Rural Brittany Savoir Faire

Why is French couture and particularly haute couture so distinguishable from other countries?  Fashion houses whose workmanship and creative design are found not only in Paris but in London, New York, Milan, Rome, Tokyo; and all are worthy of the title of haute couture. La mode française is of course; as in all other parts of the world, an expression of the culture of a country.

 

The answer is probably found in the 18^th century, notably emanating from the frivolous and overstated mode of fashion adopted by the French court at Versailles. The extravagant styles topped with powdered wigs and the notoriously decadent reputation of social behaviour was the beginning of an influence that spread around the world.

 

Today, the echoes of the flamboyance of taste at that extravagant period of history can still be seen: not only on the catwalks of fashion houses but also in the high street shops.  It is reflected in the more exclusive shops in the largest towns nearest our rural home; the clothes based on styles not unseen in British shops but with an additional ruffle, extra buttons adorning the sleeves; a cut in a tailor-made jacket reveals the splash of colour of the lining or generally it is something Je ne sais quoi.

 

On a day to day basis while living in France it becomes more and more evident that the French have flair for making the ordinary garment look smart. A pair of denims for instance can be worn to the office or worn by the weather or news presenter on the television; often cropped to the knee and worn with imaginative styled boots. Accessories are a must for all ages of women and after a short period of time the French influence rubs off. Before you realise what is happening you cannot buy a new garment without complimenting it with large brightly coloured beads, a beautifully embroidered scarf, or a cute hat.

 

Fashion is not the prerogative of women; men too are conscience of dress including purses for ready change and handbags.  Living in rural France; a predominantly farming area, it is culturally revealing and gratifying to see men at pains to choose matching items of clothing. When a Brittany farmer removes his overalls and ‘welly-boots’, he slips neatly, into a tasteful shirt and trousers (no tie) but very stylish footwear. Fashion and style is as much a part of the Brittany (French) psyche as haute cuisine and the fruit of the vine. 

 

Seated in the sunshine outside a café in the centre of our nearest town on market day during summer months is an indulgent weekly habit.  We pass a pleasant hour or so watching tourists and locals browsing the stalls laden with local produce. We have become proficient in the art of spotting the origin of various visitors but it is comparatively easy to identify the British.  Their choice of holiday apparel is sadly unimaginative and the socks with sandals an obvious tell tale sign. But on a kindlier note it is not without charm; as perhaps we just forget to look in a mirror before leaving the house?  

 

It is not unusual to see well dressed people in this fashionable town but when an elegant woman; attired from head to toe in red and white, waded through the market place; she did not fail to turn the heads of even those well heeled locals.  From her perky hat and figure hugging jacket to her calf length skirt and daintily matching ankle boots she looked straight out of a glossy magazine. This fashion guru was not as you may expect a young woman but a mature lady of retirement age who made all her own clothes. The message was heard by all, loudly and clearly; there is no age limit to fashion consciousness or fashion statements.

 

This is Brittany, the North West corner of France more renowned for agricultural produce than high fashion. Yet here there has filtered down through the centuries an inherent artistic talent demonstrating itself in the enduring interest people have in fashion.

 

In answer to the question posed at the beginning as to why French couture is so distinguishable from haute couture of other countries is possibly due to an unconscious effeminate desire to adorn. More than any other country France has influenced fashions, whether it is in clothes, art or architecture and even its social etiquette has been adopted; particularly by the British.

 

Brittany, although historically Celtic; has undoubtedly been influenced by the Francs over the centuries in their fashion. The hardy Breton style has evolved and a visible softening around the edges has resulted in something is very appealing; a pride in the quality of handiwork mixed with savoir faire.