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1st out of 12 books
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5 voters
Parisian Chic: A Style Guide
Celebrity model Inès de la Fressange shares the well-kept secrets of how Parisian women maintain effortless glamour and a timeless allure. Inès de la Fressange—France’s icon of chic—shares her personal tips for living with style and charm, gleaned from decades in the fashion industry. She offers specific pointers on how to dress like a Parisian, including how to mix afford...more
Softcover, 240 pages
Published
April 5th 2011
by Flammarion
(first published 2010)
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To paraphrase Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, "So quick bright things come to completion." You, too, are separated from a coherent lifestyle by one shopping spree; buy some new clothes and gain a self composed with beauty and proportion.
Such is the lesson of a "style guide." An aristocrat and high-fashion model, Ines de la Fressange is a decades-long authority on the effortless yet carefully conforming look of the chic Parisian woman. Well into her 50s, she cultivates the style décontrac...more
Such is the lesson of a "style guide." An aristocrat and high-fashion model, Ines de la Fressange is a decades-long authority on the effortless yet carefully conforming look of the chic Parisian woman. Well into her 50s, she cultivates the style décontrac...more
This gorgeously entertaining guide to Paris and Parisian Chic has been on my nightstand for a couple of months now. Ines comes with credentials--she knows her fashion, but it is the charming presentation and great ideas that sell this book.
Sure she's been named to the International Best Dressed List. In the 80's she modeled for Chanel and was the former muse of Karl Lagerfeld. She still is seen on the runway occasionally while concentrating on the business of fashion for the Roger Vivier brand....more
Sure she's been named to the International Best Dressed List. In the 80's she modeled for Chanel and was the former muse of Karl Lagerfeld. She still is seen on the runway occasionally while concentrating on the business of fashion for the Roger Vivier brand....more
Parisian Chic
By Ines de la Fressange
Review by Sareena Dubey
As the weather warms up and we come out from our winter hibernation, Ines de La Fressange’s book Parisian Chic is the perfect read. The book is a critic and appreciation of modern French fashion.The author combines the strict world of Parisian fashion with humorous anecdotes. This makes the book light-hearted and enjoyable to read. The author made me feel as if I was walking the streets of Paris, observing the fashionable Parisians walki...more
By Ines de la Fressange
Review by Sareena Dubey
As the weather warms up and we come out from our winter hibernation, Ines de La Fressange’s book Parisian Chic is the perfect read. The book is a critic and appreciation of modern French fashion.The author combines the strict world of Parisian fashion with humorous anecdotes. This makes the book light-hearted and enjoyable to read. The author made me feel as if I was walking the streets of Paris, observing the fashionable Parisians walki...more
This book is very inspiring. I organized my entire closet on the high I got from it and I realized that I'd have an additional number of great outfits already in the closet with the purchase of some skinny white jeans and a navy blazer! I love the look of Parisian style and feel that it fits my personality better than most other looks out there. I loved it that this book is wholly dedicated to one style where as other books in this genre have sections on bohemian, rock and roller, minimalist sty...more
I stumbled upon this guide in the travel section of my library. And that's where it should be, it's filled with Parisian addresses (mostly shopping & food) and a small section with style tips. Well, I call them tips, but it's nothing you wouldn't know already if you have had any interest in fashion. Proclaiming a blazer or a trench as "true Parisian style" is not exactly earth-shattering. You can pick this up in any magazine, and hopefully the magazine will also have a slightly less biased o...more
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view 1 comment
Apr 09, 2011
Gina
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Mardel, Beverly, Maribeth
Recommended to Gina by:
Sunny
The reality is simple: my chances of visiting Paris in the near future are nil, but I could not pass on this book.
Parisian Chic offers a side of escapism and healthy portion of useful information. Parisian Chic is not just for Francophiles or for tourists. While almost anyone can extract useful information from Parisian Chic, I think it could be most useful -- and inspirational -- for those of us in the Invisible Years (40s and beyond) who refuse to roll over and play frumpy.
It may be hard to...more
Parisian Chic offers a side of escapism and healthy portion of useful information. Parisian Chic is not just for Francophiles or for tourists. While almost anyone can extract useful information from Parisian Chic, I think it could be most useful -- and inspirational -- for those of us in the Invisible Years (40s and beyond) who refuse to roll over and play frumpy.
