I have to say that I am not terribly fond of massive generalizations. There is little that will rile my red-headed ruff more quickly than any phrase containing, “You Americans always…” And yet…and yet…there are some such wide swaths of words that ring true, they just do. Americans are (more often than not)…friendly. French women are (more often than not)…chic. What does that word mean to you? I know what it does to me, most certainly within this context and I’ll give you an example to illustrate it.
When I first moved to Paris from Manhattan twelve years ago, I was struck by the beauty of French women, the way that they put themselves together in a way that didn’t necessarily have to do with fashion per se. And yet I couldn’t quite put my finger on what it was that made them unique. I was soon introduced to Claudine, a journalist specialized in luxury travel. That first time that I met her, she was wearing simple black pants but with Converse high tops and an artfully deconstructed jacket that, on second glance, I realized was a Yohji Yamamoto. The mix between high and low was dizzying. Not to mention that her hair was beautifully blown-out but she appeared to be wearing no makeup. I couldn’t understand much of what she said yet but I watched as she spoke with conviction punctuated with fluid gestures. “How old is she?” I wondered. I had no idea but it didn’t matter, really, not in the least. Because she was bien dans sans peau, good in her skin.
Tish Jett knows all about this concept and understands that being chic is not only about what is happening on the surface but all about the big picture. In her fantastic book, “Forever Chic – Frenchwomen’s Secrets for Timeless Beauty, Style and Substance” she methodically pops the bubble of the mysterious je ne sais quoi adjective that has always described our Gallic counterparts and while doing so, suggests how French attitudes towards the beauty – of the inside and out kind – can be beneficial for all of us. This wonderful sentence sums up her take well: “Over and over, they prove that what is pleasing to the eye is uplifting to the spirit, and that what is nourishing for the spirit is what makes life worth-living.” Wow. Yes, please.
Now here is the thing. Tish, an American journalist and author of the wildly popular blog A Femme d’Un Certain Age, has lived in France for over twenty-five years and has a dizzying resume – she moved here to become the style editor of the International Herald Tribune and was the last editor of American Elle before the magazine was transferred to New York. So she not only has a clearly established point of view based upon extensive experience (I believe that I have already griped about “expat authors” who publish “authoritative” tomes after having trotted through la Belle France for a few months) but she has the Open-the-Doors might to take you right to the very top experts in each field she is discussing (such as Jean-Louis Sebagh for skincare/plastic surgery and Christophe Robin for hair color). Their advice can be surprising and gathered together (something I have never seen before at this level), it is a gold-mine. Plus – and this is something very appealing to me – 90% of the ideas kicked out have nothing to do with “cash flow” as Tish calls it.
With my redhead temper, I hate to be told what to do (just ask Remi) but at the same time, I love to have things clearly broken down for me, to have options. Tish is brilliant at this. Forever Chic is published by Rizzoli and so it is no surprise that the layout is gorgeous and the illustrations that pop up through the river-swift text help the medicine go down. The chapters range from skin and makeup to hair, diet and exercise, wardrobes and accessories to…une mode de vie or way of living, what makes the inner life tick.
I am 44 and am feeling the physical and mental changes that have arrived already with age. Also in the past year, I have, admittedly, let myself go a bit. Too many days have been spent working in front of the computer sporting yoga pants and that messy Garance Doré bun. When I do make an effort, I feel better about myself. And when I feel better about myself, my confidence lifts and I feel…happier. With her book, Tish is giving us options on how to feel just that, tools for our arsenal if you will. And while the book is geared towards those of us over 40, this advice is certainly applicable to a far younger set (and indeed, Tish mentions how the French start young).
I was lucky enough to meet Tish and her fabulous daughter Andrea this past summer (they too have a loving and fun Mother-Daughter relationship). I saw first hand that not only does she practice what she preaches but that it works. Like Claudine, she is just…beautiful. I never thought about her age for a moment but rather on what an amazing woman I was spending time with. She is funny, gracious and grounded. Never pretentious or preachy (I threw down “French Women Don’t Get Fat” in disgust two chapters in). And generous too. Now I understand why she worked so very hard to make this book happen – and she did – for she wanted to pass on the goods to as many people as possible. Now, for me that is the definition of “forever chic.”
