She's Got The Funk

This is to show you that a little really goes a long way sometimes ... Remember your Playmobil? Then I guess it's time to get them out of the basement and play.

Here, Funky Lady is playing with the pirate theme, though you can of course also be a nurse, a police officer, a construction worker... Gotta LOVE this!

By the way, and as a side note, you'll probably have to enlarge the pictures in the last posts to view them clearly. Don't ask me why, can't figure it out (yet ;)

Marinière

After a long period of working on my other business (you know, the serious internet one... actually, no, you don't know, but that's quite ok ;), I'm back with pictures from this summer in Paris.

I spent some time there on and off, amazed, again, at how Parisians constantly redefine femininity. Why? How? I'm still trying to nail it down myself. In the meantime, I'm just grateful to be able to watch. And share with you...

This week, you'll find a glimpse of the overwhelming number of sailors in town?? *

* Tried to take a picture of myself, but it just ended up silly ;)

Courtesy of the Sartorialist

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Oh my... Here is Giovanna Battaglia, editor of Vogue Italia.

Picture after picture that I watch of her, I see an understanding of styles, timing, colors that shows real intelligence and a capacity to dream, simply.

Also, the shoes (since everybody asks on The Sartorialist!) are from Pierre Hardy SS '10 collection. It's the second time we mention him in this blog ;) Pieeeeerrrree, visit our page!

Tout Est Bleu

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Looks like Paris has a case of baby blue shoes lately?

With special thanks to graceful Kenza, who also has a fashion blog in Paris :)

Rockabilly

After a few years attempting to win the hearts and minds of Parisian ladies, the cowboy look has finally made it to the streets... and nowadays, you see it everywhere.

And in the manner of designers Dolce & Gabbana's S/S '10 collection, you'll see even more of these around, as brands will flood the market with this easy to use style that is also affordable - a major scoring point for fashion CEOs these days ;)

So here are two looks, one in a variation of blue, (cowboy) brown, black and dark red and the other in blue, off white, black and grey. Note the use of the silver detail in the third picture, and her actual choice of belt, the leather breads reminding both of a rope and the 'interlacing' of her shirt colors.

If you want to make this look your own, you can also pair a plaid shirt with ruffles, a la Dolce & Gabbana mentioned earlier, or go for the kill, indulge in a vintage cowboy shirt, leather pants and some ridiculously obvious ankle boots... Not for me, although I love the idea of Rockabilly in France ;0

A Nous Les Petites Anglaises*

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Whenever I see two wildly differing interpretations of any style - here the English - within 5 meters of each other, I know I'm in Paris... namely Place Saint-Sulpice

Featured here, 1) the old money aristocrat (meets E. Hemingway) who knows she's impossibly stylish but mends her kids' socks and generally thinks lowly of anything new, and 2) for the lady in the background, the "let me teleport to Edinburgh 2025" look.

These are impersonations of course, both these women look awesome simply because they are playing with codes. And that's très Français...

* "A nous les petites Anglaises": 70's French cult movie, with an even culter soundtrack by Mort Shuman. yep.

On Length

If you've ever wondered what length to wear your pants, I found the perfect model as I couldn't explain to you better.

Now, this is gospel: we are talking about two different kinds of lengths... that of the front side and that of the back side.

The front side has to fall such that the pants mark a slight break (I know, it sounds like a math exercise ;) Slight break though, otherwise you'll look like a teen. As for the back side hem, it needs to be slightly longer than the front and about 3/4th down from the top of your high heel. Actually, it's precisely 3/8th down (between 1/2 and 3/4 - yes, math).

Ok you may say, but how about the lady below? Isn't she utterly fashionable?

If I were her, here's what I would have said to myself while dressing up that morning:

- I know my shoes are this awesome blue, and I want to watch them all day - as I am now by the way. So I'll roll my jeans up...

- Of course, I don't want to look silly rolled up, so I think I'll wear large jeans :)

- Because I'm playing with length, I'll need to coordinate this short bottom with a short top (mixing instead of matching silhouette lengths would make the look too complicated, as already blue shoes can be: no long coats or trench coats here pls).

- Because I'm playing with colors, I'll need to match these baby blue shoes with another childlike color. A pink cartoon print tee, while highly unlikely in every closet, is just what I need... Otherwise I would have gone for something white or grey.

- Because I'm looking like a kid with these colors and these round toes with a strap, I made the right decision by wearing my boyfriend's rolled-up jeans ;)

CQFD*

As a standard though, please follow the lead of the main protagonist here, who's decidedly got all her lengths right (hair, sleeves, sweater, heels)...

*CQFD: Ce qu'il fallait démontrer. Literally means "what needed to be proven" or "case made". This widely used expression is originally applied when solving math problems...

That Generation

A bit of Patti Smith rock, a little Sonia Rykiel frivolity and an unapologetic dose of practicality with her sneakers and, wait a minute, waist bag? This lady’s telling us that, in the end, it’s all about freedom.

Veeeery generational :)

So, in order to honor this woman - just as she'd expect - on this early Monday morning, ladies and ladies, please find our Etsy picks (of the week?)

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Simplicity Pays

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Ahh, the lady in blue... She blew my mind with her outfit, but also her smile and generosity. "Merci Madame", and although charm's not in what you wear, here's why I loved you:

- you are aware that a good accessory is an investment, not a cost: a luxury bag (which doesn't have to be as expensive as this Hermes) while costing much will serve you well for years.

- you understand that while your accessories can be expensive, frankly your clothes don't have to be. This lady's pants and shirt are well tailored, but can also be found in any shop.

- you know that blue and orange match. Light blue with light orange, dark blue with dark orange, funky blue with funky orange... whatever the combination, check your color wheel: these two are complementary colors and as such instinctively activate a sense of esthetics in us.

Le détail qui tue*: her pants, shirt and soles of exactly the same color.

*the detail that kills me!

Accessorized

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In time for next year's fluorescence, this is from designer Leila Piedayesh.

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... and then, these shoes... :)

Mademoiselle à Paris

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When my photographer friend Aslon and I went on our first picture spree in early October, we came across this young lady that to me represented French style completely. Everything in her look is calculated, and yet, she appears laid back and casual.


The colors: brown, beige, light blue (jeans) and light green. It's a subdued combination that works, with an emphasis on the brown accessories - a color that's easy to use.


The look: it's "round" - the dots on her shirt, the round-edged boots, the studs on her bag. Look well and you'll see her belt buckle has a round element to it too!


The spirit: a sweet biker lady who combines soft colors with torn shorts, old boots and aviator glasses.

Le détail qui tue*: her Vanessa Bruno tote, that is soooo outdated (French women like to make statements to the effect that, really, they don't care about fashion ;), her round bob.


*the detail that kills me!

Bienvenue

So this is it, 31 Million's blog. I hope you will enjoy it as much as I have preparing it!

Our concept is simple: if 31 million French women manage to achieve what is known as French style, then you can too.

This blog will post pictures of the women of Paris, updated regularly, as well as profiles of ladies we think have a great sense of fashion. These are women like you and me, so feel free to comment as well as make these looks your own!

Finally, do check the 31million website, where you can sign up for my French style and nutrition classes in my current city Amsterdam, and rent clothes and accessories with a "French Touch" from the site's dedicated platform.

Bienvenue chez nous!

Nicky