on cashmere garment, learn what you’re getting.  There’s nothing wrong with choosing a lower-priced, lower-quality garment as long as you know aren’t being misled into thinking it’s something different.  

From:  Cashmere and Camel Hair Manufacturers’ Institute FAQ’s and U.S. Better Business Bureau article on Federal Trade Commission Regulations on Cashmere Labeling.  Albany Times Union, Dec, 25, 2004; “Italy Faces Mounting Threats to Cashmere,” Women’s Wear Daily Dec. 6, 2005. 

sallymandy

 

Vintage Clothes Shopping in Paris: Freep’Star and Vintage by Ramin

This summer I had the good luck to visit the Marais District for several days—an area known for excellent second-hand and vintage clothes shopping in Paris. 

Below, I’ll tell you what I liked about places I visited, along with some strategies for vintage clothes shopping in this city. 

First, a word about language.  The French word “fripes” loosely translates as second-hand clothes that tend to be of similar quality to what you’d find in an American thrift shop. 

As in the U.S., the word “vintage” also seems to be used in France with some confusion.  Younger shoppers may use it the way we do in America, referring to clothes that are only twenty or even ten years old.  But my friend Yseult, who’s over 50 and a former Hermes’ employee, told me “vintage” usually implies nicer, older clothes with an actual pedigree. 

On my Marais shopping day, I basically wanted to go thrifting in Paris.  I was looking for fripes.  

At the shops I visited, trend-conscious buyers have curated mountains of  second-hand clothes looking for current style value.  The pieces cover a range of quality levels, and they may or may not be old enough to qualify as vintage in the U.S. 

Prices at these “friperies” are higher than your average thrift shop, but still accessible (dresses run from 5-15 euros--approx. $6-20). 

My destination:  Free’p’Star and Vintage by Ramin.  Both of these are on Rue St. Croix de la Bretonnerie—a tiny old street in the heart of the funky, historic Marais. 

And so, one afternoon while my travel mates went off to the Champs Elysees, this mouse went out to play…

Free’p’Star, 8 Rue St. Croix de la Bretonnerie.   

Free’p’Star is something of an establishment in Paris and has three boutiques in the 4th arrondissement.  You could visit them all in one afternoon, although I only went to one. 

KINDS OF INVENTORY:  Cut-off shorts, lots of scarves, leather jackets, military jackets, and a great rack of white cotton blouses.  Sale room in the basement—be careful on the teeny spiral staircase.  Did I mention all the scarves?  Prices:  Moderate.  Dresses regular prices are 10-15 euro ($13-20), with sale prices about 5 euro ($6). 

Free’p’Star also has frequently updated stock.  I went back a couple days after my first visit and found a lot of new things, all equally good. 

Vintage by Ramin, 17 Rue St. Croix de la Bretonnerie. 

This shop is newer than Free’p’Star and about the same size.  It’s catering to a similar market and prices are about the same.  Worth checking out.  

KINDS OF INVENTORY:  Along with the usual stuff, I liked the selection of lots and lots of shirts for men and women.  Quite a few 60s and 70s-era vintage dresses.  The 1-euro sale bin in the back was full of vintage (and I do mean vintage) Speedos on the day I visited. 

STRATEGIES for THRIFT and VINTAGE SHOPPING in PARIS: 

Avoid crowds.  Especially if you’re used to American shops, second-hand clothes shops in Paris are tiny and feel cramped with even half a dozen other customers.  Go early, late, or on a weekday.  

Plan ahead for trying on.  Recommend wearing a bodysuit or something else you can strip down to for trying things on—there’s not much private space for trying on.

Communicate. Know some basic French phrases.   Be courteous.  Although I’d bet a chocolate croissant you’ll hear American music, you’re on their turf.  The customer is not always right.      

Other second-hand and vintage clothing shops in Paris:  See this excellent list from Paul and Sophie.