It may be hard to...more
This guide is attractively packaged, with cute illustrations and photographs of a French model wearing the essentials of a Parisian woman's elegant--never gauche--style. There's the trench coat, skinny jeans, and ladies' handbag look. Or a man's blazer cinched with a belt. Or a navy sweater with white jeans. And--of course--the little black dress. Some of the advice is sound, "Never, Ever...a chunky necklace with big earrings. You don't want to look like a Christmas tree!", the obvious, "Fashion...more
A great book for those who admire the elegant simplicity of Parisian street fashion. Furthermore, this book is not only about stylish Parisian clothing but a stylish Parisian lifestyle. Its author is a reliable source of information on the above subjects: French model and designer Inès de La Fressange, who as a matter of fact was named into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1998! The style put forth by this book is classic, understated, and timeless. What is also great is the i...more
The French as a collective are bewildering. How a Germanic tribe of fierce warriors turned into the simpering sad clowns of Western Europe is a mystery for the ages. But, they do some things very well and turning out chic ladies like de la Fressange happens to be one of them. I love her easy approach to beauty. But then, it is easy to be easy about beauty when you are naturally gorgeous and have legs that go up to your neck. The rest of us can only aspire to something several floors below that....more
I read this book in almost one sitting, although the advice given is probably not totally new and out there unless you are unfamiliar with any fashion/style books it is, however, crammed with good advice. Mix labels with less expensive finds. 'Tux jacket with sneakers not stilettos' 'jeans with gem-encrusted sandals not sneakers'. There is quite a large section of home style, places to go and things to do with children in Paris which is a little less interesting for those of us mainly interested...more
I always keep this book in my bedstand so at night when I am feeling dumpy, lumpy and sad I can remind myself that only American woman allow themselves to feel this way and the French woman embrace their ages and unique qualities. It is fun to read over and over and includes fun tips on fashion, makeup, jewelry, food, where to go when in Paris, attitudes on beauty...and the little cartoons that De La Fressange does herself throughout the whole book makes me adore her even more. If you don't have...more
I really appreciated the fashion section of this book. Instead of making vague proclamations about how to wear stylish clothing, the author lists exact clothing ensembles, recommended wardrobe staples, and blanket faux pas. I will never forget how stunning practically every woman in Paris (particularly older women) looked when I went there, so I'm going to go with what this author advises when considering what to wear. Short sections on beauty tips and home decor were useful too. A considerable...more
Hmm, still bit undecided :-(
Wondering if it's just bad timing or something is missing? Love the look, love the pics (even I'm not that old fashioned type but great work of photographer), style is easy..... and still finished turning pages and I'm left with that feeling that something is missing... might be I didn't put all my heart into it? Really not sure.
Or I'm too much on side of my English favourite ones (Gok Wan and Trinny & Sussannah strangely completed by VB) that I can find enough l...more
Wondering if it's just bad timing or something is missing? Love the look, love the pics (even I'm not that old fashioned type but great work of photographer), style is easy..... and still finished turning pages and I'm left with that feeling that something is missing... might be I didn't put all my heart into it? Really not sure.
Or I'm too much on side of my English favourite ones (Gok Wan and Trinny & Sussannah strangely completed by VB) that I can find enough l...more
Did Parisians invent snarkiness? Mme. de La Fressange is tres snarky. I grabbed this one because I had picked up the Jennifer Scott book and thought I'd compare. I see this book being relevant for a short period of time whereas the Scott book is more general approach to life and not just about the five pairs of shoes all Parisians own (ballet flats, penny loafers, open-toed sandals, riding boots and black heels). The book was published in the US in 2011 and I think already these style suggestion...more
A mere 69 pages of this 239 page guide are dedicated clothing, accessories, make-up and style. The rest of the book focuses on online shopping, l'hotel Parisian, la patisserie, flower shops, where to go with kids in Paris, and plenty of other info that does a girl no good unless she's actually in Paris. Ironically, the best tip I got in the first 69 pages is that the Parisian woman is not a slave to trends or fashion, but relies on her own good sense and a few timeless basics along with a smile...more
Read yesterday whilst housebound, I enjoyed this foray into Paris fashion, accessories, and others sights. There are few vegan/vegetarian options inside, so if that is key you may need to look online. Some of the advice is timeless; less is more, be comfortable, not following trends, and above all, avoid the It Bag, my personal favourite tip. Tons of online resources to keep you busy for days. Fun, tongue in cheek. Constructed much like a bible. Lots of pictures with handwritten captions to give...more
This is a macaron of a book: light as air and gone in a delicious minute. Only about 1/4 of it is interesting or useful if you're not in Paris or planning a trip. Although some of Ines' ideas about style are laughable ("wear a parka over a little chiffon dress") and the majority are just ho-hum (every woman should have a perfect pair of jeans...revolutionary!), this book is a perfect companion to an evening of self-pampering. I don't think I'll be referring to it often, but it's the kind of book...more
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Insight into the habits of Parisian woman whom the rest of us envy for their casual elegance. Lots of tips to help us clunkers look as if we really put the look together. I appreciated the practicality. No pushing of over-priced designer clothes here. Just basic looks that a combination of some flair and common sense will make one stand out. Ines delivers her message with humor. She doesn't take the fashion business too seriously, and good for her. She worked in the business for a very long time...more
I guess many people expected it to be the fashion guide while in fact this nicely edited book is addressed more to women who want to look stylish in Paris. For those of us who live miles away from French capital, many chapters are useless or - the best case scenario - we can take advantage of the advice offered only when planning a trip to Paris. The drawings are nice, the author's daughter looks stunning on the photos, the content is light and informative. It is perfect for aesthetes.
