How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are — Love, Style, and Bad Habits
Tags: Style, Book Review, Feminism, Paris, Love

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are — Love, Style, and Bad Habits Ecrivian Follow Feb 2 · 3 min read

By Anne Berest, Audrey Diwan, Caroline de Maigret, and Sophie Mas.

Photo by Guillaume Bleyer

This book is so overly salacious and stereotyped that you just have to love it. It is the idealized French woman’s guide to seduction, slander, and sarcastically subsisting on snobbery and sleights. Too many s-adjectives?

It is a book that is as flawed and forgivable as the Parisienne herself. Starting with the title, it should really be called How To Be A Parisienne Wherever You Are. Sure, men can read it, I even found myself nodding in mutual sympathy for the poor Parisienne entering the metro the wrong way, late as ever, disheveled and morally flayed about the events of last night. I’ve had a few similar experiences myself. But make no mistake, this is a book aimed squarely at those of you with double X chromosomes.

There are helpful tips such as, always pair a white T with a black bralette, never suffer insufferable bores, and always start political or sexual controversy at the dinner table. Never in private.

The Parisienne is a hot mess who in moments of pure brilliance convinces everyone, even momentarily herself, that everything is effortless and natural. Unlike the endless stream of self-help perfectionist crap that pours out of America, this book will exhibit how one can best embrace imperfection. There’s nothing more boring after all than a woman who is perfectly composed and situated in life. Everyone has flaws, most of us choose to chastise ourselves for giving in to desire. The Parisienne gives in to that deliciously fluffy chocolate fondant or that attractive but misbehaved young man in the corner giving her lover's eyes. Moderation is the key. One chocolate fondant and one night stand only.

This book has answers to everything. Recipes to show off to friends, style tips, and even commentary on femininity and feminism. The Parisienne is the consummate feminist but she never misses an opportunity to exploit her feminine charms. Let the man think he is the man and let the woman be a woman to her fullest. We all know who is really in charge here.

Are you a mother? Good. You should be a good mother. You want to raise your children right and impart your life philosophies and lessons to them. But, you must never sacrifice your life for their happiness. You are not a slave to your child. Children will learn to play contently on their own while you indulge and care for yourself.

Aging? One should not be afraid of it. Don’t pollute your body with too much plastic surgery or mask your imperfections with makeup. Learn to age gracefully and naturally. No woman of advancing years has perky breasts. Look your age and just learn to deal with it. Delight them with your intellect and enthrall them with your mystery. After all, charm and allure by physicality alone is amateurish.

This book is more of a show and tell than an instruction manual. But then again the Parisienne couldn’t be asked to define herself and give out all of her secrets. It won’t happen. You have just got to adopt the attitude, live your life, and accept your own flaws.

If all that fails, just book a flight to Paris and stay there. Adopt the city as your own. After all the greatest Parisiennes of all time, Josephine Baker, Marie Antoinette, and Jane Birken, for example, weren’t French at all.

There’s hope for us yet my fragile friend, Adieu