Is there anything more inimitably fabulous than the completely indefinable, insouciant and altogether effortless brand of chic that is French style? I'm thinking Vanessa Paradis, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Lou Doillon... and my ultimate style crush of the moment, Clémence Poésy. You may recognise her as Fleur Delacour in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, a role she is soon to reprise in The Deathly Hallows. I'm extremely excited about this recurrence, not only because I've seen the set of her and Bill's engagement party (they have some nice heaps of presents and a lovely banner), but also because she is the very definition of French chic. I have also recently learned that she has landed a role (hopefully recurring) in season four of Gossip Girl, and await with bated breath the coming together of two of my favourite fashion loves in what will surely be an hour of fashiontastic television (and if the on-set pictures are anything to go by, it won't disappoint). And so, with my obsession showing no signs of waning, I have deigned the fabulous Clémence worthy of a blog post.
There were far too many fabulous pictures of Clémence to choose from, but (after a rigorous process of elimination) I have settled on one which I think suitably demonstrates her penchant for easy-chic dressing. It generally takes a simple, but winning, formula: easy timeless basics, fabulously chic accessories, and centre-parted, just-rolled-out-of-bed hair. What stands out about this outfit is that it is so incredibly simple, yet so incredibly stylish. Which is pretty much France's sartorial mantra.
Let's start with the trousers, shall we? A high waist is always very chic, eliminating as it does all possibility of unwanted flesh exposing itself (quelle horreur), and Clem's (I like to think we'd be on nickname terms if we knew one another) perfectly tailored trousers are just loose and silky enough to skim and flatter her petite figure without drowning it. Quality is of course of the essence with tailoring, especially pour les français, so take care when selecting a pair. I like the look of River Island's Wide Leg Tailored Trouser, £29.99, but without trying them on I can't be sure if they'd give as fabulously nonchalant an effect as our muse's.
Anyway, onto the shirt. Perfectly loose, half-unbuttoned, with sleeves casually rolled up, and excellently gives off the impression that Clémence carelessly picked it up off the floor as she sipped her morning espresso and threw it on. Or something like that. This exact air of dressing is not very easily imitated, but then again, one can always try. Again it's the quality of the shirt that will make or break your look here. Try Topshop's Washed Military Cotton Shirt, £28, on for size. You may want something a little silkier, but I rather like the shoulder-tab detail on this guy.
And last, but certainly in no way least, is that fabulous bag. A little bit structured, a little bit squishy, a little bit smart and a little bit casual. It's the perfect accessory to elevate this look out of potentially-boring territory, adding a dose of quirkiness but without looking too try-hard or out-of-place (a bright bag, for example, would look all wrong here. The French don't really do colours anyway: another reason I love their style). I like to imagine that Clémence found hers lying around in her grandmother's attic or something, but in lieu of a vintage treasure, Topshop have two really rather wonderful offerings that would complement this look no end. First up is the effortlessly chic Leather Chain Handle Bag, which serves as a slightly edgier version of the classic Chanel 2.55, and looks a lot more expensive than its £45. The exposed burnished-gold chain would add just the right amount of rock'n'roll edge for anyone looking to take this look firmly away from the workplace (though à mon avis this look is spot-on for the office). The second brilliant armwear option is probably my favourite (and I am seriously considering shelling out for it). Topshop's Two Tone Leather Satchel, £60, offers a slightly more trend-appropriate option, given that satchels are literally everywhere at the moment (and rightly so, for they are beautiful, practical and amazing). And those three adjectives have never been more appropriate than when applied to this delightful black & brown leather wonder, with its gold clasp and somehow humble, understated elegance. Je ne doute pas that Clémence would carry it with pride.
Now, all that remains is for you to roll out of bed without running a brush through your hair, dab on minimal make-up (a dash of mascara and a lip stain, perhaps), fling your outfit on carelessly, grab a croissant on the way to work and stand around all day with your hands nonchalantly in your pockets, exuding an aura of je ne sais quoi.
Let's start with the trousers, shall we? A high waist is always very chic, eliminating as it does all possibility of unwanted flesh exposing itself (quelle horreur), and Clem's (I like to think we'd be on nickname terms if we knew one another) perfectly tailored trousers are just loose and silky enough to skim and flatter her petite figure without drowning it. Quality is of course of the essence with tailoring, especially pour les français, so take care when selecting a pair. I like the look of River Island's Wide Leg Tailored Trouser, £29.99, but without trying them on I can't be sure if they'd give as fabulously nonchalant an effect as our muse's.
Anyway, onto the shirt. Perfectly loose, half-unbuttoned, with sleeves casually rolled up, and excellently gives off the impression that Clémence carelessly picked it up off the floor as she sipped her morning espresso and threw it on. Or something like that. This exact air of dressing is not very easily imitated, but then again, one can always try. Again it's the quality of the shirt that will make or break your look here. Try Topshop's Washed Military Cotton Shirt, £28, on for size. You may want something a little silkier, but I rather like the shoulder-tab detail on this guy.
And last, but certainly in no way least, is that fabulous bag. A little bit structured, a little bit squishy, a little bit smart and a little bit casual. It's the perfect accessory to elevate this look out of potentially-boring territory, adding a dose of quirkiness but without looking too try-hard or out-of-place (a bright bag, for example, would look all wrong here. The French don't really do colours anyway: another reason I love their style). I like to imagine that Clémence found hers lying around in her grandmother's attic or something, but in lieu of a vintage treasure, Topshop have two really rather wonderful offerings that would complement this look no end. First up is the effortlessly chic Leather Chain Handle Bag, which serves as a slightly edgier version of the classic Chanel 2.55, and looks a lot more expensive than its £45. The exposed burnished-gold chain would add just the right amount of rock'n'roll edge for anyone looking to take this look firmly away from the workplace (though à mon avis this look is spot-on for the office). The second brilliant armwear option is probably my favourite (and I am seriously considering shelling out for it). Topshop's Two Tone Leather Satchel, £60, offers a slightly more trend-appropriate option, given that satchels are literally everywhere at the moment (and rightly so, for they are beautiful, practical and amazing). And those three adjectives have never been more appropriate than when applied to this delightful black & brown leather wonder, with its gold clasp and somehow humble, understated elegance. Je ne doute pas that Clémence would carry it with pride.
Now, all that remains is for you to roll out of bed without running a brush through your hair, dab on minimal make-up (a dash of mascara and a lip stain, perhaps), fling your outfit on carelessly, grab a croissant on the way to work and stand around all day with your hands nonchalantly in your pockets, exuding an aura of je ne sais quoi.
Picture of Clémence Poésy: Elleuk.com
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