Breton tops and the Retail Queen

I do not want to write anything along the lines of 'how French style is superior to all others'. I have read countless articles on how 'French girls do it better', and loads of 'how-to's that I do not particularly agree on. French girls do not all follow the 'breton top-skinny jeans-messy bun' trend, just as Brit girls do not all wear minis with orange legs. Even if there are still many who do, it is a gross generalization to say that all French girls have style.

French style is celebrated as being effortless and elegant. At least it was before the opening of the Abercrombie store on the Champs-Elysées. But what people seem to forget is that UGG boots are considered 'cool' here, because they are English. How many times have I heard 'I'm going to London for the day, just for Topshop'. It is a fact, Cool Britannia is the retail queen. Even I think Primark is heaven, because I go there twice a year, stock up on fast-fashion and impress all my French friends. But then I come back to England and we are all carrying the same bag.. I was discussing it with a collegue recently : French style is certainly not affordable. Parisiennes believe in quality articles, but I cannot afford to blow all my money on one bag and wait till next year for a pair of jeans. I do more shopping than my French friends, not because I have more money, but because I keep searching for bargains. I have a friend who has just spent 150euros on a jacket - from a well-known marque du Marais, but it will probably be out of season before you can even say its name - whereas I have bought three pairs of ballets pumps in a month, at 10e each, that I coordinate with my 'workwear' (get me! words I am not used to writing!). But then I have a shoe fetish.. and I have a bought a reasonable, easy-to-wear pair of black ones, a gorgeous pair of gold ones, and a pair of.. mustard-coloured ones. Mustard! But they are too cute! With little bows on! And they are certainly eye-catching. Not that I would know, as I have not managed to wear them yet. But I call them mes petites moutardes (as I call another -red- pair of shoes mes petites cerises) and I am in LOVE.

Despite these recent acquisitions, I cannot WAIT to come back to England in August to get some serious shopping done, and I am already writing a list of what I 'need'. Including more ballet pumps.