Have you ever found yourself staring at photos of Parisian It-girls like actress Lily-Rose Depp or actress Clémence Poésy and wondered how they look so utterly perfect all of the time? You aren’t alone. When it comes to style, the French do it better. Hell, they pretty much do everything better: They eat better, they drink better and they definitely dress better.
There’s something about “French-girl style” that is endlessly intriguing to anyone who is not from France. They emulate just un petit peu of that coveted je ne sais quoi, and many Americans, in particular, seem to fawn over the wardrobe choices of stylish French Instagrammers of the late. French fashion may be mysterious and masterful, but it’s not entirely unattainable.
Of course, at the end of the day, you should be wearing what feels good on you and what makes you happy.
This morning on the Style Edit, I’m sharing un petit peu of Parisian style inspo just in case you want to infuse some Parisian chicness into your own wardrobe.. and let you in on some unspoken fashion ‘no-no’s’ that embody french fashion.
For those new here, The Style Edit is where I talk about the next biggest fashion trends seen around the web. Subscribe for more style tips! 🥂✨
Let’s dive right in!
Say ‘No’ to Most Trends, and Develop a Signature Look
“Please don’t ask me about trends,” influencer Julia Roitfeld told Vogue. “I’m into buying clothes that make me feel pretty, that flatter me, but I have never cared about having the latest thing.”
Parisian fashionistas have been known to develop a signature look, and stick with it. They might update their wardrobe with a few trends, but they always stick to a similar aesthetic. This also makes shopping a hell of a lot easier. The name of the game: Stay away from fast fashion, and look for pieces that will last for years.
Get the look
Read the latest posts from the blog
15 Beautiful Places You Should Visit in Italy
15 Creative Ways To Make $100 Every Day In 2024
How To Make Money On Pinterest For Beginners
How I Made $3,278 Blogging in September
70 Journal Prompts For Self-Discovery
5 Empowering Books for Female Entrepreneurs
French women would never… wear flashy logos.
“[French style is] more the way you mix the clothes and how you move, how you open your bag, how you cross your legs — just little things that make a difference,” she said. “With French women, you first see the woman and then you see the clothes. In France, you cannot see what labels we are wearing. It is very snobby.”
Apart from major french labels like Chanel or Louis Vuitton, french women stay away from big, flashy logos and tend to gravitate towards neutral palates and logo-free clothing. It’s definitely time to ditch the Gucci or Prada, and ruminate more on how you wear your clothes.
Parisians never wear items that don’t fit properly
One thing French women do that many American women do not do is that they pay careful attention to the way clothes fit. They get items tailored if they don’t fit correctly rather than just going with it — or they won’t wear the item at all. Designer Sophie Theallet told Oprah.com that “French women wear clothes that flatter their bodies, regardless of trends.”
Also, no self-respecting French girl would consider their wardrobe complete without a blazer (or 10). They are the beautifully tailored glue that holds all looks together.
Get the look
They don’t over-accessorize every outfit
“I would never wear more than three pieces of jewelry at once. I think any more than that clutters and confuses a look. Understated jewelry is usually my go-to, but if I do wear a statement piece it will always be on its own.” — Audrey Rodgers of Be Frassy
Read the latest from The Style Edit:
11 Fashion Trends for Summer 2024
10 Chic Ways To Style Your Winter Outfits
15 Aesthetic & Minimal Nail Art Trends You Must Try
Freebies: 25 Aesthetic Wallpapers & Desktop Organizers!
5 Daring Y2K Style Trends To Try This Summer
Cute Outfits I’m Wearing This Spring & Summer 2024
Parisians ONLY wear heels that they can walk in
As any well-put-together French maven will tell you, there’s nothing less attractive than hobbling around in high heels. It’s all about looking cool and breezy. For example, have you ever seen Karl Lagerfeld design sky-high stilettos at Chanel?? No, his go-to was just clever toe-cap mules you can slip on and off and last in all day.
French women will never wear too many bold colors together
French women tend to stick to a more neutral palette when it comes to getting dressed. Model Julia Roitfeld told Vogue, “Even on the red carpet, French celebrities keep it minimal. Think of Charlotte Gainsbourg — the look can be quite undone. Keep your palette simple: French women are into neutrals — a lot of beige, grey, navy, black, and white.”
If you are ever so inclined to wear a strong color, don’t be afraid to go REALLY bold on just a pant OR a sweater, and keep the rest of your outfit as neutral as possible.
Parisians don’t buy into cheap fashion, they invest in their clothing
Save up for the pieces that you know you’ll have for life—that Hermès scarf, a Chanel bag or bouclé jacket if that’s your style. It might seem like a big investment, but divided over a lifetime of wear, a big-ticket purchase that you love can actually turn out to be a value when compared with an endless string of disposable purchases.
Get the look
French Women Dress for themselves and for no one else
French-style has got to do with a certain form of arrogance, which I love. French girls have tremendous respect for themselves in a way, and so they have what they want to wear, and what they won’t wear — even if every magazine cover is saying, ‘This is what you should be wearing.’
It’s a rule that not only stylish French women, but also pretty much all stylish women have mastered: Great style is about dressing for yourself and yourself only. “You should dress to feel good, not show off,” Inès de la Fressange told The Guardian. “It takes life to learn that.”
In the book “How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are,” author Caroline de Maigret wrote. “The idea is to find the real you, and to not be a product of what society wants you to be.”
In no way do I claim ownership over any of the photos published in this article. My only intent to use/share images is to educate others and provide information that can be transformative to my readers. If you are the rightful owner of any of the pictures posted here, and you do not want it to be displayed or if you require a suitable credit, then please contact me and I will immediately do whatever is needed either for the image to be removed or provide credit where it is due.
