Rules of Style…Ines de la Fressange

I think everyone can relate to the appeal of Ines de la Fressange and her inspiring, effortless style. In a recent interview for T Magazine, she discusses her philosophy for staying chic and developing her personal style through the years…

Wear trends, selectively. 
“It’s the only trendy thing that I have,” de la Fressange said about an oversize white shirt she was wearing. “It’s a Céline shirt but it’s the most boring thing at Céline!”

If you love it, buy more than one.
In regards to her Roger Vivier slippers… “I like them so much, I took other slippers in velvet, and navy blue and violet and black.”

Be a kid again.
“I bought my navy blue blazer in a children’s shop called Soeur. It’s like a size 16. But I’m quite tall and it fits me… ” Consider this option as an alternative to adult-size blazers, which can often be too boxy or “boyish”.

Borrow from the boys.
“Go to the men’s department for cashmere socks. They’re long, which is nice.”

Take cues from those you admire.
De la Fressange cited Jane Birkin as someone who influenced her style. “I remember in the ’70s, she was fantastic. In the ’80s, she was fantastic. And today, she is still fantastic…She’s still rock ‘n’ roll, modern, never ridiculous. She feels comfortable in her clothes.. like she dresses for herself.”

Instagram your way out of a fashion rut.
“It’s much easier to identify with a nice look from a blogger or street-style person, because you think, ‘Hmm, that denim shirt, I have one. I should wear it with this kind of sweater. I can redo the look.’”

Travel to buy the things you desire.
“Converse shoes, for instance, you can’t buy them in France in off-beige. They only exist in white.” Which is exactly why she snatches them up when she travels.

Brush up.
“I’ve noticed that after a while when ladies are not that young, the worst thing they think is their hands or their neck, but it’s not that all. It’s their teeth. My toothbrush is my first mascara!”

Nothing beats a clean face. And good cream.
“…de la Fressange uses only facial towelettes followed by a favorite face-cream. “There is one called Revitalift from L’Oréal that doesn’t stink, it’s not sticky and it dries very quickly. It’s easy.”

Spend on quality makeup.
She relies on nude gloss paired with smoky eyes. “I prefer to take care of my eyes because if not, I look like a dead fish.” She’s loyal to L’Oréal and likes fuss-free formulas.  “There’s no excuse not to put on makeup. I didn’t have time? No, no.”

When in doubt, customize.
Flipping open her antique watch, de la Fressange revealed: “This I designed myself. It’s an old watch from the ’30s, but I thought it was very conventional.” So she had a thick red leather strap added, for an imaginative touch. When she travels to India, she buys bespoke shirts, which she has embroidered with her initials. “It’s my name on the shirt, but in Hindi. It’s really gorgeous.”

Take the good with the bad.
“Fashion and good taste are made with a little bit of bad taste. It’s like perfume. To make a fantastic, mythical perfume, you need the most incredible flowers, the best quality of products. But you need another product that really smells terrible to make the whole thing work. Fashion is like this. Somebody who looks totally perfect would be a little bit boring.”

For the interview in its entirety by Kari Molvar, visit T Magazine