the fringues of the french

Upon first impressions on living here in France, I couldn’t help noticing the clothing of the women as I think it says a lot about a culture. I started to notice a trend of black, brown and grey colours, often paired with a pair of black leggings or tights. The style here seems more conservative and much more traditional to what I am used to back in New Zealand. I prided myself on my tacky bright pink dangly heart earrings and bright paisley headscarfs back home (or in the UK), but here I feel like it attracts a little too much attention and screams out “I’m a foreigner!”. So for now, I have put away some of my bright stuff and have started wearing my less funky vetements. I feel like my bright clothing are a big part of my identity and I don’t want to lose that but at the same time, I also yearn to just blend in here, rather than sticking out on the metro every morning for my choice of clothing.

french girl: laid back but still stylee

Maybe they also don’t follow trends as much here. I remember living in the UK when bright neon ra-ra skirts were in fashion and the high waisted skirts (never really understood that one!). Oh and let’s not forget the big white baggy tshirts with huge bright lettering on them saying “I STOLE YOUR BOYFRIEND” (among other tacky things). But maybe the frenchies like to stick with the more traditionelle. Often they look sleek in black, with their hair styled (but not too styled… ). And they seem very comfortable and in tune with their bodies. Even the little girl I look after is constantly told by her maman (mummy) to improve her posture or that the clothes she has chosen for herself for school look moche (ugly) together. This awareness of how one looks may have something to do with the fact that frenchies know how to project themselves with confidence and grace. I find it fascinating.

Also, unintentionally, I have now been given a french style haircut (short side fringe and bob… aka a blonde version of Amelie) by the hairdresser to which I asked for a trim and ended up with half of my long blonde locks gone (which I’ve had for over 10 years). Ah well… c’est la vie!