Ah the French. For some of us, France is a siren call; wooing us with dreams of champagne, macarons, brie and that certain je ne sais quoi that defies all understanding vis-à-vis fashion.
I am somewhat bored by the plethora of books that would teach the rest of the world how to be more French; the french woman is a product of her culture just as surely as is the American, Canadian, Italian, British, Scottish (insert own country here please and thank you) woman is a product of hers.
But that said, there is something delightful about France and its lifestyle and beauty. Others hear her siren call as well. Why just yesterday, that little scamp Kiera Knightly went and got herself wed in France, near her country home there. Two things bothered me about the wedding: 1) why don't I have a country home in France? and 2) how could any bride be any cuter or carefree than our Kiera?
Fresh off boring me in Anna Karenina, Kiera does not bore in real life! Look at this little dress and funky ray-bans?
And the quintessential southern France town hall where they married...
Well I was with the French on Saturday night, though they were French Canadians (and enterntaining with the same aplomb here in Canada as their European french cousins!). So this morning I got up, feeling slightly worse for wear after the champers, wine and brandy. But I thought I would don my own little homage to France this morning. So out came my little cotton MEXX dress, purchased last summer in advance of my trip to France (but sadly not taken as it takes up a bit of room in a suitcase):
Not my typical colour story, this dress is wearable by me if I pair it with navy, so that there is a flattering colour up by my face. The skirt is fuller than my typical skirt choices, but has pockets and it is quite comfy. On my feet: espadrilles purchased at a supermarket in France that I often wear as a summer slipper around the house. A close-up below:
And as is the case of all things, when a colour story is somewhat drab (okay - qualifier - drab for ME), i just put on the old red lipstick:
It was a glorious day here, but the garden is also kind of drab. Thank goodness for the Magnolias, which are serving as a bright stripe of yellow or lipstick red in an otherwise brown world...
The primroses are very helpful, too...
and the Sorrel and the Lovage in the potager!
So I will continue to love France, though I will be a wee Canadian woman. Our friend Dani BP has a lovely post here that is what a lot of women in Canada wear in the summer when out canoeing or at the camp or cottage. You gotta cover up - not just that it can get cool in the evening, but frankly, the mosquitoes will carry you off, a problem they do not have in France.
How about you, what did you think of Keira's wedding attire and do you ever rock your own inner french woman?
Have a great Monday and Stay Safe out there!
I am somewhat bored by the plethora of books that would teach the rest of the world how to be more French; the french woman is a product of her culture just as surely as is the American, Canadian, Italian, British, Scottish (insert own country here please and thank you) woman is a product of hers.
But that said, there is something delightful about France and its lifestyle and beauty. Others hear her siren call as well. Why just yesterday, that little scamp Kiera Knightly went and got herself wed in France, near her country home there. Two things bothered me about the wedding: 1) why don't I have a country home in France? and 2) how could any bride be any cuter or carefree than our Kiera?
Fresh off boring me in Anna Karenina, Kiera does not bore in real life! Look at this little dress and funky ray-bans?
And the quintessential southern France town hall where they married...
Well I was with the French on Saturday night, though they were French Canadians (and enterntaining with the same aplomb here in Canada as their European french cousins!). So this morning I got up, feeling slightly worse for wear after the champers, wine and brandy. But I thought I would don my own little homage to France this morning. So out came my little cotton MEXX dress, purchased last summer in advance of my trip to France (but sadly not taken as it takes up a bit of room in a suitcase):
Not my typical colour story, this dress is wearable by me if I pair it with navy, so that there is a flattering colour up by my face. The skirt is fuller than my typical skirt choices, but has pockets and it is quite comfy. On my feet: espadrilles purchased at a supermarket in France that I often wear as a summer slipper around the house. A close-up below:
And as is the case of all things, when a colour story is somewhat drab (okay - qualifier - drab for ME), i just put on the old red lipstick:
It was a glorious day here, but the garden is also kind of drab. Thank goodness for the Magnolias, which are serving as a bright stripe of yellow or lipstick red in an otherwise brown world...
and the Sorrel and the Lovage in the potager!
So I will continue to love France, though I will be a wee Canadian woman. Our friend Dani BP has a lovely post here that is what a lot of women in Canada wear in the summer when out canoeing or at the camp or cottage. You gotta cover up - not just that it can get cool in the evening, but frankly, the mosquitoes will carry you off, a problem they do not have in France.
