I have to admit that French girls DO have longer, straighter legs. It's a hard fact of life one just has to accept living here.
These are not models imported from wherever like you see all over NYC. These are born and bred Frenchies. I've even noticed moms with daughters, both long-legged.
Of course Ines de la Fressange IS exceptionally tall no doubt about it. I've put up a video of Ines giving a little speech on YouTube (unedited btw so not so hot, still it is Ines, who can do no wrong).
The thought used to be that French girls were all petite like Leslie Caron.
No more.
What are they eating I ask myself to get these legs?
The only historical reference I found were French 19th century costume drawings...perhaps not very relevant?
Clearly Tamara de Lempika was not drawing French slender- legged girls. Were her models Slavic?
When I went to Brazil I noticed the girls/Brasilieras had very curvy hips. I decided this was due to standing in the water lengthy periods of time at Ipanema Beach and letting the waves 🌊 slap their hips. After 3 months of doing the same, my hips were NOT curvy like Brazilieras. It's genetic.
Same deal in France.
It's not because they eat a lot of haricot vert.
It's genetic.
As Americans we're brought up to believe we can change/do anything we want if we try hard enough. This is not true.
C'est la vie.
Especially with the stacks of OFD/'only fabulous desserts' everywhere you look in France.
Here's a little Frenchy with the shortest possible legs.
OK so he/she is a Scotty. She has French citizenship. At least I think she has.
I love long legs..
ReplyDeleteI don't have any:)
But so far they still work well so I'll count my blessings..and still think every time I see long beautiful legs..My.. what lovely long legs you have..
"What are they eating, I ask myself, to get these legs?" -- Well, according to the New York Times and the Washington Post this week, it could be the result of the "Americanization" of French cuisine... It seems Parisians are big into American food, Am-Ba-Ga's and fast food in general... French girls are taller than they used to be? Maybe we have McDo to thank for it?! :-) Veronique (French Girl in Seattle)
ReplyDeleteI thought about that V.
DeleteHamburgers being the cause and why have you...
But it hasn't happened in the states?!
PS: I hate to disappoint you but most women in my [French] family - and that includes 5'3 Moi - don't have long legs! :-) For the record, I always thought American women looked taller than French women... but I will start looking at their legs from now on...
DeleteI've been chalking off my body and hips to genetic for a long time. A bit of a stretch perhaps, but it helps!
ReplyDeleteIt's the stretch part I would like to figure out...
DeleteWell, I am part French on my mother's side but my legs are very short. The only thing French I have inherited is my love of Brie and macarons. Sigh....
ReplyDeleteI am drooling over all those long legs. Oh well guess I will satisfy myself with a brioche cinnamon bun I brought back from Rulli's
ReplyDeleteLynne
Of course, immediate gratification wins the day
DeleteOk, so it MAY be genetics but what about all those fab pastries? It couldn't hurt to research like you did in Brazil and see if those pastries do anything for the legs...no, probably it COULD hurt!
ReplyDeletegenetics, exercise and their fanatical focus on staying the perfect weight, like many focused european women does the trick!
ReplyDeleteEllie
Growing up eat 3 meals a day + a snack at set times instead of constant grazing doesn't hurt either ella IMHO
DeleteI noticed that when being in France too!
ReplyDeleteLaura
http://casetadepaper.blogspot.com
I'm glad it's not a figment of my imagination again...
DeleteMy French is on my dear mom's side,but alas, my legs are not.Though I am destined to remain short,despite this shortcoming I long ago learned to accept (and like) myself (almost as much as I do those heavenly French pastries!)
ReplyDeleteAnd! Now I know why I so enjoyed Leslie Caron!
Didn't realize she was a petite lady,too.
(only wish my figure resembled hers! )
Leslie Caron said in a Guardian interview,
Delete'I seldom eat pastry–maybe once a year.
I never eat desserts and I don't drink'.
http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.fr/2011/10/leslie-caron-jill-colonna-tintin.html
I certainly don't want to sound like a sexist, but great legs in that opening shot, & Ines looks fabulous! (The video, ahem.....)
ReplyDeleteThe Brazilian is stunning, too :)
Yes.. its genetic.. having an Italian Grandmother that was 4'11" I am lucky to have legs at all. :) I do so envy the long legged gals tho.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the dessert in the photo? It looks like marshmallow maybe....
ReplyDeleteIce cream sandwiches ! !
DeleteHi :)
ReplyDeleteYou know, it's not only french girls who have long legs, french guys too !
I'm a french guy myself, and my legs are reaaaaaally long, and when I am sitting, Im a bit on the short side, it's like all my height is in my legs !
Happened here by accident. What I've noticed is that French women don't have longer legs- they are just short-waisted. Genetics. If you try on French pants, they are the same length as American pants (for the same size), but French shirts always seem a little short (compared to American ones of the same size).
ReplyDelete