It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of the French chic genre. As a suburban Midwestern stay-at-home mom, I suppose there’s just something about the idea of working on (just) myself and upleveling my life in a feminine way that feels lusciously indulgent.
I might not have the time or money for spa days (or even workdays at home alone), pilates classes, or jetting off to the tropics for a week–but I can find pleasure in the little moments and respect myself in ways that aren’t pricey or time-consuming.
That’s what French chic lifestyle books are about at their core. They don’t tell you to run out and buy Chanel and Sezane so that you look French, or that you need to perfect your beef bourguignon a la Julia Child. Rather, they encourage American women to slow down, treat their bodies well, take care of their mental health, and sometimes–sometimes!–consider making bigger changes if their current lifestyle isn’t aligned with their values.
Most of us need a daily reminder to pause and smell the flowers. Why not pick up one of these books and treat yourself to a little luxury today?
The Ultimate French Chic Lifestyle Books List
- Lessons from Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
- At Home with Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
- Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic by Jennifer L. Scott
- Connoisseur Kids by Jennifer L. Scott (relevant if you’re a parent!)
- Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman (relevant if you’re a parent!)
- 30 Chic Days by Fiona Ferris (a chapter in this book inspired my popular muse post)
- 30 More Chic Days by Fiona Ferris
- 30 Chic Days, Vol. 3 by Fiona Ferris
- 30 Chic Days at Home by Fiona Ferris
- 30 Chic Days at Home, Vol. 2 by Fiona Ferris
- How to be Chic in the Summer by Fiona Ferris
- How to be Chic in the Winter by Fiona Ferris
- Financially Chic by Fiona Ferris
- The Chic Closet by Fiona Ferris
- 100 Ways to Live a Luxurious Life on a Budget by Fiona Ferris
- 100 Ways to Live a European Inspired Life by Fiona Ferris
- The Peaceful Life by Fiona Ferris
- French Women Don’t Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano
- French Women Don’t Get Facelifts by Mireille Guiliano
- French Women For All Seasons by Mireille Guiliano
- Chic & Slim by Anne Barone
- Chic & Slim Encore by Anne Barone
- Forever Chic by Tish Jett
- How to Look Expensive by Andrea Pomerantz Lustig
- The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman
My Notes
The books above cover a range of topics: food/cooking/recipes, style, self-care, home maintenance and decor, relationships (and boundaries!), parenting and more. If you’d like a specific recommendation on one of these topics, feel free to comment and I can point you in the right direction 🙂
I hope you find inspiration, motivation, rest, or peace in your reading today… whatever you’re searching for during this crazy season!
xx Claire
