How to Be Parisian Wherever You Are by Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas is, yes, another guide for all of us frumpy non-French. I'm a sucker for these things. I've been a bit of a francophile since high school and I have no shame about it. This guide is less how-to instructional and more of an attitude devotional, though. And the biggest takeaway? Be yourself, embrace who you are.
That means the flaws too. A Parisian woman wears minimal makeup, rarely changes her hair color and doesn't own a blow dryer. Does this mean I'm going to drop my technicolor hair tendencies or embrace my cowlicky texture? No. Although, especially in the sweaty heat of summer, I'm all for minimal makeup. Moreover, I'm all for embracing the bump in my nose and the scar on my cheek. I would rather stay up late drinking and laughing with friends than fuss over my appearance anyway. And I think that's the message: Embrace your life, don't worry about aging, stay (mostly) natural, and live in your own skin, imperfections and all, with confidence. You don't have to agree with every tenet of this book to be inspired by it!
For the outfit I went stereotypically Parisian: Worn in denim, men's shoes, the perfect white t-shirt, a simple cashmere sweater (in navy of course), a Burberry trench, a scarf, a vintage watch, simple jewelry, and a classic bag.
