Dress Me Like One of Your French Girls
Article Written By Lili Jones
France is often painted as the fashion capital of the world. With a historical pedigree that includes some of the most influential designers of all time, including Coco Channel, Hubert de Givenchy, Christian Louboutin, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Christian Dior, it’s hardly surprising to see why this country is still viewed as the epicenter of style. However, it’s French street style and the “French girl aesthetic” that I find myself drawn to again and again.
The elusive ‘French girl style’ is something many often try to emulate. While this aesthetic is often summarised as ‘effortless elegance’: embodying a timeless, natural, and polished feel, I would argue that the key lies in the fact that ‘French girl style’ is not a copy and paste uniform but, a mindset of buying, styling and wearing clothing.
The main philosophy:
Just buy clothes that make you look and feel your best.
By this I mean, don’t follow trends just because they are a trend: allow your style to exist above the constraints of ‘fashion’ and what everyone else wears and allow yourself the freedom to simply express yourself outside of comparison to others. This lack of comparison gives the French that confidence in how they wear their clothes as they are not looking at others for affirmation but rather, corny as it sounds, to themselves.
Another key strand is mystery.
French style typically moves away from big designer branding across garments. This is because a French wardrobe is highly personal and so, if you find a piece that is exceptional or a brand you love the last thing you want is to give away your newfound secret for others to copy.
Finally, French style is not aimed at achieving perfection- they may deem that boring.
Rather they focus on magnetism: creating a strong and confident presence. By dressing in clothes that make them feel their best and in dressing for themselves, they achieve this elusive air of confidence and elegance.
Like Coco Channel once said, “dress shabbily and they remember the dress, dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”
8 French inspired style rules:
Reliable basics
A staple of French style seems to be investing in pieces that you find yourself reaching for again and again. A focus on neutral tones (black, white, navy, beige) and classic silhouettes are what gives a French wardrobe its timeless character. The classic example would be a good pair of jeans (the favourite seems to be vintage 501’s), a white button-down shirt and blazer. While the French is not afraid to be daring with their clothes, their wardrobe is always grounded in good quality basics that will never go out of style.
2. Invest in quality not quantity
A French wardrobe is curated throughout one’s lifetime, it is not bought all at once in an online haul. In focusing on longevity and items you want to wear for the next 5 years rather than the next 5 months, it makes sense to invest in quality pieces: namely good fabric.
This way of buying clothes also has the happy byproduct of encouraging a focus on conscious consumerism and a slow fashion perspective when it comes to building your wardrobe: something we all need to be more mindful of.
3. Texture
The French (typically) seem to prefer a more neutral palette and tend to use the rule of three when building an outfit (no more than three colours per look). Where they have fun is in playing with the textures of pieces to add accents of detail or interest. So, again the focus on quality fabric: silks, wools, leather, good jeans ect enables this and can also elevate your style to seem richer and more put together.
4. When styling an outfit choose one statement piece that the other elements enhance
An outfit should be a cohesive unit rather than several voices shouting for attention- it is this lack of ‘noise’ and unnecessary clutter that gives French outfits their effortless aspect. This rule also helps to add a sense of balance and chic ease that is synonymous with the French style.
5. Fit not size
No one will see the number, but they will see how it looks on, so pay attention to how something fits rather than the size. We all know that sizing fluctuates even among the same brand, so the important thing is to try clothes (or shoes) on. What also helps is to find a good tailor so that the garment can be adjusted to perfectly fit your shape, rather than trying to make your body fit the clothing.
6. Makeup: less is more
French beauty may be the epitome of ‘barely-there’ makeup: a little mascara, blush and concealer tend to be the everyday go to’s, with the focus often being drawn to a classic red lip (often applied using fingertips to make a more blurred and less ‘perfect’ impression).
7. An air of mystery
Another element of the French aesthetic is created by the playoff between more stereotypically masculine and feminine clothing.
For example, if you are wearing something more fitted on top then the French would tend to pair this with looser trousers, a maxi skirt or an oversized jacket.
It is playing with different silhouettes that also means nothing is ever too much: the French will give a little bit away, but only enough to draw you in more: an air of mystery is always left which creates the seductive aspect of the French style.
8. Wear the classics but wear them in a way that makes them your own
While French style is fundamentally classic, they seem to also add their own twist to an ensemble to make sure that their personality still shines through. This is often achieved through the addition of little accents such as personal jewellery or accessories to give an outfit that final flourish.
In Short....
I personally think the secret behind French girl style is that both it and you should exist outside the confines of trends and ‘fashion.’
The French seem to know how to highlight their best features and celebrate the person wearing the clothing. Their outfits showcase them and never the other way around, as it is in the celebration of one’s self, I believe, where true ‘French girl style’ lies.
