Women around the world have tried to emulate Parisian style for years. It’s effortless, distinctive — and has me wondering if there’s something in the water. The ‘romantic, carefree Parisian’ style, is frequently modeled by bloggers of all nationalities. The clothes they wear are mostly casual-chic – lots of vintage jeans, plaid blazers and leather boots, and while their outfits are beautiful, they aren’t flashy or overly coordinated. It’s likely you wouldn’t even notice french woman on the street because they’re just so effortless.
Many obvious tips are easily copied, like wearing striped tees or keeping colors neutral. But there are many aspects of French style that Parisians deem as crucial to formulating how they get dressed in the morning, but somehow we Americans are missing.
I absolutely love Parisian style, so this morning on the Style Edit, I looked into how to emulate this style and incorporate it into my closet. 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! 🥂✨
Here are some different style rules that all french girls abide by….
1. La nonchalance (effortlessness)
The French woman effortlessly embodies the phrase “I woke up like this.” She doesn’t need much time to get ready – she is happy simply with red lipstick and messy hair. When dressing, she prefers minimal fuss, but she will have chosen her clothing with great care in shops beforehand.
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2. L’élégance (elegance)
La Parisienne likes to be elegant whatever she is doing, even if it is just visiting the Sunday morning market. But make no mistake, elegance doesn’t mean effort. La Parisienne never looks sloppy, you can always find a Parisienne woman elegantly put together.
French women prefer quality over quantity. Instead of buying a ton of different items and trying out various trends {which let’s be honest, you may or may not ever wear}, put your money towards better quality pieces that you will wear for years to come.
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3. La discrétion (understatement)
When it comes to putting together an outfit, most Parisians subscribe to the mantra that ‘less is more’. They tend to be fairly minimal. The phrase ‘effortlessly chic‘ is almost synonymous with French girls, but what does that really mean?
Some may say that the Parisian look is boring; I prefer to think of it as ‘less is more’. Parisian style can be a head-turner, but rather than mixing bold colors and dramatic cuts, it favors understated shades and just a pop of a bold color, or the introduction of tailored details in an otherwise unadventurous outfit.
When it comes down to it, what really stands out about Parisians is the fact that they never look like they are trying too hard with their outfits or look like they spent hours getting ready.
4. La sensualité (sensuality)
You may have heard about the French je ne sais quoi. The French like to play the intellectual card; they don’t like to be over-sexy. The sexiness comes from the way they walk and hold themselves. When wanting to dress or feel sexy, opt for the intellectual card. Avoid push-up bras or short skin-tight dresses. Sultriness comes from what is left to the imagination and is more about how you carry yourself than what skin is showing.
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5. Le plaisir (fun)
Despite her apparent conservativeness, la Parisienne is quite playful with her clothes. A typical French woman likes to include fun details in her outfits; she is not afraid of shiny socks, funky brooches or metallic brogues. What is more important is that she enjoys the clothes she has on. Getting dressed in the morning is a fun experience for la Parisienne.
6. La singularité (individuality)
Again, I hear you: ‘but all Parisiennes look the same!’. I can’t deny that Parisiennes love their basics and do not mind sharing them with half of the women in Paris. Yet they also want to be unique and put a lot of effort into that, seeking vintage pieces and unknown brands. For a Parisienne, individuality is all in the details.
This kind of individuality can also be achieved through accessories matched with clothing. I think adding a custom necklaces to your outfits add a little personality and creativity to your day, not to mention they’re great conversation starters!
7. La rébellion (breaking the rules)
A french woman knows what suits her body but does not care too much about current trends. If you ask her, she will tell you she still wears clothes from 10 years ago just because she loves them. She unconsciously applies rules without thinking of them as rules.
Model and style icon Ines de la Fressange said that a key Parisian style secret is to “Always keep them surprised. If they think you’ll wear heels, wear flats. If they expect flats, wear heels.” Don’t let your uniform make you predictable. Add an element of surprise in every outfit you wear, whether it’s a single rip in your otherwise brand new jeans, or a fancy jacket with your casual tee.
Voilà! Now you know the basics of the Parisian look.
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