The Boot

Ahh the boot. Since fall is on its way, I thought this would be a good topic. The French love their boots. In fact, I think it's a European fashion staple, because I found that women in London, Dublin, Rome, and Barcelona all embraced the boot. I vaguely knew this before I went to France last winter, and ordered a pair of brown, suede, pointed-toe, stretch boots from Victoria's Secret. I thought I was so chic, but I was actually so wrong. The French wear a distinct kind of boot, one that is more practical than anything else. It has a thicker wooden heel, usually leather or suede, and resembles a cowgirl boot, sans the "western." I could make a narrow assessment and say that it's more popular than the stiletto because it doesn't get caught in the picturesque cobblestone streets, but I can't be held accountable for such a theory. All I know is that the boots I bought in France were much more comfortable than the pointy ones they had replaced. And when I got home to America I immediately bought a pair of uncomfortable, stretch stiletto boots. What can I say?

Skinny Jeans

It goes without saying that skinny jeans are a French fashion must. They are widespread in America too, so you can find them at almost any clothing store. Sport them with flats and a long striped cardigan or converses and layered tees. Ray Ban sunglasses are also encouraged.

The Converse Sneaker

Before I went to France, my idea of one who sported the converse, was a tight jean wearing, lover of Dashboard Confessional, side-bang kind of guy/girl. But when I got there, I noticed that EVERYONE owned a pair of converses. Young or old, male or female, they all wore them. This basic footed essential really broadened my style horizon. I never thought that you could dress up a sneaker that was originally meant for the sport of basketball. But leave it to the French to borrow a mundane American trend and create something fashionable.
I will admit that my first attempt at Chuck Taylors was a bust. I tried pairing them with black leggings and a long plaid shirt and people asked if I was Avril Lavigne. After this failure I asked my French sister, Tiphaine, what she wore with her sneakers, and she told me the answer always began with skinny jeans. (I was so naive).
So a classic outfit would be converses with skinny jeans, a V-neck white tee, leather jacket, and decorative scarf. How different from the emo-kid. (I'm not a hater, Living in Your Letters is on my top 25 most played itunes).

What makes the French so fashionable? Do they have an inherent sense of style that allows them to pick the perfect outfit? Are they taught at an early age Stacey and Clinton's fashion faux pas of what not to wear? Or is it just part of a broader cultural picture that the French are more inclined to "dress-up" than we are?
I asked myself these questions often during my stay in Grenoble, France last semester. At first I was intimidated by these seemingly flawless wardrobes that flashed by me on campus day-in and day-out. But after two months I decided to embrace everything I could about everyday French style: the heeled boots, colorful tights with mini-skirts, leather jackets, and of course scarves.
I won't claim to be an expert on francophone attire. In fact, I know nothing about high fashion French dress. But what I will try to do is relay the trends that I picked up in France and post them as an easy to follow guide for your everyday wardrobe. I may not have learned the language as well as I wanted, but I did gain an appreciation for style that wasn't there before.
So hopefully I can persuade you to throw out that pair of Victoria's Secret "PINK" sweatpants and UGGS, or at least convince you never to wear them to class again. Because, lesson one, the French never wear labels on their derrière.