How about you, what did you think of Keira's wedding attire and do you ever rock your own inner french woman?
Have a great Monday and Stay Safe out there!
Oh ze French zay are so chic!
ReplyDeleteI love your yellow stripes, Wendy, gorgeous!
I lived in France in the 80s and spent a lot of time going back and forth for almost 5 years due to a boyfriend....
I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with France as a result. Love itin many ways, but despised living and working there. Despite speaking almost fluent French when I lived there, I encountered so much anti-English nastiness that it almost put me off ever going back... However, things have changed and I loved it last time I was there. It seems that a lot of the rather xenophobic insularity has gone now. Not sure about things in the UK, though....!!
Funny - both times I was in France I kept anticipating French attitude, but found everyone friendly and helpful. I speak French, though not fabulously, and they were no critical and seemed genuinely appreciative of my attempts and enthusiasm for their country. Of course, typical me, I was chatting people up everywhere and would try and engage every waiter and every shop person. I definitely plan to live for an extended period in France at some point in my life - maybe 3 or 4 months, but until then, am happy to dream of it. Having said that, the books do get to me (though I still buy a lot of them, more fool me!
Deleteruth, think it is true, good thing, that places change over time, as does our outlook. France is a toughie because there's the opportunity to build up this almost impossible mental picture, thanks to movies, fashion, landmarks/ art/ architecture, history, books including novels and cookbooks. I also think it's very different to holiday in a place than it is to live there. Glad your latest visit a good one!
Deletethe older I get, the more I appreciate the French desire to solve problems for me and rescue me with grace and politesse when I've gotten into a pickle. There is something about dealing with tourists, though. Living in New York I can appreciate how annoying it is to rush out on a limited lunchtime to pick up a present and fail because all 3 salespeople at Saks were occupied with the WAGs of oligarchs. Brits have stopped me in the street outside subway stations to harangue me about the defects of our transportation system (yes, my fault that you didn't get directions before you got on the train, men are universal but manners are not). And US visitors from States That Have Many Vowels But No Doors come to a screeching halt, en masse, at the entries to buildings, blocking everyone else's in-and-out while they debate if they're going in or not. Certain people are mean to everyone, grouchy waiters, cabbies, sales help...
DeleteI think a lot of what is perceived as nastiness to tourists, whether in Paris, Marseilles or New York, is attributable to the fact that you may be on vacation, but I live here and I live on a crammed timetable to get groceries, pick up family, get in and out of office/business appointments, get to the movie before it starts... Of course I will not be ravished with joy when some guy in plaid shorts comes up to me and barks "Where Bergdorf!"
But I go out of my way to rescue folks who are lost because they're holding a map upside down, who don't get our stupid Metrocard system, who need a place to take the children NOW... And I love it when people show their love for my town. Just as you'd love it if I came to your town, left the plaid shorts home but brought my manners, and stopped you in the street to tell you "I love it here."
Fred - excellent points! And you would love it here! New Yorkers are a joy, IMO - they are a lot of fun and always very kind!
DeleteRegarding showing love for the town you're visiting - I notice this with languages too. I already knew that if you try to speak a few sentences in the language of where you're visiting, people will usually be delighted (well, except the French...), but what I've noticed since living abroad is how much it tickles me when people take an interest in English.
DeleteMost people I meet speak some English, so that doesn't have much effect on me, but when people get excited about English, try to make puns, etc., I'm surprised by how pleased I feel - makes my experiences in other countries make more sense.
Mille mercis, WMM!
Delete@Fred - I LOVE New Yorkers, I have never encountered a rude one! I get that New Yorkers don't have time to piss around with mamby-pamby people and they are direct (I am the same way). Not rude, just firm & direct.
DeleteAnd I can't stand people who do not know how to walk properly on the sidewalk!! Walk single file, not Hands-Across-America style!!
I think that France in the late 80s when I worked there was a very different place to what it is now (as are many places).
DeleteWorking there was a nightmare. Trying to find somewhere to live was a nightmare. It took me ages to find an agency who would help me to rent a flat - and when I did find one I wanted, the landlady refused to rent to 'une fille Anglaise'!!
Happily, I found a flat eventually and made some good friends, but my time living and working in France wasn't easy.
However, it really is different now, I think. Obviously I don't live there anymore so it's hard to really know what it's like, but I think there has been a bit of a relaxation and internationalisation, at least in Paris and Marseille.