Timeless Fashion Tips from Jane Birkin

I’m not too familiar with Jane Birkin’s music or acting careers.  And I know that in her younger years she was often photographed without any clothes at all. 
But I love her fashion sense of today. 
Here are some photos of her middle-age wardrobe.  They remind me of the clothes I saw on women of all ages on a recent trip to Paris: 
Ideas to borrow from Jane: 
Neutrals in quality fabrics…

Monochromatic classics with a subtle menswear vibe.

Comfort and playfulness…

And, finally, the best accessories:  A wide smile and a feeling that she doesn’t take herself too seriously. 

Love,
sallymandy
doing business as Chronologie Fine Vintage

The Golden Ratio and Vintage Clothing

 

Artists and mathematicians have been fascinated by the “golden ratio” for thousands of years.  The golden ratio occurs in nature, and is a mathematical formula used by artists, designers, architects, and fashion designers in creating beauty.  The golden ratio even has a role in vintage clothing. 

What is this magic number?  Technically it’s 1.1688.  But for artistic  uses it’s often simplified to this:  1:1.5, or a 2:3 ratio.

The Swiss architect Le Corbusier applied the golden ratio (as well as the related Fibonacci sequence) in his work.  He believe the golden ratio naturally appeals to the human eye, and that people, regardless of culture, are drawn to it whether they know it as mathematical formula or not.    

Corbusier’s idea is an intriguing one, and there’s a lot of evidence to support it.  Art and science both recognize that faces and figures considered “beautiful” throughout history have features that relate to each other in the golden ratio.  Leonardo da Vinci studied the golden ratio and depicted it in his famous Vitruvius Man (above).

Architecture, art, and design of all media also use a 2:3 ratio in many applications for good aesthetics.  Floral designers are even taught to place stems in a 2:3 ratio to the height of a vase. 

Vintage clothing fans will be interested to know that well-proportioned clothing has historically been based on the golden ratio. 

Here’s a picture from a 1926 high school home economics textbook, in a chapter about proportion in clothing construction.  The figure on the right captures it; the one on the left is off.  The two sections of the dress at right are generally in golden-ratio proportion, and the sleeve divides the girl’s arm into golden ratio sections. 

For more about the golden ratio, here’s a site you might like, and here’s one more.

Love,

Sallymandy

Unique Wedding Ideas: Everything Old is New Again - 5 Fun Tips for a Retro Wedding

Magazines and websites are bursting with the latest trends in wedding ideas and themes - and just trying to sift through them can be as overwhelming as actually planning an entire wedding! So take a deep breath, relax and consider this: some of the most unique wedding ideas can be found by looking back to fashions and trends of days gone by. If you're considering going the black-tie route, how about an Art Deco 1930s look? It was an era that is reminiscent of elegant Hollywood-style glamour, and you'd be surprised at how much you can accomplish on any budget, large or small. And for something completely different: what could be more fun than a wedding that evokes the spirit of the groovy 1960s, a time of "peace, love and understanding" - could there be a better theme to start off your married life? 

Whether you're going for funky or formal, here are some suggestions to help plan your idea of a retro wedding:

Polaroid Instant Photo Guest Books

Capture every moment of your wedding day with Polaroid instant pictures and hand-written sentiments from your guests! Polaroid instant photo guest books buck the digital trend and are all the rage among brides today.

Polaroid cameras and photos are definitely retro, and they're making a 'new age' come back because unlike digital or 35mm photos, the Polaroids develop instantly. When they're combined with notes from all your friends and family the instant photo guest book becomes a memento filled with memories that will last forever!

Hint: Put a couple of outgoing friends in charge of taking the photos and making sure that all your guests write something in your instant photo guest book. They can either circulate during the reception taking the pictures and getting the notes or you can set up a table for guests to visit. And be sure to have a back up camera and plenty of film for "do-overs"!

