The French have a knack for dressing well without looking like they’ve tried too hard, an enviable skill we all wish we have. But if we (ironically) try hard enough to understand their approach to style and fashion, we might just be able to capture that same je ne sais quoi for ourselves.
That’s why we have done the work for you and dissected the styles of some of France’s most popular fashion influencers, and distilled our findings into this handy list.
Keep reading to find out some of their favourite go-to fashion tricks and pairings — we promise they are all easy to adopt and work your own way. Psst, try some of these looks for Bastille Day, which falls on July 14.
Photos: Instagram/lucilliachenel, sabinasocol
Each colour makes up for what the other lacks, but it is a pairing that doesn’t come naturally to many. Parisian fashion blogger Betty Autier (@bettyautier) is a huge endorser of this combo, and has convinced us with her multiple killer black and pink looks.
To try, just take her lead: she has done black and pink in ways ranging from using black as an accent in a powder pink pantsuit look, to brightening an all-black ensemble with a punch pink velvet bag.
Photo: Instagram/bettyautier
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If there is one look in common in many French influencers’ feeds, it’s the monochrome, white-on-white get-up. It’s not hard to see why: All-white flatters any skin tone, is easy to throw together (most of us own some sort of white top and bottom, but have rarely thought of putting them together), and keeps you cool when it’s warm.
Take a leaf from the French influencers here, and look effortless in a white off-shoulder or spaghetti top paired with a loose pair of white pants or midi skirt.
Photo: Instagram/eleonore.leojeanne
It’s an age-old trick that can help you appear put together and sophisticated if you do it right. Just wear different shades of the same colour together, and keep accessories to a minimum. It has the bonus of making you appear leaner and taller, too.
Photo: Instagram/lucilliachenel
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Whether they are on a one-piece swimsuit or a wrap blouse, polka dots add vintage vibes to any look. Don’t restrict yourself to a certain pattern or colour.
Try large polka dots, small ones, irregular ones, monochrome ones, or multi-coloured ones — however way they are done, the summer essential print will add fun to any coordinate.
Photo: Instagram/daphnemoreau
Wrap skirts are possibly every stylish girl’s secret to a breezy, this-is-just-something-I-threw-on-but-I-still-look-good look. Its asymmetrical hem also allows you to nonchalantly show off a leg while casually going about your day.
Try it with a sweater like Sabina Socol (@sabinasocol) and knot it in front the way she does it. The final accessory to ace the looks? Unstyled, slightly tousled hair.
Photo: Instagram/sabinasocol
ALSO READ: BEST SKINCARE BRANDS THAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THAT FRENCH GIRL CHIC
They can hide a bad hair day, or just be used as an accessory to add a point of interest to an otherwise simple outfit.
Kenza Sadoun el Glaoui (@kenzasmg) is a fan of pairing them with her casual, daytime looks, but headbands work for evenings and more formal looks too.
Photo: Instagram/kenzasmg
Lucillia Chenel (@lucilliachenel) usually sticks to wearing her hair down, or in a low ponytail. But even with her casual ponytails, the French influencer takes them to another level by tying them with a scrunchie or a kerchief to go with her outfits. Small efforts, big rewards.
Photo: Instagram/lucilliachenel
ALSO READ: BEST SKINCARE BRANDS THAT YOU WILL NEED FOR THAT FRENCH GIRL CHIC
Sabina is sporting the bumbag here, an accessory usually associated with ’90s sportswear and athleisure. However, she doubled it up with her personal style by pairing the black bumbag with a monochrome ensemble. It looks elegant enough for the boardroom.
Photo: Instagram/sabinasocol
