♥...Simplistichic...?

Bonjour mes amies, hope you are all immense. I wanted to get your fabulous opinions on a fashion trend that has given me more than a little food for thought:

Minimalism, utility, utlitarian chic, back-to-basics; whatever you want to call it less is undeniably the new more. The fashion powers that be have decided that oversized accessories, frills, feathers and look-at-me style is trés passé and instead simple, chic, understated, elegant staple pieces are what every fashion darling  should have in her wardrobe not just this season but forever.

You all know my style is incredibly ecclectic and I can switch, and often do, between understated and overstated chic on a daily basis. However I tend to fall more on the 'exhibitionist' side and admittedly love the confidence and attention that an overtly stylish outfit gives me. I've never been a shrinking violet, believing to my very core the words of that wise guru Paris Hilton "Life's too short to blend in."

There's nothing worse to me than blending in, not being noticed, being part of the wallpaper of life. I need to people to know I was here and one of the ways I do that is through fashion. Therefore, while i've always admired people who are comfortable not to stand out, happy to blend in, that's usually all it is; admiration. Kind of like loving your friend's dress even though you'd never wear it yourself, but you still appreciate how stylish it is. Herein lies the paradox. My nature is at odds with my outlook.

You all know I am a complete Francophille and nothing defines quintessential 'chic' French style, which is the envy of women the world over, better than simplicity. French women know that the coveted 'je-ne-sais-quoi' lies with the person, not the outfit. Iconic French brands such as Comptoir des Cottoniers, Merci, Chanel, Isabel Marant and Petit Bateau are all about understated, refined chic sans the bold colours, prints and accesories that I often veer towards.

My dilemma further increases with the knowledge that my two all-time style icons, whose style I admire more than anyone on the planet; Audrey Hepburn and Coco Chanel were both pioneers and original Queens of the simple, minimalist look. Audrey Hepburn was famed for her simple black polo neck and loafers and iconic LBD, whilst no one is under any allusion as to where good old Coco stood on the matter:

• "The woman should wear the clothes, the clothes should not wear the woman"
• "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."
• "Elegance does not consist of putting on a new dress. "
• "Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress."
  
• "When accessorising, always take the last item you put on, off."

The division of females into overstated and understated style is as old as time and follows each generation. Like Coco and Audrey in their time, a new generation of modern-day simplistichic heroines are asserting their low-key authority over their embellished (yet just as stylish) peers. Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's fashion line 'The Row' is the very definition of minimalism, whilst queen of cool Phoebe Philo has recently revolutionised Céline with her chic, back-to-basic fashion. Fashionistas all over the world it would seem, are shunning the frills and accessories in favour of a return to their sartorial roots.

And it's not just in the glossy magazines that simplicity is making its triumphant return. 'Minimalism' and 'Utility' were the phrases of the recent fashion weeks with Chloé, Helmut Lang, Jil Sander, Narcisso Roderiguez, Lanvin, Valentino, Ann Demeulemeester and Calvin Klein all seeing a huge surge in interest thanks to the sophisticated simplicity they sent shuffling down the runway.

I think the matter comes down to confidence, or a lack of on both sides. On the one hand it can be said that those who favour the simple look are more comfortable and confident in their own skin and don't need other's attention or approval whilst those who crave attention through what they wear are more insecure.

I think there's some truth to that but on the other hand, the opposite can be true. It takes a lot of confidence to turn heads and not care what people think and sometimes its easier if you aren't confident to stay in the background away from attention of both the negative and positive kind. In the end, confidence is about the person, not their style and you can find equally stylish and equally confident (or insecure) exhibitionists and minimalists.

So what do you think darlings, should we follow Coco's advice and "take the off the last accessory you put on" ? Is it a matter of self-confidence or does it all just boil down to personal style and taste? Which look do you prefer?

Hope you all have an immense weekend,

Stay safe and chic mes chéries,
English Rose x