Paris darlings! Paris fashion week will forever be my most anticipated and most admired sartorial event on the fashion calendars. Not only for the exquisitely whimsical couture and creations formed by ever opulent fashion houses who cascade them gracefully and artistically down fairytale runways but also for the polished scenes playing out on the streets. And in particular, the French themselves. Their peerless way with style is impeccable and currently seems to be the topic du jour. In fact purely being French and how one can mimic such tendencies has many eager to discover their secrets. Like why is it that they don't get fat? Or how to emulate that Parisienne je ne sais quoi? It would appear to those of us without a permanent French address that this is equally as mysterious as the meaning to life itself.
I completely understand the hype, having spent a mere few days in the City of Lights myself a few years back I was completely transfixed and in awe of everything and anything limestone clad before me. There really is something magical about the French and it's no wonder we're so in admiration of them. But we act as if their refinement is simply and irrevocably unattainable to the rest of us. Truthfully, it isn't. The thing is the French do what the French want to do. No explanations. No justifications. And when it comes to fashion and ones sense of style they don't drown themselves with frivolous hype and passing trends. They don't feel the inexplicable need nor pressure to conform either. Nor do they continually reinvent themselves with dramatic fervor. They effortlessly express themselves through fashion by being true to themselves; by being themselves. They've discovered what works for them and they know what they like and wear it proudly, be it in vogue or not. In a way they are fearless with fashion by making their own set of rules. They dance to the beat of their drums and do it ever so proudly and that my friends is the key to their style prowess. In fact that is the key period. Know what you like and just wear it.
Agreed?
-Sxx
I completely understand the hype, having spent a mere few days in the City of Lights myself a few years back I was completely transfixed and in awe of everything and anything limestone clad before me. There really is something magical about the French and it's no wonder we're so in admiration of them. But we act as if their refinement is simply and irrevocably unattainable to the rest of us. Truthfully, it isn't. The thing is the French do what the French want to do. No explanations. No justifications. And when it comes to fashion and ones sense of style they don't drown themselves with frivolous hype and passing trends. They don't feel the inexplicable need nor pressure to conform either. Nor do they continually reinvent themselves with dramatic fervor. They effortlessly express themselves through fashion by being true to themselves; by being themselves. They've discovered what works for them and they know what they like and wear it proudly, be it in vogue or not. In a way they are fearless with fashion by making their own set of rules. They dance to the beat of their drums and do it ever so proudly and that my friends is the key to their style prowess. In fact that is the key period. Know what you like and just wear it.
-Sxx
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| images via: college vintage, vogue, harpers bazaar |
95 comments
They save the best for last and Paris is certainly no exception.
And regardless of the rainbow spectrum of brights and comical prints, the minimalism of the fair Parisienne dame still stands supreme in my eyes. The French do style best, always have and always will. And why is this so? Perhaps it's because it is the birthplace of Haute Couture? Or maybe they're just born with sartorial grace, effortlessly pairing back pieces and hues like an art form. Actually an article I read (somewhere on the Internets, possibly Vogue Australia) hypothesised on the subject a few weeks ago, pondering the million dollar question, "why are the French so enviably chic?" The conclusion was that they do not follow trends. Simple enough and makes a world of sense when you think about it. They wear what they like and do so with incorruptible confidence. Which is what style should be all about. No over-thinking, not that you're carrying that "it" mini handbag nor that your coat costs more than what most people make in monthly wages. Style is an uncomplicated expression of oneself and should always remain that way; in my humble opinion anyway.
Who here agrees with me on this? How do you actually see and define style yourselves? Is it through labels and flashy things or more to do with the physical person who carries pieces and how they've defined themselves within them? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic lovers. Don't be shy, drop me a line below in the comments.
-Sxx
And regardless of the rainbow spectrum of brights and comical prints, the minimalism of the fair Parisienne dame still stands supreme in my eyes. The French do style best, always have and always will. And why is this so? Perhaps it's because it is the birthplace of Haute Couture? Or maybe they're just born with sartorial grace, effortlessly pairing back pieces and hues like an art form. Actually an article I read (somewhere on the Internets, possibly Vogue Australia) hypothesised on the subject a few weeks ago, pondering the million dollar question, "why are the French so enviably chic?" The conclusion was that they do not follow trends. Simple enough and makes a world of sense when you think about it. They wear what they like and do so with incorruptible confidence. Which is what style should be all about. No over-thinking, not that you're carrying that "it" mini handbag nor that your coat costs more than what most people make in monthly wages. Style is an uncomplicated expression of oneself and should always remain that way; in my humble opinion anyway.
