Several years ago, I started following Jennifer L. Scott on her blog, The Daily Connoisseur. At the time, she was a young mom living in Santa Monica, California with her husband and two little girls. Her blog was about her experiences living in Paris with a French family which included cultural events, book reviews, makeup and creating a beautiful home. She also wrote about something called the “10 item wardrobe!” Even though we had nothing in common (I am probably twenty years her senior) and I know nothing about fashion and am constantly trying to get more organized, I found her blog and it’s contents just delightful. I started following many of the suggestions. When her first book Lessons from Madame Chic came out, I ordered it immediately and read the book in less than three days. She has since had two other books published, At Home with Madame Chic and Polish your Poise.
Jennifer lived with two French families as an exchange student. Originally from California, she quickly became aware of the differences between her laid back lifestyle and the way the French lead their everyday lives. She found this new lifestyle elegant, organized, cultured and much simpler. In her writings, she shares twenty “stylish secrets” she learned.
Here are a few that really impacted me:
The Ten Item Wardrobe
While in Paris, I observed the beauty of the ten item wardrobe. I noticed that French people whom I saw on a regular basis (mainly my professors, shopkeepers, and friends such as Famille Bohemienne and, of course, Famille Chic) wore the same clothes in heavy rotation unapologetically and with great panache.
Her first suggestion was to clear out the clutter and get rid of anything you don’t love, that isn’t in the best condition, and doesn’t fit. It took me two days to clean my closet and I filled eight garbage size bags of clothing, shoes, and purses that were smashed in my closet. There were so many things that didn’t fit, were stained, were the wrong color, or were purchased on a whim and were just wrong! The ten item wardrobe does not include T-shirts, sweaters, outerwear or evening wear (like I have that)! I cannot even put into words how freeing this has been. Every morning I wake up and have clothing that I truly love and is my style and color. I no longer spend an hour combing through clothes trying to find “something to wear”! Are my clothes a size 2 and designer brands? Absolutely not, but they are perfect for me!
Always Use The Best You Have
Famille Chic used their best for every meal. Every evening the table was set with their good china and crystal tumblers. They didn’t have a separate set of wine glasses for special occasion dinners-it was crystal or nothing. Setting the table with their best elevated what would have otherwise been a mundane quotidian experience. It made every day special and luxurious.
Am I using crystal and china…usually not. However I loved the idea of using the “best you can afford” when it comes to choosing items for your home or your wardrobe. In a recent blog post I wrote for Imperfect Women called Ways To Bring More Joy Into Your Life, the most popular suggestion was to “treat yourself like a guest” and the French seem to do this on a daily basis.
Cultivate Your Mind
Intelligence is highly revered in France. People want to hear what you have to say-and what you have to say will preferably be relevant, interesting and witty. Living in Paris I found myself for the first time in my life, separated from all my favorite television shows, addictive gossip magazines, and other mind-numbing forms of entertainment. I found myself instead passing my time in museums, reading books, and discussing life with my fellow expats. It was exhilarating.
I really liked this chapter because I agree we need to “cultivate our minds”. Here are some suggestions: read books, read a variety of newspapers (I read them online), watch films, follow the arts, watch less television, improve your vocabulary, and stop watching the news.
I really enjoyed this book and had so many other takeaways. I also found some great suggestions and advice for simplifying my home in At home with Madame Chic.
On thing I learned while on “the road to reinvention” is that if you want to really become the woman you were meant to be, then your environment, your wardrobe, the people you associate with, and the way you treat yourself, all have to change to fit the new you.
Check out more of Holly’s posts where she shares her journey on her Road to Reinvention.
Holly Zucker is a wife, mother of a grown son, business owner and on the “Road to Reinvention”. After feeling like she had “lost herself” she has spent the last few years bringing back joy, pleasure, passion, fun, and community into her life. Her mission is to help other women “reinvent themselves” and start living their dreams and desires. We’ve done so much for everyone else, it’s our turn now!
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
November 9, 2015 at 7:54 amI love the style of Parisians, I think they always look so stylish and classy over there 😉
Ourfamilyworld says
November 9, 2015 at 7:59 amMy daughter would be so interested in this book. I will get this for her.
Jody @ Mommy Moment says
November 9, 2015 at 8:46 amI completely agree that the way you treat yourself has a huge impact on who you really are and how successful you are too.
Catherine S says
November 9, 2015 at 9:31 amThis sounds like a great book. I need to go through my closet and get rid of stuff that doesn’t fit.
Sarah Bailey says
November 9, 2015 at 9:58 amWhat a fantastic sounding book – I think I could probably learn a thing or two.
Paula Schuck says
November 9, 2015 at 10:21 amI love fashion like this. It’s so classy and stylish. I’ve always wanted to dress like this at least one time in my life.
Sara Zielinski says
November 9, 2015 at 10:31 amThis sounds like an amazing book.
Liz Mays says
November 9, 2015 at 11:30 amI’m a bit fascinated so I’ll put this on my holiday list. The whole capsule wardrobe idea is super hot now too!
aimee fauci says
November 9, 2015 at 11:51 amGood tips and so true about using the best of what we have. Why store our best away in a box for a ‘special occasion’ when everyday is a special occasion. Right?
Heather D. (@GirlGoneMom) says
November 9, 2015 at 12:00 pmI love the idea of using the best you have. The 10 item wardrobe is great too!
