http://www.videojug.com/film/secrets-of-style-french-chic

I stumbled upon this video and had to watch it twice -- the first time, I was a little put-off. But by the second screening, I concluded that there was nothing in it I could really disagree with. And there were some interesting angles I hadn't thought of.

What do you think?

Some yes , some no , much like our own Madame in a way ........however her stringy hair was a major distraction , is stringy hair what passes for chic these days? cus if it is I am soooooo going to rock that look


and I love the whip crackin look


and and and , nother thing ,in order to get Liv Tyler's lips you have to have Steve Tyler for a sire , that is all.

I'd rather be my nondescript comfortable self, thank you. I'm sorry but that woman sounds like an idiot with no life other than worrying about what she looks like and how others see her. I started yawning within the first minute of the video.
Now where oh where did I put my Birkenstocks?

I have to admit that "eyeliner yes, eyeshadow yes, but eyeliner and eyeshadow together -- never!" gave me pause, but seeing as I don't wear either of them I'm willing to accept her argument. And she's so adorable and imperious, stamping her little indignant feet!

I think she can get away with that hair because she's young, but it made me realize that, at any age, naturalness has a definite appeal -- nothing about her is "done" and that's pretty much what she's advocating.

The suffering for beauty bit, though -- it's a bitter pill to swallow, but I think it's true at its heart.

Dang, and mine is all coarse and frizzy, no way I can do stringy.

Seriously, I had the same thought that she was less than chic herself, although her advice seemed reasonable. But to invoke our own dear Madame in the same sentence! Oh, nooooo! Madame is so far beyond this.

BTW, I bought faux fur coat today, Madame would NOT approve.

Of course, wouldn't we all rather be our nondescript comfortable selves? But then we wouldn't be chic, would we -- and that's the whole point of this lighthearted commentary. I don't think anyone meant it as a criticism, just explaining one approach to putting on your public face (and body).

So be a sport, and play along, just for fun!!!

You dint! if Madame were dead she would be known as twirlin' Dariaux up in heaven , thankfully she is NOT ON POL to see this revelation

Please, don't share my shame. But honest to god, the faux fur was cheaper than the bathrobe I had just tried on (very faux indeed) and there's that whole "baby it's cold outside" season that is approaching rapidly....

What's a poor girl to do?

I know, I know, poverty is no justification for a violation of Madame's standarts.

Since I'm on a roll: I don't find her style chic at all, I find it fussy, contrived and stuffy to death! Show me a fresh faced natural woman who doesn't obsess over her appearance and can hold a 2 way conversation intelligently, I'll tell you yes, that's chic. She's experienced and smart, she knows herself, way to go. But this empty head would have every woman walk around like time delayed cases of cervical subluxation and explode out of our clothes at bedtime.
It's not like most of us don't already know not to mix patterns and dunk our faces in a bucket of war paint each day.
I don't know much about French actresses but Brigit Bardot was hardly chic. She was the quintessential ditzy blonde.
I don't mean to ###### on the parade, but there is much to appreciate in French culture and tradition on which this self involved airhead casts a flat shadow.

Great website. I looked at several videos.

Actually, I just did a little research on her and she's far from an empty head -- she's well educated, apparently, has a couple of degrees. Anyway, I still think you've missed the intentional humor in which she cleverly inserted her grains of truth.

I thought the suggestion about not being afraid to wear dresses, for example, was a really good one.

LOL, she totally had me, it went miles over my head!



I agree with this. Even if I feel completely out of my element in one!

oh ,it was supposed to be teh funnay ? , dang , its failing me , I try Insolence* and I do not get the joke , now I see this vid and I totally missed the gag , life is grim when you lose your sense of ha ha - I have to go into a corner and pout now




* I honestly thought this was a Guerlain joke that the rest of us do not understand ,srsly

No, no! I don't think it was a gag overall -- I just think that the film noir-ish touches (the trenchcoat, the grainy black and white, the cigarette, the making her pronouncements while she was looking down, as if the truth that she had to impart might be too painful to receive) were all kind of funny touches. I think the suggestions were bona-fide, though.

