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Beyond Fashion Week: A Guide to Parisian Style

March 11, 2013 by

from Trey Ratcliff at www.stuckincustoms.com

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Paris Fashion Week may be over, but that doesn’t mean your love of Parisian style has to end. To help you get by until next year’s fashion week, check out the recently released book Paris Street Style: A Guide to Effortless Chic, where co-authors Isabella Thomas and Frédérique Veysset describe the key elements of Paris style:

Practical and Realistic – Paris style doesn’t focus on short-lived trends, but rather timeless classics like a camel color trench coat or black pencil pants paired with ballet flats and a cardigan.

Expresses Your True Self – Paris style doesn’t hide who you are like a costume, but rather embraces your inner you – hmm….or maybe your inner French girl?

Leverages an Accessory – Whether it’s a gorgeous scarf inherited from your favorite aunt, a killer pair of black sunglasses, or an authentic Louis Vuitton bag you purchased after months of saving – one perfect accessory is worth a thousand words.

Keeps it Au Naturale – Perfect hair, perfect nails, perfect makeup…..looking too “done” is never a good thing.

Everything in Moderation – A Parisian has no need (or space) for a walk-in closet full of clothes. Her style may include a handful of signature pieces – such as a velvet jacket or black chiffon dress –  from her favorite brands, complemented with several fashion staples, ie. neutral t-shirts and cam is, and a great pair of jeans.

Ciao!

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Fair Isle Memories

November 5, 2012 by

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Years ago when I traveled to Scotland, I stopped into a small, boutique clothing store, full of hand-made sweaters and other knitwear. The shop, with its hardwood floors and table displays, had the ultimate warm and cozy feeling – like Christmas morning in front of a fireplace. While browsing, I noticed that the items were not grouped by color or style, but rather by pattern. The shop owner explained that each pattern referenced something different in Scotland, whether it was Clan/family or a region you were from. With a modest Scottish background, I knew that leaving the store empty-handed was not an option. After searching through dozens of patterns (many of which looked like my old Catholic school uniform) I came upon a beautiful pattern known as Fair Isle.

Known for its distinct OXO pattern, the Fair Isle pattern of knitting is said to have originated on the island of Fair Isle, near the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. Traditional or true Fair Isle knitting is said to use two colors in each row, using an average of 4 colors; patterns are not repeated. — Exclusively Fair Isle

Intrigued by the story and enamored with the look and feel of the wool, I left with hats, scarves, and gloves for all of my family, most of which included the Fair Isle pattern. Many years later, I still love the Fair Isle – for the beautiful, Winter-inspired pattern itself, the romanticism of its Scottish origin….and that it always reminds me of Christmas.

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Black-Tie Optional

June 7, 2012 by

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Bonjour Everyone!

I am headed to beautiful Baltimore in just a few days where I will be attending a black-tie optional Gala (ooh la la!). I would love to report that the Gala event is in celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee, but alas, it is not. Nonetheless, it is a fancy fundraising affair, and you know what that means? Dress shopping! I honestly have not been shopping for formal attire in over a decade (think sorority formals followed by weddings). Because of this, everything I have in my closet that could be considered formal is either a) meant for a bridesmaid, or b) looks like it’s 10 years old!

Ironically, in doing some research for formal dresses, I came across a story about the Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee and how the Victoria and Albert Museum is featuring an exhibit dedicated to ballgowns from 1950 to today. What I wouldn’t give to see that exhibit! This is actually very similar to a V&A exhibit I saw years ago on British fashion through the ages – what a fantastic exhibit that I was very fortunate to see during one of its very last weeks on display.

Despite my pure excitement over the new exhibit, I became acutely aware that I….

  1. Would never be able to afford anything remotely as glamorous as the dresses they showed;
  2. Only had 4 shopping days to find my own fancy, schmancy ballgown; and
  3. Spend waaay too much time dreaming about life in other countries and not enough time visiting them.

Well, regarding point #3, stayed tuned – this Bistro Chic girl is headed out the country very soon!

Back to dress shopping.

Ciao!

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Decorating with French Toile

May 10, 2012 by

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I’ve written about French decorating and French country style in the past. However, one element I’ve neglected to mention was how much I adore toile – a trés classic French country design.

About French Toile

Most often scene on cloth or fabric, toile actually means cloth in French. Toile is short for Toile de Jouy, which comes from Jouy-en-Josas, the location in north central France where the toile pattern was first made in the 18th and 19th centuries. The toile pattern is characterized by a repeating pattern – most often country scenes, but can also be street scenes, churches, people, and more. Toile is traditionally made in a single color – most often green or red –  on a cream or white background; however, I’ve seen modern toile in a variety of colors including brown, burgundy, black, and blue.

Decorating with Toile

Although toile can bring an elegant and sophisticated look to any room, the repetitive pattern can be quite overwhelming en masse. In other words, with toile, less is more. I recommend using toile in accent pieces, including:

  • Throw pillows
  • Shams, sheets, or quilts
  • Pottery or decorative serving ware
  • Select draperies and valencies
  • One wall in a small or large room

By limiting the use of toile, it truly becomes the most eye-catching design or piece in the room. Discover more ways to decorate with toile by clicking here.

Ciao!

PS. Thank you to my cousin David for inspiring this post!

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Guide to a Travel Chic Wardrobe

October 17, 2011 by

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In just two days, I’ll be headed to Hawaii for a two-week business trip/anniversary trip. When packing for a trip, it’s just as important to consider what you will wear on the plane as is it to decide what to wear on the ground.

Like any aspiring chic French woman, comfort is key, but style can’t be forgotten, even when traveling. My business trips are usually limited to 3-4 hour jaunts around the US;  however, an 8-9 hour flight to Hawaii takes special consideration in regard to what to wear in transit. Not only do I need to consider being confined to my seat for an extended period of time, but I also need to address the temperature difference, leaving 40-degree Chicago weather and landing in 85-degree heat.

To address all of these factors – comfort, style, temperature, and flight length – I believe that wearing layers is a must, provided your under layers are just as cute as your outer ones. Let’s take a look at how to pair functionality and practicality with a bit of style:

3 Go-To Travel Chic Outfits

  1. Preppy Chic – Khaki pants, short or long-sleeve white button-down, with a lightweight v-neck navy sweater or waist-length cardigan. Throw on a strand of long pearls just for fun!
  2. High Street Fashionista – Your favorite or most comfortable jeans, crisp white t-shirt, a velvet blazer (a la Jcrew), paired with a scarf or long necklace.
  3. Celebrity in Disguise – Long, wide leg black yoga pants (I prefer Lucy) paired with a short-sleeve solid t-shirt with a long-sleeve black t-shirt on top. Add oversized sunglasses and a chunky scarf for the dramatic effect.
What’s your go-to travel outfit?
Ciao!

 

 

 

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