Aeryn Lynne says
November 9, 2015 at 12:55 pmOh, I need this book! I’ve always admired the street styles of Paris, and the mentality behind their fashion and ideas. Truly love the excerpts you’ve shared. The Ten Item Wardrobe is something I’ve heard vague references of before, and have been wanting to adapt my closet to that concept for a few years now. It probably became a cultural concept as there is such little room in Paris, you don’t have the space to entertain a full closet. I’m going to really step up on that idea now, thanks! 🙂
Liz Mays says
November 9, 2015 at 1:07 pmThese are awesome tips. I tend to pair the same items of clothing together every time. I have a bunch of clothes that I can’t remember ever wearing.
Jeanine says
November 9, 2015 at 2:15 pmThis sounds like a really great book. I think a 10 item wardrobe would be pretty fabulous. I actually really like fashion like this. Way classier than I’ve ever dressed.
Onica (mommy factor ) says
November 9, 2015 at 2:23 pmI’m so glad that you’ve learned a lot of that book, Jeniffer Scott sounds amazing person it looks like she enjoyed her living in Paris and with French Family.
Lois Alter Mark says
November 9, 2015 at 3:27 pmThese are great tips. French women are so stylish.
Kelly Hutchinson says
November 9, 2015 at 3:43 pmI purge my closets a few times a year. I get rid of anything I have not worn in a year.
Shannon says
November 9, 2015 at 4:11 pmWhat awesome tips and thank you for sharing your review of this book.
alicia szemon says
November 9, 2015 at 4:23 pmgreat tips! thanks for sharing!
Pam says
November 9, 2015 at 4:24 pmA ten item wardrobe is a really cool idea. I don’t know if I could pare mine down that far, but I could definitely pare it down some!
Chastity says
November 9, 2015 at 5:41 pmI need to check this book out! I’ve been wanting to declutter my closest, so this might actually motivate me to do it.
Cindy Calzone says
November 9, 2015 at 6:56 pmSounds like a good book…I will check it out 🙂
Lisa Rios says
November 10, 2015 at 4:19 amSounds like a wonderful book for sure & I can see that you have got a chance to learn so much from it. I would love to grab a copy of the same & I am sure my kids too would love it.
Annemarie LeBlanc says
November 10, 2015 at 6:15 amI will get this book for my sister. She loves reading too and I am sure she will enjoy this one. Thank you for sharing.
KATHARINE C says
November 10, 2015 at 11:22 amIT’S CALLED THE MIX~MATCHES
3~PAIRS OF JEANS
3~PAIRS OF SHORTS
3~SKIRTS LONG
3~SKIRTS SHORT
24~DIFFERENT LONGSLEAVES SHIRTS
24~DIFFERENT SHORTSLEAVE SHIRTS
14~DRESSES~7~SHORT~7~LONG
30~PAIRS OF SOCKS FOR ALL OCCASIONS
AND EITHER YA GO CAMANDO OR COVER YOUR ASS ENOUGH FOR THAT TO
SIMPLE ENOUGH FOR ME QUICK PAINLESS THE MIX~MATCHES SHOULD WORK OUT SO THAT EVERYTHING WILL WORK WITH EVERYTHING ????????????
Marielle Altenor says
November 10, 2015 at 11:57 amSounds like a pretty good book! I love the 10 item wardrobe idea. It makes you want to clean out your closet and it allows you to be free of all the unnecessary clutter!
Elizabeth L says
November 10, 2015 at 2:34 pmWhen I was younger I dreamed of living in Paris as the French lifestyle seemed so chic and posh. Sounds like a book I need to read.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
November 10, 2015 at 2:38 pmI need to read this just so I can live vicariously through her! Sounds amazing. I love the Paris lifestyle!
CourtneyLynne says
November 10, 2015 at 8:00 pmOooo this sounds like a pretty fabulous book! I’m all about fashion so I really need to check it out.
Toughcookiemommy says
November 10, 2015 at 8:04 pmI love the idea of using the best you can afford with your family too. It makes sense to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Molli vandehey says
November 11, 2015 at 6:41 pmim so clueles about fashion these are great tips
Ashley @irishred02 says
November 12, 2015 at 9:50 amParisians are very stylish. We try to dress our best typically and always act as if we are out somewhere in public (at dinner) instead of at home. Manners are classy!
carissa garabedian says
November 12, 2015 at 12:02 pmI love the idea of using your good china, why wait? I agree! And, decluttering is so important, I am going to look into this book. Thanks
Kimberly says
November 12, 2015 at 12:21 pmI would love to cultivate my mind in Paris! I’m a fan of the 10-20 item mix and match wardrobe. It ensures that you love what you wear ?
Tina says
November 12, 2015 at 3:15 pmWhat a great sounding book! I am a huge fan of a simple wardrobe of things that you truly love. For many years I struggled daily to get dressed for the day simply because there were too many things to chose from.
maria @ closetohome says
November 12, 2015 at 3:47 pmsince my daughter started studying French she is obsessed with all things Parisian. I will have to look into this book for her
tiaras and tantrums says
November 12, 2015 at 4:40 pmthese are all great tips! Europeans have small wardrobes because no ones has mammoth sized closets like they do in the USA.
Trisha says
November 12, 2015 at 7:35 pmThis sounds like a really good read! I’ll have to add it to my list. I’m really interested in that ten item wardrobe! Thanks for sharing her suggestions!
michelle elizondo says
November 15, 2015 at 8:24 amThe looks are easy and comfortable.
brianna says
November 15, 2015 at 7:34 pmLove the idea of using the best always. We shouldn’t be afraid to use the best at lunch. 🙂
Mark Warren says
November 21, 2015 at 4:02 amfantastic! nice tips
Auntiepatch says
November 24, 2015 at 7:34 pm10-item wardrobe? I’m not sure that’s possible!