I liked most of the book, particularly the first half which was dedicated to easy, sophisticated style. The second part of the book is dedicated to shopping in Paris which is less relevant to my interests so I mostly skipped that part. However if you're looking to be chic in Paris, there are some great shopping suggestions.
I also enjoyed the photography and actually wish there had been more of it. While I enjoyed the illustrations as well, seeing the clothing in action was more valuable.
I love that effortless French girl look, and this book has decent (but also annoyingly repetitive) advice. I agreed with some of it: Yes, I will belt my blazer, as soon as I buy one. I will also wear white jeans in the fall with a navy sweater, and I will continue to covet that classic Burberry trench. But I won’t be washing my hair every day, as she suggests. Give your scalp a break. And I don’t see the point in wearing full makeup every day, even on weekends, unless you’re a drag queen.
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As a Parisian I had to check what Ines is writing about us! And there are obvious (for me at least) things BUT I think the section with addresses is very interesting! Just like she wrote- we like to discover new places, the problem is that there are too many nice places :) I think most of tourists and Parisian lovers will enjoy this book!
I loved the illustrations, pictures and how the book was divided in sections.
I loved the illustrations, pictures and how the book was divided in sections.
Here’s what not to do, straight from the horse’s mouth. Iconic Chanel model Ines de la Pressange reveals secrets to her readers to dress with the chic and je-ne-sais-quoi of a stylish Parisian, including such tips as make-up, matching clothes, even best secret eating places, etc. It was sobering and it made me cringe to realize that I have personally engaged in over 80% of the fashion faux pas listed in Section 6…
What a fun read! I feel like I've not only been carefully instructed in what to wear, but also where to shop, where to eat, and where, if I am ever so lucky, to stay while in Paris. The unique drawings and clever asides make you feel like you are privvy to someone's private diary...someone fabulous! I read the book during the height of the stressful holiday season when I needed a serious unserious reading break...Parisian Chic delivered.
The best way I can think of to describe this book is a fashionable guide to a fashionable city without all of the high end glamor -- a guide for the girl who dreams of spending a summer or year (or more) in Paris. Instead of being trendy or an "it" girl, she wants to fit in and feel comfortable, so she needs a bit of an inside scoop. This book is that scoop. It's a fun way to fuel the daydreams.
If I ever have the pleasure of returning to Paris for a visit, I will surely have this book in hand. Not so much for the fashion/style advice as I am hopeless when it comes to that topic, but for the excellent descriptions of the shops, dining, offbeat museums, parks, and bookshops! A genuine joy to read, this book will make you want to pack your bags for a last minute flight to Paris!
This book was like a little breath of fresh air. It's designed to look a bit like leafing through someone's Moleskine; she shares her notes on lifestyle, dressing, beauty, and Parisian shopping-- including online addresses for those of us without arrondissements. Her joie de vivre comes through on every page. This was a fun read!
This book is a lovely primer on looking great at any age and living well, especially for 40+. The wardrobe rules are simple and necessary for remaining forever chic and true to oneself in the midst of schizophrenic popular taste.
I wasn't crazy about de la Fressange's illustrations, but I loved how the pages were printed as if taken from a designer's notebook, with its thick pages and dotted grid background. Had an air of "little book of secrets" about it, which charmed me.
I enjoyed perusing th...more
I wasn't crazy about de la Fressange's illustrations, but I loved how the pages were printed as if taken from a designer's notebook, with its thick pages and dotted grid background. Had an air of "little book of secrets" about it, which charmed me.
I enjoyed perusing th...more
The style tips are fun, but the emphasis on shopping and buying new things was a little much. My closet is already stuffed. I liked the overall "find comfort and simplicity" theme with what you wear and how you spend your time. If I get to Paris someday, I may take this book with me.
Meh. I was expecting a lot more about fashion and a lot less about places to eat, shop and hang out. If I were going to Paris soon, it might be a fun resource with some fantastic styling ideas, but it seemed a little "Gwenyth Paltrow GOOP Newsletter" to me.
I expected more, frankly.
I expected more, frankly.
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