You Can’t Fake French

Continuing in the category of things I learned while traveling this last month…I’ve also learned (actually, confirmed) that you can’t fake French. You just can’t. And here’s why.

I’ve always sort of known this (and briefly discussed this last summer) but after over-analyzing quite the hilarious story on American-style spin classes coming to Paris…it all clicked.

We already know that French girls can get away with no makeup and undone hair and still look chic as fuck. We know that they’re the only ones who still make smoking look cool. They practically invented normcore. They laugh at no-carb diets…they live on baguettes and foie gras! And on top of that? THEY DON’T EVEN EXERCISE.

Now this sounds like my ideal lifestyle (minus the smoking, however I’m willing to make some sacrifices here). But if I were to take on this IDGAF / CHIC AS F lifestyle…I’d be FAT AS F. Why? I already told you…you can’t fake French.

We know that French girls have that je ne sais quoi that us American girls will never have. I mean, French girls can’t even be basic if they tried. And the second we order a PSL we’re immediately put in the same category as those who wear leggings with Uggs. Sometimes a girl’s gotta get her pumpkin fix…and it doesn’t mean she’s resorting back to her college ways of dressing. (Disclosure: I don’t drink Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes but I do love me some pumpkin flavored [almost] everything, regardless of the season).

But pumpkin is neither here nor there (although it’s October so technically it’s here in full swing). It just blows my mind that this one type of woman can get away with all the things we’d kill to…yet, we just can’t. Not saying us American girls aren’t special in our own way…but I sure as hell can’t eat a croissant everyday, not exercise, wear zero makeup and have that result in me looking absolutely amazing. Technically I haven’t even been working out for that long but I’ve always eaten pretty healthy during the day (then I go HAM during dinners out). And after being in Paris, I realized eating healthy isn’t exactly a priority. When there’s a Boulangerie everywhere you look (and not a flax seed or piece of kale in sight)…what’s a girl to do? Say NO to a pastry? I don’t think so.

When I’m in Paris I do attempt my best French girl — mostly black, sneakers / loafers, undone hair, minimal makeup…but then I speak and basically an American flag comes out of my mouth. #FAIL

We’ve all asked it. Être Cécile took notice. We have to wonder — Am I French Yet? I am more than willing to switch my diet to consist of cheese, baguettes and pastries, as well as eliminate my hair and makeup routine (which isn’t much to begin with), stop exercising (man that would save me some hair washing), and drink wine with lunch…just to test the theory because I’d do anything for you 🙂 I know I can’t fake French…but I can sure as hell try.

Have you had any attempts to fake French? Care to share your experience in the comments? And if there’s any French girls out there reading this, and you just so happen to find something cool about American girls, please tell us so we can stop feeling bad about our un-French lives.

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