While this certainly would make an excellent last minute gift for a girlfriend, Sister or Mom in your life, for my female readers, I think it would be even better…for yourself. Something to read and savor over the holidays in order to run into 2014 with a fresh perspective and a healthy attitude. Pas mal, non?
To buy “Forever Chic”:
On Amazon US, it appears to be sold out in print (I told you it was good!) but for a Kindle edition, click here. But on Barnes & Noble there are hardcover editions, click here.
For my French speaking friends, there is availability on Amazon FR here.
For Amazon UK, click here.
To discover Tish’s excellent blog: voila
And to read an interesting interview with Tish by the ever faboo Vicki Archer: ta-dah
How is everyone doing? Are you holding up? Enjoy your weekend and don’t forget to breathe…only five more days until Christmas…
PS. Thank you all so very much for all of your amazing comments on my previous post. Both my Mom and I were very touched!
Forever Chic is certainly needed here, says she who has slopped about in her pjs all day! Loved your review and the links; particularly enjoyed Tish's comment( in her interview with Vicki) that a smile is like a mini facelift.
I was able to order the book from Amazon here in the U.S. so I guess they have restocked! I'm looking forward to reading it as a break from translating business jargon and acronyms.
Yes, yes, yes to everything you said. I am actually still reading Forever Chic, in part because my schedule is absolutely crazy (which you know), but also because I am savoring it.
When is the last time any of us could say that we are purposely reading a book as slowly as possible, because we want to linger over it for both substance and style? That's also what Tish – and her book – embody perfectly.
The marriage of substance and style, which she mentions upfront and which many of us who have been fortunate enough to spend time in France come to understand is part of what a French woman learns early on in life.
So I am hoping that Tish will forgive me my labored pace through her glorious pages, but it is both circumstantial and intentional.
Bisous,
D. A.
OKAY!
I WILL BUY THE BOOK!!!!!!!!
YOU SOLD ME!
All the other FRENCH BLOGS have been suggesting it too but I haven't really listened………..I GOT IT NOW!You got through to me …….YOU RED HEAD FOREVER CHIC AMERICAN GAL STUCK IN FRANCE!I GOT IT!
MERRY MERRY……….and lots of HUGS to those BOYS in your life with four paws!
Hi Heather – I've been wanting a copy of this – wanted the hard copy for the illustrations – but was bummed to see it was sold out on Amazon. Nice to know that B&N has it! I thought it would be a great companion for my week in Paris. I totally get what you're saying about feeling the changes that are inevitable in ones 40s, and the challenges of working from home – I used to play dress up every day for my Nordstrom job, now I spend much of my time in yoga clothes and UGGs. I'm trying to find the right balance between comfort and chic, and feeling good from the inside out. Beauty is in the soul and you have it in spades, my dear.
Merry Christmas to you, Remi and the doggies. Hope the next 5 days – and the rest of 2013 and beyond are magical for you. XOXO
Hi Heather, your book review is excellent, thank you.
I ordered the book a few weeks ago in hope for an enjoyable holiday read, but apparently it is sold out on Amazon.ca too till March (!!!)
Can't wait as I'm a big fan of Tish's writing and personality too.
But I'm wondering if she has also touched the secret how despite all the chic and all je ne sait quoi of French women, two beautiful American ladies has stolen hearts of two wonderful Frenchmen so accustomed to proverbial chic. There must be some je ne sais quoi Americain, n'est pas?
Happy Holidays to you dear Heather.
This is the exact kind of book I have been in search for. You are so lucky to get a chance to encounter both her and her daughter! What a treat that must have been.
the worldling
I totally need that book but I'd like a French woman's body too. From what I've observed, clothes seem to hang better on French women because, generally speaking, they are smaller framed than most North American women and that seems to make a big difference…. I'm hosting Christmas dinner this year with 5 of my favourite people and two big dogs.
I always suspected that there was some art behind those who seem to just exude savoir-fair and panache.
Hi Heather, Thanks for this recommendation, I'll definitely check it out! And thank you too for the reminder to breathe. Older son and his girlfriend arrive on Sunday and things have been a lot busier on the work front than they have for sometime (go figure, after leaving me hanging for two months, they finally got their act together this week, just in time for the holidays!) Anyway, I am grateful for the work but will have to re-learn how to fit it around family time. So, yes, breathing is good!