7 Summer Looks Inspired by Vintage-Obsessed Frenchmen
Outfit translation: 60 L’etiquette-approved secondhand picks & how to wear them this season
The best French fashion magazine is full of American vintage and outfits good enough to transcend a language barrier. The more difficult translation is translating it off the page — a question of, “This look is cool on paper, but how can I take its ideas and incorporate them into my own way of dressing?” I come with solutions.
Today’s letter: seven L’etiquette Homme outfits translated into fem summer looks. Built with 60 vintage and secondhand pieces, all linked below ★
I grabbed the latest menswear issue while in Portugal recently (only €11.90 at a local mag stand versus the $12 PLUS $25 tariff I got hit with last time I ordered it to the U.S.) and sunk deep into the pages this week to glean styling notes from the dashingly outfitted Frenchmen inside.
Americana influences weave into every L’etiquette look — from repeated favorites like Levi’s jeans and Sebago loafers to a niche vintage Disneyland sweatshirt (Homme issue #14) and an almost meme-worthy American flag Von Dutch duffel (Femme issue #3). It’s a nice comfort that everywhere you go, there your closet is. We’re all in conversation with each other’s style all the time.
Details that come up frequently in this issue’s looks:
‘70s everywhere, from flared pants to paper thin graphic tees to retro suiting
Indigenous American jewelry, specifically Navajo turquoise (my personal favorite category of jewelry — you can read more about Indigenous turquoise and silver here and here)
Pops of orange! Hats, jackets, shirts, and more
Homemade belts — I have to admit I didn’t know this was happening
High-top Converse in all colorways (I find Chuck 70s more comfy than the originals, but you can’t go wrong either way)
Look 1: Jean-Phillipe goes to summer camp
My reinterpretation of Jean-Phillipe’s dungarees look is one well suited for summer camp. This is an outfit for spending time near a creek; for playing tennis with a worn out racket; for picking berries directly off the bush; for discovering you have a long lost twin sister who has a British accent.
Vtg ‘90s Polo Ralph Lauren long sleeve polo, $35 (tied around the waist most of the day, thrown on top when the sun goes down)
Look 2: Roasting marshmallows in Prada Sport
My version translates the textured denim into grey cropped easy pants, a baseball cap into a bandana, and black patent leather loafers into buttery Prada Sport laser-cut mules. Inside that tote is a pack of hot dogs and ten Hershey’s bars.
40+ more secondhand picks for paid readers including ‘60s swim, ‘70s sunnies, ‘80s graphic tees, and more.