About Bastille Day
Known as France’s day of independence, Bastille Day is a celebration of French liberté, a moment in time when the lower classes had had enough of living in squalid conditions and unimaginable suffering from famine. This resulted in civil unrest, where an uprising ensued: with a mob of Parisian revolutionaries seizing weapons from the armoury at the Invalides and storming the Bastille, the state’s prison, on July 14th, 1789, and after a bloody round of firing, emancipated a few political prisoners and French citizens ho were locked up unfairly without democratic rights of an appeal. This brave act not only symbolised the power of the ‘voices of the people’; but signaled the beginning of the French Revolution, lasting from 1789 – 1799, ending the tyranny and power of the French Monarchy that did not care for its citizens. Bringing liberté and égalité to its people - completely changing the social and political structure of France.
By 1880, Bastille Day became an official national holiday, where every commune or locality in France held its own celebration, starting with a torchlight parade on the evening of the 13th, followed by church bells or gun salutes the next morning - announcing the grand military parade, followed by a luncheon, spectacles, and games: with dancing and fireworks ending the day.
Since then, Francophiles worldwide have taken up the observance of Bastille Day, with celebratory dinners of French cuisine and French concerts– celebrating une nouvelle époque. In Paris, the traditional military parade on the Champs-Elysées is an annual spectacle, with dancing and fireworks displays illuminating the sunset-ridden skies of Paris, and in towns all over the countryside.
The Bastille Day Collection
Shop now for your parfait party outfit and shout out ‘Vive la France!’ with our Bastille Day Collection, a love letter to one of the most celebrated days of the French calendar! Here, we are ushering you into a new era of French mode: with chic winter pieces that evoke easy-wearing euphoria. Our elegant and modern silhouettes feature our showstopper-of-the-season: our printed French Tapestry Maxi Dress - depicting botanical whisperings of classic French floral design; and our pièce de résistance - a classic neutral Tie Sleeve Raincoat for Paris’ intermittent April showers. Finally, you can celebrate this day of liberté with refashioned colours of the French flag: in a mélange of vibrant periwinkle blue, a pop of blanche and dusty rose. Just add a touch of rouge lippy and away you’ll go – evoking the elegant spirit of the classic French femme.
Sailor Style
Braid Trim Denim Jacket
Embrace your inner-Frenchie with elegant lines, and let yourself be taken straight to the alleyways of Paris and its wealth of surprises. The classic Braid Trim Denim Jacket takes on a modern twist for our signature Bastille Day collection. A timeless piece that looks perfectly Parisienne - with a striped piece like our Ruffle Trim Henley T-Shirt and Sailor Ponte Pant. For this denim jacket has an elevated feel with its generous denim braid trim detailing and is designed to sit comfortably above the hip. Add a pop of chic to your finished ensemble, with a Petite Tote Crossbody Bag that says, c’est si bon!
Sailor Ponte Pant
Bring a smart, nautical feel to your outfitting with our Sailor Ponte Pant. Crafted from a very comfortable stretch ponte, this pant is the perfect balance of soft yet structured and warm yet breathable without being clingy. Easy to wear, simply pull this pant on and go! We love this pant with our Ruffle Trim Henley T-Shirt or, for a more corporate feel pair it with our Lace Trim Cotton Shirt. Pair it with a delicate cameo earring. Ever antique-inspired, the elegant Cameo Earring features an embossed portrait of a lady over a blue background. Adorned with glass pearls and complete with a pearl drop, these earrings are reminiscent of a bygone era. C’est si bon!
Just Add Stripes
Ruffle Trim Henley T-Shirt
Ooh, la la! Usher in France’s day-of-liberté with soft patriotic stripes and classic lines with our Fairtrade certified t-shirt: a special part of our Bastille Day collection. With a timeless dusty pink stripe à la Française, this long sleeve t-shirt has a flirty finish with a ruffle collar trim detail. For a fun nautical feel, pair it with our Sailor Ponte Pant in Ink, and our braided denim jacket with a pair of penny loafers.
Lace Trim Cotton Shirt
From our Bastille Day collection comes this French-inspired, crisp cotton shirt. The perfect piece for office wear or a day out, we particularly love the intricate detailed lace trim collar and cuffs as well as the forward side seam which creates a flattering silhouette. Every wardrobe needs a timeless white shirt comme ça. Pair it with your favourite Bengajean® and loafer for a parfait finish!
French Tapestry Print
Printed Maxi Dress
Be fresh as a spring daisy on a rainy day. Our Printed Maxi Dress will bring fairy-tale flora and floaty feminine flair to your wardrobe. In a fit and flare style with a flattering fixed waist tie, this dress features the beautiful French Tapestry print of our Bastille Day collection weaving swathes of toile and much liberté. Pair this dress with your favourite neutral coloured loafer for a complete ensemble à la Française.
