Learn the secrets of how French women dress.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
83 of 84 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
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!
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars
wow, glad I got this one from the library first. Saved me a pile of money for other better books.
July 26, 2006
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well the text IS interesting; but the suggestions are hugely out of date, which makes reading it like sifting thru a junk store box of "treasures" in search of the one jewel or two that might be in there.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!
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!
28 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Susan Sommers' French Chic brings that certain look casual chic of many Frenchwomen into the realm of possibility for the ordinary reader. Most American women have a closet full of mish-mash fashion and yet complain of having nothing to wear. You must have clothing anyway, so why not make wise, versatile purchases? Ms. Sommers' book will help you to do so. She offers several plans for formulating a wardrobe that can be applied whether one shops at Lord and Taylor or the local Target.
Highly recommended to those few women who dare to be chic.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Just as I remember
I had this book years ago and when I ordered it again, I remembered how lovely it was to re-read it. Still appropriate for today's franophile.
Published 4 months ago by S. Peacock
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This is a book that will never be obsolete. Even though styles and trends change by season, this writer has shared wardrobe tips that will never go out of style. Read more
Published 6 months ago by knb
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun book
This is a fun book to read. Of course it is very dated, but still the advice is overall useful. It is especially fun for those of us who love vintage clothing! Read more
Published 10 months ago by Vivian Ellingson
4.0 out of 5 stars
French Chic
I love the fashion tips, but for the Millenium, the clothing and hairstyles are dated.
There was great fashion sense for women of all ages in this book. Read more
There was great fashion sense for women of all ages in this book. Read more
Published 10 months ago by Viola Pruitt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it!
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. Read more
Published 17 months ago by InfoBabe
4.0 out of 5 stars
french chic:how to dress like a french women
this book was a good read with useful imformation about how the french dress and how you can copy there ways to look chic but the only thing about this book was the pictures are... Read more
Published 20 months ago by debralee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun style.
This was sought after,and
it was pleasing to brush up on
the details of , what a good fit is, and
the playfullness with which women from France
treat their... Read more
it was pleasing to brush up on
the details of , what a good fit is, and
the playfullness with which women from France
treat their... Read more
Published on June 26, 2010 by N.N.
5.0 out of 5 stars
What kind of French woman are YOU?
I love this little book. The "types" of French women's style help you distill what makes the French so chic. Read more
Published on March 21, 2010 by Peggy Halsegan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Take what you like and leave the rest........
Well, folks, I just got back from two weeks in Paris. Yes, the pictures in this
book are dated. Yes, some of them are hilarious. Yes, some of them are god-awful
ugly. Read more
book are dated. Yes, some of them are hilarious. Yes, some of them are god-awful
ugly. Read more
Published on May 24, 2008 by Leslie Maendl
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book -- Except......
The fashions in the book are dated. However, the advice is excellent and fun to read.
Most of the tips are timeless and that is why this book is good. Read more
Most of the tips are timeless and that is why this book is good. Read more
Published on October 24, 2006 by Amy R. Steppe
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