The Honor of Your Presence is Requested ... Retro Wedding Invitations

Set the tone you're trying to create from the start with wedding invitations that reveal the theme you've chosen for your wedding. Custom designs can be easily accomplished with just a few keyboard strokes! Display 1930s-era sophistication with heavy, cream-colored paper stock and deco-style type fonts which can be further accented with period clip art. For your 60s-style invitations, use paper stock in the pastel colors that were popular then - or go all-out and have tie dyed invitations! Think about including flowers in the design as well. These can be printed on the invitation itself - or how about adding some dried wildflowers inside the invitation envelope?

Hint: You can order custom-designed stamps from the Post Office that will reflect the mood you're trying to convey before your guests even open the invitation envelope! (Some suggested examples: New York's Deco Rockefeller Center or Empire State Building, vintage cars, a yellow happy face icon, even a Grateful Dead logo)
Dressing the Part ... Retro Bridal Ware

There's no need to wear a bandana or headband or go barefoot on your big day, but a lace dress (mini in length if you dare!) will evoke the hippie era nicely, as will a floral headpiece and bridesmaid dresses in pastels or bright floral prints. If you want an early 60s look, consider a cocktail dress or Jackie Kennedy-style sheath with a white pillbox hat and a netted veil. For a Deco glamour wedding idea, sleek and satiny 1930s-era dresses can be found in vintage dress shops or even at flea markets or thrift shops (there are vintage clothes and used clothing boutiques all over!) They can also be custom made using new or vintage fabric and old patterns - these are often reissued by pattern manufacturers or easily found on eBay.

Hint: When planning your retro wedding, eBay and other shopping websites are terrific resources for all sorts of period bridal ware, decorations and inspirational wedding ideas.

Flour Power ... Wedding Day Cup Cakes

Nothing says retro like a tasty, frosting-topped cupcake. You loved them as a kid, and now they're back in vogue as the height of food fashion. Delicious, colorful cupcakes can be served as the main wedding dessert attraction, substituted for the traditional wedding cake or in addition to a conventional wedding cake. Stack them like a skyscraper or arrange them in a circle to make a peace sign. Cupcakes can easily be decorated in day-glo icing colors for your 1960s look or with silvery accents for a Deco finish.

Hint: Make sure there are enough cupcakes so that your guests can take one home to enjoy later!

A Few of my Favor-ite Things ... Retro Wedding Favors

Since your wedding is the start of your own personal love-in, treat your guests to some retro style wedding favors like love beads or peace sign jewelry. Or how about putting together a custom-made CD of classic rock tunes? For the 1930s wedding theme idea, linen handkerchiefs for both men and women will add a nice vintage touch. Or DVD copies of your favorite old comedy movie are sure to delight your guests - and the cover can feature you and your groom in place of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn for a fun reminder of your own classic romance!

Hint: If you're making custom CDs as favors, take a picture with you and your husband-to-be in some vintage clothes to use as cover art to remember the day's unique wedding idea "old is new"!

Tips for Retro Kitchen Decorating

A retro kitchen is one of the most popular decorating ideas when it comes to kitchens these days. It implements the use of newer and vintage items. This means whether you're into the nostalgic 1930s or the cool 1960s, you can easily integrate retro styles into your kitchen. 

The first step to achieving this style is to select a color palette for your kitchen. The best would be to make use of mod colors like oranges, browns and blues. These colors are regarded as the "true retro colors". Then, get paint cards that can match your color scheme. Just carry these cards when you go shopping for accessories so you won't fall off the color matches.

Before buying kitchen decor and accessories, consider your kitchen windows and walls. Visualize how they may look with retro colors. You can also try window treatments to achieve that retro kitchen theme. What can be more suitable to these windows? Of course, vintage curtains! Another area to consider is lighting. This is where overhead and task lighting fixtures will become handy. Implement lighting that looks vintage with that funky appeal.

Choose drop lights that come in various colors and styles. These days, there are numerous lighting fixtures you can get for this theme, but make sure you choose them for practical reasons and not only for visual appeal. For retro kitchen decor, furniture and accessories, there are lots of stuff you can easily find to compliment this theme. You can try using pottery and dish towels. You can also have retro kitchen chairs as well as tables. Use the fun retro style by implementing chrome furniture or even modern styles coming from the 1960s. Make sure you choose your furniture and accessories wisely so you don't end up wasting money by buying new pieces all over again. Go for vintage pieces.