Wendy, that dress! It is SO my style, and I love the full skirt silhouette on you! And your makeup is looking wonderful, maybe I should meet with Mr. Nars! Don't have any thoughts on France, but that dress. Just gorgeous. I may have to borrow it!
ReplyDeleteit is your style, isn't it? More yours than mine! Actually, I ordered a couple of more NARS things when I put in the order for the st. tropez self-tanner that xoxo has recommended. I think the lipstick in the picture above is too-faced, but the rest is NARS!
DeleteI like low-key weddings, so much more meaningful and fun. I've always loved Kiera's style. I thought everything was adorable: the dress, the hairstyle, the shoes (ballet flats)! Your outfit today definitely channels the same carefree and joyful vibe. Me loveth. Please don't tell me you will just be walking the dog, I feel in need of style intervention. French is a culture like no other and my daily homage is my red lipstick every day.
ReplyDeleteHi Marie - I wore this yesterday and all I did was walk the dog and run to the grocery store for vegan cheese for son. But I am pushing myself to wear my clothes - the season is so short here and you gotta make hay when the sun shines!
DeleteBIEN DANS SA PEAU Well, I share your mini-crush on M/M Righton and a sojourn in Provence. But I also ascribe a fair bit to the mentality that most places are what you and the weather make them. France is spoiled for choice. But I also think it's a bit of a North American thing to marvel at the historic, patinaed and charming because most of over here is so new and raw (relatively speaking.) I find Brits, Spaniards etc. tend to take Paris, SoFa etc. with much less "fuss". Sure there's a bit of that historic and EU competitive streak, but also because it's a casual weekend away for them, same way we would head off to Boston, NYC, Long Island or Martha's Vineyard.
ReplyDeleteMagnolias, lovely.
GetFresh - you are right - every corner is well-worn and that makes it so much more interesting to us, where old is defined as 400 years old and there isn't a whole lot of that! As a person who spends her whole life trying to make things look more mature than they are, I can relate!
DeleteDon't have much of sweet tooth, but admit there's not much to replace the profiterole, croissant and genuine baguette in my lexicon of baked perfection. Not to mention champers...
Deleteand the prices of the wine.. and the fact that the french who make their own wine actually know what they are doing versus some of what folks do around here...
DeleteOh the DIY wine stores over here make me wonder. In not a good way.
DeleteI know! I am not a snob, but I guess I am a snob about that - have never had a good glass from those...
DeleteWMM, if France had liquor store mark-up we do, they would riot a la Bastille. Always an eye-opener, even when crossing border south.
DeleteFunny you should say that - at the winery we visited last summer, when we shared the markup on wine, the guide said "but what can the poor people drink?" in a very genuine, horrified way!
DeleteLove this post! You look great and so does Kiera! I love that you find the colours of that dress drab :)
ReplyDeleteWill be back later to ponder the French. On a strict schedule today to facilitate going on holiday later in the week :)
Abby - I KNOW - only i would find that a drab dress....
DeleteI'm back. Okay, I think I actually have too many thoughts on this topic!
DeleteAs a lifelong Francophile currently more immersed in French culture than ever before, I find myself both more and less enamoured of it!
I think all of the "be more French" is a bit of nonsense, but I'll also cop to reading some of those books. There is a certain set of attitudes about "being" in French culture that I truly think is wonderful. Then there are other things, attitudes, beliefs, and norms, that I could do without.
I don't want to be more French anymore, I think I used to. Living over here, I've embraced my ordinary North American-ness a lot more. But I still want to adopt some of those attitudes & I think I have over time. And through the friendships that I have made here, I'm getting to see more of what all that means in day to day life, and I really value it.
ReplyDeleteJ'adore your homage to France. So spring-y and flattering. Your flowers astonish me.
I wish there were more flowers to astonish you! soon, soon..
DeleteThanks for the link Wendy, I enjoyed reading that post too! MrBP and Old rascal were up north in that very canoe this weekend, in fact Old Rascal fixed the seats, he did a 2 week apprenticeship as a teenager with that red-painted cedar canoe builder, part of his Algonquin camp summers at Pathfinder.
ReplyDeleteAs you know I love the French and find them super friendly yet with standards! So much they wouldn't ever tolerate, like the price of wine here true point!
