I just finished reading a lovely book, My Paris Dream, by Kate Betts.  I chose it because I love anything that is related to Paris. This happens to be a memoir, which is even better.

Kate ventured off to Paris after graduating from Princeton; she had been there one other time with a girlfriend back in high school. Kate’s passion was fashion and nothing was going to stop her.  She began as a reporter for Women’s Wear Daily in Paris. At the time, she lived with a lovely Parisian family, who to this day remain her close friends.  She was living far away from home, missing her boyfriend and mother, and her parents were divorced.  Kate became fluent in French, and of course it was a different way of life than living in NY.

When I think of a French lady, I envision red lips, black stylish clothing, such as a Chanel dress, drinking strong espresso, wearing a beautiful fragrance, and of course smoking a cigarette!  After Kate was promoted, she rented a lovely apartment and met Herve, a Frenchman, who would drive her out to Giverny, which was Monet’s home. The French countryside became a weekend getaway for them, getting out of the hustle and bustle of Paris. As time progressed and Kate became more involved with work, she would work late nights and even on the weekends.  She would attend all of the couture shows and then run back to the office and write about them. Her relationship with Herve went down the tubes, and they parted ways.  It was a this point that she decided to leave Paris and go back to NY. Luckily she was hired by Anna Wintour, at Vogue. Several months later, she was sent back to Paris, and became Paris editor for Vogue.  She was fortunate to meet Yves Saint Laurent, Helmut Lang, and Christian Louboutin, and many more of the big designers.

At this point fashion was starting to change, women’s clothes became more masculine, designers were going towards a severe, modern look.  It became fashionable to look like a slob: torn jeans, and dark brazen colors. After working at Vogue, Kate became the youngest person to serve as editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar. Today, Kate is married, and lives in NYC with her husband and two children.

While I was reading the book, I remembered when my mother would shop at this beautiful boutique in Oklahoma City, called Balliets. At the time it was located in the beautiful Skirvin (no, not scurvy, Skirvin!) Hotel.  This was over forty years ago.  My mother worked with a lady by the name of Hildegard, who was her personal shopper.  During those days, the big designers would fly in from NYC or Paris, and have what they would call a “trunk show.”  My mother had her favorite’s: Chanel, Adolfo, and Bill Blass.  My mother would stay for at least four hours, and order beautiful gowns and dresses for social events. There was a reason why she became one of the “best dressed women of Oklahoma City”!

I have been blessed to visit Paris with my wonderful husband several times.  The French are still classy, and dress simply yet elegantly.  When I return to the United States, it is quite a shock. Americans now wear jeans to work and even in the most upscale restaurants. Men wear their shirts not tucked in, and women think nothing of wearing jeans and tee shirts on Madison Avenue.

I am far from perfect and as I age comfort becomes a must, but come on, folks — can’t we dress as though we cared?

I want to mention fragrances, which is one of my passions, and also French women love to wear them.    I had the opportunity to work at I. Magnin, in Palo Alto, Ca.  I sold cosmetics and became acquainted with the old time classy fragrances.  Some of my favorites  are, Ombre Rose, Bal A Versailles, Joy, Ma Griffe, and Chanel No. 5.  Just to point out, Bal a Versailles was launched in 1962, Joy was launched in 1929, Ma Griffe was launched in 1946, and Chanel No.5 was launched in 1921. These wonderful fragrances, like classy dress, have stood the test of time.  I smell a little bit of Paris in them!