French Expression

'I was raised as one of the best-dressed kids in the state of Maine," jokes Elaine Uzan Leary, whose childhood wardrobe was designed and sewn by her very French Quebec City-born mother. "Then I went to Paris, which is all I needed for the rest of my education," referring to both her advanced studies in French and her days spent observing fashions on the street. "A French lady will have one good suit, one designer jacket, a basic black pant and skirt," explains the Charles River Park resident. "The drama comes from the accessories." Leary describes her own look as "a bit more theatrical than elegant," a style she uses to great effect as executive director of the French Library Alliance Francaise of Boston, a local cultural center for Francophiles. She also shares the European sense of aging naturally. "It's about energy and health, not plastic surgery. I'm not ready for shuffleboard, but I'm very proud of my smile lines."

Where She Shops

FOR EYEGLASSES "The French," says Leary, "are very daring with their frames," a style she emulates with her own nine pairs. She finds plenty of flashy designs at See Eyewear (125 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-236-0105, seeeyewear.com) and Eyes Over Copley (10 Huntington Avenue, Boston, 617-859-0630, eyesovercopley.com).

FOR DESIGNER LINES "The best experience I've had in a Boston designer shop is at Escada [308 Boylston Street, Boston, 617-437-1200, escada.com]," says Leary, a fan of both the chic clothes and helpful assistance from store stylist Joseph Saucier. "Neiman Marcus [Copley Place, Boston, 617-536-3660, neimanmarcus.com] is my favorite department store. I love their Yves Saint Laurent boutique."

FOR CLOTHES WITH FLAIR Leary says she finds anything but run-of-the-mill fashions and accessories at Jari Boutique (236 Clarendon Street, Boston, 617-725-0244, jariboutique.com). For special evening dresses that don't break the bank, she shops Betsy Jenney (114 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-536-2610, betsyjenney.com).