Good pum(a), but I'd rather being called Miss Marple.. <BR> <BR>Anyway, so very true.. I couldn't agree more. <BR> <BR>Surlok

Surlok, Love your tweeds.

Puma, <BR> <BR>Thanxs! <BR> <BR>I'm sooo flattered.. Shall I b(l)ush? Or shall I flare??? <BR> <BR>Surlok

Which Victoria. I just went to the drugstore, all excited, and it clearly wasn't the August issue, which is all they had? Was it July? I can still see if I can find one or otherwise go to the library. Thanks.

Good morning Andi, it is the September issue. My copy came in the mail two days ago......mim

Thanks Mim. I just found it, wiped off the chairs on my deck since the rain's stopped, and enjoyed.

When I was in Paris in February I noticed women wearing cropped pants with boots - I thought that was very sexy.

Zee walk? Eeeets from all zee wine zey dreenk! Alors! But seriously folks, French women and men have a certain style. I think it comes from what is inside - and it is reflecting on the outside. If I lived in a place as beautiful as Paris, surrounded by the history, the architecture, the art, the food and wine - perhaps I would feel the way do - and have the same "reflection".

I fell in loves on my first trip to Paris. It took me a few years to work up the courage to wear one at home, and when I did - I got tons of comments. Living in the extreme deep south, there only seem to be a handful of days that it's comfortable to add something around my neck, but it gives me something - maybe it's just an attitude. What I notice about the French walk is that the posture, I think - shoulders back, little hip movement. I also like the way French women can walk down the street with a cigarette, elbow crooked with the cigarette close to their face. If you want around in the U.S. with a cigarette, it just looks trashy.

For what it's worth ...posssibly those of "average" US size don't stop think about it: the French - across the board, generalzing - are much smaller than your average US citizen. As a 5'10" (US/midwestern) woman, I feel like a GIANT in France. And i do think that that is what contributes to that "look" = = they are a very small=boned, short race of folk.....So what looks good on them...isn't necessarily going to look good on the rest of us (even average sized), no matter HOW we tie the knot. <BR>

Just for your info: <BR> <BR>Fashion modeling requires the models to be 5'7'' and above.

Someone in the thread stated that if she dressed more stylishly she would feel self conscious around the soccer moms at the mall ... why? because they are dressed like schlubs and you look smart? I firmly believe that someone should always be presentable in public. <BR> <BR>There used to be a time when an American wouldn't be caught dead in public wearing jeans ("dungarees" back then), but now it seems that you should be ashamed if you aren't wearing a track suit and ill-fitting pants. <BR> <BR>Sadly, times have changed.

topper

I used to work with a French woman at an ad agency here in the States. She'd wear a monochromatic outfit of a snug shirt and pants and wrap a brightly colored scarf around her hips, emphasising her cute derriere. No makeup except for red lipstick. An effortless and casual, yet spectacular, look.

Women in paris with cigarettes hanging out their mouth is not chic.

Did someone mention dangling cigarettes?

I've looked into the closet of a French friend of mine for her secrets and this is what I saw: only a very few outfits and a few shoes but all of very high quality (expensive). She must have had a lot of restraint and dicipline. Also, when we went shopping, she rarely bought anything. It had to look spectacular, not just good. If it did look spectacular, she just bought it right away. The last item was an incredible white cotton shirt from Anne Fontaine(spelling?) in SoHo. Again, it was impeccable in tailoring and quality. I also noticed that she paid particular attention to her coats and jackets. I guess that is what you see most. By the way, where can I get a beautiful long coat? I live in New Jersey, on the Hudson with easy access to NYC.

Interesting comments. Personally, I've been disappointed with the style of most of the Parisians that I've run across the past two years. I've noticed that they do tend to wear black (and other dark colors), but then again they're mostly winters so it looks half way decent with their coloring. Admittedly, I did most of my people-watching on the Metro, so maybe I was just seeing tired commuters. I saw worn down shoes, coats that looked worse for wear, etc. What I did notice is that women seemed to dress up more for shopping (snug suits and heels) and dinners out than we would (I'm from Seattle). If you are a well dressed woman you will get your share of stares on the subway, but don't take it as an offense -- they're checking out YOUR style to see what they can copy. Scarves are overdone, but I've worn them for years, so it may depend on what you're used to, etc.

I used to have a book which was about French women and their style and how others could achieve it. Does anyone know of such a book?

Hi Niki, <BR> <BR>I'm sure it's Ann Barone, Chic and slim or the Chic and slim encore. <BR>She has a website, annebarone.com