delicatessen!

Shoes are often overlooked, but they really have the power to make or break an outfit. Imagine a Chanel couture dress, all pearls and feathers, finished off with a pair of battered Primark pumps. Oh dear. And now imagine a sack with holes for your head and arms, with a pair of Louboutins. Suddenly your sack looks avant-garde... well, not quite but you get my idea: Shoes maketh the outfit. Whilst show-stopping footwear complete with diamonds and ornamental birds have a place in my heart, sometimes shoes need to take a smaller part in order to let your razzle-dazzle pieces shine. So continuing with my basics theme, I've compiled a list of shoes I reckon all wardrobes will benefit from. 

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Pumps: The most obvious modern basic. Instead of opting for the predictable patent-black-with-bow ol' classic, why not go for a patent red? They add a bright pop of colour without being busy. My current favourite pumps are Chanel-style two tone pumps; they do for your feet what chain bags do for your clothes.

Flat Boots: When the lovely English weather is acting up, pumps just aren't an option, unless you like the sensation of wet, numb feet. But I reckon boots look better than pumps most of the time, particularly lovely studded ones like these badboys. 

Mid Heels: Of course, I do love a good pair of sky scraping heels but I, and most females, can't really walk in 'em. Plus if you are nice and tall like moi, they are not needed to stand out in a crowd. For everyone though, sometimes you want to wear heels but still be relatively comfortable, and a mid heel is perfect for this. Looks amazing with high waisted jeans, leggings, socks, etc etc.

Heeled Boots: Serve the same purpose as mid heels, but lend an edge to whatever you are wearing. For example, say you are wearing a lovely floaty dress, if you wore heels it may look twee but boots will toughen it up a bit. The leather jacket equivalent for your feet!

If you're anything like me, shopping is all about finding those amazing, stand-out, unique pieces, like a gold sequin cardigan or a star trek-inspired velvet and lurex mini dress. But to pull your look together for every day wear, you need to have a selection of reliable basics. Ever picked up a wonderfully crazy garment and loved it but thought, I have no idea what I would wear that with? Yep, that's where your basic pieces come into it. Not as boring as they sound though... once you have the backbone of your wardrobe sorted, you can quite literally make anything work. Even a spandex catsuit.

Trench: From Audrey Hepburn to Ian Curtis, everyone looks cool in a trench coat. Feel free to get a salmon pink one with cropped sleeves, but it is of my own opinion that for maximum chicness, go for the classic double breasted, beige mac. The most elegant way to wear it is open and knotted at the back to show your outfit underneath, or buttoned and knotted (not threaded though) to stay warm and swish.

Coats: Everyone needs a nice, snuggly coat that they can slip on over any outfit to feel warm and look amazing. This is where you get to think outside the box and really go to town, because when it's cold this represents your whole outfit, so it'd better be good! Make sure it has full sleeves and a high neck and it will be like getting to wear a quilt outside... mmm snuggly!

Blazer: Boyfriend blazers are the creme de la creme. Or Dad blazers, or brother blazers or uncle blazers... where you source them is not the point! The point is a loose-fitting yet tailored blazer exudes Lou Doillon style whether it's slung over lace, sequins, wool... whatever! Black is most versatile but other winners in the style stakes are grey, tweed, or, if you're feeling extravagant, silk.

Leather: Ever since James Dean sported one back in '55, teenagers have been sporting these jackets of perfection to stick two fingers up at authority or just to pose. Whatever your cause, look out for interesting details and the softest leather you can find for a jacket that will just get better as it gets older.

Some of the most beautiful women I can think of... Audrey Tautou, Marion Cotillard, Jane Birkin... all have one thing in common: they are French! I have always been fascinated by the Gallic approach to beauty, which, like many things in their culture, is curiously simple. They have a reputation as being the most attractive, and of course chic, race in the world. 

Although I'm sure you don't want to hear it, beauty (unfortunately) comes from within. Which means - brace yourselves - being HEALTHY. You don't have to give up your beloved chocolat or pommes frites, but try and have them in smaller portions (quality over quantity is the key mantra here!). Make sure you have at least five bits of fruit and veg a day and drink as much water as you can humanly manage. Finally, the most enjoyable health tip - sleep. Lots of it. Now the boring, guilt-inducing health stuff is over, on to the good stuff!

The French have a great faith in beauty products. Their equivalent of a chemists is a lot more glamorous than your average Lloyd's pharmacy, stocked high with shelf after shelf of lotions and potions promising to give you younger skin, thinner thighs and shinier hair. Francois femmes see their beauty routines as their 'me' time and to them, looking good is a sign of self-respect. To incorporate the French ideal of flawless, glowing skin, religiously cleanse thoroughly and apply moisturiser morning and night, and exfoliate and apply a mask weekly. The secret to lovely, soft skin all over is to moisturise every day, and exfoliate every other. Try using exfoliating mittens in the shower, with some Dove Creme Oil soap to cleanse and moisturise. Afterwards, slather on Palmers Cocoa Butter generously - don't worry, it's cheap and you get a lot in a bottle. The lovely, chocolatey smell will also compliment your perfume - but more of that later.

