Woman Fashion

10 essential garments

A French woman always prefers quality over quantity, have that in your mind for the next shopping day. Here’s the list of the items you must have in your wardrobe to achieve this Un « je ne sais quoi » look.

1. Black dress

It can be a different style but it should be all in black and the one that enhances your very best look. You can use accent colours like red and pink for the details to boost the look.

Combination red lipstick & red nails is very common for French ladies.

Eva Green always having the red lipstick & manicure & pedicure

2. Blazer

Elegant blazer is always a safe choice to cover your arms and to add a finishing touch. It can be a bit oversized but not too much, better go for well-fitting one.

For flattering look, you can have details on the blazer.

However, if you have e.g. silver embroidery on the blazer, match silver jewellery with it (don’t mix colours in your jewellery).

 

3. The squares

Oh là là!! Perfect item for breaking the monotony! Every French woman has at least 1 silky square, it’s been a symbol of elegance over the last century.

Audrey Hepburn wearing a square in old-fashioned way around the head.

Nowadays, French women will tie squares around wrists or head.

4. Black high heels

Rocket high stilettos that elongate your body will always help you to look gorgeous!

Actually stiletto high heels were widely popularized by French people.

Brigitte Macron quite often wears stiletto high heels, especially when having official visits.
When wearing cocktail and evening gowns, French women will match the heels with the dress and not with a bag.

5. The tailored pants

Tailored pants are a must, especially the classic-cut, straight or slim leg fit. Having this pair opens you a lot of possibilities for your outfit of the day.

Olga Kurylenko wearing 3 essential items at a time: white shirt, pants and black stilettos
Know which body shape you have and find the flattering pants style. Leave us a comment if you’d like us to write an article on that topic.

6. Big bag

You must have a bag into which you can put everything you have to carry. Wearing multiple bags or plastic bags is a big NO GO!

Leia Sfez, ultra-chic Parisienne
Also, the bag should be matching your shoes in colour and fabric and also the belt.

7. White shirt

It’s worn in formal and informal occasions, but it must fit according to your body shape. For a more elegant appearance, go for a silky shirt.

Usually, French ladies stick to 2 colours for the entire outfit, but no more than 3.

 

Inès de la Fressange, a style icon

8. A coat

French women tend to use beige, camel, cognac, champagne colours in their look a lot. That’s one of the reasons they have a beige/camel coat years after years in their wardrobe.

Marion Cotillard wears the coat even for gala nights
It can be worn in the autumn and winter as well.

9. Turtle neck sweater/shirt

It looks beautiful and elegant, especially if it’s made from good fabric, such as cashmere.

When choosing a dressing combination, have in mind that French ladies DON’T mix black and brown in their outfit.

Juliette Binoche

10. Dark blue jeans

Jeans are worn only for casual events, however, with a white shirt and an elegant blazer, you can pull out an elegant, effortless look.

If you buy lighter pair of jeans remember that it’s poorer in quality, since the bleaching process damaged the fabric.

Eva Green, the elegant style!

Dear ladies, it’s all about feeling good in your own skin, find your own style and stick to it, that’s what definitely French ladies do! Who is your favourite French style icon? Please share with us!

Step 1: Which frame style do you have now?

 
Remember the name of the style because now we’ll discover your face shape and the style that goes along!

Step 2: What face shape do you have?

Round face shape

You have feminine, soft, contoured features? Your face height and width are almost equal with less defined angles? Then you must have lovely round face shape!

Your goal: You want to achieve a longer, slimmer and sharper face look.
My advice: Look for geometric shapes (horizontal frames), emphasizing sharp angular lines.
Frame style: rectangle, square, wrap, shield-shaped shades.

Heart face shape

You have a narrow chin and broader brow? Then you have the fabulous heart face shape!
Your goal: You want to elongate your face and to direct the attention downward in order to even out your face proportion.
Frame style: shield, butterfly, aviator, rimless styles.
My advice: Look for frames with thin temples, frames with exaggerated bottoms and light coloured frames.

