French Girl Style: Inès de la Fressange’s Guide to All Things Chic

L’Oreal model, Uniqlo collaborator, Roger Vivier brand ambassador, and author – Inès de la Fressange wears a lot of hats these days. She also runs her namesake brand and boutique, Inès de la Fressange, which she relaunched in 2015. The former muse to Karl Lagerfeld, beloved for her effortless French style, is currently busy promoting her new Rizzoli book out this month (co-written with Sophie Gachet), Parisian Chic City Guide. The pocket-sized tome, a follow-up to her New York Times best-selling book Parisian Chic, includes all of de la Fressange’s favorite haunts in Paris.

“For years, I’ve been receiving text messages from friends with requests like these,” says de la Fressange in the book’s forward. “I told them about Google, but apparently, it’s no match for me!”

From where to buy furniture to a good restaurant near Saint-Germain-des-Près, all of her little black book listings are in there. She’s included tips on why you should go to each destination, what to order or what’s the must-have item at the shop, and our favorite part, the ‘Say it like La Parisienne’ section of every listing. For example of the classic, chic Margaret Howell boutique, de la Fressange says, “I hear that Phoebe Philo, Celine’s artistic director, wears pieces by Margaret Howell.” Enough said, we’re there. Here, de la Fressange shares a few more pages from her style notes with us, from her favorite French outposts in NYC to her style pet peeves.

Define your style in three words: Casual, mixed, and boyish.

Define your new book in three words: Eclectic, honest, and happy.

Daily uniform: Navy blue jacket, off-white jeans, and low boots.

Favorite items in your wardrobe: A navy blue cashmere sweater – it fits all kind of situations and gives a good face.

Preferred footwear: A pair of velvet loafers from Roger Vivier with embroideries, they often save my looks that are underdressed.

Finishing touches for your outfit: My Pilgrim Vivier bag usually gives refinement and I often wear a navy blue and white spotted scarf.

Nighttime fashion look: Slim velvet pants, large sweater, vintage earrings and ballerina flats.

Best recent discoveries: I discover so many things every week that now I do a newsletter to give the addresses. It’s free and translated in a funny way by a robot. But the store would be mine (Inès de la Fressange /24 rue de Grenelle/Paris) and the brand would be Injiri (great Indian shirts) but it’s hard to find, so let’s say 45RPM – I love all they do! Also, Stouls is not very known yet but they make great suede pants.

What are you lusting after for your wardrobe: Now that I have my brand I can make what I wish. For instance, a cashmere sweater with the shape of Shetlands sweaters that existed in the ‘70s. At Uniqlo, I did linen jackets that could have been worn by Paul Cézanne, safari jackets, and long, large shirts that I want to wear in summer.

Style pet peeve: Leggings – who do they fit? Dancers, maybe… and bras with transparent straps. How can anyone think it’s nice?

Favorite haunts in Paris: Hmmm, you really have to buy my guide! But, I love Cru restaurant – it means ‘raw’ but everything isn’t raw. And I like Le Bon Saint Pourcain – it’s so French. I don’t go in hotels in Paris but if I do, I like Hôtel de L’Abbaye. For jewelry, Whitebird, where many different designers are represented, is a great choice. And, of course, the genius Elie Top. He was the last assistant of Yves Saint-Laurent – handsome, gentle and talented.

Favorite French haunts in NYC: In New York I love The Mark, Marie-Hélène de Taillac’s shop, Save Khaki United on Lafayette Street, Western Spirit on Broadway, and Galaxy Army Surplus for luggage.

Winter wardrobe must-haves: A caban is always chic, no?

What’s always in your bag: My camera so I can take pictures of new spots for my newsletter. Plus my color riche lipstick from L’Oréal, and a fountain pen.

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