6 Ways to Look French Fantastic Right Now!

The choice of fashion type is very deliberate (for the French woman). Frenchwomen do not allow themselves simply to fall into fashion.  They select the image they want to project and dress for it.  And they tend to basically remain true to it for all occasions, for all time.   –Susan Sommers

The fabulous Frenchwomen continue to teach us this week, as we move on to another book French Chic: How to Dress like a Frenchwoman (this is an affiliate link) by seasoned fashion journalist, Susan Sommers.  This book was released in 1988, but remains a go-to style book for sage advice that withstands time.  Today, Sommers teaches high-level executives how to communicate power and strength with style and presence.

Today, I would like all of us to look at the textures of the fabrics to understand how we can begin to develop a unique, personal style by mixing fabric textures in an outfit.

Sommers writes, “A monochromatic color scheme is a French favorite and gets its punch from contrasts in the textures of fabrics – rough and smooth, shiny and matte, flat and raised- that are often all jumbled together.” As she stresses, there are no rules or order.  “This disorder creates a charming mix that looks spontaneous, whether or not it’s been carefully planned.”

It is all about experimentation, ladies.  Colors do not have to match exactly when you are mixing fabric textures.  “And the slight tonal differences that result from mixing textures tend to give the total look a richness that would otherwise be missing if all shades and fabrics were uniform,” Sommers writes.

The best way to begin is with garments currently hanging in the closet!  Just play and experiment.  For interesting summer looks, try these combinations:

1. Satin with denim
2. Gauze with linen
3. Cotton knit with cotton gabardine
4. Sweat shirting with cotton batiste
5. Cotton and ramie with silk
6. Organdy with damask

It is time to start looking at labels and understand the texture and feel of garments.  The most interesting outfits often combine a variety of textures.  Frenchwomen were not born with a fashion sense.  They learned it, and we can learn it as well.

French fashion designer, Michael Klein says in the book, “(French Chic) It’s a straight skirt, turtleneck sweater and pearls…something simple and stylish.  French Chic involves a sense of clothes, of movement. Fashion that doesn’t look it.”

So tell us, do you pay attention to the textures of fabrics when you dress?

Please leave a comment, and come for more next week in The Joy Boutique!

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week!  (By the way, you can pick this book up on Amazon at a very reasonable rate and affiliate proceeds help Midlife Boulevard!)