Oval face shape

Your face is gently rounded with even features: you’re a lucky lady with oval-shaped face!
Your goal: You want to balance an oval face’s vertical.
My advice: Even though your face shape allows you to pull off any style better go with the rectangle frame.
Frame style: any style will look beautiful.

Square face shape

You have a strong jaw line with a prominent forehead? Then you have a splendid square shaped face!
Your goal: You want to round out the sharpness of the face and create a more balanced look.
My advice: Better go with curvier frames to accentuate your eyes and to reduce the sharpness of your jaw line.
Frame style: Round, oval, cat eye, butterfly, semi-rimless frames.

Diamond face shape

Narrow jaw line and forehead with the cheekbones as the widest part of the face? Congrats, you have diamond-shaped face!
Your goal: You need the sunglasses to compliment your wide or high cheekbones.
My advice: Find a frame that is not wider than yours cheekbones.
Frame style: Oval and rimless frames look most flattering.

Long face shape

Long and narrow face with few angles? You have a flattering long (oblong) face shape!
Your goal: You want to sharp those soft features.
My advice: You must avoid small frames. Better go with larger lenses and with thick frames, it will add width to your long face. Also shades with tall or deep lenses will give your face sharper appereance.
Frame style: wrap, shield, square, wayfarer, rectangle styles.

Step 3: Let’s review & check!

 

Dear ladies, I hope now you know better how to achieve the most elegant and suitable look while wearing sunglasses!
Let us know in the comments if you already have a frame style but wondering if it is suitable for your face shape !

Quiz
Dear ladies, what do you think about this photo, are these sunglasses good for her or not? Why? Just share your points with us~

Which body type are you？

Inverted triangle
Your shoulders are wider than your waistline and hipline? You should be inverted triangle shaped.

Your goal: focus the attention on your legs and hips in order to balance your body shape.

My advices: your ideal swimsuit will have to enhance your legs and hips. Therefore, you can choose a low-leg style bikini in order to broaden your hips or a high-waisted bottom to accentuate your waistline.

 

If you have beautiful legs, you must definitely go for a high-cut one-piece. This kind of swimsuit will enhance your legs and create the illusion of hourglass shape.
You may get some inspiration from Naomi Campbell or Cheng Lisha for example.

 

 

Rectangle morphology
Your shoulders, waistline and hipline are about the same size? Then, you must be rectangle-shaped!

Your goal: create the illusion of defined curves and waistline.

My advices: choose a padded bikini because it will enhance your breast and make it look bigger. You can also go for a swimsuit with ties on the bottom part thus to create wider hips and give the illusion of a thinner waistline.

 

Olivia Wilde, Gwyneth Paltrow or even Nicole Kidman have this type of morphology, therefore you can get inspired by their styles!

 

Hourglass morphology
Your hips and shoulders are about the same size, but your waistline is a lot smaller? You are definitely hourglass-shaped!

Your goal: show your feminine curves, lucky you!

My advices: there are so many options offered to you, you can wear any type of swimsuit! Indeed, any type of leg cut or neckline will suit you. You can choose some printed swimsuit for a joyful summer.

 

If you are more comfortable with a one-piece swimsuit, you should choose one very colourful: it’s summer!I advise you to avoid large garments, it will accentuate your body shape and it is not very elegant. If you want a better lift and support, you should get a bikini with higher straps.
Sofía Vergara, Zhang Ziyi or even Kim Kardashian have this kind of body shape, you can definitely check their styles!

 

 

Pear body shape
Are your hips wider than your shoulders and waistline? You are definitely pear-shaped then.

Your goal: emphasize your top half and to draw the attention away from your hips.

My advices: to elongate your legs, you should wear a higher cut swimsuit because it will create the illusion of thinner and longer legs.
If you want to draw the attention away from your hips, you should wear dark colours on the bottom.

 

Finally, if you wish to have a colourful swimsuit, I advise you to wear bright colours on the top part. Indeed, it will create the illusion of an intensified breast.
You can take ideas from Rihanna’s or Cheryl Burke’s style.

