About French Clothing

French clothing is not only inherently chic, but it is also legendary in its design and rich history. From exquisitely crafted haute couture to Coco Chanel's little black dress, French clothing has been admired and loved by fashion connoisseurs since the reign of Louis XIV. As many fashion houses dissolve because of lack of public interest or economic woes, many French clothing companies have thrived even after the deaths of their legendary creators.

History

According to FashionEncyclopedia.com, the reign of French king Louis XIV created a shift in the creation of French apparel and luxury goods. In the mid-1600s to early 1700s, he ceased the import of fabrics and goods into France and created a powerful industry producing silk, ribbons and other fine textiles. As a result, France became a major exporter of textiles and luxury clothing to all of Europe.
Notable years in French clothing history include 1910, when Coco Chanel opened her first shop on Rue Cambon, and 1947, when Christian Dior created the "New Look."

Significance

Paris, Milan, Tokyo and London are considered premier cities for fashion innovation and design. Many famous French design houses, including Balmain, Lanvin, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Mainbocher and Guy Laroche, created iconic clothing designs that are sold in vintage boutiques and upscale department stores worldwide. French tennis star Rene Lacoste created garments with an embroidered alligator, which was the first instance of a designer logo used in fashion.

Identification

In the 21st century, French clothing is prominently featured in magazines and designer fashion shows. In the mid-1600s, the French fashion press was created by Jean Donneau de Visé to advertise the styles of clothing worn by members of the royal court. Elle magazine, a legendary fashion bible for style arbiters, was founded in 1945. Paris holds two important fashion weeks in February and September to display clothing for fall/winter and spring/summer collections.

Types

There are three major types of French clothing sold worldwide: prêt-à-porter ("ready to wear"), French lingerie and haute couture. Yves Saint Laurent revolutionized the fashion industry in 1966 by designing clothing ready for mass distribution. Haute couture is a legal term that refers to hand-sewn designer clothing made by couturiers. With designs that range from $10,000 to $200,000 or more, fewer than 200 women worldwide wear couture. A couture garment can take months to make. Only garments made by clothiers designated by the Fédération française de la couture are considered couturiers.

Expert Insight

In comparison with their American fashion-obsessed counterparts, the French have a very different approach to their clothing purchases. Rarely do the French buy items on sale. In addition, the French consider their clothing, jewelry and handbags to be investment pieces to pass on to the next generation. Rather than stuff their closets with half-priced items that are cheaply made, the French purchase a few pieces of clothing that are more expensive but will last for decades instead of one season only.

Resources

• Travels.com -- About French Clothing
• Wikipedia -- French Fashion History
• Fashion Encyclopedia -- 17th Century -- French Clothing