BECOMING A PARISIENNE IN 10 STEPS
What is it about French women? To be more specific, what is it about Parisiennes? I’m not talking about all of the inhabitants of Paris, I’m talking about the true Parisiennes – the mythical Parisiennes, not to be found everywhere – the ones exuding an addictive blend of sophistication and “don’t dare bothering me with your insignificant stories”, the ones who stay slender despite a diet of cheese and croissants, the ones in the Montmartre cafés, smoking cigarette after cigarette and reading “Le Monde”, at the same time checking out the pedestrians with a disapproving air – the streets are to observe and to be observed, the Parisiennes know it.
If you’re craving for a slice of their “je ne sais quoi”, their self-confidence or their mystery, if you want to pass as a “vraie Parisienne” even though you don’t live anywhere near Paris, here are the steps to follow:
1. Move to New York
For many Parisiennes NEW YORK is synonymous with “trends”, and even if French women exude a “je m’en fiche” attitude towards the latest trends, the vibrant metropolis has always been their object of desire. “Paris will always have my heart, but I’m moving to NY” – a moment in the life of every true Parisienne.
2. Go for natural beauty
Messy hair – check; minimal make-up – check; short, bare nails-check. Looking like you just rolled out of bed but somehow managed to look addictively chic in a matter of seconds is an art mastered by true Parisiennes. Who knows if those 30 seconds are actually 30 minutes or more?
3. Stock up on denim
No secret, Parisiennes have the same relation with jeans as the rest of the world has with sweatpants (though you’ll never see a Parisienne wearing sweatpants outside the gym). A Parisienne without her collection of jeans would be practically naked. Invest in a few pairs of denim staples (especially in skinny jeans) pairing them with black blazers and ballet flats, wrap a silk scarf around your neck and you’ll most likely pass as a Parisienne.
4. Good manners are always chic
Manners are essential in the life of a Parisienne. Greetings are the most important – “bonjour” is the first thing said when entering a restaurant or a shop. “Merci” is imperative after someone did them the tiniest favor.
5. Eat, don’t exercise, stay slender
Despite a diet rich in pain-au-chocolat, butter and baguette, despite the long, overabundant dinners, despite of their lack of interest for the gym, Parisiennes manage to look slender and fit – what’s their secret? They treat each meal as an important daily ritual – rushing is absolutely forbidden, so is eating while standing. Parisiennes choose only fresh, protein-rich food, nothing commercial or synthetic. They choose calorie free drinks, except for the glass of red wine they drink for dinner. And of course, no snacks between meals!
6. Embrace the café trend
You want to pass as an authentic Parisienne? Find a small café with artsy vibe, away from the hustle and bustle of the touristic areas. A book with a hard to read title is imperative – so is smoking like a countryside chimney – if you want to look mysterious and sophisticated.
7. Don’t show any sign of effort
Paris is not the place where too much effort is appreciated – whether it’s a promotion you’re working hard to get or an outfit for the night, moderation and the “I couldn’t care less” vibe are the key to getting what you’re after!
8. Don’t smile easily
You won’t see a real Parisienne wasting free smiles, just for the sake of being polite. Smiles are in fact as precious as crocodile Birkins in Paris – rare and worn only on special occasions. A Parisienne’s normal expression should be a blend of extreme boredom and quiet elegance.
9. Never reveal too much
A part of their intriguing, mysterious air, is that Parisiennes never give away too much all at once. They like to surround themselves in a cloud of secrecy, leaving the others with tons of unanswered questions: what, where, when? You’ll never know the whole story from a vraie Parisienne…
10. Accept your imperfections
A Parisienne will never be seen complaining about the size of her hips or about having a bad hair day. She works with what she has, embracing her imperfections in the most natural way. The result? A self-confident woman who doesn’t pass by unnoticed.