 

 

Apple body shape
Your shoulders and hips are about the same size？ Your waistline is about the same size or wider than your shoulders and hipline? Therefore, you are apple-shaped!

Your goal: emphasize your chest and to draw the attention away from your belly.

My advices: choose a swimsuit with vertical line thus will elongate your body shape. I recommend you to not choose a swimsuit with horizontal lines because it can create the illusion of a wider body.
I also recommend you to choose a V-neckline swimsuit because it will enhance your breast and draw the attention away from your belly.
If you are not really confident with your belly, I advise you to wear a long tankini or one-piece bathing suit with over-the-shoulder straps and you should choose solid colours on neutral dark background。

 

Lisa Rinna and Elizabeth Hurley have also this body shape, you can check their styles!

 

Dear ladies, I hope this helps you to find your next swimsuit. Do you want to know more about beach etiquette？ Let us know!

2cm-3cm

When: 2cm to 3cm is the most comfortable height，you won’t feel tired even if you need to walk a lot. It is naturally the favourite height for daily activities: working, going shopping, etc. It gives a feminine touch for both social and business circumstances, but remains proper, serious.

Legs position: With this height, you could have a lot of possiblities when seated. One of the postures you could do is to cross at your ankle, your feet should be parallel.Or you could just put your feet together, just remember to put your legs a little bit in front to make them look longer.

4cm-7cm

When: 4 to 7cm is the medium height, it gives femininity and elegance. It helps to lengthen yourbody and legs but not at a sexy level. This is why this height is proper for almost any occasions: outings, parties, business meetings, etc. I would also recommend this height for outdoor weddings as there would usually be a little moving around, socializing, but not too much walking that would make your feet hurt.

Legs position: Here I recommend you to have the calves crossing posture. This posture break the line of your calves and make them look thinner and longer. You should also leave the leg in front straight. Your back leg should be slightly crooked, but don’t put your knees apart.

8cm-10cm

When：8cm to 10cm will show your feminine shape perfectly, plus a little sexy. It is the highest you could choose for social or professional activities. You may walk or stand but not too much: you can not spend your days running meetings after meetings. You should have limited movements, rather have seated moments.

Lady Obama should cross the other leg to attenuate the shape of her thigh.

Legs position： You should turn your body either on the left or on the right, facing the person in front of you from 1/3. Then cross your legs on the knees level depending on the side: always place the leg from the back on the front leg (your thigh will look too big if you do the contrary). Always keep the legs together, not wide apart, rather in front of the knees and the feet parallel.

Our deportment teacher Svetlana

Over 11cm

When：High-heels over 11cm are only for models doing presentations or for performers. With this height, the shape of your hip will be more explicit, your legs will look very long–it is a height of sexy. Avoid it for social or business activities.

Ladies, hope this article will give you some inspirations and help you to choose the perfect heels for each occasion!

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Dress

Colour: Choose sober colours as black, grey, white, light pink; or every deep colour: as deep blue, green or even red. All those colours are glamour and very feminine.

Shape: To respect the cocktail attire, your dress should be short, with a length stopping right above the knees. You can choose a voluminous feminine and fresh dress, which will create a contrast with your legs and make them look thinner.

Materials: You can opt for lace fabrics, which are as elegant as silk, soft and light fabrics. Casual fabrics as denim, jersey, chino, etc. are too informal for a cocktail party.

DON’T: Do not wear a dress or skirt above half of your thighs. Back low-cut is sophisticated but be aware: don’t fall in the sexy attire. Skin tight dress or a plunging décolletage are not appropriated to this kind of occasion.

Alternatives to the dress

The skirt: If you don’t want to wear a dress, I recommend wearing a flounce skirt. Graceful and light, it is a very elegant outfit when it is matching with a feminine top. I recommend sequin tops, which are festive and elaborate.

Trousers: You can also choose soft pants or a jumpsuit, long enough to cover your feet and make your body long longer and slimmer.

DON’T: Avoid wearing a shirt, jeans or shorts, which are absolutely not suitable for this kind of event.