Anyway, here's her resume:

http://www.productionbase.co.uk/view.php?uid=655573

and here are her points:

1. buy the basics, and buy them in black
2. don't be afraid to wear dresses
3. you must suffer a little for beauty (high heels, fitted clothing, underwear)
4. keep your makeup understated
5. embrace femininity (whatever that might mean to you)
6. get your mileage out of accessories, not clothes

But of course! And not only out of your element in a dress, but slightly uncomfortable in one, too!

But underneath all the drama is a very good point, one which she also makes.....if you want to be comfortable above all else, stay in bed in your pajamas and watch DVDs! Failing that, you owe it to yourself and to the viewing public to make a little effort.

I will stand by my first opinion that she had some good suggestion and some she can stuff , as is my stance with most things of this ilk , I thought the cig was lurverly and it filled me with desire, to have one as well.

I have to admit , sometimes you have to work with what nature gave you , and nature just did not build me for French chic but did give me the old "peasant who cleans up well" vibe coupled with Teh Frump style.





and to that all I have to say is , chance would be a fine thing !

But... that is not my idea of comfort, lol!
My comfort zone is as far deep in the woods as I can get. Where I can talk out loud and say the dumbest things because there's no one to hear me so I didn't say anything. In hiking boots, fleece and Gore Tex, nice and baggy, please.
That lady would swallow her rosary-like necklace if she saw me!

For example: Dresses, yes. Short dress with leggings? Um, not if you're over 25.

I hear you, and it's mine, too, really. In my next life I picture myself in old jeans, Wellingtons, and a baggy sweater, on my dairy sheep farm -- I'm not kidding.

But looking at your post, you and she are making the same point, as far as I can see -- strictly comfortable is what we wear when we are not expecting to meet up with any other human being. But there are times when we have to wear something else -- so what should it be?

I can't see, anything controversial in what she said, she just gave a few ideas, but the main thing is attitude- if you want to project your femininity be feminine. I'm surprised that she provoked any reaction, let alone negative. She doesn't say that you HAVE to be chic - she just gave her advice to those women who admire French chic.

http://photos.streamphoto.ru/7/4/8/c8c3cee...10ee495f847.jpg

http://photos.streamphoto.ru/8/4/d/cf0edf3...784686d9d48.jpg

http://photos.streamphoto.ru/4/5/8/ba26f3f...a4a366f7854.jpg

http://photos.streamphoto.ru/b/e/9/0da86a9...e68073bf9eb.jpg


Have a look at these photos, taken on the streets of Paris, there are more on that site, I just took some.

Yes, the leggings bit did give me pause... But for us over-25s, would a reasonable adjustment be black opaque tights with shorter dresses? Or dresses with knee-high boots?

I like to think that most people would take me as they find me.

if they can manage to find me at all;)


The very idea of jeans and wellies is comforting though , the sheep farm sounds ideal , but the sort of gal who keeps sheep and wears wellies is the sort who likes to put on the dog in tweeds, where do the chic or elegant ladies stand on tweeds?


In all seriousness , I do suffer when I dress up , to a point , do wear dresses ( prefer them to skirts ) and never wear shadow with liner , but and this is a big but , cannot even fathom that these aspects make me appear chic. This is why I am chortling like a loon at the moment.

I expect said other human beings to take me as I am, it's not like I expect them to dress down on my account. Do I want to look nicer, more polished, on some days? Sure. But I still have to be me. I couldn't enjoy any special occasion or focus on an important event if I felt I was wearing a costume.
I never could get the whole dress up game.

Also , for the sake of fair do's I have to agree with her on the black , love my black basics and embracing femininity , as long as it is understood that it means different things to different women.

