Marie Anne, I want to honestly say that every time I start watching your videos, the first thought that comes to my mind is how impeccably beautiful and elegant you are.
Ann Marie, this exercise is what we all need to start our 2023. The 2 pieces I would add to your capsule wardrobe would be a great fitting denim jacket and a classic cotton, permanent press classic white long sleeve blouse. This may not be an issue in France, but in the USA I often see women especially in the grocery stores in their pajama pants, it is like a national epidemic. I want to say, Go home and get dressed😂😂😂😂
While I agree about P.J's and the Yoga pants too, being well dressed has been on the decline, since jeans have become a wardrobe staple. I agree with Christian Dior who proclaimed that jeans were the death of fashion.
Decluttering and organizing my wardrobe might be the best advice I've gotten from Marie-Anne so far. It's completely simplified my life and I actually enjoy putting together my outfit for the day - for the first time in my adult life!
Thank you for the great video. Is exactly what I was looking for. I already subscribed myself to your channel. Actually I am in the phase of decluttering my wardrobe. I have a lot of clothes but I felt like nothing to wear. I was looking for a LOT of videos and I learned that: 1) I was missing many basic clothes e.g. a simple black and white T-shirt without any print or logos. That make it easy to combine 2) missing neutral colors. I was always obsessed to buy color clothes because I thought that white, beige or black are too boring. But at the end it was difficult to put all together as it was a one way combination outfit. Again I was missing the basics. 3) Buy the trends. Trends are nice but some time the trends are too short. Now I am very careful with trends and I only buy one or two pieces to trendy my wardrobe and try to check if this can be used further in the future. A good example; I had a huge bunch of skinny jeans in different colors and fabrics style and they are out of style actually. I storage almost all of them (they were quite expensive) and I concentrated on the straight cut as they are never out of style, and a little bit wide leg but in straight cut. I invested actually a lot of time to try to put all together. 4) buy quality over quantity. In my de cluttering I found many pieces were the fabric was cheap and that doesn’t mean that you payed cheap, but with the time the quality confirmed that you threw money for trends 🙈. Now I am careful and I am buying quality. One point that I also discovered is that accessories are also important to polish your look. A simple necklace or watch or earrings a ring, provides a touch and other accessories like a scarf or clutch/ handbags/purse or sunglasses a belt… that make your outfit look more elevated.❤
Marie-Anne, oh Marie-Anne, do you know what this video seems to me? This is like receiving a very small jewelry box but filled with only real jewels. Not even a single rhinestone, not even a small piece in stainless steel. Everything is just gold, diamonds, silver and sapphires! What a small but adorable treasure you have just gifted us with! No doubt that less is more and quality over quantity. Merci beaucoup!❤ Ps, sharing this right away!
At age 69, I believe in starting from the inside. I start every morning with 10 minutes of exercise, and go to yoga class twice a week. I don’t have a car, but go around on a pedal bike. When the weather is warm, I swim in the sea (sometimes with jellyfish, ouch). You are so right about posture; I would add flexibility. And a SMILE will light up your face like no amount of makeup. I am neither a season nor a geometrical shape. But I do use a full length mirror (my landlady on a recent visit suggested that I had no use for it, miaow). Then I take a photo and send it to my partner who lives 1,500 kms from me. He scores me out of 10 😂
What made you decide to start from the inside? It’s how I have been raised as well. “Pretty is as pretty does” is etched into my brain. That and “Make an effort. You can’t see you but we have to!” were staples growing up.
Your videos must work miracles. My friend from a French speaking country looked at me the other day and said “You look very chic, like a French woman.” I wasn’t wearing anything new, just somehow put myself together differently. Honestly, I think it may have been having a more confident attitude. So thank you for helping me bring out the French lady hiding inside me. 😊
Newly retired and after watching many of your videos, I have been emboldened to severely pare my wardrobe down - I lived in leggings & had over 20 pairs! Probably 75% of my wardrobe has been removed and I am now working on replacing the remaining items with better choices. Its strange but by diminishing the amount of clothes I had - I have gone from "having nothing to wear" to being able to put outfits together with ease. Thank you for your wonderful advice x
When I recently had physical therapy after an accident, the therapist corrected my posture, saying we can get away with bad posture when young but when older it causes many health problems. Like you, I have to consciously remember to put my chest out and shoulders back. She also said 'tech neck' is epidemic now from people looking down at their phones and laptops. It causes headaches and nerve damage in the neck.