Who here agrees with me on this? How do you actually see and define style yourselves? Is it through labels and flashy things or more to do with the physical person who carries pieces and how they've defined themselves within them? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic lovers. Don't be shy, drop me a line below in the comments.
-Sxx
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| via style.com |
I got a bad case of the creative block guys so excuse me as I retreat for a while and try and get my groove back. I'll be a little in and out so feel free to check out other social media platforms (see toolbar lingering above) if you're having some Coco withdraws. I promise to (try) keep in touch via social media. In the meantime what do you guys recommend for ailing the uninspired blues?
-Sxx
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| via vanity fair + vogue |
The streets of Paree are a parade of fashion no matter what time of the year or day of the week. A town where sartorial simplicity reigns supreme and a town whose fluent sense of style has earned them their very own fashion terminology title; Parisian Chic. I will never forget my first sojourn to Paris and with that my very first street style encounter back in the mid 2000's. My ever so dapper cousin Paul was starting our daily sightseeing escapade over at the ever lustrous Lourve. Whilst nervelessly navigating through a pedestrian crossing filled with impatient Parisian drivers and looking like a helpless tourist compared to the ever graceful Parisians maneuvering with grace and ease through the traffic I caught sight of her. There, coming towards me was a beautifully bronzed woman with equally lovely fiery red hair pulled back in a loose chignon and dressed ever so resplendently in a linen t-shirt shift dress and in a complimentary moss green hue. She also donned a simple singular silver bracelet on her wrist and her feet adorned in some simple strappy black kitten heels. She was utterly chic and synonymously Parisian; effortless and minimal.
It is a fond memory that will forever comfort me of a time now gone. A time when blogging was not as grandiose nor as influential as it is today and street style photography was mostly reserved for the society pages of glossy magazines. People dressed to impress without expectations nor care for being photographed or Instagramed. Going about ones business with the occasional sartorial admiring from afar, sometimes meekly kept silenced, other times the utter need of knowing where in the world one would acquire such a bewitching handbag persevered above all else. Fashion was never tame nor any less exuberant as it is today but there was always a beautifully mysterious and silent anonymity surrounding it. People dressed as a true expression of one's self as opposed to following trends dronelessly. One possessed the 'It Bag' but styled it in a way that allowed their personality to shine through. And I suppose as a somewhat private person myself and never one to brag I somewhat miss those days. Walking through a mall carrying my Balenciaga and having one or two people approach me rather than seeking admiration of such a piece through social media. Which I am totally guilty of! Narcissism was far from common and 'selfie's' almost always included a BFF or two. Times obviously change and so we must also.
Which is why I suppose I adore Paris the most, their style remains, tried and true no matter what is dictated through the masses or exuberance that comes a fluttering through their streets. They do what they do and do not allow others to influence. And after the weeks of madness subside the fashions remain, simple, true and always so chic. I hope you enjoy this little edit of my personal favorites from Fashion Week, obviously inspired by the very minimal chic that the Parisians do oh so well and seriously what is Paris if not for copious amounts of black, black and more black?
-Sxx
It is a fond memory that will forever comfort me of a time now gone. A time when blogging was not as grandiose nor as influential as it is today and street style photography was mostly reserved for the society pages of glossy magazines. People dressed to impress without expectations nor care for being photographed or Instagramed. Going about ones business with the occasional sartorial admiring from afar, sometimes meekly kept silenced, other times the utter need of knowing where in the world one would acquire such a bewitching handbag persevered above all else. Fashion was never tame nor any less exuberant as it is today but there was always a beautifully mysterious and silent anonymity surrounding it. People dressed as a true expression of one's self as opposed to following trends dronelessly. One possessed the 'It Bag' but styled it in a way that allowed their personality to shine through. And I suppose as a somewhat private person myself and never one to brag I somewhat miss those days. Walking through a mall carrying my Balenciaga and having one or two people approach me rather than seeking admiration of such a piece through social media. Which I am totally guilty of! Narcissism was far from common and 'selfie's' almost always included a BFF or two. Times obviously change and so we must also.
Which is why I suppose I adore Paris the most, their style remains, tried and true no matter what is dictated through the masses or exuberance that comes a fluttering through their streets. They do what they do and do not allow others to influence. And after the weeks of madness subside the fashions remain, simple, true and always so chic. I hope you enjoy this little edit of my personal favorites from Fashion Week, obviously inspired by the very minimal chic that the Parisians do oh so well and seriously what is Paris if not for copious amounts of black, black and more black?
-Sxx
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| via glamour, harpers bazaar, vogue |
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