Loved the young married couple, first of all is it me or do they look SO young? Her outfit was truly dreamy and seemed very "her". And YOUR outfit, that dress is perfection, love the belt under the cardigan, I thought the whole thing looked wonderful on you. That's a perfect summer look.
Thanks Dani - what a story about old rascal apprenticing with a canoe builder! Neat!! I found the Kiera and Mr. Righton looked very young. She also looks very flat - almost like she has her breasts bound, but I think she likes that look, so good on her I think!
DeleteWell, as you know I lived in Paris for almost 8 years and didn't like it while living there, but now I am nostalgic. Most importantly while living there I always thought that the French women were very un-elegant compared to the Italian women so I am always baffled at the French chic thing, I really do not get it, I think it is mostly a projection of fashion gotham on the avarage French woman. Going to work by subway was pretty depressing and nobody dresses up EVER. Bah!
ReplyDeleteSorry to be
Hit button too fast ...
DeleteSorry to seem un-Frenchie, it doesn't mean I don't love France and the French culture, in fact I miss it. It is only the French women are all chic that I don't agree with! Of course Ines de la Fressange or Vanessa Paradis are chic but except for the young hipsters that rock the rock chic look I don't think the majority is. No offense to the French readers!
Ema - let's write a book about Italian women's style!!! I did think that except for the Champs de elysee, I was more dressy than most of the women I ran across and especially in down south. But I do try and make an effort anyway, so that wasn't entirely a surprise to me and the casual-creep of modern dressing is everywhere I guess. I know your love of all things french, including the men!
DeleteEma, I agree with you. I think Italian (and Spanish) style is really under-rated abroad. Since living here, as far as visiting cities goes, we've mostly gone to Milan, and to Paris a couple of times, and my husband always says that he finds the Italians much more stylish.
DeleteThe French do have that certain confidence that is alluring, but the Italians aren't lacking in that either. I honestly think some of it is classism and/or racism - N. Americans have biases against the Italians and Spanish that they don't against the French (even though there are plenty of Americans who hate the French in an inexplicably intense way). Plus, people don't realize that Italian-American culture is very different than Italian culture, and they get those two things muddled up. Ah, I have a lot to say about this.
And regarding being nostalgic - I can relate. I miss places I never thought I'd miss. Now I ask myself, what will I miss when I leave here, to try to enjoy those things more.
I like the idea of being present wherever you are; I often think back on my time in British COlumbia with a lot of affection, even though at the time we didn't really want to live there. It was so beautiful!
DeleteHow much is the markup on wine?
ReplyDeleteI don't have the ideal of the French in my head, I guess. Too much of a strapping Scand-Amer. I love to walk in Paris and eat in Paris, especially. I went with a French school class years ago with my daughter and was dismayed that our guide made fun of French Canadian French our teacher spoke. I would LOVE to take Patricia Wells' cooking class in Provence-- this would be perfect.
Hi Lane, in Ontario our wine is marked up by 100%. In British Columbia it is 123% for wine, 175% for spirits. I think NB is somewhere in between those two. Our provincial liquor boards fix all retail prices. In a couple of provinces, like Alberta, there is a privatized system. And in Quebec you can buy beer and some wine in convenience stores. But vast majority of Canada we have no option but the government liquor store system. I get that those premiums pay a lot of health care and education, but there are also a number of issues around the monopoly.
DeleteHI Lane and GF - in New Brunswick now, we have a lot of convenience stores carrying wine - there is a huge brouhaha in our neighbourhood about which store was going to be awarded the ability to sell it. We paid 15 euros for a fine wine in France that at home I know sells for around $70 dollars. 5 euros gets you something you can drink and enjoy there. Ah the french... Lane - I would love to do that course, too!
DeleteYes that is quite a markup!
DeleteKiera's groom looks like Kevin Bacon circa Footloose. Kiera looks beautiful and I love what she is wearing. She doesn't look particularly young here, though (how old is she anyway?)(and like I should talk!). She doesn't look particularly joyous or happy, but it's just one picture, and it was probably paparazzi taking it so maybe that explains the look on her face. But they look great together and their outfits fit right in with their surroundings. France doesn't call to me, although I'm sure I'd love it if I spent more time there. I did like the bit I saw when I was there (a sliver of Paris and Champagne region). I still remember an incident when I was at a park and needed to find a phone to make an international call. A young mom offered to help me and she walked with me and her kids all the way to the building with the phone. I thought that was very kind and it influenced my opinion of the French.
