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How To Be Parisian - A Book Review
Last week, I promised that I would review the recently published ‘How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are – Love, Style and Bad Habits’. And today, I’ve finally got around to doing so. Now, before you continue reading, I should warn you that this hasn’t ended up being a ‘real’ review – it’s more dot points of what I liked and didn’t like so much about the book. But I’ve decided that’s ok, due to the fact that if you are after an in depth review, you can find heaps on the internet. Which is unsurprising, given the title and the popularity of the ‘How to be French’ genre.
Title: ‘How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are – Love, Style and Bad Habits’.
Authors: Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Sophie Mas.
English Translation Published: 2014, Hardcover, 255 pages.
What I Liked:
- The photography and illustrations – some of them are just gorgeous. I also really liked the colour chart which related back to all things Parisian (although I’m not sure how it would come up in the electronic version of the book).
- The fact that, for the most part, it is very lighted hearted – don’t expect it to be life changing. This book doesn’t take itself too seriously, and is easy to read. Having said that, there are some deeper parts to the book that did get me thinking.
- It provides some good, although not necessarily new, tips on Parisian style and on Paris itself. For me, the consistency of always seeing silk scarves, ballet flats, jeans and trench coats on a ‘Parisian Essentials’ list brings comfort.
- The (not very difficult) recipes and the numerous quotes – they both added something a bit different.
- The feel of the paper in the hardcover copy. I read most of my books on my iPad these days, but chose to buy a hardcover copy of ‘How To Be Parisian’ and have it sent out from the US, as the book hadn’t been released in Australia. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy reading ‘real’ books, and nice the paper felt under my fingertips.
What I Wasn’t So Sure About:
- The translations.
These books that are orignally written in French and translated for the English speaking world always seem to come across a little blunt for me. - The fact that the authors suggest you cut out a couple of pages of the book so that ‘you can take a bit of Paris with you’. Seems a bit silly to me to hack into a brand new book. That’s what used magazines are for.
- The book jumps around from topic to topic. It doesn’t really detract – but some points do come across as a bit random at times.
All in all, I think if you enjoy reading about all things Parisian you will definitely enjoy this book. I’ve dipped into it numerous times since it arrived, and found an entertaining snippet each and every time.
If you’ve read ”How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are – Love, Style and Bad Habits’, I’d be keen to know what you thought of it.
Until next time – au revoir.
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AUTHOR
Janelle
I believe that everyone can bring French elegance and inspiration to their life, no matter where they happen to live in the world.
They only need to learn a secret or two to be on their way.
When you join the Distant Francophile community, you’ll have access to the secrets that allow you to bring the best of the French lifestyle into your everyday life. I’m talking about things like style advice, recipes and book reviews. And you’ll also receive regular doses of French inspiration, as well as travel and packing tips galore.
"How to be Parisian..." Book review
Intro
As i promised a couple of days ago i have returned with a brand new post about the book i am currently reading. I always saw on Instagram and other social media that this particularly book is pretty famous and it became very fast a best seller over the world. So in no time i said to my boyfriend i need to have it, even though in Turkey is hard to find it in English so i had to ordered it from abroad first and then have been shipped to my address here in Trabzon.
I think it took about 1 week or so but i got it around April this year so i just had time now to actually dig into her and see if it's worth it.
Believe or not i almost finished reading this book in less then 2 days of course is very easy to read and the posts are very well organized around the page so it can give you that comfort once you read it. "How to be Parisian wherever you are" if you are a girl for sure you have heard about this book, it has been classified like a ''Bible'' of Parisian women with everything you need to know about fashion, lifestyle and love plus other surprises as well. But let's get into it, shall we?!...
The title and cover
I find the cover very original with a white background and basically black on white writing which is super classy and of course very French. A chill girl enjoying a coup of coffee and a cigarette ready for a new working day, this is my thought about it. The title is very bold in attractive alphabet and is pretty catchy to the eye, i love it.
Of course this is just a paper cover and once you remove it there is the hard cover with the same girl illustration.
The Authors
There are four authors, all women of course and in the same order they appear on the cover are : Sophie Mas, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret and Anne Berest.
As i can see from the last page note about them Sophie was born and raised in Paris, she graduated from the Faculty of science and currently she is living in LA, New York and Brazil as she works as a film producer which is super interesting.
Audrey she graduated from journalism and she became a scriptwriter and currently she is directing her first film plus working for the ''Stylist'' magazine.
Caroline she studied at Sorbonne university in Paris and then she moved to New York to pursue modeling. She returned to Paris and started her own music label, she also became ambassador for ''Chanel '' and recently ''Lancome'' luxury brands.
