There’s something about French women’s style that seems like they’re the most stylish woman on the planet. Just look at the countless amounts of books and blog posts written on the subject. It’s truly a fascinating concept – dressing like the French: chic yet sophisticated. Relaxed yet completely poised. Planned but “natural”
What I believe it really comes down to is not how French women dress, but how they don’t dress which makes French “style” as we know it.
It’s not about the clothes, it’s about the attitude and choice behind the clothes. At the end of the day, French women wear what makes them feel good. However, we can use some of their tips to learn how and what they make the clothing choices they do.
French women make style look effortless and put together. And they do it by avoiding these faux pas.
French Woman Avoid Logos
French women do not like wearing logos front and center. A logo is reserved for a tag on a piece of clothing, not necessarily on the clothing itself. It’s a form of quiet luxury.
No one needs to know you’re wearing luxury. French women prefer to show luxury in the way they walk and talk. It is less of a physical concept than an emotional one.
But don’t get me wrong, a white shirt with a logo can do very well – as long as it doesn’t define your whole outfit.
SHOP MY OUTFIT: Striped Shirt // Pants // Beret
French Woman Don’t Do Picture Perfect or Perfectly Casual
Fast fashion and perusing the latest style blogs isn’t something that the majority of French women don’t really do often. For the most part, French women know what they like and dislike. And trends aren’t going to change their mind about it.
Instead of jumping on board with trends, French women will take one or two aspects of the trend and maybe try it out for a few months. But they’re really more focused on finding collections which will suit them for a lifetime.
Flashy is not a term in their vocabulary.
French Women Don’t Play Dress Up
What I mean is, here I am wearing what most women think French women look like. Hope you realize that this was purely for comical effect. Most French women do not go running around in stripe shirts and red berets. They don’t try to be anything but themselves. They don’t play characters – they just simply want to go about their day looking and feeling their best. And that’s whatever style suits them.
Do they own red berets and striped shirts? Absolutely. But they certainly don’t fit a stereotype or mold.
French Women Don’t Do Oversized or Too Tight
They wear clothes that fit them and no trends or styles will change that. If it doesn’t fit, they either tailor it or don’t buy it. Doing otherwise gives a sense of not knowing how to dress for your body. It’s not about sizing, it’s about the ability of the clothes they wear to fit perfectly into their routines – not drag on the ground, not blow up with the wend, and not feel uncomfortable.
No Neon, Sequins, or Flash
French women often aren’t too bold with their style, but that’s certainly not always the case.
The rule is, just don’t wear all of those things all at once. If you have a sequin top, just keep it at that. Don’t add a sequin skirt, glitter headband, and tons of accessories. They like to keep their accessories to a minimum. There’s no such thing as ring or bracelet “stacking”. French women prefer one statement piece to wear rather than being a statement piece themselves.
French women generally don’t wear over-the-top anything. And maybe that’s a lesson we can learn about being more humble. Their clothes don’t directly reflect their personalities – it’s just an extension, a hint almost.
French style is really not about what you wear but how you wear it. It’s about not caring what society and standards say. It’s not about fitting in or standing out. There’s no competition. And despite the popular route “life is a runway”, to French women, it really isn’t.
Clothes are more of a way to just enjoy life, not overcomplicate it. If you’re looking for help on how French women dress, sign up to receive the French Girl Wardrobe List straight to your inbox, for free. It’s all the essentials you need in your closet to emulate that classic and timeless French style.
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