Hairstyle and make up

Hairstyle: Concerning the haircut, this cocktail dress code leaves you several options. You may raise your hair up to accentuate the fineness of your face, highlighting your chin and your neck. You can also let your hair loose. However, you must make it sophisticated: brush it to create volume or structure them with hairspray or refined hair-slide.

Make up: Cocktail event means elegant and light make up. Rather choose night colours, like sustained red for your lips. For the eyeshadow, choose a pearl colour or light grey but forget day colours such as blue, pink and green. Concerning the nail polish, match it to the tone of your lipstick to create a nice harmony.

She chose to match lipstick and nail polish and wore light make up on the eyes.

Jewellery

DO: The cocktail etiquette asks delicate and refined jewellery. Choose between necklace and bracelets, earrings and ring. The rule is to have no more than two pieces of jewellery peer hand maximum.

DON’T: Fine or costume jewellery is appropriated, but do not wear tiaras. Do not wear a whole trinity at the same time. If you make an imposing jewellery attire, you will be seen as the lady who wants to show how rich she is.

Here is a good example of too many jewelleries.

Evening bag

Size: You will stand and walk the whole evening, therefore your bag should be small enough to be hold on one hand, and not too heavy, in order not to make you tired.

Colour: Match your bag with one minor colour of your outfit. If you are in one colour attire (as black), pair the colour of your bag with your jewellery or even with the colour of your lipstick.

DON’T: Forget the shoulder bag or any big hand bag, which are too heavy. This evening bag should not be bigger than 2 times the size of your hand. Hold it with one hand only on your side around the height of your waist.

Shoes

DO: Your evening dress will look even more graceful with footwear that adds length to legs. Any kind of high heels will work well with these outfits. I precisely recommend you stiletto, which suggests a feminine and lengthens shape of your feet and ankles.

DON’T: Avoid every ballet, flat, or other shoes. As a Lady, you can’t assume to wear non-feminine or non-elegant shoes for this type of occasion.

Ladies, I hope you now are able to choose the perfect attire in your wardrobe for the comings cocktail invitations this summer. Others articles about Dress Codes are going to be published, if you have an event and want to know about one dress code before the others, write us a comment, we will be please to do it as you wish.

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It is believed that a woman looks more elegant and attractive when she wears shoes with high heels. The fashion industry comes up with plenty of different types of women’s shoes in order to maximize the attractiveness of the female walk! But not all shoes can promote the development of grace and ease while walking.

For example, shoes with high heels of 12-15 cm look on legs quite provocative and emphasize mostly woman’s sexual aspect. On such heels it is difficult to keep a straight posture, move smoothly and legs quickly get tired.

The Golden Ratio

In order to determine your ideal heel height, there is a special formula of the Golden Ratio : 1,618.

The Eiffel Tower is also constructed on the basis of golden ratio

Let’s try together to calculate the ideal length of high heels, as well as the maximum optimal heel height exactly for you. Thus, we’ll get options for choosing proper and comfortable shoes for daily use and for special occasions.

Your ideal heel height

Measure your height (you can draw a mark on a wall). Then measure distance from the tip of your head (or the mark) to your belly button. Multiply this number by 1,618.

For example: your height is 167cm, and the distance from the belly button to the top of your head is 65 cm.

1. Then:65 cm * 1.618 = 105 cm. 105 cm is the perfect length of the legs, based on Golden ratio.

2. After that,105 cm + 65 cm = 170 cm. 170 cm is the ideal height, based on Golden ratio.

3. And now from your ideal height subtract your real height:170 cm – 167 cm = 3 cm. 3 cm is the perfect heel height in this case!

This heel height perfectly aligns your body proportions and makes you feel very comfortable. It relaxes your spine and whole body, your legs don’t get tired and you are naturally moving your hips. Your walk becomes floating and very graceful!

Correct posture allows your energy to flow evenly throughout the body, and this, in turn, helps restore the correct function of all organs, which directly affects your health. Such heel height would be perfect for every day use!

Your maximum optimal height

We measure the foot and divide the number in half. After that, 1/2 of your foot size is divided by 1.618.

