I like to pretend I'm French: The Guide Part 1

How It all started

Many years ago I started to wear black. I was in architecture school and did not have the resources (time + money) to keep up with the trends. I wear a variation of black pants, turtlenecks, skirts, and shoes. My only accessory often is my signature red lipstick. I didn’t think years ago that I was stylish. It was a practical way for me to look ok, at least to myself, and still carry on with my work. Today it is no different. I can roll out of bed and put on my favorite oversized turtle neck sweater and leggings and get on with the day until I need to shower and put on my public black uniform. My style is easy. I have multiples of everything so that I can just jump into my clothes and not worry that something is in the laundry hamper. As I have dressed in a utilitarian way all of these years I realized that it was a French way to dress and I was suddenly artsy. C’est la vie!

What about the stripes?

When I was 5 years old I was invited to a playmate’s house. I saw that she had on a striped t-shirt. The stripes were very thin and blue and white. I was smitten. I had never seen anything like it. My mother dressed me in sweater sets and blouses with Peter Pan collars. My friend showed me her drawer of shirts. She had several and said I could wear one. I chose the red and white stripes. I got to wear it home and I showed my mother. Hence, the obsession with stripes began.

Plaid?

I must admit that throughout my elementary school years, my favorite color was plaid. Yes. plaid. I had woolen jumpers in every plaid imaginable since my mother sewed my clothes. My raincoat was a plaid double-breasted tartan with a belt. Very spy-like. My school bag was yet another plaid and my metal lunch pail was yet another.

French Accoutrements + More Stripes!

Today, stripes are my color. I cannot get enough of them. Striped vertical blouses and horizontal long-sleeved and short-sleeved t-shirts. Of course, the blue and white French sailing shirt has influenced my wardrobe quite a bit. I have discovered the perfect striped bag. I call it the Baby Buddha Studio Essential Striped Bag. In the summer, I often wear a linen shirt in a dark blue or dark brown. I find that blue and brown go well with all of my black things. And as a safe fashion statement colorful socks are my obsession. I often treat myself to a beautiful pair of socks when I visit Paris.

The Baby Buddha Essential Striped Bag crossed over a dark blue linen shirt. You will notice that I’m wearing a scarf, another accessory that brings interest to my black uniform ensemble.

Scarves you say?

Scarves. Beautiful scarves. I started wearing scarves when I went to Italy when I was 40. I purchased them in 3’s because at the shops you can buy 3 for 10 lira! I was delighted that I did not have to try on anything to bring color into my life. I learned early on that I do not look very good in lively prints. I can wear the occasional polka dot but my only real safe bet is a stripe. So back to scarves and how they work into everyday life. I do not like a draught, especially around my neck. Every day I wear some form of Turtle Neck but for extra draft protection, I wear a black cashmere scarf of which I have 3. I faintly remember a scary campfire story of a woman who always wore a scarf and one day it was ripped away from her and off rolled her head. But I push that thought away and hope I do not scare small children who might have heard that story. When I dress up I wear a colorful scarf on top of my dress-up black ensemble. Voila. Fancy dress.

Wear a French Storefront around your neck?

As you may know, I like to paint storefronts. I had an idea to make scarves. So I did! I wear my storefronts around my neck and so can you! Here is the link to shop: Baby Buddha Studio Scarves. My core collection is available and I’m dreaming up new designs all of the time.

The model, snort, is sporting a 36” square silk scarf, Hotel du Nord.

The French Straw Hat

One parting accessory, the hat. I recently found a straw hat at the Paris Flea Market and it really has added so much to daily life in the summer. I really feel French. More on hats on another post

So, in a nutshell, this is my part one of I like to Pretend I’m French. I hope you’ll stay tuned for the next installment!

A bientot!