I always found that the fascination with emulating Audrey Hepburn's style was a bit counterintuitive because she was unique for her time. That was what made her so special. Nowadays, wearing a simple all-black outfit with ballet flats is maybe the most normal thing you do when you're trying to look nice. There's nothing wrong with normal, but I feel like we should just celebrate wearing what we love instead of trying to imitate the past because it's all about context anyways. We might as well enjoy ourselves.
I think for a lot of people it really ends there, trying to "look nice". It's so much more fun and interesting to use these points of reference as a jumping off point to start experimenting with their own style. I also think so many people play with fashion at home or at parties and prefer to blend in outside, especially in smaller towns or suburbs
I've spent the lockdown trying to teach myself to sew on a hand-crank Singer sewing machine. It's fun, but tailoring is no joke. But I'm doing it so that plus-size, 38FF me can wear clothing from any era in history that I want to. Shop history. Because... why not. The Grandparents left us some really great designs to play with. Let your Freak Flag Fly, Kiddo. Go have fun... - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
I agree! I also think for some people her style is 'reduced' to the clothes she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's, or Sabrina. While, even though she did wear a lot of elegant simple clothes throughout her life, she also had a go with different styles. I love the flamboyant looks she tried in the 60s (for instance in How to steal a million and Two for the road), and when she lived in Italy in the 70s she really embraced the 'hippie chic' vibe.
I think Mina Le also talked about this, but the French girl aesthetic is very much the 'Paris (and sometimes Riviera) Girl aesthetic', like people don't exactly picture a Basque or Breton girl when they talk about it, for instance. Also find it funny how Berlin is arguably as much of a style capital as Paris is, yet you don't really hear people talking about 'the German Girl aesthetic'
Yes Mina Le! She focuses on the racial perspective as well, greatly compliments Alice's take: ruclips.net/video/ByPmnIfymR0/видео.html (Edit: wrong link 😩)
Idk man I've seen people in Berlin and most of them are horribly dressed. Granted not everyone in the streets of Paris is fashionable but it's def better. To me though, the best looking overall are Italians hands down, esp the men.
Lisa B @EP, I feel like Berlin is the capital of “I’m too cool to care about why I’m wearing” while actually meticulously picking out the most bohemian/coolest outfit possible. Looking a bit ugly is PART of the Berlin aesthetic. I think there’s so much to say about the influence of the raver and club scene too, and the obsession with flea markets, Humana (second-hand store chain), the gay scene, the radical left scene, and the gentrifier pretending to be poor scene. + Berlin as an iconic ‘20s metropolis, its lateral downfall with the Third Reich, and how the Berlin Wall shaped its later identify thru cheap housing prices. Would LOVE to see a video essay about Berlin fashion. I feel like NYC fashion is also very Berlin-like, though I’ve yet to visit!
Saw a Spanish girl talking about this aesthetic and she said it's really not a french style but rather a mediterranean one. The "espardenyes" shoes were used by catalan people too and many other countries because it was useful in fields and plantations. The bonnet is also seen in basque culture, having the french one have a different twist. Even the floral dress has influence in flamenco dresses and even some mexican influence. It's a mix of many cultures, as many things now bc of globalization.
Oh yeah, Olivia! Isn’t it essentially the dynamic of how authenticity itself inspires style? I wonder when wealthy girls will all start wearing scrubs and Danskos, in tribute to our frontliners?!
yeah in argentinian spanish we call the berets 'gorra vasca' (basque hat), we associate them more with our own gaucho culture & the basque immigrants than with the french.
I'm Indian and while it's probably also inherently elitist to have a standard of beauty, growing up I associated western clothes with modernity and fashion so I would love to see a style nostalgic of my own culture and not just watered down eurocentric trends.
Ditto. It'd be nice to see Indian heritage reflected in everyday clothing. If there are any fashion designers doing that right now, I'd gladly pay for their work
French girl living in Paris, and I would kill for some Indian garments and embroidery (not to mention the jewellery, mamma mia!). The overall lavishness is right down my aesthetic alley, which goes against the smooth, functional monochrome that's prevalent here. Indian lehenga cholis, long embroidered shawls, as well as dhotis, look like a dream to wear. 🥺✨ I would love for some of those looks to permeate the mainstream eventually-though so many inventions from the Indian subcontinent already got absorbed by Western culture. (For example, I never knew until recently that those ubiquitous "chintz" fabrics with printed floral patterns originated in India, and that the well-known French "toile de Jouy" was born only once French textile makers learned the technique from the Indian craftsmen, back in the 18th century I believe)
I think it's perfectly fine to like a particular aesthetic as long as you're aware of all the things you mentioned. But you're absolutely right about it being kind of etitist and non-inclusive.
it actually began in quite a cruel way, because American and sometimes British soldiers abroad in France during ww1 thought French girls were 'easy' when those were actually brothels
The idea of American & British men going to brothels, not realizing they were brothels, then subsequently thinking all French women are easy is the funniest shit that I've read in awhile 🤣
@@artmonkey24 I know it's hilarious, my grandma told me about it because my grandfather tried to correct them but they insisted it was a french thing because they didn't want to think badly of themselves.
I definitely think while it’s doesn’t count for the whole of France, the neutrals aesthetic is still the standard in Paris. I saw a video of a Bulgarian girl go to Paris and when she forgot to pack the “right” shoes she was pointed to and laughed at. The Parisians in the comments were angry with her for wearing the “wrong shoes”. My cousin went to Paris, and she dresses in neutrals in general, but was still criticized for wearing “too bright” a nail polish (some women in the bakery, assuming she doesn’t understand French). It’s very frustrating for me as a South Asian living outside of the subcontinent because so many women within the subcontinent buy into the “Europeans are just classier” mentality. I met a french women in Canada who was very quick to point to any U.S. American or Canadian who had “tacky bright and long” nails, even if the all her clothes were very basic. The general aversion to street wear which has its routes in Black American culture is also a common critique i’ve encountered. Obviously, French women are French and they can dress however they want, but I now see many of my fellow South Asians making the same comments about “European style” (as if there isn’t continental differences) and how “Europeans just dress better.” The irony is that most of us get our idea of “western fashion” from American films, influencers, and celebrities. The Anglo-speaking world in general is very different in terms of what is acceptable to be worn outside the home, but because of some internalized self-hatred many of us think that unlike the Americans, we will readily be accepted into Parisian society while literally dressed in our Pajamas to go grocery shopping which is the number one complaint i’ve seen about the U.S. and Canada from mainland netizens of western European. There’s a lack of understanding that resident South Asians have as to what “classy” actually requires. A prominent Bollywood actress was rejected from a Parisian restaurant for being poorly dressed (sweatpants, tshirt) and most Indians were saying “oh that’s was definitely a five-star restaurant,” without knowing that casual clothes like that are not normal to wear outside in France. Again, it’s okay for French people to have different standards, but watching Indian netizens lie about how it would have been okay to wear that if she went to a more casual café was embarrassing. There’s such a desire to be accepted in Western Europe among netizens that people will literally lie about french culture to be closer to it. I’m really glad to find your channel because I started to develop a genuine anxiety around Western Europe in general because so much of the critiques they have regarding the US and UK style applies to most of us in the global south, but because we also love to critique US Americans, people will join in failing to see the “too much makeup,” “leggings outside of the house,” “ sneakers everywhere,” “too many bold colors,” is literally how we dress. I’ve noticed that Diaspora Indians in the anglosphere are much more willing to play with color and dress the way Indians do than those living in Western Europe (obviously because they grew up in Western Europe and have a European approach to fashion, which is again okay). But then they start with the “why do American/Canadian Indians dress so tacky” which just means wearing a bright pink blouse. I also think the romanticization of Paris is bad for the French to an extent because I’ve met Australian girls who would complain that Paris had so much rubbish in the streets as if that’s any different from everywhere in the world. They expected it to be some idealized cobblestone, no-graffiti, wine-drinking society.
