When you think of French style, Parisian in particular it resembles something refined, polished and effortless. However, I have come to understand that French style is not as effortless as it looks. It is in fact a mastery of achieving the balance between a relaxed yet dressy look.
This post is going to be much more resourceful than some of the others I have done in the past so grab a coffee and read on.
French Style
French-style is refined just like the architecture and the culture of the country and I don’t think I have ever met a french girl who doesn’t give a thought to her style. Over the years I have found that there is a lot that goes on in putting the simplest of looks together. Similarly, when it comes to french styles nothing is just thrown together for that laid back look as you might think. Having said that French style is not difficult to pull off and is not entirely unattainable if you know what the key style elements are.
French style is all about choosing high-quality fabrics, timeless and versatile pieces that work well together.
I am here for you with my list of key French-style elements and how you can combine them to get your own french girl style but before we dive into that here are some rules to remember
6 Style rules to create a French-style wardrobe
- Shop timeless, high-quality fabrics that will last you a long time. Think in terms of cotton, silk, cashmere, good quality wool.
- Keep your overall look clean and simple. Tailored is the way forward.
- Get the right fit for your body type: make sure that your clothes fit perfectly and compliment your body shape.
- Stick with neutral tones such as champagne, blush, beige, white, ivory, camel, grey, navy blue or black.
- Always choose comfort over trends.
- Avoid massive logos on your clothing. Use them in accessories if you must, like an occasional luxury belt or a bag.
French-style elements and how to style them
Listed below are some ways to incorporate French dressing into your personal style. I will also link a few good options for you to shop for these French wardrobe heroes. At the end of the post, I have shared a few links to French fashion brands you could check out. Some I have shopped from before, some have been tried, tested and recommended by my close friends.
Staple Blue Jeans and White Shirt
If you look up French style it often comes up with women dressed in well-fitted jeans straight fit or skinny and in the perfect blue wash and the simple white shirt. but because the fit of the jeans is so perfect it looks flawless.
Paired with minimal makeup and red lips it transports you straight to the streets of Paris.
Satin/ Silk Skirts or Dresses
Satin/ silk slip dresses or skirts are some really great French girl wardrobe staples. By keeping it neutral you can get a great evening look or a refined dinner party outfit. I recently wrote a post about how satin slip skirts are your new wardrobe essential if you would like to see how this look has been put together.
All Black
It is always a great idea to stock up on your blacks. Be it some tailored trousers, a black blouse, a good blazer or a black satin cami.
French style makes you realise you don’t have to show a lot of skin to look sensual. Again everything is very much dependent on how things fit you. Once you discover what suits you, you just need to stick with those pieces.
Here I am sporting my black ankle length tailored trousers which have a straight fit bought from M&S long time ago along with my pussy bow crepe top in full hands. This then topped with a black blazer with gold buttons and gold tones on the accessories just sets the outfit apart.
This look is so versatile you just need a change of bag from an office tote to a smaller bag to make it go from workwear to evening wear.
A Good Pair of White Jeans
A good pair of white jeans is such a big part of a French girl wardrobe. I mean berets (hats) off to these women who make wearing white look so easy! I for one get so overly paranoid about spilling tea, coffee or worse: curry on myself whenever I wear white.
But that doesn’t take away from the fact that white is the holy grail of French Fashion. You can’t be a true French girl if you don’t wear your white jeans and if it’s straight leg then it’s even better.
I swear by these Jack Wills Maddison high rise straight leg jeans they are the best fit ever right now they are available at an unbelievable £18 price tag.
Breton Stripes
A marinière (French: [maʁinjɛʁ]), or tricot rayé (French: [tʁiko ʁɛje]; lit. ‘striped sweater’), is a cotton long-armed shirt with horizontal blue and white stripes. Characteristically worn by quartermasters and sea men in the French Navy, it has become a staple in civilian French fashion and, especially outside France, this kind of striped garment is often part of the stereotypical image of a French person.[1] It is also known as a Breton shirt, as many sailors in the French Navy were from Brittany.
FROM – Wikipedia
Breton stripes are as Wikipedia explains, a staple in civilian French Fashion. It is one of the easiest pieces to wear and now come in a range of colours. You don’t always have to go the classic way of blue stripes as the French sailors did and the options range from red, white, black to mustard stripes and beyond. I love styling mine with my red heels and a red beret but it goes very well with blazers, winter coats and trench coats.
Blazer
A good blazer is not just a French wardrobe hero but an everyday wardrobe essential too. We should all have at least 3 good quality blazers and they are –
- Black
- Camel or Beige
- White or Ivory
Having said that this is one area you can have fun with some prints, textures or even a bit of colour. Some popular French girl choices are dogtooth, bold or delicate checks or boucle blazers.
Berets for cooler months
It can’t get any Parisian than a good old fashioned beret and in the cooler months, you will see lots of Parisians sporting a Beret hat. I have never been a hat person but this past year I invested in a few and it has made such a difference. A) It saves my hair from flying everywhere in the ever so windy UK weather. B) They come in a range of colours these days so you can match them to your outfits. C) They instantly make you look like a pro-Parisian. Je vous en prie!
I mean bonjour to you too!
Trench Coat For Spring / Autumn
A good trench coat is the foundation of your Parisian wardrobe. A trench can be styled so many ways and is a classic between seasons outerwear piece.
If you have the resources go for the ultimate Burberry trench, but if you haven’t, I got you! You have so many good quality options out there without the price tag. However, remember this is a coat you will treasure for years to come so do find the one that’s right for you in every way.
Winter Coat
A good winter coat is another essential but to make it Parisian you need to stick to the basic colours Camel or beige being number one. You could also go for a classic black or a high maintenance white coat.
But if you do like a pop of colour you could pick up a cobalt blue or red coat as both as considered very French colours. I mean the French flag has blue and red so you can too!
Some French clothing brands to shop from
Here is my list of some really great french brands you can shop from. Do consider shipping costs to the UK now that we are no longer in the EU. You might still be able to get some of these brands on ASOS UK or Selfridges if you look.
Et Voila! You are now at the top of your French girl style! I hope you enjoyed my post about Parisian style and will be able to take some notes yourself to bring your ‘A’ French game to the table. Happy styling, see you soon xx
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