Since living my new life in France I have noticed one thing in particular. French women are hot. Their casual look is the
English equivalent of spending 3 hours getting ready to look suitable for the
outside world. And in La Rochelle, being hot also involves riding bicycles in 5
inch heels. Doesn’t get much more chic than that, does it? I have to admit I
once saw a lady in Liverpool Street trying to look good whilst cycling in a
suit on a Boris bike – it was neither chic nor cool because she had decided
to wear crocs and her laptop bag was quite frankly, hideous.
Anyway since being here, the urge to flash
the cash for new outfits and shoes is near enough uncontrollable. Having
already mentioned that all my students look like they’re about to walk the
runway while I don the same drab outfit everyday, I can’t help but think that I
should’ve bought more garments with me to France. But the best part of my day
is checking out what the teachers are wearing. Women walk around school looking
like they’re 30 years old and displaying the new Massimo Dutti collection. Most
of them are actually 50 and they look better than me…awkward. I mean you get good looking cougars in
London, but even in a small coastal town like this they’re everywhere. Heels,
fitted chinos, hair did, nails did, lips did…everything seems to be did. So why
does it all seem so effortless here for EVERYONE? Simply because image is
important to the French. Maybe not for all but the majority of people I see
on a daily basis seem to take much pride in their appearance. And they love it
when you compliment them because it is assurance that they are looking extra
fly.
Hopefully I can also adopt this notion of
care for one’s face, nails, hair, outfit etc. However, coming from suburbs of
London, everything is thrown out the window when it becomes socially acceptable
to walk to Tesco in your pajamas and slippers for some bread and milk. Yes people do that. I shall end with a quote from
a teacher who works at my school and has now become my shopping partner. It
really does convey the parallel universes of where I come from and where I now
live.
“ I
could not bear to leave the house without doing myself up. Even if I’m popping
to the bakery for a baguette I always make sure I have my hairdryer at the
ready, my Chanel lipstick and my blusher. Because even the baker deserves some
eye candy in the morning and I deserve to be looked at, because you know, I’m a
chic French lady!”
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| She knew she looked better than the Eiffel Tower. |
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