I do draw the line at short skirts , not for all legs , trust me and I have issues with accessories vs scale , a short person could feel overwhelmed and almost like a Christmas tree if the accessories backfire ( speaking personally).

I don't think that when I'm wearing high heels, beautiful scarf and jewelery I'm less me. A beautiful woman is a joy for everyone around , and most of all to herself.

This is hilarious!

If your idea of beauty corresponds to that style and you are comfortable in it, sure. But it's not mine and I feel uncomfortable in it. So do a number of other women out there. So why try to shove us all in cookie cutter molds and tell us that is THE only way to look pretty, stylish or feminine?
Style should above all be about individuality, shouldn't it?

I heard about half of what she said.
I can't get past the hair. I have this thing about hair which looks dirty and stringy...and have a hard time taking fashion tips from anyone whose hair looks that way...even if that's a current hair style.
She might have said things that made perfect sense. I just kept seeing her hair and that's it.

Where did you I get the idea that I , ore someone else want to shove you in to the cookie cutter mold? As I said in the previous post to the one you are


quoting, that French woman gave some advice to to those women that admire French chic, If you are not one of them, why do you bother?
,


I gave links to some of the photos, made on the streets of Paris , the women look very comfortable, stylish and individual, none of them look like coming from a cookie cutter mold.

People are very catty here about how often you wear your clothes. It's not like you could keep wearing the same little black skirt and sweater with different scarves and necklaces and expect no one to notice that you're wearing the same clothes every day. I think that is one problem between French and American style. With the French, it's expected you'll look good every day; with Americans, it's expected you'll have on something new every day. If not new, at least laundered between washings.

Short skirts with leggings makes the Fug Sisters' eyes cross and steam come out their ears. No no no no.

Who on earth is afraid of a dress? Dresses are cool. Without leggings, please!

Although I saw Maggie Gyllenhall (sp?) on The View, and she was wearing this little off-white dress that looking like a pinafore -- with black tights and high heeled brown boots, and some kind of a wrap or jacket -- and she looked amazing.

I have a couple of faux wrap dresses in jersey knit that I love for work.

Smelka, I love the photo of the woman dressed in beige, with the white purse.

I'm going to print that out. That's how I want to look.

Thanks Magdaene, I love that look as well.

Good heavens. It's not YOU, whom I think want to shove women in a cookie cutter mold, but the woman in the video. I'm sorry if I was unclear about that. And I am not one of them but I bother because the last time I checked, agreeing with an opinion on a topic was not a prerequisite for participation, was it?
About your last sentence, I understand that there is comfort in the sheep mentality.

She lost all credibility with me when she neglected to mention the importance of scent in the total ensemble.

I took this entirely as a send-up as far as subject matter and delivery. It seemed to me to be very tongue in cheek.

I think it was meant more as an exercise in film production... hence camera angles, lighting, editing. Which is what she does. Something for her portfolio, to show one example of film production. She's just starting out.

I found it very amusing and did not take it at all seriously. Rather charming, in fact.

ITA! My daughter and I got a kick out of watching it...

