A Paris Uniform

Today on the Fashion Hunter, I am seeking inspiration from the streets of Paris where spring 2014 shows are happening as we speak, in the form of effortless style. I am always intrigued by what those women are wearing, eating, and how they just have that joie de vivre. I’m not intimating that I am French, or ever will be, I’m just imitating the unexpected and anything goes mantra. Take note of this jean jacket paired with a full skirt. Truly recherché.

Rather obsessed with the Parisienne way of dressing, and their chic everyday style, I tried to capture that je ne sais quoi during Fashion Week. Just from glancing at Vogue.com, Style.com, The Sartorialist, and other street style blogs, there’s a sense of ease and carelessness that doesn’t exist on our side of the Atlantic. The Europeans look naturally chic and unstyled like they just toss everything together in 10 minutes every morning. I always pre-plan my Fashion Week outfits, but we all know Emanuelle Alt and gang would never do that. The cliché has some truths but it’s true that the French women go to the world’s end to look like they just threw everything together.

Harpers Bazaar.com

I took a test drive with this bright pink blazer, forever ripped jeans, and sky-high heels. And here is the result. Candy-colored coats are popping up everywhere, c/o Carven, below Current/Elliot jeans and a basic white tee in my closet, and I won’t lie, Christian Louboutin shoes scored at their sale.

see sunglasses, get a similar pair here//dannijo necklace//banana republic white tee//elizabeth & james blazer//current/elliot jeans//christian louboutin candy-colored sandals, get a similar pair here //charlotte olympia clutch, get a similar one here//linea pelle belt

I am sitting impatiently at Lincoln Center French café waiting for a friend to arrive. Looking ambitiously cool is my mode of operation.

I love and swear by stripes and have the adopted the following unspoken rules over the years and the ways of Parisian dressing. Here goes:

Use fashion to flatter your body.

Don’t wear something that doesn’t flatter your body.

Never go for the total look i.e.: wearing Lulu lemon leggings and gym sneakers outside of the gym.

The French women are uninterested in trends, unfazed by dictates of what is appropriate for a certain time of day or for a women of a certain age.

She is confident of her decisions be it a pair of red New Balance worn with a black skirt, or the way they wear their jeans.

Never overdress.

Always over accessorize, but take one thing off.

 photos: lydia hudgens

But the real question if whether or not the French grab the flip flops out of their handy back pocket in case of blister emergency? Does that effortless CC logo speak for itself. What do you think?

chanel sandals

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