Back to School Chic

Posted by Isabel Dexter at 12:43 on 10 Sep 2009

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After an August during which I nearly pass out because of boredom (parce que tout le monde est parti – everyone had left) I am now nearly passing out through sheer exhaustion. The New Blonde is going to get brownie points from my maman I’m sure for pointing out that this could be because I only eat copious amounts of  pain au chocolat, the occasional bit of filled pasta and sometimes bananas. Protein is becoming as rare as actually getting to the top of the waiting list for a Hermès Kelly bag. But lets not change everything all at once, people. After a weekend where La Artiste told me that my car-crash life was turning me into Paris’ very own Courtney Love (I tried to make out I was more Kate Moss than Courtney but La Artiste  just shrugged in that French way and said “Do we see Kate Moss falling in the street? Do we see her with vomit in her hair?” Good point.) I am suddenly craving yoga, sleep and who would have thought it – pot plants…

Meanwhile, now it’s September it is la rentrée in Paris. This is a sort of mass Back To School where all the lucky Parisians who spent four weeks sur la côte d'Azur suddenly appear in the streets of the Marais looking tanned and perfect with their new season wardrobe all sorted. My Perfect Parisian girl was sporting Balmain-esque sequin shoulders and skinny black trousers après her holiday – while I was still in my four seasons ago Prada-esque high street dress. Paris 1 London 0.

The New Blonde has firmly embraced la rentrée though, arriving back in Paris with what we’re calling ‘grown-up clothes’ – think pencil skirts for a Marilyn moment, 80’s style bodycon dresses and sleek blazers. She even took pity on my ridiculously summery look and lent me her leopard print scarf.  As an ex Gucci girl and former Chloe PR this blonde is not just about the big hair.  Plus she told me my legs look like Barbie's when I was forcing her to stand outside the changing rooms at American Apparel whilst I tried on leather-look leggings – what’s not to love! (She also said it was like shopping with her mum though – a secret family penchant for S and M I wonder?) Anyway… before she chucks me out her flat for writing that here are her tips on nailing the Parisian new season style without losing your Englishness. I like to think of it as pain au chocolat with PG tips. Parfait.

1.    Grown up polished is only for Parisians. Make it English-friendly with a rock twist. (Kate not Courtney, bien sur)
2.    Best collections for autumn/winter – Chanel, YSL and Balmain  - but Lanvin is still key.
3.    It’s all about the statement shoulder (this makes your waist look tiny too).
4.    Leopard print seems fresher this autumn than ever before. Just make sure it doesn’t clash with your hair. If you’re blonde go sparingly to avoid the Bet Lynch effect.
5.    Maje is a great label this season – very Isabel Marant inspired.

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