For example: shoe size of 38 = 24.5 cm of foot size.

24.5/ 2 = 12.25 cm
12.25/ 1.618 = 7.5 cm

7.5 cm is the maximum optimal heel height for you. It can be used for special occasions, but not for a daily use.

In conclusion, I would like to say that beauty and elegance are primarily a natural manifestation of female nature. Our beauty depends on the state of our health. Therefore, before chasing the fleeting fashion trends, it would be better to think about what would not only be beautiful for us, but also useful for our health!

Stay beautiful, elegant and healthy!

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By colour

If you have a very white skin: you have a large range of choice. Simply be ware of colours that may be too strong and too visible on you. For instance, if you have an intense red be sure not to have shiny earrings or heavy make-up on the eyes.

An intense red be sure not to have shiny earrings or heavy make-up on the eyes

If you have a yellowish skin: your lipstick should have golden / olive tones to match your skin complexion, or you may look sick. A burgundy or brick-red lipstick are good ideas. Be careful, pearly-lustre lipsticks are not compatible with yellowish skin tones.

Cameo brown

Beware, be cautious when choosing an orange-tune lipstick if your teeth are not shiningly white.

In comparison,the teeth seem not shiningly white with orange lipstick

By type

Matte: Generally, it is a kind of dry texture with high saturation, and last long on lips;

Glaze: a lip gloss with liquid texture and last shorter. However new types of lipstick have been created, which perform nice simultaneously on colour, moisture condition and long-lasting.

When choosing different types of lipstick, you should firstly match it with the foundation.

With a matte foundation: then you need to pair it with a matte lipstick, no glaze.

Mate

With a light foundation: you may adjust the glaze on your lips depending on the effect wished

Light fondation with glaze lipstick

If your skin is under bad condition: that is to say, with obvious pores and marks, a shinny lipgloss will make it look the skin look even more rough. Use a matte or satin one instead.

If your lips are so dry that they become flaky, apply lip balm to them 5 minutes before you put on any lipsticks, or simply use a lips mask. But remember to wipe it off before putting on lipsticks, or the colour may not spread nicely. Among all types of lipstick, the “satin”,”cream” ones are the most widely-adapted.

By occasion

Formal occasions: Business, work, elegant events, in these cases you want to attract attention on your personality and intelligence, not on your make-up. Avoid glazing lipstick and too intense colours. Rather pick matte and conventional colours such as red, pink if not shiny etc.

Casual occasions and daily life: Here you have more freedom. Rather pick light and glazing colours during day time, darker and matte during evenings.

Lunch and dinner: If you know you will attend a meeting during which you have to drink at a glass just put a light lipstick, the marks you may leave will not be too visible.

Generally speaking, glossy lips are the symbol of youth, matte of seriousness. Adjust according to the effect you want to give!

Here are a few tips, but I am impatient to read yours. How do you pick your lipstick?

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Your shoulders

We said it in our previous articles: your shoulders should always, ALWAYS, be down and backward. It’s elegant and healthy for your spine (rounded shoulders would add pressure on your vertebras).

How to reach this position? Again, same exercise: Place your shoulders in front- Up – Back – Down.

Keep your stomach in. You can breathe normally. Your neck must remain straight. It’s healthier and more elegant.

Your arms

The elegant pose

Here place your arms at the belly-button level, put one hand on the other one, fingers relaxed, covering only the two first phalanx. Your rings remain visible.

The confident pose

This pose is simple, but not the one most of people would have thought of: simply let your arms along the body! It makes your body shape longer, and create a space between your arms and your body, giving a slimmer appearance.

This is typically the pose many stars would have when taking photos. You may think you look weird, but actually not at all. This is why I would call it the “confident pose”: you need to be self-confident enough to do it.

Avoid crossing arms

Don’t cross your arms. It will give a bad impression about yourself (closed mind), and will also make your back round.

Your feet

The elegant pose

Place one foot facing straight in front of the other facing towards the side. This gives you a slimmer and taller shape.

When? When you want to look elegant. This pose is also pretty common among stars.

