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To celebrate Bastille Day we’ve compiled the ethical guide to dressing like a Parisienne.
Our guide to dressing like a Parisienne
Ah, Paris, the City of Love! Who doesn’t love the lights, the Eiffel Tower, fresh baguettes, and of course the fashion — la Mode?
There’s no denying Paris has been the fashion capital for decades now (and I’m not just saying that because I am French, non madame). Paris is where Haute Couture was born, and fashion is constantly being reinvented.
What makes Parisian fashion even more exciting are the Parisiennes. French women, especially the ones from Paris, have been known to possess that “je ne sais quoi” — an effortlessly chic style at all times of the day and night, and simple elegance that is truly enviable (again, not saying that because I am from Paris, of course). Think Brigitte Bardot, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Coco Chanel, Vanessa Paradis, or more recently Jeanne Damas.
Sadly, the big fashion houses aren’t known for their ethics, and change is in the air in la belle Paris. The French Revolution is happening all over again, and this time it’s about fashion. In fact, the city has released a plan to become more sustainable, and will implement “Paris Good Fashion” over the next 5 years, an initiative to make the French fashion industry more eco-friendly and ethical. Galeries Lafayette, the iconic department store, have also launched “Go For Good”, a movement dedicated to promoting sustainable and ethical brands. And even more recently, France has passed a legislation banning companies from destroying unsold clothes and electronics. Allez la France!
At Good On You, we’re excited to see France, and especially Paris, become a sustainable fashion supporter, and hopefully a major actor in the movement in the coming years. So, we’ve compiled the ethical guide to dressing like a Parisienne.
Grab your baguette and put on your beret — c’est parti!
Buy less and make it last
This might sound familiar, but French style embodies Vivienne Westwood’s sustainable fashion principles “Buy less, Choose well, Make it last”.
It’s been said that Parisiennes like having a uniform and sticking to it. A bit similar to a capsule wardrobe, the key to Parisian style is having a few classic pieces you can wear often and mix and match throughout the week to create the perfect relaxed silhouette.
What’s also important is having a fun element of surprise, like a patterned scarf or original hat. But try to only focus on a couple of items — Parisian style is known to be simple and minimalistic.
In the end, it’s all about quality over quantity, and the key here is simply to buy less.
Last but not least, you have to “make it last” by taking care of your pieces. This means washing carefully and repairing when needed (or going to your local couturier if, like me, you need help with more significant fixes).
Choose well
When we think of Parisian style, we might have in mind classic wardrobe essentials, like a good pair of jeans, an oversized shirt, or a timeless trench. And what better way to build your ethical Parisienne style than to buy (less) from our favourite ethical brands you can find in France?