I loved getting to hear your take on this aesthetic and the historical progression of "The French Girl"! Also, I was so pleasantly surprised when you mentioned Adèle Haenel; I love her and do not hear enough people talking about her!!!
I think a version of this myth also exists for the British woman. My grandma used to get a catalogue that sold anything from Wellington boots to shortbread to silk scarves, lots of wool in plaid and paisley patterns and so on. The British women I've met either dress more like the "Essex girl" stereotype or in a minimalist, "Nordic" style (there's another fashion archetype ahaha)
I agree, as I lived in the UK for a few years. I'd say the fitting comparison would be the 'English rose'. Long romantic dresses and a fresh carnation, simple but naturally beautiful. I think it matches the French girl aesthetic who has to be naturally beautiful, not much make up, youthful and naturally sexy. The sexiness is what differs between the English rose and the French girl. Then in the English woman stéréotypes there is also the rock chick aesthetic. Alexa Chung/ Kate Moss. Party girl/girl with the band, influenced by Mods and French new wave. This one is cheeky, nonchalant vs the English rose who is a more conservative stereotype. Lol I wrote a litteral essay. I love these topics 😃
I always thought “the french girl in South” aesthetic is the mix of Italian and French pseudo-proletarian vibe. Kinda like Cottage-Core. I still like it, tho
totally agree with the French pseudo-proletarian vibe but never thought about the Italian inspiration, the French Riviera's right next to Italy so that totally makes sense
That intro was hilaaaarious! I do appreciate some aspects of the French girl aesthetic, the elegant but not extravagant, casual but not sloppy. Where I come from I feel like there's a lot of pressure to either really cake on the makeup/fancy clothes and if that's not you then the other option is just sweatpants and a hoodie. I like how in France I feel more obligated to put some effort in, but not too much.
Great video! I have always been very amused by American portrayals and romanticisations of European culture and cities. I am reminded of an old Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn movie called ‘Funny face’ which portrays a totally unrealistic, though obviously farcical, vision of Paris as a dangerous avant garde place filled to the brim with charmeurs, cads and pseudo-intellectuals. Even as a parodic display it still reinforces existing notions of Paris. Another thing that always stands out to me in American portrayals of European cities, especially ones in France or Italy, is a kind of assumed authority on the city by the characters that is totally unrealistic if you actually know the place they are portraying. When, for example, in ‘The talented Mr. Ripley’ by Patricia Highsmith the main character buys a house in Venice, he buys one literally located on St. Marco’s square, almost implying it is some ‘hidden gem’ of the city, while of course being one of the most well-known places in the city and certainly not a place many Venicians would consider homely or part of their normal habitat.
It's also pretty ethnically exclusive with the French girl esthetic being indeed a predominantly upper class white Parisienne. Have you seen the vogue apartment style series? It's the essence of the French esthetic but taken to an almost cliche level most of the time. Gorgeous 25 year old artists affording an incredible wardrobe and a 90m2 loft in the marais..ok sure..
Thank you for calling out some of the icons who tend to be admired regardless of their beyond distasteful beliefs (and in Coco's case, actual collaboration with Nazis). Yours is the first time I've seen this done on a lifestyle/beauty type video I realize your channel goes way beyond such. Thank you and brava!
I love the phenomenon of youtubers being critical of other youtubers or phenomena on youtube or the internet. Not to dismiss you as hypocritical - I like your videos a lot and/because you make good points that need to be heard more - I just love the irony of it all.
I'll watch pretty much anything with Adele Haenel in it - loved her since Water Lilies. Thank you for teaching me the correct pronunciation of her name!
two and a half years ago, i started learning french (with duolingo) and by myself. i enrolled in the college of french language and literature to really dive in it. i don't want to be seen as those Paris fanatics, i want to read actual books and find out more about your culture. btw je viens de trouver ta chaîne et c'est exactement ce que je cherchais. j'adore tes vidéos!!
I love this video so much! I have been lucky enough to go to France and it is a beautiful place with wonderful people ngl but the American romanticism with Paris and the French girls have always rubbed me off the wrong way. I couldn't lay a finger on it for a very long time but this video sums up everything so well. It has always been that rich, slim, pretty women with old money kind of idea that is what's bothered me for so long. It almost invalidates that French women can be elegant, beautiful, witty and sophisticated even if they don't have vintage hand me down Chanel bags or a curvy body with 24 inch waist. I have binged watched so many of your videos and all of them make me think about stuff in a new way. Thanks for that ❤️❤️
I think “French girl aesthetic” is either Bridget Bardot or Jane Birkin. Even if Jane Birkin isn’t French, a lot of what she wore, even her hair is still copied by those wanting to look “French” Bridget Bardot is more the bombshell, feminine look. Jane Birkin is more of the androgynous, cool girl look
Je suis américan haïtien. Mais je vais écrire en anglais parce’que je ne pratique pas assez le français. What I notice is never spoken about is the racial-economical influence the “French girl” and French affluent class has on its colonies/ex-colonies. France deeply influences the class structure and culture of Haiti and Martinique and I’m sure much of the Caribbean and African countries it once brutalized and left behind. The effects are so much damaging then most are even aware.
Right, I can’t help but think that the elegant French girl aesthetic is also tied to the European self-image of being regal, reasonable, superior to the rest of the world... It’s amazing enough that people think that Paris is an extremely white city-the huge amount of black and Arab citizens is just erased by this aesthetic.
I’m French Canadian and I was thinking about this colony difference as well. As French Canadians we have the Métis, the Québécois, and the Acadians, all of them have different cultures and racial phenotypes, a Métis girl is still a French girl, but she may not be the Parisian ideal. I feel like the colonization that France had has also impacted how colony French people see themselves in comparison to France French people.
This was an absolutely brilliant deconstruction of the French Girl aesthetic. Makes you think of things that you would never connect with that aesthetic. While I still love the look of a T shirt and jeans, I will never look at "the French girl" the same way again. thanks.
alice, to me you're like the youtube-vlogging version of jia tolentino in that you're this thoughtful, interesting, singular voice who can give wonderful shape and direction to so many of the thoughts i feel about the issues of our times, but am only able to half-flesh out on my own. i'm really grateful you're doing these videos in english as well as an american. thanks for the introduction to adele haenel and that letter in le monde signed by BB and others, and for providing a nuanced, critical perspective on so many fascinating topics. things are similar here, but i think watching your videos and understanding the little differences and your outside perspective makes me a more thoughtful person
I watched your video trying to find equivalents for the social construction of Brazilian women. There's a fixed stereotype, but Brazil is huge, there is a time zone difference between some Brazilian states, but even so, when the image of the "Brazilian woman" is sold, the references are almost all from Rio. And, being a carioca woman, I can assure you that our image is under-represented.
I hope this isn't rude to ask, but where does carioca refer to? This is my first time reading that word, and when I looked it up it said its related to Rio but from your comment I don't think that definition was right
There's a whole thing among people who advocate for classic styles of dress or music, where they critique old-time social conditioning, under the slogan "Vintage Style Not Vintage Values".