French women like to look natural. You are getting the Parisian look wrong if you have obviously dyed hair and look plastered in make-up! Of course, it is fine if you wear cosmetics and your hair colour is not the one you were born with, but the whole world does not have to know. If your skincare regime is up to scratch, you shouldn't need to wear a heavy mask of foundation, but will probably want some light coverage. A good, natural looking foundation is Bourjois Ten Hour Sleep Effect, which does just what it says on the packaging. It contains light-reflecting particles to give you a well-rested appearance, goes on lovely and most importantly looks like it could feasibly be your own actual skin. French ladies like to accentuate their natural assets - rosy cheeks, long dark lashes and red lips. So apply a blusher that suits your skin tone - rosy pink suits most - along your cheekbones and max your lashes with eyelash curlers and black mascara. Key to this look is picking one asset to spotlight - your lips or your eyes. The two signature French looks are cat's eye liner, a la Brigitte Bardot, or classic red lipstick, so chose one feature and down play the other. Or, for a really modern, French look, try the 'just bitten' method of wearing lipstick... For a video demonstration see this video here

As fair as hair is concerned, go brunette, blonde, red, whatever - as long as it looks au naturale. The two most popular Parisienne styles are the classic bob or long and wavy, a la Lou Doillon. Concentrate on keeping the texture natural, which means leaving to dry naturally (think how much better for our hair this will be!). If you really can't just leave your hair, please try and NOT straighten/ curl your hair to an atificial result. 'Undone' hair is the aim here. Lou Doillon suggests rinsing your hair with cola for that sexy, tousled look - a tip passed on by her mere, and classic French muse, Jane Birkin!

Last but by no means least, a big part of the typical Gallic girl's routine: Parfum. It plays a huge part in acheiving that je ne sai quoi and a hint of scent is irresistably seductive. As the famous Coco Chanel quote goes, you spray perfume 'wherever one wants to be kissed.' Speaking of Chanel, it is not a bad place to start when searching for your signature scent - legendary Vogue editor Diana Vreeland declared it 'the ideal scent for a woman.' The iconic No 5. fragrance may be a bit heavy for bright young things like you and I, but the more youth-friendly scents Coco Mademoiselle and Chance Au Fraiche are perfect. The number one fragrance in France and my own scent of choice is the highly delectable Angel by Thierry Mugler, or for something more floral his Alien perfume. Both of Mugler's scents are very concentrated so wear lightly - one squirt should be enough. A French beauty tip is to spray your perfume of choice in the air and walk though it, for a lovely, light, all-over fragrance. 

I'm sure you'll be feeling inspired to create a chic, polished yet undone look all of your own, so I'll leave you with some of my current favourite French beauty muses.

Left to right: Lou Doillon, Marion Cotillard, Audrey Tautou, Clemence Poesy, Julia Restoin Roitfeld.

...as the wonderful Pazza Hilton once said.

Hair bands are one of those outfit-enhancing little touches that can elevate an alright outfit into a show-stopper. I myself am a big fan of hair bands, particularly whilst my locks are in that awkward growing out phase! Here are some examples of how, in my own humble opinion, they are put to best use.

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Risking the wrath of many... this 'across the head with no fringe' look has become a bit of a cliché, particularly on long wavey hair. Although it originally looked nice (on some), now everyone and their mother wear their bands like this.. and somehow it looks a bit page 3. If you are blessed with long luscious locks, why not try piling it all up on top of your head and adding a spangly, bejewelled band?

One of the few do's where placing it lower looks better is the classic Louise Brookes hairstyle. This saves the bob 'n' hair band combo from looking toddler-chic, whilst adding a wonderful 1920's feel instead.

In this example, the hair band nicely defines the fringe/ beehive sections. Plaits look pretty lovely in most cases, but you're better off using your own hair if possible – it looks more wispy and natural.

Nothing looks quite as amazing as a jet black accessory on pale hair. This also applies for redheads and golden brown colours, whereas brunette hair contrasts with any colour except black, really! Whilst subtle hair bands undoubtedly have their place, often the more extravagant an accessory, the better.

Personally, I feel the ol' massive bow on top of your head look, although worked to a stunning effect by Minnie Mouse, is getting tired. In most cases, you end up looking like a Jaime Winstone wanna-be.

Now here is how you wear a bow! On disheveled hair it avoids looking twee, and by being slightly smaller it avoids the obnoxious fashionista look.

Statement bands look good worn messily placed on a fringe. Not too close to the eyes though, or you run the risk of looking like you're wearing an eye patch.

If you are wearing a hair band, rest assured that all the attention is on your lovely face. So put down the chandelier earrings... it's overkill.

Blair Waldorf: Working a hair band like no other. In this outfit, complete with lovely lace tights, she makes the LBD a proper outfit, not a mere fall-back option.

Natasha Khan: Just a length of stretchy sequins, simple yet effective. She accessorises her unfairly beautiful self with a golden halo of loveliness.

Mary Kate Olsen: Peacock feathers! Adding a lovely magical feel to her look, I cant imagine anything this exotic ever not looking good.

Coco Chanel

This fashion maverick invented the Parisian uniform of pearls, chains, bows, navy... and, of course, the sheer perfection that is the 2.55 quilted bag.

Louise Brookes

Audrey Hepburn

Brigitte Bardot

Baby Jane Hudson

Edie Sedgwick

Jean Seberg

Jane Birkin

Faye Dunaway

Françoise Hardy

The Yé Yé princess is pictured here having an unusually girly moment. Androgynous garments, like the Breton shirt, became her signature look which helped her melt the hearts of many, including a certain mister Dylan...

Anna Karina

The stunning actress typified Parisian chic, despite actually being, erm, Danish. With her blunt fringe framing her perfectly lined eyes, she had a knack of making the demurest of frocks look saucy.

Marianne Faithful

Whether she is dressed impeccably in a pea coat or clad entirely in black lace, the wonderful Marianne always topped her ensembles off with her gorgeous baby blonde hair. She even managed to make wearing nothing but a fur rug look dignified. That is style!