I found your video on elevating a current outfit inspiring and fun! The day after watching it, I started with an outfit of a burgundy cashmere sweater and jeans. Normally, I step into a pair of ankle boots and walk out the door, but this time, I traded the boots for some wine-colored suede pumps and added an old silk pocket square that used to be my great-uncle's, and clipped on a pair of gold-hooped earrings. I loved the result!! Even my 14-year old, sports-obsessed daughter noticed the change. I felt good and, as I said before, elevating the outfit was fun because it was a creative act to start the day. I love your videos, Marie-Anne; thank you so much!!
I absolutely love this video including the capsule wardrobe advice. The only missing element is a spray of a lovely signature scent. I am a firm believer in a spritz of scent putting a spring in my step and giving me confidence. Not too much and not too strong but enough so that I feel special, feminine and put together.
I have good posture, because as I was growing up my mother would say to me, "Straighten up and fly right." So I did. I am grateful to her for that. xo~linda
I'm 73 it was my Home Economics teacher in my freshmen year of high school. We had to walk with a book on our heads . Thanks to Miss Caywood (RIP) I have good posture.
Bonjour Marie-Anne, January is a good month to re-kick-start my chic. Things are quiet after the holiday season and it's easy to slip into not caring. Thank you for your always encouraging information. Posture is something I continually work on as I have a rounded back inherited from my father's side of the family. Good posture makes such a difference.
Marie Anne, you are my favourite person on RU-vid. I love your advices, your style and sense of humor. The black blazer you are wearing in this video looks stunning on you, vraiment formidable! 👌🏻
I loved the simplicity of your capsule wardrobe, it includes the color combinations and items I'm looking for also. I find now days many items I check out are sold out in my size. I enjoyed seeing your car trip thru the city streets car to visit your hairdresser. (that was different!).
Great tips, as always. How about doing a video focusing on those of us who decided not to dye our hair and are happy going gray/silver. Challenges indeed with color of outfits and style.
I used to be a natural dark brunette. The main colour changes are that cream, beige, browns and gold tones no longer suit me, upper body in clothing. Although I do wear gold jewellery in bracelets and necklaces. Now crisp white, silver, grays, navy blue and jewel tones are my colours. Overall the creams, beige and browns, in tops have been decluttered in my wardrobe. I can still wear those colours and shades in bottoms.
@@mariastathopoulos744 this sounds like you were wearing warm colours (cream, beige, brown, and gold) and now it is cool colours that suit you - white, silver, greys, jewel tones.
Interestingly, I wear all the colours I used to wear before going grey because I liked the colours then and I like them now. My hair is a soft white that doesn't yellow. I do find myself wearing more lipstick, though. I wear what I like, stand up straight and smile more. I get smiles back 😊
Oooh, this was just the kickstart I needed to finally go get a full length mirror. I have a tiny place and didn't think I had room for one but I found a surprisingly nice over-the-door model with hardware and trim in the exact colour of the door. I'm so thrilled to be able at long last to see what my outfit looks like from top to bottom - including my feet!
Fabulous tips to refresh and kick start our style/ wardrobe- Just what I’m currently in the process of doing , much needed! You’re so lovely and uplifting and inspiring Marie-Anne 🌻
I would add another suggestion. As we age, our teeth become more grey or yellow. Yes, even teetth are either warm or cool. There are kits one can use at home that work pretty well to bleach the teeth back to a more youthful shade and this will definitely make a person look younger and healthier.
My dentist said the enamel wears away with age and the color of the dentin underneath is yellow. I like the dissolvable white strips that also freshen breath. Easy to apply to teeth before you get in the car to go somewhere. After half an hour they've totally dissolved.
I asked my dentist about teeth whitening. He warned me that my teeth would whiten, but not the fillings that have been carefully colour matched to my teeth. My yellowed fillings would stand out 😭
@@lesleymcneill1403 Unless you walk around with your mouth wide open, no one will notice your fillings. They will notice your yellow teeth when you smile
I tried a professional whitening kit from my dentist. The solution was too strong on my gums, making them feel raw/stinging and turning them temporarily white.
@@sbaumgartner9848 That's why I use white strips that are weaker and take longer to whiten. My teeth are sensitive as it is, I don't need them more sensitive. There is laser whitening which is expensive but I think that sensitizes teeth as well. Never tried that. You can also get tooth bonding (not sure of the name) where it's painted on teeth and hardened with blue light. Dentist does that.