As a French girl from Réunion island even though we are French we can’t feel 100% French because of these clichés we will never fit in, the French girl aesthetic is basically being thin, white and pretty and doing « no effort » to dress even though it is not effortless at all (like every girl wears makeup in Paris and the mainland compared to the islands where it’s rare on an everyday basis) this « style » isn’t even a real one because if you don’t look like « the parisian girl » a marinière and jeans won’t change anything Edit: for people who think French is an ethnicity, first: it is a really outdated way of thinking because white French citizens are caucasian, but they’re not the only type of citizens here sorry to teach you that mixed, indian, african, and asian people have been French for centuries due to colonization and slavery, ethnicity has nothing to do with nationality, nationality is about history and borders. And in my case if I take a DNA test I will have this « French » / west european part because I’m mixed. So your arguments erase the fact that mixed people are legitimate regarding all parts of their background (and I just go to this extreme demonstration to show how silly it is, but may I remind you that a lot of african countries were once european, so the «immigrants » you are talking about are sometimes more French according to history than some white people living in France and with east european background.) So stop reducing what French really means to a stupid DNA test thank you.
Born in Paris, grew up in Paris, yet never felt "Parisian" because: 1. poor; 2. not white. The image being exported is a small piece of Paris/France, it's the elites and the wannabes. There's many more layers and bubbles, people who are less young, less rich, less leisurely, less caucasian. Sometimes you do cross paths with someone who fits the description, and indeed they look radiant-but they're definitely not the norm. Feeling less-than in close proximity to them is intricate another flavour of alienation, shared by the poorer strata and 2nd-class immigrants (i.e. non-western immigrants)
@@starfall4824 That's where you fail to understand that under our banner, under our "Freedom, Equality, Fraternity" motto, being a citizen means being French. Mind you, France is a major geographical crossroads and has been the stage of continuous genetic mingling between populations from all around the Mediterranean sea and more Northern and continental (Caucasian) folks, so the concept of one unified, white, French "ethnicity" is rather laughable. Caucasian is the "white" ethnicity ; French isn't an ethnicity, it's a national belonging.
@@leamubiu The French, just like every other nation, are mixed with their similar looking neighbors. That doesn't include Nigerians or Japanese. Caucasian? Are you talking about Caucasian region(where I'm from btw) or you mean Caucasoid? Caucasoid is a racial term, French is an ethnic term. No matter what you think reality is that you can only be born French. Some immigrants can pretend to be French(if they are of the same race), some can't.
I just discovered your channel and I’m really enjoying your content so far! Somehow I never guessed I would be so fascinated by French fashion trends, but this really captured my interest. Great stuff. Merci beaucoup!
après avoir regardé ta vidéo sur dark academia je tombe sur celle-ci, et je trouve ton contenu super intéressant et bien construit ! keep going ✌︎('ω'✌︎ )
Thanks.. really thoughtful. I think the whole French Girl thing on social media is really just a marketing ploy that employs the idea that all french women are some how the same... identical appearance and aesthetic values... as if they’re The Borg (Trekkie reference). I think, whilst we can all succumb to that kind of generalisation with regard to many things, it’s seems to be particularly prevalent in Americans... I think it may be connected to the understandable American nostalgia for European countries, or whatever was their particular county of origin. I’ve been to the US a lot and I’ve never heard anyone other than Americans say things like “I’m this and that way because I’m French/Irish/Italian/Scottish” etc... and they do it a LOT. I actually AM Scottish... not because my great grandmother was, but because I live here and so does my family and my ancestors... no one over here ever explains their Scottishness to anyone... and I’m pretty sure it’s the same with real french people in France... you have to be an exile to get into doing that. Maybe the French, like the Irish, it has to be said, have been really clever at cashing in on that and making an industry of it... here in Scotland we’d call that the “Outlander Syndrome” 😂
The editing and setup of the intro is so funny. I love "Vlogue." J'apprends le francais et j'aimerais voir une video en francais! J'adore toutes vos videos! (J'espère que ma grammaire est correct!)
This popped up just while I'm rewatching Au Service de la France. The character Sophie in that is obviously consciously built on that aesthetic. Super informative.
Wonderful video. Wayyy more educational than I’d anticipated. I think you’re lovely and very intelligent and socially conscious. I will now be following ur page
Very interesting video as always ! I feel like very strange how, in one hand we could all agree for that french girl aesthetic since it's something we see on social media, on movies and that's what we read when we look for "parisian style". But in the other hand, this image of the french girl is so exclusive that at the end, it doesn't represent the french woman
Bonne analyse ! Pour une fois que quelqu'un parle à la fois des personnes qui ont inspiré cette esthétique ET de leurs valeurs et actes condamnables (collaboration, racisme). Très informatif. J'espère que ta chaîne va prendre encore plus d'ampleur !
THANK YOU for discussing the Class aspect of the French Girl Aesthetic! AND the fascism, racism and sexism of such public female idols (very very important)
Correct me if I'm wrong because I am not French! So over the years I've gone through some french aesthetic internet deep dives and I've picked up on what I see as a healthy (maybe contemporary?) philosophy behind French fashion where one is encouraged to embrace their natural look, and not hide their "imperfections" but perhaps focus on cultivating a small but functional wardrobe/personal style with items that make you feel confident and beautiful. Like I love the idea of not bothering to cover up your acne, or to try and force your hair to be anything other than how it naturally is (I struggle with both of these) and just throwing on some bold lipstick, gold hoops and a simple, well-tailored outfit (which doesn't necessarily have to be expensive!) that makes you feel beautiful. Is there some truth behind this? I've seen this message communicated by women who don't necessarily fit the narrow stereotypes of the French it-girl; people that are not in the Jeanne Damas crowd (no hate but they don't represent everyone!) in terms of physique and socioeconomic status. On that note I am also aware of the more detrimental aspects of the french girl aesthetic such as racial and economic exclusivity and the glamorization of thinness. I just was curious if there are multiple ideas at play. Great vid! Also you look a little like Maggie Rogers :)
There is some truth to do that. Our style is definitely more simple and our make up is more lighter then in America. Its because we have a different relationship with "perfection". I guess in the spirit we are a bit more laid back, it is in the culture. I also think style mimick the nature of our persona and since we are more on the reserved side (specially in Paris) it is reflected on our fashion and make up. But the french girl aesthetic is actually a parisian aesthetic. Cause if you go to other part in France its not the same lol. And as the creator said foreigners always have this image of a tall white skinny girl as a parisian which doesn't reflect anymore our diverse population. People need to let go of this outdated image of France and Paris as it is harmful to us and ignorant.
I didn't know that I had questions about the French girl aesthetic until this video and just as quickly as I have realized that I've had those questions they have been answered.
This part about nostalgia is certainly true. There is this famous quote by Hartley saying 'The past is a foreign country.' If you didn't get the thought already, just imagine what post-colonial studies would have to say about this 'French girl esthetics' notion in the way it is deconstructed here.
Fascinating video. I admit that I adored the French Women Don't Get Fat book (I'm a US fattie myself) and have in general tended to idealize European but especially French aesthetics of femininity and womanhood. Mind you I look the opposite of this aesthetic girl so probably not a good idea but it is nice to take the rose colored glasses off of that which you admire and add some real history to it.
Hello Alice, thanks for the video, and great language skills you have, by the way. Good on you learning Spanish, mastering three languages will get you as far as you want. As a Spanish myself, I love French aesthetic and also French Cinema. Rouje clothing line is super cool, with their 40,s inspired dresses, but my favourite designer is Tara Jarmon, and for cosmetic, Guerlain. Hoping you are having a great weekend, greetings from Seville 😘
cette vidéo est bien faite, bravo! les personnes qui pensent que la culture francaise n'est que paris, l'amour, chanel, croissant vraiment manquent qch et ils sautent les personnages, artistes, lieux, moments d'histoire, livres, architecture, vraiment uniques!
