French women are often regarded as the classic example of femininity. Elegance, style, beauty, wisdom, I didn’t really know what the secret was, but French women always seem to have an enchanting magic even when they simply say "oui oui" and slightly nod their heads in movies.
I’m not French, nor even woman yet. When people describe my style, they would never say "graceful" or even anything like "French chic." I am a little artsy and rebellious at the same time. If you know me well, you’d realize how cateye, destroyed jeans, beanies and Dr. Martens are staples to me. So why am I writing this article? Thanks to the blazing summer, I spent a whole lot of time in an air-conditioned bookstore and casually browsed through one or two books about French women. It’s such a brand new chapter for me but their distinct attitude got me hooked.
So what is the magic of les femmes françaises? It’s not simply just the way they dress (but if you have to know, cashmere is the key), the food they eat, or the brand of fragrance they use. No, no no. To be like a French woman, it doesn’t cost you more money and you don’t have to belong to a certain race. It’s an attitude they adopt.
A French woman's hair, makeup, dressing, seducing, and household, seem almost effortless; but she always, always puts forth an effort. This might sound a little hard to interpret. Let me finish. A French woman do not race with the trends or spends hours to get the perfect eyelash extensions, but also she never leaves the door with sweatpants and greasy hair in a bun. She seeks to be unique and it’s even the best when she finds the one and only leather jacket at a thrift shop that hugs her curves perfectly. Even being a little rebellious is good. She’s a nonconformist, a feminist, but acknowledge when a gentleman opens a bottle of wine for her. In all circumstances, they’re non-extremists and they enjoy au vivre.
Now looking back at our culture today, I have to say it is a bit tiring. Girls probably spend more hours getting their hair curled than actually going out and still we never seem to be satisfied with ourselves. There’s always that one thing about you that you’re just not happy with: Your waist, your zits, your eyebrows, your arms, even your nail beds. And I bet you are thinking about it right now, probably even unconsciously touching it.
Before flipping through these diaries of French women I didn’t realize how much every day we fight to be perfect; there’s just always that one person you wish you could trade a day with. But no, to these French women, a little bit of indulgence is okay, a little bit of attitude is okay and a little bit of home alone time on a Friday night is okay. They are comfortable in their own skin and idols don’t exist in a French woman’s dictionary. So try to let the thought sink in for a few weeks. Start with the tiny step of respecting yourself. Respect your wills and appreciate your nature. You will realize it’s that little attitude that makes little differences when you walk with your head held high next time. C’est la vie!
