Since time immemorial, French style has been the Holy Grail for fashionistas around the world. The epitome of elegance, French women do not blindly follow trends, but instead have an enviable sense of style that transcends them.
‘I believe the French ‘je ne sais quoi’ is inexplicable; This is cultural!’ says Chrysoline de Gastines, co-founder of Balzac Paris, one of our favorite French brands. ‘It is a certain attitude towards time, fashion and the world that is unique to us. Our “je ne sais quoi” art lies in its innate quality.’
Unfortunately, we can’t all be French. Worse still, for those of us who lack the ‘innate quality’ that Chrysoline refers to, looking effortlessly beautiful actually takes some effort. But just because you’re not French doesn’t mean you can’t at least try to dress like one.
So we asked Chrysoline and Talia Collins, who are half-French, formerly at Vogue France and now run their eponymous luxury swimwear brand, for their advice on how to dress like a French woman.
Less but more
Looking too ‘done’ is the antithesis of French chic. The ‘less is more’ philosophy has more impact, so to quote the incomparable Coco Chanel, ‘before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.’
Talia agrees. ‘My number one rule is to keep my appearance as minimal as possible; It’s nothing too flashy or extravagant. ‘I’ve always focused on color blocking in my swimsuit designs.’
One way to approach this is to buy fewer, better pieces that you feel great in, are timeless, and will last with care forever. Chrysolin loves thrifted or vintage-inspired clothes and accessories that have been passed down through generations and give them character. ‘Your great-grandmother’s necklace, your mother’s purse, your father’s Ralph Lauren shirt…’ he says.
Neutrals are king
If you’re already leaning towards neutrals, you’re shopping the French way. Keeping the majority of your wardrobe neutral means everything goes together easily; This ensures a quick, ‘effortless’ style. Bonus points for mastering full-tone dressing: the art of using different shades of the same color for instant polish (the trick, according to our Fashion Editor, is in the mix of textures).
Talia favors a neutral palette, peppered with a few red pieces. ‘My wardrobe is mostly full of everyday essentials in black, navy and white, but I love a red jumper or a red striped T-shirt,’ she says.
Don’t forget that leopard print is neutral too! Chrysolin loves it ‘in all its forms, mixed with stripes or worn all over for the boldest look’, hence the Balzac Paris signature.
Nail the ‘basics’
Whether it’s a crisp white shirt, a loose-fitting Breton top, or a great pair of jeans, build your French girl wardrobe around essential essentials that are as high-quality as you can afford. So what do you really need? Let’s move on to Talia and Chrysolin to tell us where to start:
Shirt borrowed from men
‘White or striped has a masculine-feminine look that we enjoy making sexy and feminine,’ says Chrysoline.
Talia enjoys plus-size styles, with her favorite brands including Charvet and With Nothing Underneath.
Blazer and white t-shirt combination
‘I rely on statement blazers to make my outfits stand out,’ says Talia. ‘I love the one with shoulder pads.’
Chrysolin opts to layer her blazers over a simple white tee for the ultimate French girl formula. ‘This is unbeatable,’ he tells us.
hero jeans
‘Look for a well-cut, raw pair in thick fabric to wear over time and enhance your silhouette,’ says Chrysoline.
Talia, who has owned most of her jeans for over a decade, says Levi’s 501 non-stretchy trousers are a real favorite with French girls. ‘Frame and Agolde are my go-to denim brands for straight leg styles, and I love Nili Lotan and Isabel Marant for flares.’
mid-season trench coat
‘Preferably long, beige and roomy enough to fit a blazer or vintage denim jacket underneath,’ says Chrysoline.
Chanel bag
Talia says: ‘I usually put my essentials in my pockets so I don’t have to have a bag, but if I do buy a bag it’s usually a black Chanel flap bag or a Chanel clutch for evenings.’
stylish flat shoes
Talia almost never wears heels. ‘Unless it’s a special event, most of the time I go for black or red sneakers or ballet flats,’ he says, and adds: ‘Even then I’ll never go above 8cm stilettos, and that’s a rarity. ‘Always comfort first!’
silk scarf
‘A round-neck sweater is the best ally to spice up jeans and loafers or Converse sneakers,’ says Chrysoline. ‘Wear it cowboy style, worn in your hair or tied to a bag…let creativity reign!’
Consider your outfit and makeup together
In a recent post about French beauty secrets, Guerlain’s Creative Director of Makeup, Violette Serrat, told us to think of red lipstick as an accessory and keep the rest of our look simple, no big jewelry or big bags.
‘It’s important to consider clothes and makeup together,’ she said, ‘not to match them, but just to make sure the look is balanced overall.’
In terms of style, daytime consists of jeans paired with a ‘big sweater stolen from my husband’, and nighttime consists of leather trousers, a ‘grown-up top’ and heels. *Chef’s kiss*
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