YAY! I knew you'd have done a capsule wardrobe video-SO happy to have found this video of yours. You're right, a capsule wardrobe is the epitome of French Chic I'm genuinely really excited to get started. I really don't know how to dress, I'm shocking. Too many options overwhelm me and nothing I have matches anything else. I'm going to start with 9 items :D
Another great video with simple and timely advice! Using your advice, I am curating a better wardrobe and an organized closet which has made it so much easier to get dressed everyday! And it has made me more confident in myself which is the best result. Thank you for such great content!😘
I went through my spare closet today. There were several tops/blouses that I bought when I weighed 160 pounds. I've lost 25 pounds within the last 9 months. Since I'm only 5'3" tall these tops not only look too big on me, but they hang way to low cutting my height. Marie-Anne always tells us the length of the top can make you look shorter and wider. Even though these tops are high quality and very stylish I need to donate them to our local thrift store. Onward and upward to more befitting to my leaner shape.
Hi Marianne, love your video and your course. Thanks for everything! I can't follow everything you share but I found so much benefit from your videos! Thanks again!
Your hair looks perfect. I had mine exactlike that for many years and went every 4 weeks. I needed to hear that. Going to a new person tomorrow (with tons of experience). Eventually I need your cut again. Thx for the pep talk.
A wonderful video with lots of good ideas. I liked that you mentioned that the pieces are guidelines and don't have to be exactly like the ones you showed, although the ones you showed are great! By the way, your hair looks great...love the darker-ish color.
Oh, Marie-Anne! As I was growing up, I was considered tall, especially next to my little petite mama. She would tap me firmly between my shoulder blades and whisper, "Stand up straight." 🥰
What an excellent, comprehensive list, Marie Anne! Re. color ~ the wrong color will not only make you look tired in general, but will specifically deepen under eye shadows & create shadows around your mouth. A further aspect to consider: Does your complexion look clarified or muddy? Muddy = the "needs a vacation" look.😊 Women must not fear looking outstanding, which their correct colors will provide. Marie Anne, the high contrast of solids in black & white make you look particularly vibrant! Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.🤗
I always enjoy watching your videos. I learn so much from them and you.. Always chic and elegant. Dispensing advice as a treasured aunt, cousin or friend would. Thank you! Transitioning into another decade at Christmas. I am determined to do it in a chic way. In another video or one of your books, I appreciate the emphasis on skin care and proper nutrition. Time for a closet cleanse/sort/organization.
Another great video Marie-Anne!! You are charming & look exceptionally well & younger in your last two videos!! 🥂. The problem now is that I have a capsule wardrobe plus all of my original wardrobe that all fit & look good!!! I packed 3 boxes with my summer clothes to make room in my very big closet. I am going on vacation & will deal with it when I get back how to pare down my wardrobe. I have no problem finding something to wear is the good news. Hope all is well with you & your husband on the farm. I will try to find those videos!! 💕🥂🚢
Love this video and already taking small steps to elevate my style. I’m pretty sure I’m a “soft summer” because I have ash blonde hair, blue eyes, and am on the fair-skinned side. I love muted cool tones and naturally gravitate toward them. I am so looking forward to going shopping with a list and a purpose! 😆
I still need a full length mirror. I have French doors and use the reflection. Definitely not as good 🤣 I have my husband take pictures of me so I can see what I look like in an outfit and that helps. Really nice tips especially the smile 😃
It was hard for me to stand up straight until I found a simple Tai-Chi routine and practiced it for several moments. My sister told me my posture was so much better.
Great advice, as always! Took me quite awhile to realize black was not for me, navy blue blazers accented with aubergine and garnet hued tops are my go to. Also, love camel colored blazers and coats.
@@MarieAnneLecoeur Yes, it is! I also like different hues of the color gray as well. Once one knows the colors that work well for them, styling is so much easier.
Love your hair! I envy your confidence that the hairdresser will know what to do - I am unlucky at finding someone to cut my hair to look healthy. Really struggling with it last few years as my hair is getting thinner and fizzier. Had it even coloured when the last one suggested it's because I'm getting grey hair and it's different texture. Ended up with too dark and definitely wrong colour for my undertone.
@@MarieAnneLecoeur Merci beaucoup, ma cheri Marie-Anne! For pushing me not to settle for "she'll learn how to treat my hair"! I went and changed the salon, even though the one I was with was also new to me, and - bingo!! I'm so happy with everything there - and for the first time in a decade! I feel heard by a hairdresser! Your comment was "perfect timing"! I feel like it gave me good luck to finally find "my salon". So merci, merci, for your time and kindness!!
When I add something to my wardrobe I always play dress up and determine which pieces I have that I can pair with the new item and create outfits. Then I write them down in a notebook fir reference and sometimes take pictures of myself
I boxed all of my "go to" items and left the other separates in my closet. Then, I wore the things that I'd been passing over. It really helped me edit away the things that didn't fit, didn't fit my style, etc. Make yourself wear those once. You will KNOW if they are ready for donation.
