You Look French
July 16, 2010 –A lot of people have said recently that I look French. I personally dont think I do. When you say ‘French lady’ I think of Nicole in the Renault TV advertisements of the 1980′s and 90′s. Il n’est pas si?
She (and ladies who look like her, I have a friend who does) are fantastic, gorgeous, and I wish I did look like her/them. I really do. But I dont. I have more of a Bridget Bardot sex kitten look and always have had since I was around 15, which I try to tame down with a Grace Kelly cool blonde style :) So when we go out my lovely, you get Grace Kelly and when the boudoir beckons, I morph into Bridget Bardot – voila!
We all want what nature has not bestowed upon us though and the darker, chic, sultry looks of a Nicole – yes I would love that. But I am what I am and I make do with what I have been lucky enough to have been given.
But they say it, that I look French. ‘How and why?’, I ask. ‘You have that gamine look about you’ they say. Hmmm.
Gamine is a French word, the feminine form of gamin, originally meaning urchin, waif or playful, naughty child.
The word was used in English from about the mid 19th century (for example, by Thackeray in 1840 in one of his Parisian sketches), but, in the 20th century, came to be applied in its more modern sense of a slim, often boyish, wide-eyed young woman who is, or is perceived to be, mischievous, teasing or sexually appealing – think Audrey Hepburn, who is obviously beyond fabulous.
Gamine has been used particularly of such women in the performing arts or world of fashion. In that context, the closest English word – of Anglo-Norman origin – is probably “waif” (although “gamine” is often seen as conveying an additional sense of style and Chic).
It sounds awfully glam but boyish waif I am not darlings. Let me embrace some of it though. Chic and style I will gratefully have (I’ll tuck it into my bra strap) and mischievous, teasing and sexually appealing I will definitely take and pop that under my suspender belt. Yes I am part French but for the life of me, I cant see me as gamine, but thanks anyway, you are too kind.
Of course ‘French’ has other connotations; French Kissing, French Polish (which in our world means oral sex, Ohh la la) and of course a French letter which we always use :) Ok maybe I am more French than I know or acknowledge. Embrasse-moi ;)