Well princess dianas style was classic english bourgeoise style. There was one handbook called The Slone Ranger Handbook which broke down the outfits of the English of aristocratic heritance
Yeah, I always found it odd how on the one hand people hold her up as a style icon, but you don't actually see a lot of people replicating her style because if you take a look at the pictures you'll find that her style didn't age very well. People are fascinated with her because it's interesting to learn about a woman who became a princess. Which is fine, but it's just interesting how her legacy has very little to do with who she actually was.
Add Justine DuPont to your list of current 2023 iconic French women. She’s the women’s longboard surfing champion at St. Nazaire, France surfing the largest waves in the world.
This is a great video. Very informative 👏 Edited to add, viewing history through a modern lens will always be limiting for the observer. History has something to teach us. Listen carefully and *thoroughly* to truly avoid the mistakes of the past.
Really good video. I expected some references to the feminine figures in Godard's movies too, though. Certainly a point of reference for the more "alternative" crowd who claim a connectedness to "Frenchness" as style. I feel like these movies and the female characters in them, too, played a significant role in mystifying/fetishizing/stylizing the feminine and somewhat reducing it to an aesthetic. But that's my POV.
Now I understand why some French made negative remarks when Jeanne Damas was dipping her croissant in the hot choco in the video "Jeanne does a French Girl red lipstick." Some comments were like "Okay. You're eating a croissant, we get it. You're French."
When I was in Paris, I felt almost overwhelmed by the romanticism. Perhaps it was the "tourist" aspect of it, but to me it seemed almost as if Paris was saying, "The perfect French life is unattainable for you - but wouldn't you like to try?" Paris calls you, it lures you in, there's a magic about that city and a very subtle, almost imperceptible undercurrent of darkness. After my time there I can completely understand how the "aesthetic" and fashion became what it is.
Looking at them, Brigitte and Marilyn seem to have pretty similar bodies. Don’t forget, Marilyn had a 23 inch waist. The idea that she was plus sized is laughable. She never was, though she did have a bit of up and down in her weight, she was always fairly small. To me, she and Brigitte look pretty similar, body wise.
The thing I dislike about the french girl concept is relating classiness to eurocentric manners, customs and garments (or style). Is not the 18th century anymore.
When I hear french woman style I always think of Inès de la Fressange: rich, from an aristocratic family, super thin, casual and a cigarette smoker. And I'm fine with that :)
Bonjour tout le monde! I'm French, Parisienne for 5 years and I would have to disagree with some aspects of your speech. I think the French girl aesthetic does exist and even nowadays. It is not as stereotypical as it is describe in social medias or thought by foreigners. However, I can stay that French girls tend to dress on the simple side, wear light make up... I grew up not seeing women wearing foundation or heavy make up ( It mostly was just mascara, and lipstick). Having travelled in my life, I can say that this simplicity is typical to French women. It is not something that I acknowledged in London, in Beijing our in Yaoundé (Cameroun). However that can say that things are starting to change now. Due to Social medias influence, we can see more and more young girls/women being artificial, wearing extravagant clothes, but it is new. Just look at women in there 4Os, we can still see the French girl aesthetic.
I find the French girl aesthetic very limiting since it defines the French girl as white, skinny and with a certain style. My mom was born in France, wears mariniere and red lips but as a biracial woman is not defined as having “French aesthetic” because she is not *drumroll please…white. France is so diverse so multicultural yet all we see are wispy girls with flowy tresses and bangs. Come on! 🙄 And then the French get upset with Emily in Paris showing the French in a stereotypical way when the French themselves perpetuate a stereotype. Can’t have it both ways.
But your mom could create the French biracial girl aesthetic for example. You can't remove some existing aesthetic just because it doesn't cover immigrants or non-ethnic French. It's disrespectful.
@@Bubbles-od2tv I agree with you. Who are she to tell that the french girl cant have their aesthetic or its something wrong with it. I think its just becouse she cant take part of it. But she can have the Africa aesthetic.
I think recent French cinema (and maybe more, American cinema trying to be French) also played its part in pushing this kind of look in the last decades. Or, more precisely, the kind of unchallenging arthouse-mainstream films that people consider to be „so nicely French“. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, many Nouvelle Vague movies were both innovative and box-office hits. But the tendency in the 21st century seems to be on one side highly successful, Paris-centered rom-coms with lots of clichés about French culture, and on the other side the critically acclaimed, but commercially less successful in-yer-face realism of directors like Claire Denis or Céline Sciamma, or the hardcore transgressions of New French Extremity movies (both of which people wouldn‘t really think of as „typically French“).
And talking of the historically 'problematic' use of the French girl atheistic - it is used repeatedly as a trope in French cinema - Betty Blue, Noce Blanche, many Eric Rohmer films (although I am sympathetic to his work in many ways). I'd be interested to see you explore that.
I always found that the fascination with emulating Audrey Hepburn's style was a bit counterintuitive because she was unique for her time. That was what made her so special. Nowadays, wearing a simple all-black outfit with ballet flats is maybe the most normal thing you do when you're trying to look nice. There's nothing wrong with normal, but I feel like we should just celebrate wearing what we love instead of trying to imitate the past because it's all about context anyways. We might as well enjoy ourselves.
I think for a lot of people it really ends there, trying to "look nice". It's so much more fun and interesting to use these points of reference as a jumping off point to start experimenting with their own style. I also think so many people play with fashion at home or at parties and prefer to blend in outside, especially in smaller towns or suburbs
I've spent the lockdown trying to teach myself to sew on a hand-crank Singer sewing machine. It's fun, but tailoring is no joke.
But I'm doing it so that plus-size, 38FF me can wear clothing from any era in history that I want to. Shop history. Because... why not. The Grandparents left us some really great designs to play with.
Let your Freak Flag Fly, Kiddo. Go have fun...
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
Agree.
Beautiful said.
I agree! I also think for some people her style is 'reduced' to the clothes she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's, or Sabrina. While, even though she did wear a lot of elegant simple clothes throughout her life, she also had a go with different styles. I love the flamboyant looks she tried in the 60s (for instance in How to steal a million and Two for the road), and when she lived in Italy in the 70s she really embraced the 'hippie chic' vibe.
I think Mina Le also talked about this, but the French girl aesthetic is very much the 'Paris (and sometimes Riviera) Girl aesthetic', like people don't exactly picture a Basque or Breton girl when they talk about it, for instance.
Also find it funny how Berlin is arguably as much of a style capital as Paris is, yet you don't really hear people talking about 'the German Girl aesthetic'
YES, Berlin is completely underrated !
Yes Mina Le!
She focuses on the racial perspective as well, greatly compliments Alice's take:
ruclips.net/video/ByPmnIfymR0/видео.html
(Edit: wrong link 😩)
Idk man I've seen people in Berlin and most of them are horribly dressed. Granted not everyone in the streets of Paris is fashionable but it's def better. To me though, the best looking overall are Italians hands down, esp the men.