I thought she made some good points, but I don't agree with everything. Many American women also prefer black separates (pants, skirts, dresses) for their slimming effects, that's no news, but it's still good advice. I have found that with different separates that are well made, accessories and a different top, shoes, scarf, belts, jewelry, it can really look like several outfits. I don't know if people necessarily expect you to wear a different set of clothes every day of the week, but you can't wear the same identical outfit. You can get away with wearing the same skirt or same pants twice in a week (not days in a row) if you change things up. If you get things drycleaned, hopefully you can wear your clothes a few times without laundering them or cleaning them again, and it's sound advice as well if the clothes stay clean and not wrinkled, because they will last longer that way. This is especially a handy concept when you travel.
I don't know about the long beaded or pearl necklace wrapped - that's not a look for everyone. If you have a long torso and a long neck, the long and short strands will only accentuate that long line. Also if you have a sagging or thicker neck, the choker strand may not be the best idea. But yes, I agree that pearls or tasteful beads are a classic - you just need a length that suits you.
As far as "beauty is pain" - also nothing new, but I think there are acceptable levels of discomfort in clothes and shoes, and then there is the ridiculous. If you can't even walk a block in your shoes, or sit properly in your clothes, I don't care how good you might look standing up or standing still, the pigeon-toed walk isn't attractive and at that point of pain, any boost to your posture will have been lost to the world with your newly acquired shuffle. Your splitting seams or sucked in stomach or the rolls of flesh that too tight clothes can create (muffin top anyone?) won't be attractive in clothes that are too small. Clothes that fit well look better than clothes that you squeeze yourself into.
Dresses: that's a tough one for me. I love dresses but I am larger on the top (busted) than what I wear on the bottom now, so many dresses do not fit me correctly. Also, many wrap dresses tend to have such plunging necklines, also not great for the large busted; even though I love the wrap dress concept. I usually have to wear a tank or something under them. I still prefer to wear skirts over dresses in most cases.
I have to disagree with her about eyeliner but not eyeliner and eyeshadow. Ridiculous. I personally think eyeshadow without eyeliner, and mascara, on most people, looks washed out and not the best. I understand if she is saying don't look overly made up in most cases, a day look is usually universally flattering. But I think there are times, such as going out, an evening makeup look is quite stunning. And, I'm a makeup junkie so I have to generally disagree with this "less is more" theory. It takes makeup and a lot of skill to look natural, fresh, pretty but not overly madeup and still present yourself to the world. And I'll never have Liv Tyler lips unless I get some surgical help.

Don't hurt your back milking those sheep!

That is exactly how I felt, Catie Ribbons. I can't watch the video - the woman needs to bathe first, then I will listen.

I just follow my own rhythm when it comes to style. As a young-ish woman who has painfully deformed toes from arthritis, I must wear flat wide shoes (i.e. Birks). Once you put a flat wide Birk on your foot - it does change your wardrobe choices. And then - I have alopecia - so I have no eyelashes - even when I wear false eyelashes, I must must must shape my eyes with colour (i.e. shadow) and liner. I have nothing - without make-up, I'd be invisible.

I thought this video was funny because the woman speaking looked so out of touch herself - wash your hair lady!

I do get over-sensitive when someone starts pointing out styles dos and don'ts. I think it's because my alopecia has robbed me of my "normal" hair and looks so to cope, I really have to follow my own way with my wigs, scarves and make-up and I find I get offended at the slightest discussion of what a woman should look like.

Aw, Elizabeth, I can relate to much of what you posted.
Because of recurrent Bell's Palsy I have permanent paralysis on the left side of my face (that and rosacea can make makeup application quite tricky!) and because of other health issues I have some physical problems (feet and legs included) and I've lost a good bit of the hair on my head. I wear what hair is still up there VERY short, and I try my hardest to work with what I have.
I highlight my uber-short hair and shoot for saucy, smooth, and even sexy looks (yep, short hair CAN be sexy) and I'm one of those people who others often think can't wear short hair.
Some days I wake up feeling a little prickly about the pallet with which I have to work...and sometimes I get bugged by reading and hearing a lot of rules which are supposed to make me feel like more of a woman.
It's not so much rules about trends which bug me...but the ones which can make a woman feel bad if she doesn't have long flowing locks...and can't wear shoes with ice-ick heels and roach killer toes (wouldn't wear 'em, even if I could!) -- the so-called rules which dictate "femininity".

I'm just betting you look ALL woman and have a killer sense of style...and I'm betting you could give us a few tips!

Exactly. That's precisely what I meant when I said that lady was trying to stick all women in a cookie cutter mold. She paints us all with the same brush, telling us wear this, wear that, without taking individual differences into account.
What looks right on her could look ridiculous on me and vice versa.
As for the clothes in a size too small, sorry but that is laughable. If my choice is too small or too big, I'll take big. Or I'll choose an outfit that comes in my size, lol.

