French Chic: How to Dress Like a Frenchwoman

This is the seminal text on how to acquire the je ne sais quois that is the Frenchwoman's style. It tells you in specific detail how to dress like any one of several types of Frenchwoman, with very specific outfit recommendations. The fashion photographed are dated, although still very stylish, so just choose modern versions without huge shoulder pads, and you, too, can dress like a Frenchwoman!

OK, the photos are dated, but I think the curse of any book dealing with fashion and style is to become démodé the second it hits the bookstores. That said, Sommers has done a painstaking effort to convey what French chic is all about and as a person of French origin whose best friends are French and who spends most of her time in France, I can attest to the book's relevance today. The book was written in 1988, so give and take one shoulder pad here, one legging there (and steering clear of the tarty look described under the heading "Trendy"), French style nowadays is still very much as described in Sommers book. Any stylish woman should be able to figure out a way to update the looks described in the book. I even find easier to translate to our times than venerable Genevieve Dariaux's "A guide to Elegance," which to me comes second best.

If you are reading this review you may be wondering why is the book French Chic by Susan Sommers so expensive. This out of print beauty sells for upwards of $100 and climbing. Yet the book was published in 1988. Fashion books come and go, so why does French Chic continue to climb in price and how has it managed to develop a popularity with little publicity.The answer is simple. The book teaches step by step methods to attain the mystique of French Style and it is one of a kind. When I got my copy of the book I was stunned. Many of the outfits seemed somewhat dated. But as I read through the book, I was captivated. The bones of the book teach what has eluded foreign admirers for years. How to truly get "that look". The special chapter on 'What French Mothers Teach Their Daughters' says it all. Learning the tips on these few pages alone will make you unforgettable. In addition to the attitude and wardrobe of the French woman Summers covers the makeup. With the French the emphasis is on the lips. Though I prefer her cousin book, the less pricey "Italian Style" I have learned much from both books. Another wonderful book for those who enjoy "French Chic" is the harder to find (not even in Amazon's database) "French Style - How to Think, Dress and shop like a Frenchwoman" by Veronique Vienne. All are lovely books for those wishing to look fabulous, elegant and sexy with flair!

I bought this book originally when it came out - first printing was sometime in the 80's, but repurchased because I needed to remind myself that fashion is in your head, and this book will remind you that the best outfits are born out of imagination, passion, and from knowing oneself. I did all of the looks in the book back in the day, and, now that I am a woman of a certain age, I will go back and reinvent them again at this time in my life. If anything, this book will help you scale down your wardrobe to a few good key essential items of clothing and accessories. Worth taking away with you: only buy what you LOVE. Amen to that.

Well the text IS interesting; but the suggestions are hugely out of date, which makes reading it like sifting thru a junk store box of "treasures" in search of the one jewel or two that might be in there. Maybe.I have to agree with another reviewer here, I chuckled at the Annie Hall colliding with eighties Madonna. That is EXACTLY what the photos depict. That and the couch smuggling comment. Yes, it really does look like a couch got stuck between her shoulder blades.Well photos aside, and they were bound to be dated;---the text isn't that great. I was hoping it would have something better, something more than the current offering of french chic books have.I suggest you try to get it thru interlibrary loan FIRST before spending the 100$ plus that copies of this one will set you back on the second hand book market.It was a good book in it's day, but Leah Feldon's Dressing Rich has worn better thru time than this one in spite of being about the same publication dates.Leah's book is a true classic about classics that wear well. She too discusses minimal capsule wardrobe building to begin with and how to add, what to look for in a quality garment, and what to go cheap with and what you absolutely must spend big money on.That particular book of Leah's covers all the best points that French Chic makes without the distracting and bizarre fashion photos.For developing your own version of French Chic Anne Barone wrote Chic and Slim and it's sequels (now 3 books, --if you can't get them at Amazon, try her website) and those three have excellent tips on french chic style as well as one of the best weight loss french method that I've encountered yet,Check out Entres Nous by Debra Ollivier for a lovely light but intelligent look at the french chic mystique and how to develop it. She covers a bit about clothing, and a lot about manners and developing a bit of reserve.Frederic Fekkai's A year of Style is wonderful. In a class by itself. It is out of print, and I found that a large Canadian bookstore still had remainders for under 10$ which is terrific as long as it lasts.I wasn't impressed by The Parisian Woman's Guide to Style by Virginie Morana so do try that one before buying, by taking it out of the library first.All in all, I'd buy Anne Barone's books, along with Leah Feldon's Dressing Rich book, Frederick Fekkai's book, and Entre Nous. Maybe I'd add Mary Lou Andre's Ready to Wear, and Mme Dariaux's A Guide to Elegance and be much further ahead for less money. The Lucky Shopping Manual if there is money left over for more in the french chic fashionista line up on the bookshelf.Happy reading!

Still a great book! My second copy bought for my daughter at Christmas

I loved this book. I already had "Italian Chic" for 20 years and wanted "French Chic" to compare the cultural differences of each to the American way of style. There is so much to learn in each book. It does not matter whether the pictures are current to 2011 or whatever. It is the thinking and ideas of the culture that are so interesting and revelant. For instance, it is possible for me to recognize why Jackie Kennedy Onasis appeared so "French" in her American Oleg Casini clothes. Americans can learn so much from the centers of fashion in Paris and Milan.

The book is very lovely and informative. The pictures inside the book are black and white. Some advice in the book are kind of out-of-date, but most of them are very helpful, classic and timeless advice.

Although the pictures are old (and really funny), the narrative is relevant, interesting and informative

Nothing new here and doesn't feel current.