The French Look and What It Means
Photos by Joe Pazen — Black Star
Unaffected charm is mademoiselle’s magic touch.
Argosy’s photographer has attempted to find out just what the French girl has that makes the envy of all women. Her philosophy of life, her apparent freedom from inhibitions, her vitality and effusiveness give her an attitude that makes her seem highly individualistic — and independant. Yet, from girlhood, she has been taught that her purpose in life is to please men. Dainty and frail, she’s as feminine as a cat. An expert at the subtler forms of flattery, she usually gets what she wants — by the oblique method of making her man believe it was his idea in the first place. She has her way, he feels that he is boss, and everyone’s happy.

NO FALSE MODESTY: Pretty legs should be exposed, a French girl maintains. She goes unescorted to cafés, usually orders apéritifs.
FLAMBOYANT: Her sizzling personality is reflected in every minute gesture. When she points, her ebullient expression adds emphasis.
UNHIBITED: When a French girl feels this way about a man, she lets him — and the world — know it. Sidewalk cafés and the subway stations are favorite spots for love-making.
IN SILHOUETTE, the French look is dainty — breasts and waist small, legs long, ankles trim. Wartime shortages helped her figure.
BIKE-RIDING, mademoiselle’s primary means of transportation, is a thing of beauty. She rides with skirt over knees and draped over the back wheel, so it won’t get wrinkled.

Du magazine Argosy, juin 1948.