How French Fashion Changed The Way I Shop
What comes to mind when you think of Paris?
If you’re like me, it’s likely croissants, balconies, champagne and timeless fashion (aka the best that life has to offer.) While these are all beautiful things, on my last trip to Paris, what really stood out to me was that quintessential French girl style. The French, and French women, in particular, are known for their ability to look effortlessly classic and put together at all times. Their style is both fashionable and timeless. They never look like they’re trying to stand out, and yet somehow, they always do.
As a terribly unstylish American, who considers leggings and a sweater to be more than sufficient for most outings, I became intrigued by how I could replicate the enviable French style in my own life. Hence began a YouTube and Google binge session featuring a lot of Alexa Chung (who, yes, I know is not French), red lipstick and stripes. I came out the other side hopeful that even I could create a wardrobe worth showing off.
Principles of French Shopping
Make Shopping an Experience
One of the biggest causes of waste is accessibility. In a world where you can buy anything from your bed, or easily find a store that sells tons of clothing for less than $20, it is easy for us to cheapen the value of our clothing. Instead, what if we made shopping an experience? Plan a day to go with your mom or best friend, get lunch, and take your time finding quality pieces that you will actually wear and enjoy for years! There are better ways to kill time, then spending money unnecessarily and supporting unethical and unsustainable consumerism.
Personal Style Over Trends
In my experience, I have wasted a lot of money and clothing by purchasing pieces that were “trendy” but didn’t fit my style at all. These pieces ended up stashed in the back of my dresser for a year and a half until I finally just gave up and donated them.
Have a Variety of Pieces for Styles You Love
This was a small tip that made a big difference to me! We can’t all be Steve Jobs and commit to wearing the exact same outfit every day, but if you have a style that you love- embrace it! Buy things you know you will wear over and over, and allow yourself to have a couple of each style (create variety with fabric or color) Implementing this idea has made my getting dressed process SO. MUCH. EASIER. Because guess what? I actually like what I own, and get excited to wear it!
When it Comes to Denim, Neutrals & Basics, Fit is Everything
When it comes to the basic pieces you wear nearly every day (jeans, basic tees, tank tops, etc.) finding something that fits properly is key. Remember, if the goal is to create a wardrobe full of clothing you’ll *actually* wear, then choosing the best fit and highest quality piece, is a sure way to guarantee that. Sure, that white tee might have been on sale, but if it’s simply too big on you it’s unlikely that you’ll end up wearing it much.
Invest in Lifelong Pieces
When trying to decide the best pieces to really invest in, it’s good to consider what you are most likely to own the longest. For example, a purse might last 30 years, whereas a pair of jeans might not make it more than 10. A heavy winter coat that you only wear a few times a year, will last a lot longer than the sweater you wear around the house every day in the winter. These lifelong items are a great place to start buying true “investment pieces” if you can’t reasonably afford to buy the most eco-friendly or high-quality version of every item in your closet.
Embrace Imperfections
This idea applies more to us than it does the clothing, but I still think it is a key piece of creating a personal style you love. The French are famous for making natural, imperfections the standard of beauty. Embrace who you are! Embrace your shape and size! Embrace your imperfections! Embrace your style! The longer we live with the mindset that our goal is to be a perfect replica of someone else (usually those found in magazines or advertisements) the longer we will be unhappy with ourselves, our appearance, and our wardrobe. Letting go of the need to “fit in” or “look a certain way” has brought so much freedom to my life and the way I dress!
Now that I had properly educated myself in the French approach to fashion, it was time to translate this into my own life. I had two big factors working against me: 1) a past of hopeless style and 2) a very small budget. Nonetheless, I was excited about the idea of creating a closet full of clothing that made me feel good and that I could feel good about owning.
Before I get into these points, you need to know something about me. Not only I had never prioritized good style, but I had also never been intentional with shopping in a way that was eco-friendly and promoted sustainability. I bought most of my wardrobe from TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Forever 21. Knowing what I know now, I cringe just saying that, but it’s the truth, and the goal isn’t to be perfect, right? It’s to grow and to adjust our habits when we learn new information. So if you’re a serial “fast” shopper like I was, please know that you are in safe company here! I hope you don’t feel judged or guilty, but rather inspired to be better moving forward!
How I Make it Work
Shop Less
The first change I started incorporating into my routine was to shop less! I’ve never been a big online shopper (nothing ever seems to fit right) but I was definitely known to “swing through TJ Maxx”, buy some random $7 shirt I would wear twice and then give to Goodwill. I was shopping thoughtlessly and as a way to fill time rather than to specifically find something to add to my wardrobe. This led to me buying things I didn’t need (or even particularly love) just because I was there and it was cheap. If this is you, try to take note of how often you are shopping and see if you can find ways to cut back.
Thrifting, Thrifting, Thrifting
I. LOVE. THRIFTING. Now I know thrifting can be a polarizing idea, and it seems like people either love it or hate it, but if you are looking for a way to shop smart and still create a KILLER wardrobe, I would highly suggest embracing the thrift life. Thrifting is a great way to experiment with new styles and is the best way to find those signature vintage pieces or those perfectly worn-in jeans. At this point, I would say that at least 50% of my closet is thrifted (if not more) and I’ve never been happier with the selection of clothing that I have.
Learn How to do Basic Alterations
Along with the idea of thrifting comes this, learning how to do basic alterations. Now I recognize that this point isn’t something you can just put into practice right away, but if you really plan to start adjusting the way you shop, this is an excellent tool to acquire. While I’m still in the beginning stages of my learning, the ability to hem dresses and pants, shorten tops, and bring in jackets, can totally expand your options! Next time you see that *almost* perfect if it was just a bit shorter, dress at the thrift store you can take it home and adjust it yourself. I’m really excited to see how as my ability to alter clothing increases, so will my options when thrifting.
Re-Envision What I Have
One of my favorite ways to maximize my closet is to find some fashion inspiration and then see how I can copy it with what I already have! You already know Pinterest is the best place for outfit inspiration, and that’s usually where I like to start! After scrolling for a bit, I can look at my closet with new eyes! That old sweater that I always wear with the same pair of jeans, can get a new life when I decide to pair it with a skirt and a new jacket. It might sound silly, but there is likely a lot more you can do with pieces you already own- you just have to view them with new eyes!
Choose What to Invest In
In a dream world, we would all be able to afford the high-quality, most eco-friendly clothing money can buy, but as I’m sure most of us know too well, that isn’t always the reality. If you’re like me, and you are trying to shop smarter but on a budget, understanding where to invest your money can be a huge help! For example, when looking for my next purse, I knew I wanted something high-quality, that would last me a long time. The purses I’ve seen at thrift stores were always so worn down, and it wasn’t something I could fix on my own. So I took the time to do some research, found the company I wanted to buy from, waited until they had a sale, and then made the purchase! I love the bag I ended up with, and I know I’ll have it forever, so I can feel comfortable about the amount I spent!
I hope these tips can help you start to shop in a way that is better for your style, your budget, and the environment. If it feels overwhelming to try and implement all of these ideas at once, just start small! Pick one change and go for it. Even if that one change just means wearing more red lipstick. Hey! Progress is progress., and I bet you look great.