Letter from reader: “[...] I find your simple, black and French chic style so inspiring. I am in the process of developing a style like yours and I have been wondering what you wear when you go out, party, etc? [...]“
Well, that’s a good question. Here’s a great quote by Isabel Marant:
“If a French girl has to go out, she is going to start by dressing up, then at the last minute, she’s going to grab the old jeans that she was wearing all day and say, “F*** it! I feel more me like this.”
The quote describes me perfectly.
Looking nice and appropriate has become a habit for me. Even though I never really “dress up” on a daily basis, I may look dressed up in a subtle way. I never leave the house looking sloppy or inappropriate. Besides, I’m certainly not the kind of person who looks inappropriately underdressed or inelegant in the hours of daylight, and suddenly transforms into a voluptuous woman who clearly looks dressed up for a particular event. My philosophy is “always be prepared”. My philosophy may not suit every lifestyle but it suits mine. I remember that particular day when I attended school, went grocery shopping, attended a formal birthday dinner at a restaurant and then headed directly to a farewell party – predictably in the same outfit. Not because I didn’t have time to change. In fact, I had plenty of time to change and I even tried on several outfits before the birthday dinner, but I didn’t feel like transforming.
Here is an illustration of my preferred going-out outfit. Fairly uncomplicated. Something I’d also wear on a daily basis minus the pumps.
Cartier watch, Chanel rouge noir lipstick and nail polish.
The description by Isabel Marant matches myself as well. Every time I make an effort to dress up I don't like the results and scratch it all and change back to my everyday attire. Not that I go out that much, but when I do I could just as well be going to University. Some girls from my school looked incredibly bland during the day but like some really hot lady vamps at night when they were about to hit the clubs. It's so confusing.
V: Haha, your description is dead on. And I agree, it's so confusing. Elegance is not something you can turn on and off.
Åh herregud, jeg føler det også sånnt. Veldig. Jeg tar på meg jeansene i siste minutt (ok da, har ikke akkurat vært i noe storslått selskap i det siste da), og det får meg uansett til å føle meg som meg selv, i tillegg til mye bedre enn alle andre. Det høres kanskje veldig rart ut, men etter at jeg begynte å kle meg mer avslappet har jeg ikke like dårlig selvtillitt når det kommer til klær/stil/utseende/etc.Jeg elsker også antrekket du har satt sammen her, og jeg har virkelig vansker med å finne ut hva jeg skal spare til for tiden – jeg kan ikke begynne å legge av penger til et plagg som koster ti tusen, da jeg rett og slett trenger klær, men så vil jeg heller ikke sløse. Jammen ikke lett dette. Men, en sort og enkel bukse, som på bildet, er jeg på utkikk etter (utkikk og utkikk, har jo ikke råd før om et halvt år). Ja, og en sort genser, og et par pumps, og negler, og neglelakk, og en stripete genser, og en bluse fra I.M. sin høstkolleksjon. Oh well! Haha (sorry, dette ble veldig mye tull).
Jeg skulle virkelig ønske jeg også hadde den egenskapen: :)
When I have to go out someplace, I start out wearing my usual day attire, but someone tells me I have to change. I end up going out wearing my usual clothes anyways and I look and feel better than if I had "dressed up".I love the Chanel Rouge Noir nail polish. My mom has it and I'm thinking of buying it for myself now!
I like building on what I already have on if I'm just going to dinner/pub. But if its a special event or even a club i like to change my outfit!
A perfectly put together outfit – just enough details to make one feel special. I usually have more fun when I don't dress up so much, but I do make an exception for instances when I know I might offend the host if I underdress, eg wedding dinners.
i think it all depends on the occasion, the situation and your mood. my school look is definitely different than my so-called party look but that's because it's inappropriate to wear stilettos on campus (my uni is sort of on the mountain) and i hardly ever have the time to think about what i wear in the mornings because i'm always rushed (unless of course, i've mentally planned the night before). it doesn't mean that i never go to school once in a while in a "polished" outfit though, it just depends on whether i have the time and ultimately what i feel like.
Oh, this post is precious and deathly useful. A commandment, in itself.
lin: of course, this outfit is dedicated to going out like really going out to clubs, partys, drinks, etc. i'd never wear this outfit for a wedding. maybe a similar style to it with a black dress.
Your blog is absolutely awesome!xxRedhead In Law
This collage it's amazing. It's going in my inspiration folder. BTW, thanks for your kind comments on my blog. You're too kind!
Ja å fy. Helt enig med det du sier om å kle seg på daglig basis. Jeg forlater ALDRI huset i joggebukse for eksempel. Uansett hvor jeg skal. (bortsett fra trening, men det er noe annet)Og hvis jeg skal i bursdager, etc, så liker jeg å planlegge antrekket på forhånd, slik at det ikke blir så stress.
I'm totally like that as well! I hate the feeling of being overdressed.. it's so uncomfortable. Love that collage as well, a great simple outfit – perfect for going out or just for daily wear.
i love your style, i love how your outfits are simple but not boring, elegant and mature but none of that in your face sexiness.
the quote by isabel marant is so true, I'm french and I do what she said almost all the time like, a last look in the mirror with your perfect dress and your perfect make up and hair, and it's like "not" and you get off the dress, take the jeans put a hand in your hair and give a smile to your mirror :)
ane sunde: åh herregud, samme her! hvertfall til det om dårlig selvtillit og det å "føle seg bedre enn alle andre" som er overpyntet.. også kommer jeg i et simpelt og avslappet antrekk og føler at jeg ser råbra ut, men langt i fra overpyntet. altså, du skulle ikke ha kastet bort alle klærne dine. du kunne erstattet dem gradvis, haha. men et lite tips er å kjøpe f.eks. gensere i 100% naturlig stoff (heter det naturlig stoff på norsk? usyntetisk stoff da bare sånn for å være ekstra dårlig i norsk!) på H&M (herreavdelingen har ofte masse merino-ull og kasjmir!) og Zara. Ikke svinaktig dyrt. jeg må tenke litt fornuftig også.. kan ikke bare kjøpe gensere til 2000 fra isabel marant hver gang jeg skal bygge garderoben min. haha.maria: Haha, hvis jeg skal trene skifter jeg i garderoben.. :-O haha. Cecilia: Me too. Hate the uncomfortable stares you get if you're overdressed.hi there love: haha thanks!maude: So spot on! perfect and effortless, not perfect and polished!
This post is brilliant.
I love every single outfit styled by you.
this post describes my style as well, the most i ever do as i my day turns to night is change my shoes. i never feel so extreme as to be "casual" or "fancy"your collage articulates this post very well! love it
merci!Magdalyn: Something in the middle is the best!
We have a lot in common – in fact this was almost the exact outfit I was wearing yesterday to go from office, to shopping, to dinner, to drinks (but the shoes, though the same shape, were leopard print pony skin). I don't do 'dressing up' (unless I'm going to a very special event) – instead I just try to be chic and well groomed at all times. P.S. I have completely fallen in love with your blog and aesthetic lately – would you mind if I linked you as a favourite on mine? Would love it if you could do the sameBriony xx