Way to go Caroline!
And last but not least Anne she already released 2 books and she also writes for television and theater.
There you can see their pictures as well. Such cool girls!
The Content
What i like before i start digging into the content is once you open the book on the first page you see this red pages in the beginning and also in the end as you can see above, it reminds me of the "Louboutin" red shoe color. It's pretty classy and of course Parisian. Super nice design!
The book is divided into 5 big chapters, all with sub chapters on their own, i will just mention the chapters :
- Get the Basics
- Own your bad habits
- Cultivate your allure
- Dare to love
- Parisian tips
First chapter
First chapter has 16 under chapters and are about numerous tips for example what you may find inside a Parisian women's closet or what a man thinks about the french women, a history reminder of who the most famous Parisian women were, what a first date should look like, how to go all natural with the makeup and of course what there must be in your purse.
What i love about this book so far is that it has bunch of illustrations throw out and the covers are like hard plastic kinda of like. First chapter was great and very funny, i think i read it so fast in less than 15 minutes. I enjoyed every tip and seriously i learn many things.
Second chapter
This chapter is more about love and tips on how to make him think you're a lover or how to host a dinner party and what i love the most is the fact that food recipes are posted inside of course French recipes with step by step instructions on how to cook them like in Paris. I did got some tips which i am going to prepare soon. Also main courser and desserts you may find throw out the book which is totally amazing and maybe that's why became so fast a big hit. More chapters like French snobbism and how to get motivated to go the gym or work. Great stories and tips as well!
Third chapter
This chapter is more about fashion on how to choose the most important pieces to own to how to maintain a 24 hour look to what books should be in your bookshelf.
What i love about this chapter is that they teach you with example how to reach that self confidence attribute and many things about the skin, clothes and how to find your own fashion sense.
Fourth chapter
Is going back to second chapter and love sort off, they show us how the ideal man should be from the Parisian perspective and how to keep an optimistic view on love. How to acknowlegde your own true assets. More chapters about loving your own body naked and how to party like a Parisian and what are the perspective on marriage and some advises from the point of view of a mother. What i love about this chapter is that i found myself in it, i mean like Romanian and East European way of thinking on marriage, my mom and me consider that marriage is no longer what it used to be and you can easily stay many year with somebody without that piece of paper to it which is the same taught as French women.
Fifth chapter
Last chapter is by far my favorite and because is so funny and so great pictures with a lot of cooking recipes, for example the classic crepes recipe with the good old recipe for mayonnaise and tips on how to set a table and how to choose your own perfume until you became 30 and last but not least what to do if you are in Paris, what to visit and a bunch of addresses for cool places.
Also a glossar with the most famous things Parisians are known for such as the crosissants and la province and the rose wine. Last page is about the English French words that everybody shares. And of course another great picture with the girls all sitting together on a table in Paris.
The price
This book as i ordered from abroad it cost 16. 99 Pounds which i think it was around 80 TL ( 20 something euro's ) if i am not wrong because i did bought many months ago.
Conclusions
I am not so much a reader lately but i was back in my days, whenever i find a book so good it literally keeps me going until i finish it and this book was by far one of those especially if you are into fashion like me. I cannot recommend this book for boys sorry but i think every girl should definitely read it or at least give it a try. It's a great lecture, funny as hell and bunch of illustrations and many times you will find yourself throw the pages and examples.
I gave it 5 star rating because is that good seriously, buy it!
Photo gallery
How to Instagram Like Real Parisians
Looking at photos of Jeanne Damas, Leah Sfez, Lou Doillon and other French women, you constantly wonder how they manage to take such atmospheric shots. At the same time, all the pictures of the girls look completely natural and have never been staged. We carefully studied the accounts of these beauties and deduced the formula for the perfect Parisian-style Instagram feed.
Harmony and appeasement
It is with this expression on their faces that Jeanne Damas and Leia Sfez appear in the frame. They are always calm, not in a hurry and appreciate every moment. Even if there is real chaos around, these girls never show their mind. nine0003
Red lipstick, a vest and careless curls
These reference attributes of French women are a kind of cliché, but the Instagram of a real Parisian still cannot do without them.
The main thing is not to abuse it.
Properly selected details work wonders
The French women skillfully add accessories to the basic sets in the form of a T-shirt and jeans - neat gold earrings, a cap or your favorite Chanel bag. This is the secret of their fashionable ease. nine0003
Popular
Unusual selfie props
Parisians always approach this format creatively. To make the shot not boring, bright decorations, flowers, vinyl or ... a paper croissant are used.