@@SoWhosGae italian men really are 👌 when it comes to fashion
Berlin has some true innovation though
Lisa B
@EP, I feel like Berlin is the capital of “I’m too cool to care about why I’m wearing” while actually meticulously picking out the most bohemian/coolest outfit possible. Looking a bit ugly is PART of the Berlin aesthetic. I think there’s so much to say about the influence of the raver and club scene too, and the obsession with flea markets, Humana (second-hand store chain), the gay scene, the radical left scene, and the gentrifier pretending to be poor scene. + Berlin as an iconic ‘20s metropolis, its lateral downfall with the Third Reich, and how the Berlin Wall shaped its later identify thru cheap housing prices. Would LOVE to see a video essay about Berlin fashion.
I feel like NYC fashion is also very Berlin-like, though I’ve yet to visit!
I always wanted an honest take on ‘The French Girl’ aesthetics from a French person. Brilliant and Informative video as always 😃❤️
Thank you 🥰
@@AliceCappelle Seconded.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
4th July tttt
T
Saw a Spanish girl talking about this aesthetic and she said it's really not a french style but rather a mediterranean one. The "espardenyes" shoes were used by catalan people too and many other countries because it was useful in fields and plantations. The bonnet is also seen in basque culture, having the french one have a different twist. Even the floral dress has influence in flamenco dresses and even some mexican influence. It's a mix of many cultures, as many things now bc of globalization.
does she have a yt channel?
Oh yeah, Olivia! Isn’t it essentially the dynamic of how authenticity itself inspires style? I wonder when wealthy girls will all start wearing scrubs and Danskos, in tribute to our frontliners?!
I can confirm this as an Spaniard!!
yeah in argentinian spanish we call the berets 'gorra vasca' (basque hat), we associate them more with our own gaucho culture & the basque immigrants than with the french.
As a portuguese girl I can say this really is a thing here too
I'm Indian and while it's probably also inherently elitist to have a standard of beauty, growing up I associated western clothes with modernity and fashion so I would love to see a style nostalgic of my own culture and not just watered down eurocentric trends.
Ditto. It'd be nice to see Indian heritage reflected in everyday clothing. If there are any fashion designers doing that right now, I'd gladly pay for their work
@@pooja350 correct
@@pooja350 yes me too, I think taavi by myntra does that :)
Count me in, Coach. Send me off in any direction you want for who's a good designer to follow.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown
French girl living in Paris, and I would kill for some Indian garments and embroidery (not to mention the jewellery, mamma mia!). The overall lavishness is right down my aesthetic alley, which goes against the smooth, functional monochrome that's prevalent here. Indian lehenga cholis, long embroidered shawls, as well as dhotis, look like a dream to wear. 🥺✨ I would love for some of those looks to permeate the mainstream eventually-though so many inventions from the Indian subcontinent already got absorbed by Western culture. (For example, I never knew until recently that those ubiquitous "chintz" fabrics with printed floral patterns originated in India, and that the well-known French "toile de Jouy" was born only once French textile makers learned the technique from the Indian craftsmen, back in the 18th century I believe)
I think it's perfectly fine to like a particular aesthetic as long as you're aware of all the things you mentioned. But you're absolutely right about it being kind of etitist and non-inclusive.
Exactly ! 😊
it actually began in quite a cruel way, because American and sometimes British soldiers abroad in France during ww1 thought French girls were 'easy' when those were actually brothels
The idea of American & British men going to brothels, not realizing they were brothels, then subsequently thinking all French women are easy is the funniest shit that I've read in awhile 🤣
@@artmonkey24 I know it's hilarious, my grandma told me about it because my grandfather tried to correct them but they insisted it was a french thing because they didn't want to think badly of themselves.
@@artmonkey24 some men still do it in eastern europe and asia, because they don't realise the 'drinks' aren't expensive, they're paying for the WOMAN
@@seabreeze4559 oh no they are 200% aware, they just think that to rationalise it.
@@Belihoney THE COPE LOL
I definitely think while it’s doesn’t count for the whole of France, the neutrals aesthetic is still the standard in Paris. I saw a video of a Bulgarian girl go to Paris and when she forgot to pack the “right” shoes she was pointed to and laughed at. The Parisians in the comments were angry with her for wearing the “wrong shoes”. My cousin went to Paris, and she dresses in neutrals in general, but was still criticized for wearing “too bright” a nail polish (some women in the bakery, assuming she doesn’t understand French). It’s very frustrating for me as a South Asian living outside of the subcontinent because so many women within the subcontinent buy into the “Europeans are just classier” mentality. I met a french women in Canada who was very quick to point to any U.S. American or Canadian who had “tacky bright and long” nails, even if the all her clothes were very basic. The general aversion to street wear which has its routes in Black American culture is also a common critique i’ve encountered. Obviously, French women are French and they can dress however they want, but I now see many of my fellow South Asians making the same comments about “European style” (as if there isn’t continental differences) and how “Europeans just dress better.” The irony is that most of us get our idea of “western fashion” from American films, influencers, and celebrities. The Anglo-speaking world in general is very different in terms of what is acceptable to be worn outside the home, but because of some internalized self-hatred many of us think that unlike the Americans, we will readily be accepted into Parisian society while literally dressed in our Pajamas to go grocery shopping which is the number one complaint i’ve seen about the U.S. and Canada from mainland netizens of western European. There’s a lack of understanding that resident South Asians have as to what “classy” actually requires. A prominent Bollywood actress was rejected from a Parisian restaurant for being poorly dressed (sweatpants, tshirt) and most Indians were saying “oh that’s was definitely a five-star restaurant,” without knowing that casual clothes like that are not normal to wear outside in France. Again, it’s okay for French people to have different standards, but watching Indian netizens lie about how it would have been okay to wear that if she went to a more casual café was embarrassing. There’s such a desire to be accepted in Western Europe among netizens that people will literally lie about french culture to be closer to it.
I’m really glad to find your channel because I started to develop a genuine anxiety around Western Europe in general because so much of the critiques they have regarding the US and UK style applies to most of us in the global south, but because we also love to critique US Americans, people will join in failing to see the “too much makeup,” “leggings outside of the house,” “ sneakers everywhere,” “too many bold colors,” is literally how we dress. I’ve noticed that Diaspora Indians in the anglosphere are much more willing to play with color and dress the way Indians do than those living in Western Europe (obviously because they grew up in Western Europe and have a European approach to fashion, which is again okay). But then they start with the “why do American/Canadian Indians dress so tacky” which just means wearing a bright pink blouse.
I also think the romanticization of Paris is bad for the French to an extent because I’ve met Australian girls who would complain that Paris had so much rubbish in the streets as if that’s any different from everywhere in the world. They expected it to be some idealized cobblestone, no-graffiti, wine-drinking society.
I had not really understood the “French Girl” aesthetic up until this video. This helped me so much!
You're welcome 😊
I loved getting to hear your take on this aesthetic and the historical progression of "The French Girl"!
Also, I was so pleasantly surprised when you mentioned Adèle Haenel; I love her and do not hear enough people talking about her!!!
She's super sweet and super strong and determined at the same time, such an inspiration!
I think a version of this myth also exists for the British woman. My grandma used to get a catalogue that sold anything from Wellington boots to shortbread to silk scarves, lots of wool in plaid and paisley patterns and so on. The British women I've met either dress more like the "Essex girl" stereotype or in a minimalist, "Nordic" style (there's another fashion archetype ahaha)
I agree, as I lived in the UK for a few years. I'd say the fitting comparison would be the 'English rose'. Long romantic dresses and a fresh carnation, simple but naturally beautiful. I think it matches the French girl aesthetic who has to be naturally beautiful, not much make up, youthful and naturally sexy. The sexiness is what differs between the English rose and the French girl. Then in the English woman stéréotypes there is also the rock chick aesthetic. Alexa Chung/ Kate Moss. Party girl/girl with the band, influenced by Mods and French new wave. This one is cheeky, nonchalant vs the English rose who is a more conservative stereotype. Lol I wrote a litteral essay. I love these topics 😃
I always thought “the french girl in South” aesthetic is the mix of Italian and French pseudo-proletarian vibe. Kinda like Cottage-Core. I still like it, tho
totally agree with the French pseudo-proletarian vibe but never thought about the Italian inspiration, the French Riviera's right next to Italy so that totally makes sense
Cottagecore is the aesthetic of peasantry that bourgeois women had, it's a bit different.