ReplyDeleteThe striped dress looks great on you and seems on trend right now (thinking of J. Crew's striped dress in this style, the one that is very short). I have a hard time with both yellow and tan shades on me too, but the navy makes it work. This outfit would look good with J Crew's Maribeth espadrilles (Flax or Navy colors), if you want a bit of heel height.
Thanks Cate! Your experience in France remind me of mine in a small town in Belgium where a lovely young family took pity on us and gave us good directions and advised how to order as the owners spoke neither english or french!
DeleteHello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteSo I will comment here as the French Lady I am... I have left France almost 17 years ago for many, many good reasons... One of the main reason is that I think you can't have a good life while working in France. I will try to not make my comment too long as discussing about France, you can all imagine is close to my heart :-)
Yes French ladies might have a sense of style (but really I think that many ladies around the world does have one!), but I think that generally speaking people take themselves way too serious and that include in fashion... I think that nowadays, people take things way too casual as I have seen men attending weddings wearing a pair of jeans! I also think French tend to forget that they live on a planet where more than 6 billions other people are also living... Of course it is not all of them... There are many lovely French people living in France...
I love your dress Wendy and the way you wear it is lovely. I love bright colors and I found yellow and navy a really good combination.
Merci Steph - comme le commentaire d'Ema, vos comments est vraiment interessant! Thanks, like Ema's comments, yours are really interesting! I guess we do all get a little ethnocentric don't we!
DeleteSteph, this is so perfect: "I also think French tend to forget that they live on a planet where more than 6 billions other people are also living"
DeleteAre you in Luxembourg (I think I remember you saying that once)? I am in Switzerland, lots of French ex-pats here too, as you can imagine.
Hi Abby, yes I am in Luxembourg... We have friends (mixed couple: Franco-English) that moved from Luxembourg to Switzerland... Definitely, French who wants to work and who try to get a better don't stay in France...
DeleteVery interesting comments today!
ReplyDeleteWe only live one hour away from France and drive there to buy wine in large quantities.You can get a very good wine for not a lot of money:)
On the other side my husband had a job offer in Paris,since his company has a office there too,but he declined since he felt it is very hard to work with the French.Instead we went to the States,which worked well for us in the end.
Interesting. My sense is that the french business and government system is very different than north america, but truly, I have no empirical evidence to prove that!
DeleteHi WMM,
DeleteI soooo agree with Ina, it is very difficult to work in France even if you are French, so when you're a foreigner I just can try to imagine :-(
Then my plan to summer there sometime and drink their wine is a good one - no work for me!
DeleteI have no desire to be French but will tour France one day and have a ball. I agree with Get Fresh, i think she said but to lazy to look back, the weather and your attitude can make or break a trip. You looked rather fetching in your dress. So brave to buy yellow and smart to know to pair with navy. PS. I have literally been doing laundry, my sons, since 7:00AM yesterday. Good to have him home...long hair and all.
ReplyDeleteBB - that is a LOT of laundry! I think weather is everything! In my mind, London and Paris are always sunny! I need to revisit my french (is already getting rusty) and then maybe move onto Italian!
DeleteI have been to France once and I would love to go again with Hubs. I think there is much romanticism made about France which people try to aspire to but as with every culture, there are flaws. I do appreciate that for the most part, the French hold high standards when it comes to food quality and eating, fine wines, culture, taking time to enjoy life, having a pared-down wardrobe, they don't have a popularity complex, etc....those kinds of things I do find inspirational. In some ways I identify with the French, but I am definitely North American in some ways too!
ReplyDeleteHey LR - I hear you - the main cultural difference I find is the need to create beauty in their surroundings. Even lower income folks make an effort in their yards. Go 10 minutes out of town here and you will find a lot of litter and old rusty cards in the sideyards. We saw very little of that in all parts of France we visited.
DeleteOh, I like Kiera's ballerina dress! Since I'm strangely drawn to colors that I shouldn't wear, I do the same thing as you did with the MEXX dress, which looks great on you BTW.
ReplyDeleteSome very good comments on here today. I can't add too them because I haven't been to France, but I do enjoy reading about the impressions of those who have, and those who have lived there.
HI ABC! It is funny - I am getting braver about my colours and then trying to compensate for colours that make me look ill with other colours. I was just so taken with that dress!
Delete