french fashion

I live in France most of the time, which means I know a bit about how the French lifestyle works, from the fact that they take their lunch breaks seriously – I’m talking, lock up the shop and have a 2 hour nap – to the annoying point that they still don’t understand the ‘sandwich’. So, being a ‘fashionista’, means I am also interested in the fashion side of things, which means it basically means it is obligatory for me to do this post on the reality of French fashion…

When you think of France, you think Fashion – mode -, Wine – vin -, and Food – nourriture -, non? That’s exactly what I expected when we settled into our new surroundings. I was excited to do street style (which is still yet to be done), and to infuse the French style into my own. If you haven’t been to France yet, or you have only been to Paris, you may not realise but when people say ‘French Fashion’ to be honest, they just mean, ‘Paris Fashion’ or ‘Canne Fashion’, or basically ‘The Richer Cities in France Fashion’… pretty much. Let me explain what I mean…

(Both images via Pinterest (Left – by H&M))

When I leave the house and ‘go to town’, most of the people I see are wearing, either jeans and a jumper, or a black dress and boots. Now don’t get me wrong, nothing is wrong with any of that, but when you think ‘French Fashion’, you think the whole of France is ‘trendy’ or ‘fashionable’. I usually stick out like a sore thumb when I’m wearing the clothes I wear, and I was really surprised! It’s not like the towns around me are poor, or really unknown, we live near a city which has a pretty big airport, and big chain stores like Lafayette (similar to John Lewis in the UK), and yes I do see a few more expensive handbags, but it’s still not what you might expect of France. I’ve also been to a few cities along the coast, and they are still not the stylish places that have been hyped up for being like. Then there is the food… the menus are all the same, with burger, pizza and sausage and chips, not once have I seen the gourmet, ‘photoshopped’ looking meals. I think the only thing which is correct about the French expectations, is the wine!

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t been to Paris myself personally, but from what people I know have said, it’s a capital of style, fashion, wealth and food. That’s the exact opposite of what it’s like round here, totally! So, when they say ‘French Fashion’, I really don’t think they mean it literally. Don’t get me wrong though, France is a beautiful place, and I love the experience of being here, but I would just say one thing. Don’t expect what the magazines say, well, unless you are in Paris.

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On Saturday, I will be leaving home, to embark on a short trip to France, ‘Le Mans’ to be precise! So, I thought, as I haven’t been doing any articles recently, and I’m going there, maybe I should do a post on French Fashion? Oui…

Lets start from WW2. During the war, many French fashion houses were shut down, like, Maison Vionnet and Maison Chanel. As Germany took over most of what France produced, including Fashion, Germany took France’s haute couture, over to cities like Berlin and Vienna. During times like this, Fashion shows still went on, but with only around 75 models, shortened amount of time for evening wear, and lighter material being used on day wear. From around 1940, only 4 meters of material was used to make a Coat, and 1 meter for a blouse. With older Fashion houses closing, the only way Women could show there personality through their clothing was through a Hat. These Hats were made from old scraps of coloured materials, and sometimes, even Wood chippings!

A Fashion Show in 1947

After the war had ended, French Fashion started bigger, and better! (See above) Christian Dior, brought in a famous collection, ‘New Look’ in 1947. The collection included dresses full of colour, and skinny waists, for the French women to slip into, and feel good in. From then on, French Fashion was bigger than ever. With Elle, being founded in 1945, and in 1952, Chanel returned to Paris!

In the 1960s French Fashion became more manufactured and more ‘prêt-à-porter‘. Yves Saint Lauren came out with new collections, which were far more casual than just after the war. Since the 1960s, France’s Fashion industry, are now in competition with other countries; Britain, America, Germany, Italy etc.

I hope I come back from France with lots of Photos, so I can share my very short trip – 2 days! – with you all!