I love hearing an analysis of this from someone who is actually French -- merci bcp!
Your videos are literally so thought-provoking and interesting! They're amazing!
Thank you 💕
That intro was hilaaaarious! I do appreciate some aspects of the French girl aesthetic, the elegant but not extravagant, casual but not sloppy. Where I come from I feel like there's a lot of pressure to either really cake on the makeup/fancy clothes and if that's not you then the other option is just sweatpants and a hoodie. I like how in France I feel more obligated to put some effort in, but not too much.
Great video! I have always been very amused by American portrayals and romanticisations of European culture and cities. I am reminded of an old Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn movie called ‘Funny face’ which portrays a totally unrealistic, though obviously farcical, vision of Paris as a dangerous avant garde place filled to the brim with charmeurs, cads and pseudo-intellectuals. Even as a parodic display it still reinforces existing notions of Paris. Another thing that always stands out to me in American portrayals of European cities, especially ones in France or Italy, is a kind of assumed authority on the city by the characters that is totally unrealistic if you actually know the place they are portraying. When, for example, in ‘The talented Mr. Ripley’ by Patricia Highsmith the main character buys a house in Venice, he buys one literally located on St. Marco’s square, almost implying it is some ‘hidden gem’ of the city, while of course being one of the most well-known places in the city and certainly not a place many Venicians would consider homely or part of their normal habitat.
Yes ! You're totally right!!
It's also pretty ethnically exclusive with the French girl esthetic being indeed a predominantly upper class white Parisienne. Have you seen the vogue apartment style series? It's the essence of the French esthetic but taken to an almost cliche level most of the time. Gorgeous 25 year old artists affording an incredible wardrobe and a 90m2 loft in the marais..ok sure..
Thank you for calling out some of the icons who tend to be admired regardless of their beyond distasteful beliefs (and in Coco's case, actual collaboration with Nazis). Yours is the first time I've seen this done on a lifestyle/beauty type video I realize your channel goes way beyond such. Thank you and brava!
Thaaaanks for mentioning Adèle Haenel, she definitely needs more love! And thanks for this video, we need more content like that! Just subscribed :)
I love the phenomenon of youtubers being critical of other youtubers or phenomena on youtube or the internet. Not to dismiss you as hypocritical - I like your videos a lot and/because you make good points that need to be heard more - I just love the irony of it all.
I'll watch pretty much anything with Adele Haenel in it - loved her since Water Lilies. Thank you for teaching me the correct pronunciation of her name!
two and a half years ago, i started learning french (with duolingo) and by myself. i enrolled in the college of french language and literature to really dive in it. i don't want to be seen as those Paris fanatics, i want to read actual books and find out more about your culture. btw je viens de trouver ta chaîne et c'est exactement ce que je cherchais. j'adore tes vidéos!!
I love this video so much! I have been lucky enough to go to France and it is a beautiful place with wonderful people ngl but the American romanticism with Paris and the French girls have always rubbed me off the wrong way. I couldn't lay a finger on it for a very long time but this video sums up everything so well. It has always been that rich, slim, pretty women with old money kind of idea that is what's bothered me for so long. It almost invalidates that French women can be elegant, beautiful, witty and sophisticated even if they don't have vintage hand me down Chanel bags or a curvy body with 24 inch waist.
I have binged watched so many of your videos and all of them make me think about stuff in a new way. Thanks for that ❤️❤️
Thank you so much, such an interesting and sweet comment 💕
I think “French girl aesthetic” is either Bridget Bardot or Jane Birkin. Even if Jane Birkin isn’t French, a lot of what she wore, even her hair is still copied by those wanting to look “French”
Bridget Bardot is more the bombshell, feminine look.
Jane Birkin is more of the androgynous, cool girl look
YES let's make Adele Haenel the ultimate french icon
"Nostalgic style, yes. Nostalgic values, no." Love this!
Je suis américan haïtien. Mais je vais écrire en anglais parce’que je ne pratique pas assez le français. What I notice is never spoken about is the racial-economical influence the “French girl” and French affluent class has on its colonies/ex-colonies. France deeply influences the class structure and culture of Haiti and Martinique and I’m sure much of the Caribbean and African countries it once brutalized and left behind. The effects are so much damaging then most are even aware.
Right, I can’t help but think that the elegant French girl aesthetic is also tied to the European self-image of being regal, reasonable, superior to the rest of the world... It’s amazing enough that people think that Paris is an extremely white city-the huge amount of black and Arab citizens is just erased by this aesthetic.
I’m French Canadian and I was thinking about this colony difference as well. As French Canadians we have the Métis, the Québécois, and the Acadians, all of them have different cultures and racial phenotypes, a Métis girl is still a French girl, but she may not be the Parisian ideal. I feel like the colonization that France had has also impacted how colony French people see themselves in comparison to France French people.
This was an absolutely brilliant deconstruction of the French Girl aesthetic. Makes you think of things that you would never connect with that aesthetic. While I still love the look of a T shirt and jeans, I will never look at "the French girl" the same way again. thanks.
I love your light British English accent with a hint of French
"Nostalgic style, oui; nostalgic values, no" - that's very well said!
This vid is underrated, you nailed it! Totally killed the je ne sais quoi by telling exactly what it is.
Merci 😊
alice, to me you're like the youtube-vlogging version of jia tolentino in that you're this thoughtful, interesting, singular voice who can give wonderful shape and direction to so many of the thoughts i feel about the issues of our times, but am only able to half-flesh out on my own. i'm really grateful you're doing these videos in english as well as an american. thanks for the introduction to adele haenel and that letter in le monde signed by BB and others, and for providing a nuanced, critical perspective on so many fascinating topics. things are similar here, but i think watching your videos and understanding the little differences and your outside perspective makes me a more thoughtful person
I watched your video trying to find equivalents for the social construction of Brazilian women. There's a fixed stereotype, but Brazil is huge, there is a time zone difference between some Brazilian states, but even so, when the image of the "Brazilian woman" is sold, the references are almost all from Rio. And, being a carioca woman, I can assure you that our image is under-represented.
I hope this isn't rude to ask, but where does carioca refer to? This is my first time reading that word, and when I looked it up it said its related to Rio but from your comment I don't think that definition was right
@@zkkitty2436 One who's born in Rio de Janeiro is a carioca. It's an indigenous composite word, Tupi to be more precise.
The way you master English is just amazing, can hardly pick up French accent in it!!
When I think about a french girl, I think about Jane Birkin. Also, Adele Haenel supremacy!
Quickly becoming one of my all time favorite content creators
c'était hyper intéressant, j'ai appris pleins de trucs : merci les reco youtube !!
There's a whole thing among people who advocate for classic styles of dress or music, where they critique old-time social conditioning, under the slogan "Vintage Style Not Vintage Values".