Interior
Especially now, during the forced self-isolation, don't forget to share the beautiful corners of your apartment. We bought a new flower - be sure to take a picture. The shadow lay beautifully on your bed - do not be too lazy to take a few shots. nine0003
Popular
Favorite book
Tell, or rather show, what you are currently reading. Firstly, it will be very useful content for your subscribers, and secondly, with books, the frames are very effective.
Jeanne Damas will not let you lie.
Delicious (sometimes not at all healthy) food
You rarely see green smoothies or kale and cauliflower salads on French women's Instagram. These girls are very happy to share photos with pizza, creamy pasta and fresh pastries. Arrange a photo session with your favorite dishes and you. nine0003
Popular
Random shots
On Instagram, Parisians do not play roles, but show life as it is. Fashionistas try to be themselves under any circumstances. Share funny pictures and don't be afraid to look funny.
Photogenic hobbies
Parisians read, draw at night, plant plants on the balcony - and all this is sure to be shared on Instagram. Be open with your subscribers, "let" them into your life. nine0003
Popular
Favorite Addresses
Girls' accounts often contain photos of their favorite places in the city — cafes, shops, parks.
A great picture guide to the best - and trusted - addresses in Paris.
Eugénie Trochu / vogue.fr
instagram Parisian Jeanne Damas
Read also10 Instagram-lessons* of style from Paris
* The social network is recognized as extremist and banned on the territory Russian Federation. nine0003
Are you going to Paris? We have collected 10 Instagram (The social network is recognized as extremist and banned on the territory of the Russian Federation) - pictures of real people, clearly demonstrating the essence of the French style. With the tips below, you'll never stand out from the stylish Parisian crowd or look out of place. Remember!
Yana Demchenko
Tags:
Accessories nine0003
Leather jackets
Longchamp
fashion ideas
Lesson #1: let Garance Doré, a blogger and fashion journalist, be your main muse.
Looking through her book on style (another option is the book "The Parisienne and Her Style" by Ines de la Fressange), you will be imbued with the charm of French restraint and you will definitely not make mistakes when picking up things for a trip to Paris or any other French city. nine0003
Posted by Garance Doré (@garancedore)
Lesson #2: match similar colors and bet on accessories and shoes.
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #3: Don't be afraid of classic wardrobe items from the "like a grandmother" series. French women do not have things that “age”: for example, in a Parisian bakery you can easily meet a very young girl with a graphic square, in a vintage neckerchief and elegant ladies loafers with medium heels.
And the Longchamp nylon bag, which we often call the “string bag”, is worn here from youth. The main thing is to combine it with the current aviator jacket: such details will “stretch out” the whole image if you are wearing not only a neckerchief, but also a classic pencil skirt. nine0003
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #4: Don't be afraid to stand out from the crowd by betting on one of the "hot" trends. The deadpan expression even compensates for such ambiguous experiments as cropped trousers with flounces or culottes in black and white vertical stripes.
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #5: go to rue Saint-Honoré for inspiration. Even if you are not going to buy anything in local boutiques, looking at passers-by on this street is an indispensable part of the cultural program in Paris.
Here you can see the French style in all its diversity: from teenagers who know how to create an actual look for a penny, to wealthy ladies who casually flaunt a bag worth an annual salary. nine0003
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #6: mimic, blend in with the crowd. The French are very scrupulous about everything that differs from the generally accepted norm. When going to Paris, be sure to check with what they are wearing there now, so that every waiter or beggar in the metro does not see for a kilometer that you are a tourist. This applies primarily to overly tight outfits, a combination of several bright colors, excessive elegance and wardrobe items such as a caterpillar vest (or fur coat). You don't want to be "Russo tourist" do you? nine0003
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #7: A boater never hurts.
Forget about such "Parisian" fashion stamps as a vest or beret - these are too costume options, reminiscent of the stylization of an inexpensive photo shoot. But a boater hat is an option for the sophisticated.
Publication from DA/DA | Diane Ducasse (@dadadianeducasse)
Lesson #8: timeless Parisian classic... Skinny black trousers, neutral top, stylish flats and a leather jacket. As part of this set, you can afford to introduce a variety of trends - from slippers with patches to jackets with catchy inscriptions. You definitely won't guess. nine0003
Posted by Yana Demchenko (@londonispassion)
Lesson #9: “Simplicity is worse than theft”? Just not in France! Cocktail and evening dresses are not very favored here, and frankly elegant dresses, going to fashion parties, prefer to "ground" with leather jackets and brutal shoes.
