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.