As a French girl from Réunion island even though we are French we can’t feel 100% French because of these clichés we will never fit in, the French girl aesthetic is basically being thin, white and pretty and doing « no effort » to dress even though it is not effortless at all (like every girl wears makeup in Paris and the mainland compared to the islands where it’s rare on an everyday basis) this « style » isn’t even a real one because if you don’t look like « the parisian girl » a marinière and jeans won’t change anything
Edit: for people who think French is an ethnicity, first: it is a really outdated way of thinking because white French citizens are caucasian, but they’re not the only type of citizens here sorry to teach you that mixed, indian, african, and asian people have been French for centuries due to colonization and slavery, ethnicity has nothing to do with nationality, nationality is about history and borders. And in my case if I take a DNA test I will have this « French » / west european part because I’m mixed. So your arguments erase the fact that mixed people are legitimate regarding all parts of their background (and I just go to this extreme demonstration to show how silly it is, but may I remind you that a lot of african countries were once european, so the «immigrants » you are talking about are sometimes more French according to history than some white people living in France and with east european background.) So stop reducing what French really means to a stupid DNA test thank you.
Born in Paris, grew up in Paris, yet never felt "Parisian" because: 1. poor; 2. not white.
The image being exported is a small piece of Paris/France, it's the elites and the wannabes. There's many more layers and bubbles, people who are less young, less rich, less leisurely, less caucasian. Sometimes you do cross paths with someone who fits the description, and indeed they look radiant-but they're definitely not the norm. Feeling less-than in close proximity to them is intricate another flavour of alienation, shared by the poorer strata and 2nd-class immigrants (i.e. non-western immigrants)
I totally agree in my opinion the biggest part of this aesthetic is to be white and rich
"White" is not a cliché. Ethnic French are all "white" as you say. Immigrants can be citizens of France but will never become French.
@@starfall4824 That's where you fail to understand that under our banner, under our "Freedom, Equality, Fraternity" motto, being a citizen means being French. Mind you, France is a major geographical crossroads and has been the stage of continuous genetic mingling between populations from all around the Mediterranean sea and more Northern and continental (Caucasian) folks, so the concept of one unified, white, French "ethnicity" is rather laughable. Caucasian is the "white" ethnicity ; French isn't an ethnicity, it's a national belonging.
@@leamubiu The French, just like every other nation, are mixed with their similar looking neighbors. That doesn't include Nigerians or Japanese. Caucasian? Are you talking about Caucasian region(where I'm from btw) or you mean Caucasoid? Caucasoid is a racial term, French is an ethnic term. No matter what you think reality is that you can only be born French. Some immigrants can pretend to be French(if they are of the same race), some can't.
I just discovered your channel and I’m really enjoying your content so far! Somehow I never guessed I would be so fascinated by French fashion trends, but this really captured my interest. Great stuff. Merci beaucoup!
Merci 😊
You finally did it !!
YES ahaha
après avoir regardé ta vidéo sur dark academia je tombe sur celle-ci, et je trouve ton contenu super intéressant et bien construit ! keep going ✌︎('ω'✌︎ )
Merciiii ! 🥰
i literally always look forward to all your videos 😭💖
Thank you so much 💕
Thanks.. really thoughtful. I think the whole French Girl thing on social media is really just a marketing ploy that employs the idea that all french women are some how the same... identical appearance and aesthetic values... as if they’re The Borg (Trekkie reference). I think, whilst we can all succumb to that kind of generalisation with regard to many things, it’s seems to be particularly prevalent in Americans... I think it may be connected to the understandable American nostalgia for European countries, or whatever was their particular county of origin. I’ve been to the US a lot and I’ve never heard anyone other than Americans say things like “I’m this and that way because I’m French/Irish/Italian/Scottish” etc... and they do it a LOT. I actually AM Scottish... not because my great grandmother was, but because I live here and so does my family and my ancestors... no one over here ever explains their Scottishness to anyone... and I’m pretty sure it’s the same with real french people in France... you have to be an exile to get into doing that. Maybe the French, like the Irish, it has to be said, have been really clever at cashing in on that and making an industry of it... here in Scotland we’d call that the “Outlander Syndrome” 😂
The editing and setup of the intro is so funny. I love "Vlogue." J'apprends le francais et j'aimerais voir une video en francais! J'adore toutes vos videos! (J'espère que ma grammaire est correct!)
This popped up just while I'm rewatching Au Service de la France. The character Sophie in that is obviously consciously built on that aesthetic. Super informative.
Wonderful video. Wayyy more educational than I’d anticipated. I think you’re lovely and very intelligent and socially conscious. I will now be following ur page
Very interesting video as always ! I feel like very strange how, in one hand we could all agree for that french girl aesthetic since it's something we see on social media, on movies and that's what we read when we look for "parisian style". But in the other hand, this image of the french girl is so exclusive that at the end, it doesn't represent the french woman
Bonne analyse ! Pour une fois que quelqu'un parle à la fois des personnes qui ont inspiré cette esthétique ET de leurs valeurs et actes condamnables (collaboration, racisme). Très informatif. J'espère que ta chaîne va prendre encore plus d'ampleur !
THANK YOU for discussing the Class aspect of the French Girl Aesthetic! AND the fascism, racism and sexism of such public female idols (very very important)
Correct me if I'm wrong because I am not French! So over the years I've gone through some french aesthetic internet deep dives and I've picked up on what I see as a healthy (maybe contemporary?) philosophy behind French fashion where one is encouraged to embrace their natural look, and not hide their "imperfections" but perhaps focus on cultivating a small but functional wardrobe/personal style with items that make you feel confident and beautiful. Like I love the idea of not bothering to cover up your acne, or to try and force your hair to be anything other than how it naturally is (I struggle with both of these) and just throwing on some bold lipstick, gold hoops and a simple, well-tailored outfit (which doesn't necessarily have to be expensive!) that makes you feel beautiful. Is there some truth behind this? I've seen this message communicated by women who don't necessarily fit the narrow stereotypes of the French it-girl; people that are not in the Jeanne Damas crowd (no hate but they don't represent everyone!) in terms of physique and socioeconomic status. On that note I am also aware of the more detrimental aspects of the french girl aesthetic such as racial and economic exclusivity and the glamorization of thinness. I just was curious if there are multiple ideas at play. Great vid! Also you look a little like Maggie Rogers :)
There is some truth to do that. Our style is definitely more simple and our make up is more lighter then in America. Its because we have a different relationship with "perfection". I guess in the spirit we are a bit more laid back, it is in the culture.
I also think style mimick the nature of our persona and since we are more on the reserved side (specially in Paris) it is reflected on our fashion and make up.
But the french girl aesthetic is actually a parisian aesthetic. Cause if you go to other part in France its not the same lol. And as the creator said foreigners always have this image of a tall white skinny girl as a parisian which doesn't reflect anymore our diverse population. People need to let go of this outdated image of France and Paris as it is harmful to us and ignorant.
" I'm just too patriotic for that " I as an American dont blame you dont give America any credit lmao
😂😂
I didn't know that I had questions about the French girl aesthetic until this video and just as quickly as I have realized that I've had those questions they have been answered.
Well this was brilliant;) Alice you are just a good girl with the wit needed nowadays . Pleasure to watch and listen to….thank you tones
I predict this channel will blow up
This part about nostalgia is certainly true. There is this famous quote by Hartley saying 'The past is a foreign country.' If you didn't get the thought already, just imagine what post-colonial studies would have to say about this 'French girl esthetics' notion in the way it is deconstructed here.
you are so well-spoken!!!
