Paris was the birth place of couture when Charles Frederick Worth became the first fashion designer in that he dictated his clients apparel rather than simply following the lead of clients as would a dressmaker . It is no wonder then that French women are held in such high regard for their style.

The article French women don't get schlubby: Fashion divide comes down to classic over trendy, is a tribute to the fashion sense of the French woman. The article says that women of France are not 'fashion victims', that is slave to the latest trends, nor do they blindly follow a certain celebrity or mimic fashion ads. They focus on fewer, pricey albeit quality, classic pieces for their wardrobe and pair these with less expensive and vintage finds. They are simply better at finding their own style according to the author.

However they do have fashion icons though in a bit of a different sense from those in the US. French icons are fewer and more select. Coco Chanel, and  Catherine Deneuve, Brigitte Bardot and Jane Birkin are legends known for their style and Charlotte Gainsbourg, Vanessa Paradis and Audrey Tautou serve as mode mavens for the younger generation.

"The style seems very off the cuff," says Bourjois spokeswoman Celine Kaplan, a Parisienne-turned-New Yorker. "We don't have yet the 'celebrity' culture so fashion and style isn't dictated by celebrities who sometimes don't have the right taste levels."

Instead, French women take a few cues from fashion professionals but are even more likely to trust their own instincts, Kaplan says.

"French women don't try to look like anyone else other than themselves," says Frenchwoman Nathalie Rykiel, daughter of designer Sonya Rykiel. "They know who they are and make the most of what they have. Allure, to them, is more about a statement than physical beauty."

French life is slower and more glamorous as the article says and American life can be very fast paced and moderately to very casual (depending on the area of the country). And celebrity-stylists-fashion designers have formed a mutually beneficial relationship to fuel this consumer society. So we can look upon, be inspired by and even admire the Parisian's flair and ease of style but those same sensibilities would have to be translated to the bustle and mercurialness that is this young country's tendency. I applaud the 'effortless' fashion of the French and believe style inspiration can be found across cultures.

Tres Chic!

Jane Birkin and daughter Charlotte Gainsbourg

          Jane Birkin                          Charlotte Gainsbourg

 Audrey Tautou

Vanessa Paradis and partner Johnny Depp

pictures: 1 2

Practically all of us as little girls liked playing Barbies  and I think the  many virtual makeover sites speak to that  early predilection. On marieclaire.com you can try the latests trends in clothing to see how they fit your body. The virtual model can be personalized to your own height, weight, facial features etc. On the Virtual Hair Salon web page you can use one of their virtual models or upload your own photo. Not only can you try out new hairstyles and hair colors you can play around with different make-up looks. Before you even set foot out the door to go shopping or buy online, you have a better idea of what suits you best.

Virtual Outfits 

Virtual Hairstyles and Makeup 

Christina Aguilera is one songstress known for her fashion sense as much as her music hits. She scored a fashion hit with this casual outfit. Here she combines a feminine top, delicate silver heart necklace for flirty-ness and a cropped leather jacket and vampy pumps for spice. Steal her style with the reasonable facsimile below.

Leather Basket Weave Trim Jacket at bebe.com

 The items below are from shopbop.com .

K.A.7 by Katayone Adeli sleevless top

LOVE from Ya-Ya top 

Seven High Waist Joyce Jeans 

AG Adriano Goldschmied The Stilt Cigarette Leg Jean

Dolce Vita Open Toe Pump 

Dolce Vita Open Toe Strap Pump 

Gorjana Cupid Necklace

Christina pictures: superiorpics.com 

 These two women know how to make the rocker bad boy style their own. They each give a feminine twist to the rocker style:  Gwen Stefani adds ballet flats to her black skinny jeans, grommet-ed belt and semi-cropped jacket and Lindsay Lohan wears white skinny jeans and a long-sleeved black tee and touches the outfit up with bubble gum pink nail polish. And of course each has those cool dark shades.  Now that's what I call Girl Rock! (Click on thumbnails for a bigger photo.) 

 Gwen Stefani

Lindsay Lohan

pictures: Hollywoodrag.com