Customer Reviews

French Chic: How to Dress Like a Frenchwoman

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Well the text is interesting, but the suggestions are largely out of date, which makes it like sifting thru a junk store box of "treasures" in search of the one jewel or two that might be in there. Maybe.

And I have to agree, I chuckled at the Annie Hall colliding with eighties Madonna. That is EXACTLY what the photos depict. That and the couch smuggling comment. 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.

For French Chic the books, Chic and Slim (now 3 books, if you can't get them at Amazon, try her website) by Anne Barone has some good tips, Entres Nous; discovering your inner French Girl and Frederic Fekkai's A year of Style.

This book was so outdated and so ugly and can't believe I spent $41.00 on this god awful book......I don't recommend this book to anybody.....Boring!!!!!

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.

This might have been a good book waaaay back in the mid-eighties when the ...Madonna look was ubiquitous, but today it's just embarassing. There's nothing in this book you could wear today without getting the wrong kind of stares on the street. Coats and Jackets with so much shoulder padding that it looks like you're smuggling a couch! Dangling chain-link belts! Fishnets! Giant flowers as accessories! Clashing patterns! Horrible earrings made out of..well what...IS that? Buttons? Shells? Toenails? Most of the pictures seem to have been snapped at clubs just before the subject fell over and threw up on someone's shoes - shoes so loud and garish to begin with that it might have been an improvement. Dear God - pass it up.

This is a very expensive 177 page book. A few things any prospective buyer should know: All photos in the book are black and white. Many of the outfits depicted are seriously dated and, predictably, resemble Annie Hall colliding with mid-80s Madonna. That said, there is a good deal of practical and timeless advice here, much of it having to do with outlook, attitude and imagination, but also the specifics of investing in and personalizing your wardrobe.

Another final note: when purchasing this book at the higher end of the price range, be sure to get the specifics on it's condition i.e., whether the original dust jacket is included and what type of condition it is in, is there writing in the book, etc. I would recommend purchasing it from an individual rather than one of the out-of-print dealers. Better yet, try to borrow it from your local library before making an investment you might spend to better effect on a good article of clothing.

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!

I found this book at my local library and I love it. This style is classic and extremely feminine. I also love the way that she encourages you to use different key pieces to provide a wide variety of looks. Some day I hope to have my own copy.

I read this at a friend's house and have tried to find it. This is a wonderful guide to always looking well dressed, appropriate and confident. I use all the ideas that I can remember and would love to have my own copy.

This book used the standard easy to read format but gave great advice with practical tips , and suggestions that were easy to put into practice. The result was a great timeless and classic look that incorporated a hint of your own unique style. Minimal effort with great results.