When French president Nicolas Sarkozy made a state visit to London in March, the press had eyes only for his new wife.

Former model Carla Bruni arrived in a grey Dior overcoat and matching, Jackie O-esque pillbox hat, and Fleet Street promptly churned out columns lauding France's First Lady's poise, fashion sense and sexiness.

In a blink, le chic francais was in the news again, while Britain's politicians (especially its female ones, and English women by extension) and their wives were left to stand frumpily in her glamour dust.

Justice Minister Rachida Dati is a fashion forerunner, having appeared in Paris Match magazine wearing a pink leopard-print dress from Dior, with stiletto-heeled black boots.

Why do the French seem to have an upper-hand when it comes to matters a la mode?

One point of view is that France does see fashion as an integral part of its culture, with good taste and fashion flair trickling down the social ranks from monied trendsetters.

Emma Dick, the head of fashion at Lasalle-SIA College of the Arts, observes that the French have taken national pride in fashion, and look upon haute couture as a cultural right, since the reign of Louis XIV - better known as France's Sun King.

Says Dick, a 31-year-old British expatriate here: 'While haute couture doesn't make that much money, it has a strong association with craftsmanship, and the entire fashion world looks at Paris to get a sense of where the season is going.'

In her 2005 book The Essence Of Style, French professor Joan DeJean traces how, in the 17th century, the Sun King set the standards for high fashion, fine food and glamour, which have lasted until today.

While the visionary monarch obsessed over stylistic perfection in his court, his minister of finance Jean-Baptiste Colbert worked with the business elite and artisans, and put in trade policies, to ensure that the masses would desire and buy the same luxury goods the king consumed.

By the end of his reign, the aristocrats were not above kidnapping their couturiers to ensure that no one else had the same outfits.

Unable to afford the sumptuous fabrics for made-to-measure garments, the lower classes indulged in the tidal fashion vogue by splurging on accessories like ribbons and stockings.

As Paris-bred, Berlin-based artist Agathe de Bailliencourt attests, Parisians are extremely aware of how they dress and look.

Says the 34-year-old, who helped create the image and collateral of the inaugural Singapore Biennale with her organic floral line drawings: 'If you're not careful with what you wear, people look at you in the streets as if you're a complete homeless person.'

If you need further convincing that the French take their fashion seriously, look no further than the new Ateliers de la Petite Enfance.

Paris' most fashionable pre-school, it was opened in January this year by Parisian proletarian-cool label A.P.C.'s owner and designer Jean Touitou.

The toddlers are uniformed in A.P.C.-like blue cotton smocks with tiny front pockets, covered with grey cotton-cashmere blankets at naptime, sit on kid-sized chairs by Alvar Aalto, and have fashion designer Jessica Ogden as a part-time art teacher.

Explaining the fashion-forward touches at his US$16,000 (S$24,000)-a-year nursery school, Touitou told W magazine: 'Even if you grow up to be an accountant, it's better to be surrounded by beautiful furniture than by ugly furniture.'

Given the emphasis that French people put on aesthetic beauty in all sectors of their lives, the pressure to look chic can mount for their politicians. Some female politicans fare well in using clothes to send a message about their professional abilities.

Former presidential candidate Segolene Royal won approval from French style gurus for her trademark all-white tailored suits, which seemed to exude an air of angelic honesty, against opponent Sarkozy's dark suits.

Emma Dick notes: 'I really think there is a gender inequality.

'Women are expected to dress well in the public eye. People look at their sexuality through how they dress, whereas people focus on the power of what men wear.'

Just what exactly is that elusive sense of style that nobody except the French seem to be born with? To find out how to dress with flair, KAREN TEE speaks to four chic Frenchwomen living in Singapore.

ELEGANTLY CHIC	STREET STYLE
Alexandra Martinet, 23, is a commercial officer at the French embassy where she helps French companies with getting business contacts here. She moved to Singapore from Paris six months ago and shares an apartment in Newton with two flatmates. What are you wearing? My dress was made in Bangkok for about $200 and my shoes are from Paris and cost about $180. My pearl necklace, which I bought in Chinatown, was bargained down to $12. My Fossil watch cost about $150 and my Gucci sunglasses, which I bought in Paris, cost about $700. Describe your personal style. When it is cold and rainy in Paris, I often wear dark colours. For sunny weather, I have a colourful and very feminine wardrobe. For the office, I often wear basic black or white pants which I match with a colourful, feminine top. I like silk, frills, lace and slightly sheer tops. Most of my accessories are multicoloured semi-precious stones. I think they bring a fun and fresh touch to my clothes. I also have a lot of white shoes because I find them easy to match. What is French style to you? The first reference that comes to mind for French style is Chanel's classic, feminine style. If I had enough money, this is where I'll buy my clothes. But for me, French style is to be chic on any occasion. It is more about an attitude than about clothes or a specific brand.	Audrey Herve, 24, has been in Singapore for 2½ years. She joined French restaurant Les Amis as the head waitress last September and recently moved into an apartment with her boyfriend. What are you wearing? My T-shirt costs about $20, my pinafore dress about $50 and earrings, $10. All are from Far East Plaza. My DKNY watch costs about $500 and my bracelet, $200, is from Perlini's Silver. My ring, from Goldheart, is $1,200. Describe your personal style. I don't like wearing the same clothes as other people. So when I buy new clothes, I often alter them so that they look a little different. For example, I will cut my jeans to form shorts. I love shoes, especially high heels. My style is short for clothes and high for heels. What is French style to you? French style is smart yet casual. The clothes are simple but always coordinated. The thing about French women is that we don't try very hard to look good. I guess it's not just about the clothes but also about character. French women have a lot of character and know what they want. This gives them the confidence to forge their own style.
CASUAL CLASSIC	QUIRKY COLOURS
Pauline Charbon, 16, is a student at the United World College. She moved to Singapore 10 years ago and lives with her parents and three siblings. What are you wearing? My blouse was a gift from my mother, who probably got it from Isetan. My skinny jeans, which cost $40, are from Far East Plaza and my ballerina flats are from Charles & Keith. My Tiffany & Co. charm necklace is a gift from my boyfriend and my ribbon bracelet from French department store Galeries Lafayette was a gift from my grandmother. Describe your personal style. I like clothes that are simple and come in neutral colours. I like to wear skinny jeans with blouses or long T-shirts. I hardly use make-up, except a little bit of blush. I love accessories, especially silver bracelets because they go with everything. What is French style to you? I think French style is very simple and classic. French women don't like clothes with complicated designs. French girls also love ribbons. They put coloured ribbons that match their outfits in their hair or wrap them around their wrists. They cannot live without Longchamp bags, ballerina shoes and skinny jeans.	Emmanuelle Le Bris, 41 has been the president of the French Association of Singapore for two years. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 13, 12 and 10. What are you wearing? My blouse and skirt are from Rouge, a French-Asian boutique in Dempsey Road and cost $400 for the set. I made the earrings and bracelet myself. My Hermes watch was a gift from my husband and I bought my espadrilles in France at a market. Describe your personal style. I like dressing up because it shows respect for other people when you dress up to meet them. I love colours so I don't wear black often even though it can look very chic.I enjoy costume jewellery because you can own plenty. In terms of make-up, I mainly use just mascara and red lipstick. What is French style to you? I think style is not only what you wear but how you wear your clothes and how you carry yourself. If I were to generalise, French style would usually be quite classic, with pastel colours and pearl necklaces, the sort of thing your mother used to wear and you can still wear today.

This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times on May 1, 2008.