Marie-Anne, only YOU could say the word "decluttering" and make it NOT sound like a chore! I am an absolute convert -- BUT for some reason, I feel as if collared shirts do not flatter my face. I'm not sure why. Can you include some alternative shirt or top necklines? that flatter faces in our 50s and 60s? Bravo for this marvelous content!
I'm so glad you mentioned posture. It's always so sad to see someone slumping or slouching. It doesn't matter how beautifully dressed you are (including the correct foundations for your body), if you don't stand up straight you'll appear very insecure. Plus, your clothing won't lay and flow on your body the way they were made to. Insecurity is not attractive. Same goes for wearing a frown instead of a smile. I've heard it actually uses few muscles to smile than to frown! I reached my full height of 5'9" very early in my development, which made me self-conscious. Like you, I slouched. So Mom was always reminding me, with a gentle tap on the back of my shoulders, to stand up straight. "Be proud of being tall"! She showed me a quick exercise for correcting my posture, which I still practice even at 66 years old. Besides making you look better, proper posture makes it easier to breathe well. I learned that from singing in choir for many, many years. Thank for all of these valuable tips. I really appreciate what you do here on your channel and on your Facebook page!
This was really good. I love the blazer you are wearing. The capsule wardrobe is a great idea but to suit my lifestyle I would have to add 3 or 4 more tops because I don’t have the time or the will to do the washing more than once a week,
I am struggling with the menopause, I used to love getting dressed up, going out , but just don't "feel right " anymore. I am dying to get my old self back , so want to feel good about myself again , anybody else feel like this ? I am so impressed with these videos a beautiful woman who knows how to dress and has never given up .. xxx
@@MarieAnneLecoeur Thank you for your kind words , you are so positive, and passionate about the way you look ! I am going to work on getting my old pre-menopause self back x
Dearest lady! I feel your pain re menopause. If you haven't yet done so find a doctor or nurse practitioner who will listen to you and do whatever it takes to help. Do NOT settle for anything less!!!!
Thank you, Marie Anne:)) Alas, Florida is very hot now, I rarely get to wear my Perry Ellis Blazer which I adore. But I still enjoy listening to you once in a while:)) It's November and we will be voting for President..I'm a firm believer in President Biden, never Trump the Felon! LoL. Have a beautiful day!
Thank you so much for your tips. ***A full length mirror is preally essential. I have been trying to convince my cousin to hang up such a mirror... But she still has excuses not to do so. (no free space at the wall..... rubbish! :-)) ***... I MUST begin writing a fashion journal. I know how helpful it is to jot down notes about all kinds of problems.... Writing about the own dressing style would be helpful and... fun! Greetings from Germany!
@@MarieAnneLecoeur Thanks for the hint. Don't live in Düsseldorf or Hamburg but could look for these posts all the same? Looking forward to your next video...!
Great video, I think it is a foolproof formula, as it includes posture, hair and smile! I think it should be pinned somewheere so everybody sees it! :)
Marianne, 11:54 thank you for all of your passion and your style advice… Where did you get that? Super cool, tuxedo blazer? The one that you’re wearing? Thank you in advance!
Marie Anne I have been watching your videos and trying to apply them for a few years. I watch two French stylists as well as some others. I feel closer to your French classic style than some from other parts of the world, but that only shows there is more than one way to look stylish as our original selves. However, I am often confused by colour. What one stylist says is stylish another blasts as inappropriate for grey hair/older women/French chic or whatever. I have silver white hair for which many complement me. The colour black makes me look like I am in mourning giving me circles under my eyes. My skin is very fair, so light cool colours suit me. Does this mean that I can’t be chic because I don’t wear black and colour my hair?
Marie-Anne, I downloaded the sheet with all the outfits from the capsule wardrobe. Thanks for the inspiration! I know it's a lot if work but pictures with you wearing all the styles would be great the next time!
Help!!! Anne-Marie, I’m 62 quite fit not overweight but I have horrible lumpy legs and would love to wear dresses in the Spring more but I have to wear boots so what colour boots should I wear with spring dresses? Thank you (ps love your channel and the inspiration you give). 😊
Thanks for such speedy reply, really appreciate that as I imagine you get very busy. I now have my eye on a lovely pair of beige boots that will go brilliantly with my spring dresses, thank you 💐
Oh, I forgot to tell you - I have mentioned that I have poor posture due to not wanting to stick my chest out in high school. I had a rhomboid problem due to my posture so I think daily how to stand correctly! Voila!!
Bonjour Margo and a Big French Chic Welcome to you 🤗 I have done several videos abouyt how to deal with a large bust and hope you get a chance to watch them 😘
As regards postue;: my parents were above average height, and as I was growing up I was always told to wslk with pride and as though I was looking over a wall!
