Parisian Chic - YLF Books

Parisian ChicA Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange

by Ines de la Fressange

For many women Ines de la Fressange is the epitome of French elegance and style. Together with fashion journalist Sophie Gachet she has now written this illustrated style guide filled with tips on how to add a splash of Parisian chic to your own wardrobe and home. She unveils what the magnificent seven in her wardrobe are and how you can transform your basics into that made in Paris look. With Ines’ favourite addresses for where to shop, eat, stay the night and find that bit of French je-ne-sais-quoi.

Books · Style Advice

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Small But Mighty

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I recently read this book, shortly after I discovered YLF, and found the style recommendations in the first chapter to be extremely helpful! Ines’ aesthetic is not dissimilar from our dear Angie’s, but I heard a real click in my head when I read her idea that Parisian women always balance things out (denim with pearls, something tough with something girlie). This idea has been EXTREMELY influential in the current stage of my own style journey.

I will say the latter portions of the book may not be as relevant for most readers. I was planning a trip to Paris at the time I read it, and even so found the shopping recommendations not so helpful, perhaps because what Ms. de la Fressange calls affordable, I do not!

October 3, 2011 at 11:51 am

Refugee

Veteran

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I pre-ordered this book after reading a couple of articles about it before it came out in the US. Two things in those articles prompted me to buy this. First, the photos of her effortless style made we want her secrets. Second the pre-release publicity said there would be photos of both Ines and her lovely daughter sporting similar looks but slightly different to show women of various ages could sport similar looks or pieces with different styling.
When I received it, this is one of those books that feels nice in your hands. A soft cover journal with an attached fabric bookmark. I have to confess I went straight to the photos first. Lovely color full page. I was disappointed as there were only photos of her daughter and none of her as promised in the articles I read. This was a disappointment and frankly did not make sense to me. A beautiful model with a fab sense of style writes a style book and there are no photos of her in it? This missed the mark for me.
However I really enjoyed this book and refer to it often. Even the section on Paris shopping got me thinking about trying to find a similar local shop, which has become a fun shopping game for me.
My favorite quote: “The Parisian never worships fashion idols. . . Her personal fashion idol may not be famous. The more obscure the better, in fact.” This made me feel very Parisian as my fashion idol is not famous. Well, except here on YLF.
I would recommend this book for those who are students of the simple minimalist wardrobe. It has helped me get more focused in my shopping.

October 7, 2011 at 6:56 pm

Vildy

Veteran

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Is there a style book I haven’t read? Yes, this one. But I’ve read a lot of excerpts of this thin book that is not just wardrobe related and is also a Paris shopping guide. It’s my sense that Ines’ famous pared down style is a later evolution and pictures of her in her
younger years show more of a Lot Going On. Also, she seemed more glamorous to me in those years and now looks more breezy chic. A look that’s lots harder to construct, hence the instruction manual. Though the instructions list that I have read is also on the minimal side. There is a French style called Plus Strict and her mostly monochromatic and neutrals style would fall within that.

The French language edition, La Parisienne, is the one that features both mother and daughter. This makes it a more interesting book because while you can’t compare Ines’ rangy frame with, say, a short waisted curvy pear both wearing outfits from the same template, you can at least compare younger and older versions. If you have or want
the English language version, you can see many of the photos of Ines here:
http://rdujour.com/2010/12/26/.....yle-guide/
That may save you the price of ordering the French version from Amazon France!

October 13, 2011 at 8:29 am

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

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I loved this book! I found myself nodding along with 95% of what Ines suggests in the style section and could hear her melodic French accent all the way through the chapters. From the start, she had me with the Parisian uniform: jeans, ballet flats and blazer – only to be swapped out for riding boots when it’s a little colder. This is MY look.

I prefer style books that do not show photos and was pleased that Ines went that route. (Kendall’s books are the same). The layout of the book was brilliant and very easy to read.

It unexpectedly had a lot more about Parisian restaurants, hotels and decor than I thought – which I thoroughly enjoyed having lived in France for a while. I’m not sure that part will go down well with everyone though.

Ines’ no-nonsense, positive, forthright and sensual attitude comes through in the tone of this book, and I appreciated that. I will pick it up again and again.

October 27, 2011 at 8:08 pm

La Francaise

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I rarely leave home without the French version of this beautifully simple little book in my tote. For despite it’s minimalist lay-out, it is literally crammed with resources and advice I use daily. It is the next best thing to hearing Inès’ inimitable husky voice and throaty laugh guiding, encouraging, sometimes chiding me as I shop or browse. She has introduced me to a host of resources I might never have discovered, particularly some of the small niche boutiques, and when shopping becomes just too much, to some wonderfully intimate cafés and patisséries, but also to some of the less well-known museums, galleries and open spaces in which to relax and enjoy all this city has to offer. Apart from all the no-nonsense advice dispensed by this style icon with both feet firmly placed on the ground in her beautifully chic ballet flats, her book is an indispensible carnet d’adresses for every Parisian fashionista.

And therein lies my concern. I haven’t seen the English version, but my one reservation is that if it’s contents strictly echo the original, some of the pages might be less relevant to those of you living across the pond (unless you are planning a trip to Paris) because so much of the book is devoted to the role of address book.

Nevertheless, the style advice Inès gives is rock-solid. She advocates investing as much as the reader can afford in the essential and eternally chic “wardrobe fundamentals”, whilst combining them in a playful and unexpected way that lifts them out of the mundane, and gives them that uniquely Gallic je ne sais quoi. She quite simply shares her lifestyle philosophy in a deliciously humorous, rule-bending, and even sometimes rebellious way that captivates the reader, and leaves them longing for more. And you know the best bit? Since publishing the book in 2010, Inès has gone on to satisfy our thirst. For there is now a diary to acccompany the book, with, of course, her style address book appended, but also with room for us to add our own! C’est chic, non?

July 12, 2012 at 2:54 pm

Raisin

Veteran

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I really liked the look and fun vibe of this book. It was a pleasure to read. The style advice was great, and the pictures were helpful and fun. It has a really large section devoted to where to shop though. And while I do love that, because a lot of the items can be found online too, it took up at least half of the book. So that was a bit disappointing, because I would have liked to have more style information, and less shopping info. But I did love what was there!

December 11, 2012 at 6:37 am

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