This is perhaps the best way to achieve that retro kitchen look. You don't need to shell out lots of money for these pieces. You can find good ones in garage sales, thrift shops and even on your attic. You can go as far as going to your relatives as well as friends and ask them if they have unused stuff you can look at. Once you find something suitable for your kitchen, ask them if you can buy it. Most relatives and friends will just give these things away. You can also hang artwork and atomic clocks throughout the room. You can also add some shelves where you can place cool vintage collectibles such as salt and pepper shakers. About flooring, you can just put retro style rugs or shags in orange, brown, avocado or aqua colors. It is in the final decorative touches that showcase how you've successfully achieved the retro kitchen theme. It is in this part where you can come up with unique ways to enhance the look of your kitchen.

Whether it's a mod donut phone from the 1970s or Dansk wooden accents, it's up to you and up to how creative you can become. However, never overdo your retro kitchen decor and accessories. Try to put a limit on the things you put and make way for the more important stuff inside the kitchen like cooking tools and the fridge among others. If you feel that you still haven't fully achieved that retro kitchen theme, there are many magazines, books and even online tips that can help you. Browsing and looking for retro room designs and replicating them on your kitchen can do wonders.

 

Zone retro school road

Omg i'm so retro

Flat Caps Headstart Hats Retro Classic Headwear for Ladies and Gents

The Saucony Jazz Original Sneakers

If you have an affinity for old school classic sneakers, then I am sure you can appreciate the Saucony Jazz Original. These sneakers have been around for a very long time and these shoes are still highly regarded as being cool. The older and younger generations both can appreciate this sneaker for what it has to offer. Last year saw an increase in the demand for the Jazz and this shoe is really seeing an increase in popularity. If you are looking to get in-depth and comprehensive information on this shoe, then it is a good idea to check this article out. We will provide a general overview of the shoe and what you can expect if you are thinking about getting a pair. If you want to know about some of the best retro sneakers, then the Saucony Jazz is really one of the best out there. This sneaker has been around for a very long time and the shoe is still popular today, as when it first made its debut. This sneaker has a lot going on for it. The shoe was originally created to be a running sneaker, but over time, people have worn it more as a casual shoe, simply because it is very comfortable and it also has a really nice look to it. The Saucony Jazz is known for three things, having a great look, being comfortable and also having excellent performance. This is one comfortable sneaker and this can be seen in the midsole of the shoe. The shoe has a footbed that provides extra comfort and also amazing shock absorption. For even more comfort, the tongue of the shoe is padded, as well as the collar. When it comes to stylish design, the Jazz features an upper that is crafted out of Nylon and Suede. These materials help to give the shoe the look that people have loved for ages. The outsole will also add to the performance of the sneaker. It is responsible for the great grip that the shoe has.

There are many different reasons for the popularity of the Saucony Jazz. One of the most important has got to be the style that the sneaker affords its wearer. These are some really fashionably and stylish sneakers and one thing that is certain, is that these shoes go well with so many different outfits. If you want sneakers that look good on the feet, then the Jazz are it. What makes these shoes so fashionable is that the design is pretty cool. It has a nice retro feel and it is really one of the better looking shoes on the market. Another thing that sets the sneaker style is that the color selection, it is really cool. All the color combinations work pretty well together and this is one of the sneakers major selling points.

Retro sneakers will always have their place in the world of shoes. These sneakers have style and performance that people absolutely love. One of the best retro shoes has got to be the Saucony Jazz. These sneakers are fashionable, comfortable and offer amazing performance. If you do not own a pair of these shoes, then you are really missing out. Go out and get yourself a pair today, you will not regret it at all.

Retro Hat Knitting

Military Indie Style Cadet Cap, check out The Headstart Hats range of cadet caps

Military Indie Style Cadet Cap, check out The Headstart Hats range of cadet caps