Thank you so much!! This video was excellent!! ❤
Fascinating video. I admit that I adored the French Women Don't Get Fat book (I'm a US fattie myself) and have in general tended to idealize European but especially French aesthetics of femininity and womanhood. Mind you I look the opposite of this aesthetic girl so probably not a good idea but it is nice to take the rose colored glasses off of that which you admire and add some real history to it.
Hello Alice, thanks for the video, and great language skills you have, by the way. Good on you learning Spanish, mastering three languages will get you as far as you want. As a Spanish myself, I love French aesthetic and also French Cinema. Rouje clothing line is super cool, with their 40,s inspired dresses, but my favourite designer is Tara Jarmon, and for cosmetic, Guerlain. Hoping you are having a great weekend, greetings from Seville 😘
loved the adele haenel shout out!!!
...and the half in the bag music rlly puts me in a French mood hahaha (loved the video btw)
This is just fascinating! You're so intelligent, thank you for sharing us those thoughts provoking aspects
cette vidéo est bien faite, bravo! les personnes qui pensent que la culture francaise n'est que paris, l'amour, chanel, croissant vraiment manquent qch et ils sautent les personnages, artistes, lieux, moments d'histoire, livres, architecture, vraiment uniques!
This is one way to describe Princess Diana's style
Well princess dianas style was classic english bourgeoise style. There was one handbook called The Slone Ranger Handbook which broke down the outfits of the English of aristocratic heritance
Not at all what
Yeah, I always found it odd how on the one hand people hold her up as a style icon, but you don't actually see a lot of people replicating her style because if you take a look at the pictures you'll find that her style didn't age very well. People are fascinated with her because it's interesting to learn about a woman who became a princess. Which is fine, but it's just interesting how her legacy has very little to do with who she actually was.
J’adore tes vidéos ! Meilleure chaîne 😊
Add Justine DuPont to your list of current 2023 iconic French women. She’s the women’s longboard surfing champion at
St. Nazaire, France surfing the largest waves in the world.
I agree. Glad your video popped up in my suggested videos.
Super interesting and so well explained. You gave me things to think about that I'd never considered before!
omg what a perfect video! super informative
Thanks 🥰
I love your videos!!
Amazing content! I really liked you channel!!🎉🎉
I hope this isn't an insult but you seem like an exemplar of the French Girl to me. Effortlessly pretty and an intellectual.
This is a great video. Very informative 👏 Edited to add, viewing history through a modern lens will always be limiting for the observer. History has something to teach us. Listen carefully and *thoroughly* to truly avoid the mistakes of the past.
Great video :0! it was really interesting :3
Really good video. I expected some references to the feminine figures in Godard's movies too, though. Certainly a point of reference for the more "alternative" crowd who claim a connectedness to "Frenchness" as style. I feel like these movies and the female characters in them, too, played a significant role in mystifying/fetishizing/stylizing the feminine and somewhat reducing it to an aesthetic. But that's my POV.
Omg such a great analysis
Love this video!
Now I understand why some French made negative remarks when Jeanne Damas was dipping her croissant in the hot choco in the video "Jeanne does a French Girl red lipstick." Some comments were like "Okay. You're eating a croissant, we get it. You're French."
Toujours la meilleure 😎👌
When I was in Paris, I felt almost overwhelmed by the romanticism. Perhaps it was the "tourist" aspect of it, but to me it seemed almost as if Paris was saying, "The perfect French life is unattainable for you - but wouldn't you like to try?" Paris calls you, it lures you in, there's a magic about that city and a very subtle, almost imperceptible undercurrent of darkness. After my time there I can completely understand how the "aesthetic" and fashion became what it is.
Unrelated to the vid but your audio quality is incredible!
Looking at them, Brigitte and Marilyn seem to have pretty similar bodies. Don’t forget, Marilyn had a 23 inch waist. The idea that she was plus sized is laughable. She never was, though she did have a bit of up and down in her weight, she was always fairly small. To me, she and Brigitte look pretty similar, body wise.
Great video!!
I admire Juliette Binoche. I enjoyed the video very much. Thank you.
The thing I dislike about the french girl concept is relating classiness to eurocentric manners, customs and garments (or style). Is not the 18th century anymore.
When I hear french woman style I always think of Inès de la Fressange: rich, from an aristocratic family, super thin, casual and a cigarette smoker. And I'm fine with that :)
très intéressant, merci beaucoup pour cette vidéo
I found you today, I am enjoying your videos :)
Bonjour tout le monde!
I'm French, Parisienne for 5 years and I would have to disagree with some aspects of your speech. I think the French girl aesthetic does exist and even nowadays. It is not as stereotypical as it is describe in social medias or thought by foreigners. However, I can stay that French girls tend to dress on the simple side, wear light make up... I grew up not seeing women wearing foundation or heavy make up ( It mostly was just mascara, and lipstick). Having travelled in my life, I can say that this simplicity is typical to French women. It is not something that I acknowledged in London, in Beijing our in Yaoundé (Cameroun).
However that can say that things are starting to change now. Due to Social medias influence, we can see more and more young girls/women being artificial, wearing extravagant clothes, but it is new. Just look at women in there 4Os, we can still see the French girl aesthetic.
I find the French girl aesthetic very limiting since it defines the French girl as white, skinny and with a certain style. My mom was born in France, wears mariniere and red lips but as a biracial woman is not defined as having “French aesthetic” because she is not *drumroll please…white.
France is so diverse so multicultural yet all we see are wispy girls with flowy tresses and bangs. Come on! 🙄
And then the French get upset with Emily in Paris showing the French in a stereotypical way when the French themselves perpetuate a stereotype. Can’t have it both ways.
But your mom could create the French biracial girl aesthetic for example. You can't remove some existing aesthetic just because it doesn't cover immigrants or non-ethnic French. It's disrespectful.
@@Bubbles-od2tv what?! Did you even read what you just said? Not to be “offensive” but gottdam you really need to think before you speak/write. 🤫
@@Kalo2511 No i meant everything. I actually found your comment offensive.
@@Bubbles-od2tv I agree with you. Who are she to tell that the french girl cant have their aesthetic or its something wrong with it. I think its just becouse she cant take part of it. But she can have the Africa aesthetic.
@@Bubbles-od2tvfrench ethnicity is not a thing 😌 just say you're racist and go
THE French Girl Icon everyone is sleeping on is ACTUALLY Agnes Varda. No point in arguing.
Absolutely loved it !,,,
I know a French girl. Her name is Rose and she’s my beautiful bestie. She’s one in a billion. And I adore her.
I think recent French cinema (and maybe more, American cinema trying to be French) also played its part in pushing this kind of look in the last decades. Or, more precisely, the kind of unchallenging arthouse-mainstream films that people consider to be „so nicely French“. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, many Nouvelle Vague movies were both innovative and box-office hits. But the tendency in the 21st century seems to be on one side highly successful, Paris-centered rom-coms with lots of clichés about French culture, and on the other side the critically acclaimed, but commercially less successful in-yer-face realism of directors like Claire Denis or Céline Sciamma, or the hardcore transgressions of New French Extremity movies (both of which people wouldn‘t really think of as „typically French“).
That's very interesting, thank you!
Je viens de découvrir, vraiment intéressant et bien fait!
Je suis tombée par hasard sur la vidéo je j’aime beaucoup les explications ! Bravo
Adèle Haenel ♥️
And talking of the historically 'problematic' use of the French girl atheistic - it is used repeatedly as a trope in French cinema - Betty Blue, Noce Blanche, many Eric Rohmer films (although I am sympathetic to his work in many ways). I'd be interested to see you explore that.