Reversible Puffer Vest
A fun twist on the traditional puffer vest est arrivé! Our Reversible Puffer Vest is cosy, comfortable and will soon be your new go-to for chilly morning walks. In 2 bold designs which make winter layering a breeze, this vest will complement your favourite knits and jumpers. Even better, pair it with our Renae Ruched Tote Bag. This transeasonal bag is incredibly lightweight and is as soft as a cushion to carry around! Showcasing trendy, detailed ruching and tubular handles in a neutral Stone colour, opening it up you’ll find a roomy interior with an optional cross body strap which is both detachable and adjustable. Best of all? This ensemble pairs well with our Silver Pearl Sneaker!
Long Sleeve Organic T-Shirt
This Long Sleeve Organic Cotton T-Shirt is the comfortable, best-selling design you’ll love in a brand-new print that pays homage to 18th century French art. Strike a pose in reimagined designs in a bevy of botanical hues in our Toile De Jouy design, weaving bright tones of botanicals to add interest and warmth to your outfit. Pair it with your favourite Bengajean®, penny loafer and Bree Tote Bag et voilà, you’re ready to go!
Hand Embroidered Wool Jumper
Embrace an armoire of soft patriotic couleurs with a Periwinkle jumper with popcorn detailing. This Hand Embroidered Wool Jumper is crafted from 100% Merino wool and features beautiful floral and popcorn embroidery along the neckline as well as a flattering curved hem. This beauty will keep you snug and warm all winter long! Pair it with a Glass Heart Earring, inspired by Venetian glass designs. These lightweight drop earrings are both delicate and whimsical. A multicoloured heart with a metallic centre, instantly adds a bit of fun to your outfit without overpowering your look. Or if you love a scarf, our Paris Watercolour scarf, evoking a postcard feel, as the design of our transeasonal scarf is a love letter to France. Crafted from modal and linen, with notable landmarks and typical Parisian streets with a moody blue border, what better scarf to wear in celebration of le quatorze Juillet?
Tie Sleeve Raincoat
Feel prepared no matter what the weather brings in our chic rainy-day staple, our Tie Sleeve Raincoat. In neutral Clay with a slight sheen and a lovely textured effect, this trench-coat-meets-parka’s longer length, detachable hood and storm flaps means maximum coverage. Wear it your way with your favourite Bengajean® and penny loafer and enjoy the full-bodied fabric of this stylish and practical raincoat. Mais, oui!
Bengajean - Cashmere Feel
Ooh, la la! Our Bengajean® Cashmere Feel is now available in 2 seasonal shades, Stone Wash Denim and Black. This jean features a lightweight, cashmere-feel lining that will keep you warm all throughout the cooler months. In a straight leg style, this jean pairs well with our casual loafer. Or even better, dress it up with a jumper and Fleur De Lis Silk Scarf. Our striking, two-tone Fleur de Lis Silk Scarf has a heavenly soft hand feel. Crafted from 100% silk with a tile-inspired Fleur De Lis design and a Navy border, this scarf will add a little joie de vivre to your accessory collection. By the way, by purchasing our Bengajean® - Cashmere Feel, you are supporting Blue Illusion’s investment in Better Cotton’s mission to create a more sustainable future of fashion!
Faux Fur Cardigan
Spark a note of chic at your Parisian soirée with this soft, long-line Faux Fur Cardigan, a cosy and sophisticated option over your favourite pair of jeans. Featuring a distinctive Ink Houndstooth jacquard and edge-to-edge styling, this cardigan is an homage to French designer Coco Chanel who made houndstooth a wardrobe must-have in the 1920s. Delight in the statement buttons, braided trim detailing and discover this cardigan’s timelessness for yourself. Merveilleux!
Velvet Keyhole Top
Velvet is having a moment this winter, and our Velvet Keyhole Top provides a tasteful base for effortless styling! We particularly love adding a colourful neckerchief and dressing this top up with a casual pant. Crafted from recycled polyester, this garment’s creation diverts approximately 160 500ml PET bottles from landfill. It’s truly an elegant piece not to be missed. Speaking of a scarf to celebrate Bastille Day, this beautiful and soft French Tapestry Scarf in a square neckerchief style is crafted from 100% silk habotai and is reminiscent of the woven tapestry art of 18th century France! Even better? Choose a unique accessory that is almost good enough to eat! Drawing on the oversized croissant food trend, let our playful Le Croissant Beaded Purse become your favourite daytime companion. A limited edition exclusive to Blue Illusion, Francophiles and collectors will love this piece! Fully beaded on one side with metallic thread, this purse can be used as a clutch, cosmetic bag or crossbody bag for all your essential items. Going out après-heures? Elevate your ears with our unforgettable Blue Fray Earrings. Bold and contemporary, these party earrings are a stand-out: with Ink, Blue and Gold colours instantly completing an edgier modern look en vogue.
Celebrate Liberté: At The Bastille Day French Festival
Speaking of our Bastille Day collection, if you are a lover of all-things-French and would love to learn a thing or two about the secrets of French Style, then don’t miss Blue Illusion’s chic fashion-styling masterclass at the Bastille Day French Festival, entitled, ‘The Secrets of French Style’ at 10am on Sunday the 9th of July at the Queen Vic Market. Where our in-house stylist will take you through some tips and tricks to having an elegant and timeless French-inspired wardrobe. We can’t wait to meet you! Book our masterclass here.
