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Forever Chic by Tish Jett

— by Alyson Walsh

Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Ines de la Fressange, Christine Lagarde – French women of a certain age with intelligence, grace and style. And who doesn’t want to know their secrets? Good news, then. American fashion journalist and blogger Tish Jett has lived in Paris for over 25 years and is perfectly placed to spill the er, French beans. Her book, Forever Chic is beautifully written and crammed full of insider information on style and substance and obtaining that certain je ne sais quoi. The chapter on beauty reveals the tricks and tips of une femme d’un certain age – being completely low maintenance, I honestly found it slightly overwhelming. All those, treatments. All that stuff to do/remember. Obviously, my nightly regime of collapsing into bed with a packet of face wipes is NOT chic. I must adopt the French approach, stop neglecting my skin and find a dermatologist immédiatement (every French woman has one). Anyone know a good/cheap practitioner in London?

As for fashion, ‘ Clothes are the canvas. Accessories are where the artistry comes in.’ Basically, French women create a garde-robe of neutral basics and perk things up with accessories. We knew that anyway but Jett interviews friends, stylists and designers to deconstruct the look. I’m yet to start the chapter on maquillage, and I will go back to the beauty section again and again, revisit the how-to guides and lists of emergency beauty treatments and tips on how to remain Forever Chic – though my favourite comment is on the cover:

‘Who cares if the last time we saw forty was on a speedometer? C’est la vie.’

Every woman should own a copy.

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Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Ines de la Fressange, Christine Lagarde – French women of a certain age with intelligence, grace and style. And who doesn’t want to know their secrets?