Parisian Chic: Ines' instruction manual

I picked up Ines de la Fressange's new release, "Parisian Chic" with, as they say, great interest. What's not to admire about this stylish sylph, Chanel model, Roger Vivier ambassador and designer of her own label?

Like other style guides, she promises to unlock the secrets to looking offhandedly, fabulously chic, in an I-don't-give-a-damn-cherie way.

And she does, sort of.

First, you will learn the Magnificent Seven basics that you must own. Go ahead, guess. 

I'll bet you get five or six: man's blazer, trench, navy sweater, tank, LBD, jeans, leather jacket. 

Add accessories. You have more leeway here, Ines likes the vintage It bags, antique earrings, charm bracelets, cuffs. Never "a chunky necklace with chunky earrings", in fact a necklace worn with earrings is listed in her fashion faux pas list.

More faux pas: 

• "It should come as no surprise that scarf rings are prohibited."
• Leggings
• Matching tights, shoes and bag
• Hair scrunchies

Faux pas over 50? Most of these will qualify as what a friend calls a BFO (Blinding Flash of the Obvious):

• Ethnic print tunics and dresses in African batik prints; "past a certain age, they look like costumes"
• Preppy clichés like pearls or bead necklaces and earrings (worn as a set)
• Furs ("Wrinkled trophy wife look")
• Big clip-on earrings
• Neon colours (strictly for adolescents)
• Minis and micro shorts 

There is advice I find weird and unworkable: she champions velvet jackets (among other items) worn two sizes too small. Ines' thinking reflects her reedy body type, so dressing like a ten year old boy growing out of his gear has some charm for her. 

Her basic tenet is "Don't wear your clothes too predictably", for example, do pearls with your tee, diamonds with military gear, mix it up.

She suggests Converses with an evening gown, moto boots with a chiffon dress, effects adorable on my friend's 22 year old daughter, but not on 60+ moi. 

Still, the concept is useful; I could incorporate some of her ideas, trying a chartreuse print shirt instead of the predictable white tee with jeans.

Do you really need to spend your $25 to hear that sparkly, glittery makeup does not suit 50+ faces... twice? 
 
Her observation that "A stroll with your fiancé in the direction of Tiffany's is the best shortcut to a radiant complexion (and the air is just right inside–very good for the skin)" is the silliest sentence among a number of contenders.  

When I read the list "For lifelong beauty: Be well groomed...smell nice...be indulgent...be less selfish", immediately followed by the next bullet point, "Do only what suits you. The perfect Zen attitude" I wondered who was asleep at the wheel, Ines or her editor.

A good three-quarters of the book consists of capsule reviews of Paris' clothing, accessory, decor and food shops, and sections on parks, restaurants and cultural attractions. This is a useful guide– but the photos are murky, as if taken with a phone, the writing slapdash.

After reading this sloppy pastiche, I'm even more grateful for the work of unpaid, keenly observant bloggers (see my blogroll) and commenters. 

At the same time, I enjoyed de la Fressange's confidence and less-is-more stance. She does have some original thoughts, like "Get dressed listening to 'Dead Flowers' by the Rolling Stones", and my personal favourite, "Do not feel obliged to buy 'fun' clothes."

"Parisian Chic" is like a box of Ladurée macarons: tempting at first, but hardly a satisfying meal. Still, who can resist that gorgeous, raffinée Parisian package?