It’s Bastille Day on Saturday, July 14. I am a Francophile ( my nom de plume is FiFi !) so it’s time to celebrate all things French. Mais oui. May I say I have had le best time shopping - for you dear FiFi Report readers - for all things magnifique . Voila the top ten pieces for a wardrobe a la Francaise!. Oh la la, Vite,Vite ! time to shop. Bon chance!
TIP: All the links to the stores to buy everything toute suite are in rouge.
Petit Bateau Women’s summer pea jacket:
The first pitstop when you head to Paris? Petit Bateau: an institution in France. Simple, chic casual and mostly in lovely cotton. It can be tricky to find it here in Australia ( if anyone knows where to buy it let me know). Calmez vous! You can buy from the US Site (but they don’t ship to Australia so use PriceUSA.) I found this fabulous jacket. It’s a summer peacoat in navy. EET eees zo French non? Love the short style, the double breasted look. Love the cotton, it’s perfect for Australia. How chic over a stripe tee and chino! ….Mom Dieu: it’s on sale now $110 from $220. It may have left the building so be quick. If you can’t get it then the idea is to use this jacket for inspiration: Cherie, it’s The One. Wear with white tee and jeans. Ines de la Fressange will be proud of you. $110.
Repetto Ballet flats:
I’ve been talking about the concept of loafers being the new ballet flats. Yes, in fashion terms. At the end of the day Ballet flats are a classic. The chicest around? Repetto. They are the quintessential ballet shoe. Understated chic non? You could go for Black or red, brown. Love how it’s styled on the net a porter with a floral dress. Wearing flats with a dress when you are height challenged is tricky. Especially when you are croissants challenged every day as well. Love with jeans and chinos. The perfect travel shoe. They are quality, darling, quality. Buy here at net aporter. £137.50.
Country Road Stripe T-Shirt:
So this brings us to the most French of all French clothing: the Breton stripe tee. It goes in and out of fashion but it’s always in style. Which is the way French women dress ( never tooo fashion ). Do you have one drawer totally devoted to your navy and white stripe tees? I thought so. It’s time to lash out and go for red. Love this number from Country Road. Not too clingy. Great cut. Easy to wear on it’s own or under a jacket. Love it under a peacoat or blazer, or trench. Do I have to go on? Non! You know all that. I say “Oui, sil vous plait. Pourquoi non?” it’s just $59. Buy here
Longchamp Le PliageTravel tote bag:
Longchamps have been around forever. The classic French handbag. These bags are more popular than ever. Don’t let all those fakes put you off ! The real longchamps last forever. You can’t kill those bags. I have bought the tote bag, the makeup bag, the wallet and the parka. Oh and the leather diary. I have thrashed them. They keep going. They never die. Perfect for travelling the classic tote is all you need. Light ( so you can stuff more in) they do that clever origami thing where they fold up. Throw in the suitcase. Unfold. Fill with shopping in the Paris sales. You can buy here at the longchamp store in Sydney. BTW Last year Nordstrom were shipping Longchamp to Australia but that service is no longer.Whaaat? Dommage! Try Priceusa but the prices are very similar. This one is $135.
APC navy blazer:
Do you know about APC? It’s one of those quiet French brands. ‘The brand is known for its minimalist designs. Its clothing features clean lines and simple patterns. Logos are rarely visible, as well. Its clothing tends to incorporate the characteristics of military garments.’ Thank you wikipedia. The good news: they ship to Australie. Fantastique.They are on sale. Merveilleux. I love their classic navy blazer. They call it a riding jacket. whatever. Their description: “straight cut. Fitted look. Two buttons. Slit cuff with button closure. Breast pocket. Piped front pockets. Thin shoulder pads. Lined.” Formidable ! Don’t you love the way they have styled it on their site? With ballet flats, cool jeans, a tee and then a camel bag to lighten it up. So chic. So very French. Tip: throw it over a dress as well. It’s a pivotal piece in your wardrobe. Pivotal. Buy here on sale 248,50 €
Lanvin Twisted-shoulder dress from Lane Crawford:
I was looking everywhere online for a fabulous little black dress. A French femme is never without a little black dress in her wardrobe. I finally found love with this DIVINE Lanvin dress at Lane Crawford. ( who ship to Australia. woo hoo! Sorry) . It’s amazing price on sale $945 (50% off). I know that is way out of budget for many of us. Dommage. But please be inspired. Look at that gorgeous shape. Love the architectural lines and the fabulous draped twisted neckline Adorable. Otherwise check out here the elizabeth-and-james black dress. It’s now $270. The back is incredible. J’adore !
Burberry Brit Trench:
You will die when you go to Burberry (Australia) website. Die. faint. Fall over. Then go bananas. It’s divine. Wearing a trench is as French as camembert with red wine. hic! With half the calories. It has to be Burberry. That’s the trench not the camembert. I think the prices are pretty fabulous for Burberry. I could easily run away with this stone double breasted trench. It deserves a rendez vous in a hotel on the left bank n’est ce pas? You know how to wear it: ( with nothing under it : just sayin’ ) Je l’aime! $1,150.
Hermes Mini Etrivière 4 Tours Leather bracelet :
A French FiFi Report is not complete without a leetle beet of Hermes. The epitome of understand style and quality. Superbe. I love this new divine leather bracelet with white stiching. Isn’t that colour lovely? You know the look: pile up the bracelets and cuffs on one wrist. Add your Cape Cod watch. A stunning ring. Voila! Throw on jeans, your ballet flats and APC blazer. Oh I think we are getting together the chicest look ever. Add Birkin bag. (Then never eat again…) $545. Buy here Hermes.
Lanvin shoulder bag:
Move over Prada: the most wanted bags are Lanvin. This shoulder bag rocks. J’adore the navy and black. J’adore the easy shape, the top handle and the shoulder strap. The subtle hardware and the size. The quality is sublime. The price is pretty fabuleux. It will make you tres content. Esepcially when you see it’s just $1099… ( Who needs to go to Paris?…Oh shopping is my bete noire but I can’t help that I have savoire faire ). Buy here at Farfetch
Equipement white Blouse:
Last but not least in any classic French wardrobe is the white shirt. End of story. Fin. Equipment is the dernier cri. The brand was big in the 70’s and 80’s. Now it’s been re-launched by the husband of Uber fashion guru Carine Roitfled. She lives in them ( see here on iwanttobearoitfeld.com. ) Ageless, low key and the most versatile piece in your wardrobe. I love how Carine mixes her shirts with over the top luxe skirts. It’s the contrasts of styles. You want this white equipment shirt. You do. Here’s the description ” This silk blouse features a fold-over collar and 9-button closure. Flap bust pockets and shirttail hem. Box pleat at back. Knife pleat at adjustable double-button cuffs. Long sleeves. Semi-sheer.” It’s Amour ! Especially with free shipping from shopbop. ( floral pants from Peter Som if you need to know) AU$ 212. buy here.
PS: everyone MUST read Parisian Chic by Ines de la Fressange ( from cover to cover) . The bible on French style: More here on FiFi Report 352. Merci x
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I leant this book to my daughter who said that the reason why she never has anything to wear is because she doesnt have the basics. I havent recieved my book back yet.
Thanks so much for mentioning IWTBAR! “I want to be a Roitfeld “Your list is the epitome in French style, brava! Happy Bastille Day! Bisous
Merci!