The proper pose

Simply have your feet joined together, against each other. This position is for those who don’t want to catch attention.

When? If you are working in hospitality, service, at a junior position, or if you just want to be discreet.

The confident pose

This is the same as the proper pose, but you don’t have to put your feet together, you could have a little space in between (not larger than the shoulder). It gives a more solid, confident impression.

When? If you are working in an executive position.

How to relieve your pressure

For those of you who must stand for a long time, here is what you can do to relieve the pressure.

Start to put all your weight on your heels when standing.
Once it becomes painful, start to put the weight on your toes. You will bend a bit. It will relieve your heels and hips.
Alternate this slowly, and you will be able to stand for a long time.

But I am sure you also have some standing postures and technics you would like to share with us. Please do it in the comments below!

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Which body type are you？

1. Inverted triangle

Your shoulders are wider than your waistline and hipline? You should be inverted triangle shaped.

Your goal: focus the attention on your legs and hips in order to balance your body shape.

My advices: your ideal swimsuit will have to enhance your legs and hips. Therefore, you can choose a low-leg style bikini in order to broaden your hips or a high-waisted bottom to accentuate your waistline.

  

If you have beautiful legs, you must definitelygo for a high-cut one-piece. This kind of swimsuit will enhance your legs and create the illusion of hourglass shape.

You may get some inspiration from Naomi Campbell or Cheng Lisha for example.

 

2. Rectangle morphology

Your shoulders, waistline and hipline are about the same size? Then, you must be rectangle shaped!

Your goal: create the illusion of defined curves and waistline.

My advices: choose a padded bikini because it will enhance your breast and make it look bigger. You can also go for a swimsuit with ties on the bottom part thus to create wider hips and give the illusion of a thinner waistline.

Olivia Wilde, Gwyneth Paltrow or even Nicole Kidman have this type of morphology, therefore you can get inspired by their styles!

   

3. Hourglass morphology

Your hips and shoulders are about the same size, but your waistline is a lot smaller? You are definitely hourglass shaped!

Your goal: show your feminine curves, lucky you!

My advices: there are so many options offered to you, you can wear any type of swimsuit! Indeed, any type of leg cut or neckline will suit you. You can choose some printed swimsuit for a joyful summer.
If you are more comfortable with a one-piece swimsuit, you should choose one very colorful: it’s summer!

  

I advise you to avoid large garments, it will accentuate your body shape and it is not very elegant. If you want a better lift and support, you should get a bikini with higher straps.

Sofía Vergara, Zhang Ziyi or even Kim Kardashian have this kind of body shape, you can definitely check their styles!

 

4. Pear body shape

Are your hips wider than your shoulders and waistline? You are definitely pear shaped then.

Your goal: emphasize your top half and to draw the attention away from your hips.

My advices: to elongate your legs, you should wear a higher cut swimsuit because it will create the illusion of thinner and longer legs.

If you want to draw the attention away from your hips, you should wear dark colors on the bottom.

 

Finally, if you wish to have a colorful swimsuit, I advise you to wear bright colors on the top part. Indeed, it will create the illusion of an intensified breast.

You can take ideas from Rihanna’s or Cheryl Burke’s style.

 

5. Apple body shape

Your shoulders and hips are about the same size？ Your waistline is about the same size or wider than your shoulders and hipline? Therefore, you are apple shaped!

Your goal: emphasize your chest and to draw the attention away from your belly.

My advices: choose a swimsuit with vertical line thus will elongate your body shape. I recommend you to not choose a swimsuit with horizontal lines because it can create the illusion of a wider body.

I also recommend you to choose a V-neckline swimsuit because it will enhance your breast and draw the attention away from your belly.

 

If you are not really confident with your belly, I advise you to wear a long tankini or one-piece bathing suit with over-the-shoulders straps and you should choose solid colors on neutral dark background.

Lisa Rinna and Elizabeth Hurley have also this body shape, you can check their styles!

 

Dear ladies, I hope this help you to find your next swimsuit. Do you want to know more about beach etiquette？ Let us know!

Follow us for more etiquette articles and class information.