"Parisian Chic" Khaki Casual a la de la Fressange...or my lame attempt

I'm still waiting on the arrival of this book and may not have it in time for the YLF Book Club discussion, but a quick look at some online photos and reviews detailing the book have at least put me in a playful mood, lame and unsophisticated as it may be.

I wore the Converse sneakers on my errands, but when I got home, I rolled up the ankles and put on my black patent mules and a belt. I didn't put a lot of thought into this, but was just getting a basic idea. My Dickies aren't baggy enough, like the beautiful model and her daughter, but you may get where I was going with this!

1 & 2 Rayon/Cotton baggy sweater with brown square buttons
Khaki Dickies, white long-sleeve tee, sage Converse sneakers

3 Same as above, but with Aerosole black patent mules and black/silver leather belt

4 Inspiration photo of Ines de la Fressange from a wonderful link that Vildy provided (thanks, Vildy!)

http://rdujour.com/2010/12/26/.....yle-guide/

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12 years ago

Active Member

Love it Vicki! Very casual cool, I think you nailed it!! I like how the pale neutrals go together, silver, khaki...very flattering on your coloring!

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I like it! I think if the sweater had low-contrast/smaller buttons it would kick it up a notch. Love the pants/shoes combo in both outfits!

HelenInCanada

How playful! I adore the simple French styles. I think this is a cool and cahz look, but am not 100% sold on the Converse with that first outfit on you. Maybe it needs the rolled up khakis too and maybe a fab bag to make it more 'elegant' and French-y?

I want to take a peek into this book too!!!

Small But Mighty

I LOVE that book, take a lot of fashion cues from it, but that look is one I've never attempted. I think I'm too short. I think YOU nailed it, and it really suits you, though I like the second iteration better than the Converse one.

catgirl

i like the open cardi look a lot! The first is a little too buttoned up for me with the pants. I might like it more with a pair of baggy shorts. Tres bien, ma cherie!

Mochi

I also agree that you nailed it.

(Was that the author in those pics in the book? If so, I had no idea--thought it was some model! She's very young...slim...tall...exotic...etc

Vicki

Merci, mes amies! I appreciate the tips and agree. I did have a black and white bag I used today, but didn't include in the photos. It was really cold here, so while the sneakers were a bit cahz, my toes and feet were much warmer with sneakers and socks! Yes, Mochi, the woman on the left (and in all the photos from Vildy's link) is Ines and the woman on the right is her daughter, both slim, tall and elegant. Jenava, what is low-contrast? I'm new at this? Do you mean a more muted color? To be continued...

Suz

What fun! You've got the book discussion off and running already!

Not Jeneva but I think by low contrast she means that the grey and tan are close in value or visual weight to one another. Black and white is high contrast. Low contrast outfits tend to come across as calm and sophisticated, so even though this is an inherently youthful look, the colours keep it from seeming...um...shall we say...age inappropriate?

MINI

Love your comfy, casual concept outfit there. Also, your energetic poses = booster

Marley

Love your interpretation of the oufit Vicki! I just received my copy of the book last week and noticed that outfit and really liked it - but wasn't sure how I could pull it off - but now you've given me some ideas. One of the things that hung me up in the outfit pic in the book was how big and baggy the pants seemed to be - if I tried on pants that fit me like that, I would just assume that they were too big and I would need to size down! I really like both ways that you have styled this. The Cons are perfect with the first outfit - and the color of blue in the sweater is perfect for you! The 2nd one is very "cool" - in a chic sort of way. I think that if the waist line on your pants was a little lower and the neckline of your white t-shirt wasn't cut quite so high that you'd even look a little more "french." -- but you do look beautful - and I love the way you are always open to trying new looks/outfits!

ETA: There aren't any pics of Ines in the book - just her daughter - I was so disappointed!

Vildy

Yeah! Agree you nailed it with #3. How fun!

JennyAnne

Oh lala! Love! I have the urge to dig out some big sweaters.

Debora

High five, Vicki! I have that same picture in my inspiration file. I love your interpretation of her casual Parisian chic. Here are two other photos of her style that are in my file.

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citygirldc

ooo la la. tres chic madame. loveing the casual style.

Ooh la la is right! All your comments are so inspiring and helpful. This was a quick pull-together and I haven't worn that sweater in years.

I love putting something new together and Vildy, since you and sbm have read the book, I'm glad you chimed in. Suz, your description on low-contrast really helped put a visual in my mind. I do have many neutral (camel cashmere, cream, etc.). Debora, I think we're "on the same page" and I DON'T EVEN HAVE THE BOOK, yet. But, I can't wait! I love those two looks you posted and was planning on wearing the navy sweater (but, not sure on the white pants!) today. Stripes and I aren't always friends. While they're classic, they just don't look classic on me, or at least I don't think so. Mini, Marley, JennyAnne and citygirldc, your sweet comments keep me going and ready to share pics, because I still get a bit anxious when I'm ready to post. Marley, you called it on the tee neckline. It's almost "too basic" and I do have a tee with a lower neckline. Good eye for detail you have!

I'll keep working on being PC: Parisian Chic!

rachylou

Gorgeous! I love your light blue sweater.

Lisa

Gorgeous outfits. You look perfect for errands in #1. And #3 is a great laid back look. Nice outfits!

rae

I think you nailed the look, although I must say that I love YOUR personal style a thousand times better. I guess I never really "got" the big deal about Parisian style... to me, it's just preppy classics, worn slightly too big on very thin women. Not saying that in a mean way, I just don't understand the hype in the fashion world or why it is sometimes elevated as a superior style.

MsMary

ROFL, rae!! I have been reading Ines's book with my teeth slightly on edge, and I think you have put your finger on the issue! Heh!

/derail

Vicki, you look fun and fab and fresh!!

Ana

Vicki, I think your outfit is very cute! I like the wider leg khakis unrolled, but I think if you wanted to roll them up (like in picture #3), you could totally do it if the pant legs were skinnier (that's just my aesthetic preference, though). : )

Rae and MaryK, I couldn't agree with you more on your thoughts about the phenomenon of "Parisian Style" (in general, not the book since I haven't read it).

Glad I am not the only one (and yes, I was speaking generally, too).

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