10 French Girl Style Do's and Don'ts

I'm sure you've heard the phrase "less is more." Well, French women exemplify this in every single aspect of their outfits. Often sticking to basics, like plain t-shirts and a pair of loose-fitting jeans, they easily create outfits that take little thought, little effort, but somehow still look elegantly casual. But that doesn't mean you're constrained to only plain garments—garments with classic color combos, like black and white or delicate designs, are fair game, too. 

While capsule wardrobes have been gaining a lot of traction in recent years, French girls have been living by them for years. And the must-haves in any French girl's wardrobe? A pair of jeans that are both slouchy and fitted, trousers that can be dressed up or down, an everyday coat (because contrary to what people think, Paris actually does get cold), a signature purse, and quality t-shirts and sweaters. And of course, don't forget perfume. Because, according to Coco Chanel, "No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.”

French It girls are very specific when it comes to their choice of footwear. While a pair of classic, white sneakers is a great essential to have, you cannot go wrong with a feminine pair of heels. Depending on where you live though, be wary. Cobblestone and uneven pavements deem stilettos and six-inch heels a no-go. A general rule of thumb: stick to three or four-inch heels, and you're golden. 

Here in America, chunky colorful ring stacks and layers upon layers of necklaces are not uncommon. And even though models like Bella Hadid have been known to own the funky jewelry trend, French women, on the other hand, prefer to stick to clean, minimal accessories. Instead of drawing major attention to their accessories, they choose to see them as enhancements to their outfits. Think thin necklaces, bracelets, and rings. 

Listen, if you love baring it all in midriff tops, then keep doing you. But French women often tend to lean toward more conservative or modest styles. Sure, they still show some skin from time to time, but they always seem to find the perfect balance between showing too much and showing too little. 

While Kim Kardashian might have sparked a resurgence of biker shorts here in America and models like Kendall Jenner are constantly rocking matching athleisure sets, you'll rarely see French women throw on a pair of biker shorts or sweatpants to run to the café across the street. Unless they're at the gym, you rarely see anything less casual than denim.