ITA, magdalene. Good summary. I don't think there's anyone who would seriously suggest all women should wear the same dress, jewelry, hair style, makeup, etc., regardless. But I still stick by my perfume comment!

Now really, what do you think she would have said? Something like this:

[fixing camera with a baleful stare] And now I am going to tell you about perfume.

[camera angle shifts to a profile shot] To be chic, you must always wear perfume....

[camera shifts again] ...but not too much. Do not try to hard. I'm telling you. But...

[camera appears to be panning ceiling, then lowers and locks in on the left half of her face]...there must be suffering. If others suffer from your sillage...

[shifts in chair as camera pulls back]... tell them to get over it! Really!

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!

(Has no one told this woman about the wonders of foundation? Her skin tone needs a bit of evening out before I let her tell me how to dress.)

LOL. Yes, the camera work was just cutting edge, no? hee hee Well, I don't disagree with her talking points in principle, but I expected something with more bang for my buck than "wear beads - they will accentuate your collarbone". Oh, and wearing things 1/2 size too small....doesn't that usually make us look like we are packed into a sausage casing?

Good times.

Have you checked out the other videos on that site? Some of them are hilarious.

Comedy gold ...http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-the-cabbage-patch

The love and sex tips are a hoot if you are inclined.

Excellent, mags! I think that's exactly what she would have said! As well, I could possibly come around to the idea of fashion suffering if it's on the part of others--not me!

I found her very typical in the looks department of young Parisian women. You see alot with that sort of hair there. I had to agree with her about "being scared to wear dresses" for I am. When older - dresses can make us look like mobile sofa's ! So difficult to find a good cut and pattern or colour. I guess that is why I love black - its easy and slimming.
I did not go with the leggings with them - infact alot of her advice was for young women. I have suffered for "Fashion" but thats not going to happen again. The 70's was a REAL" suffering for Fashion" period let me tell you! My feet remind me everyday! Ooooh those high heeled platforms!
What did get me hypnotised watching the video was that bottle of mineral water! I just wanted to MOVE it! and she was drinking coffee! LOL
I will never have the Livvy lips for I have "irish lips" - see, I learn alot on POL !!!!!

To which she would add:

[exasperated sigh]
[dramatic eye-roll]

And please...please, please, please...if you insist on being a b*a*l*l breaking b*itch.....wear Chanel No. 19".


I thought that she was adorable. Yes, her skin is not perfect, and her hair is a little wispy and stringy, but I attribute that to her youth. And I don't think that she was trying to tell us all to wear the same dress, the same makeup, the same beads. She was just saying not to be afraid of going outside our comfort zone -- wear a dress if you usually wear pants, if you are putting on three different kinds of eyemakeup every day, try a little less, and the beads were just an example of the general admonition to buy basic clothes and then make them your own with accessories.

I didn't take this as a joke or a spoof, either, just a kind of cute, charming and humorous way of imparting pretty standard advice. The only thing I really disagree with is wearing clothes a half-size too small -- and she did say a half-size, not a size. But that's a reaction to a lot of women (and we American women are particularly guilty of this) wearing clothing that is actually too big for them.

Finally, "you must suffer to be pretty" isn't meant to be taken literally -- it's an aphorism that by definition gets at the truth of something which is, usually, the things that we are most comfortable wearing are not the things that are the most flattering on us.

So lately, inspired by a friend, I had been making an effort to wear more skirts and dresses. Usually, I'm completely devoted to pants (even though I can never find a pair I think doesn't make my a** look fat!). And I have to say that it's been eye opening, because when you wear a dress, you have to wear decent shoes, and then since you're already more "dressed up" than usual, why not take a little more care with jewelry, makeup, etc. And the reaction has been noticeable, both from men and women.