It’s no secret, I have always coveted French fashion. Effortless chic, Parisian style; but not always exclusive to the capital. The women of France know how to dress and many a book has been written about Paris street style or the red carpet at Cannes and French style fashion boutiques popping up across the UK seems to be the business concept du jour.
One founding member of the cult of brands and fashion houses bringing French fashion to the masses is La Redoute. I’ve been shopping with La Redoute since my teens, and they know “When it comes to impeccable style, few do it better than the women of France”. This is why they have have shared with us their Secrets to French Style. Our opportunity to discover the secrets to flawless French fashion and they guide focuses on “key essentials every woman needs to achieve that effortless elegance the ladies of France do so well”!
La Redoute | Secrets to French Style
La Redoute are all about “French Style Made Easy”, so in their style guide they tell us about the seven wardrobe essentials to achieve the covetable French chic look. From the classic trench to the white shirt (a wardrobe staple we’ve covered previously), then of course a good piece of classic knitwear… what are the other four key pieces? Find out here with La Redoute’s Secrets to French Style.
My Favourite Style Tip
Fashion and style to me are two separate things. You can have style without being a follower of fashion. Style is unique to you, your own fashion DNA. It’s about how you interpret the current trends, work them in with your existing wardrobe and most importantly with your lifestyle. Don’t just try to fit in with the fashion crowd with throw-away fashion. This applies so much when it comes to sale shopping.
I’ve been sharing my sale shopping tips for a while now and this one went down particularly well on BBC Radio last season. My favourite style tip; when sale shopping is – don’t buy an item unless you can put together THREE looks with that piece you have your eye on. Create a capsule wardrobe in your mind. Do you have a top you can style with that tangerine pleat skirt in your hand? Can you wear it for a day look to the office and dress it up for a night out? What shoes can you team with those printed trousers you are about to head to the checkout with?
Always create a capsule wardrobe in your mind to stop you buying a sale piece that will sit in your collection, never to be teamed with any of your favourite pieces. Here’s an example of where I have taken one key piece from La Redoute’s collection and considered how I can wear it three ways before I head to the checkout!
- Key Piece – Long-Sleeved Fisherman-Style Slash Neck T-Shirt by Shopping Prix
- Office Look – Stretch Cotton Pencil Skirt by La Redoute Creation
- Weekend Look – Slim Fit Stretch Cotton 5-Pocket Trouser by R Essentiels
- Team with – Mid-Length Straight Cut Zip-Up Blouson Jacket by Shopping Prix
Fashion Golden Rules from Ines de la Fressange, Parisian Chic:
Never follow convention > Never be bland > Never neglect yourself