Contrary to popular belief, it's not all cigarette pants and red berets.

French women are known for their indisputably chic fashion sense. No matter the day or time, they always seem to look like they just stepped out of a fashion catalog. Yet at the same time, they look like they barely tried. It's hard to put a finger on how exactly French It girls like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/jeanne-damas-it-girl-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jeanne Damas</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/camille-charriere-fashion-wedding-interview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Camille Charri&egrave;re</a> nail this stylish je ne sais quoi aesthetic. But L'OFFICIEL has some tips on where to start. Take a look down below at the style do's and don'ts of French girls.&nbsp;

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 <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-white-tshirts-wardrobe-staple-summer-style-basics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">t-shirts</a> 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&mdash;garments with classic color combos, like black and white or delicate designs, are fair game, too.&nbsp;

Instagram: @jeannedamas

Embrace Simplicity

While French women do bless the streets (and our Instagram feeds) with colorful outfits from time to time, they usually stick to hues of creams, blacks, browns, and grays. Why? It makes for an endless array of outfit combinations while keeping any and every look chic and classy. In essence, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/elegant-neutral-looks-to-copy-summer-2021-fashion-inspiration" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neutrals</a> are a French girl's daily uniform.&nbsp;

Instagram: @sabinasocol

Keep Things Neutral 

While <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/capsule-wardrobe-celebrity-models-rosie-huntington-whitelely-emily-ratajkowski" target="_blank" rel="noopener">capsule wardrobes</a> 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, <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/elsa-schiaparelli-museum-exhibition-musee-des-arts-decoratifs-paris" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris</a> actually does get cold), a signature purse, and quality t-shirts and sweaters. And of course, don't forget perfume. Because, according to <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gabrielle-chanel-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Coco Chanel</a>, "No elegance is possible without perfume. It is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.&rdquo;

Collect a Few Capsule Wardrobe Items 

French It girls are very specific when it comes to their choice of footwear. While a pair of classic, white <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/saloman-sneakers-trend-bella-hadid-street-style-hiking" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sneakers</a> is a great essential to have, you cannot go wrong with a feminine pair of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/saint-laurent-vesper-heels" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heels</a>. 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.&nbsp;

Have the Proper Footwear

Instead of buying an outfit at the nearest boutique for every occasion, French women shop mindfully and <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/fashion-perspective-sustainability-earth-month-environmental-awareness" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sustainably</a>, focusing on quality basics and staples that they can wear time and time again. Plus, it's an easy way to guarantee that no one will have the exact same outfit as you.&nbsp;

Instagram: @pia_mbd

Shop Vintage

Here in America, chunky <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/shop-chunky-ring-trend-bella-hadid-dua-lipa-favorite-rings" target="_blank" rel="noopener">colorful ring stacks</a> 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.&nbsp;

Instagram: @lamialand

Overaccessorize

We'll be the first to admit that there's just something about wearing a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/punk-smokey-eye-fall-winter-2021-trend" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smokey eye</a> or a <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/beauty/7-ways-to-wear-red-lipstick-makeup-looks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">scarlet lip</a> that awakens our inner goddess. The intense sensuality of the two somehow makes you feel bolder, brighter, and ready to take on the day (or night). And while French women also know the power of a good pout or dramatic eye, they never mix the two. Instead, they stick to one or the other. As for the rest of their face, French women love to keep it looking fresh and au naturale.&nbsp;

Instagram: @hannalhoumeau

Wear Too Much Makeup

Listen, if you love baring it all in <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/midriff-flossing-trend-2021-runway-instagram" target="_blank" rel="noopener">midriff</a> tops, then keep doing you. But French women often tend to lean toward more conservative or <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/modest-swimsuits-summer-shopping" target="_blank" rel="noopener">modest</a> 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.&nbsp;

Instagram: @annelauremais

Expose Too Much Skin

While <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/film-tv/the-kardashians-season-2-details-trailer-kim-pete-kourtney-wedding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kim Kardashian</a> might have sparked a resurgence of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/best-biker-shorts-fashion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">biker shorts</a> here in America and models like <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/kendall-jenner-highest-paid-supermodel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kendall Jenner</a> are constantly rocking matching <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/shop-best-athleisure-brands-according-to-celebrities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">athleisure</a> sets, you'll rarely see French women throw on a pair of biker shorts or sweatpants to run to the caf&eacute; across the street. Unless they're at the gym, you rarely see anything less casual than <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/tags/jeans" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denim</a>.

Wear Athleisure 

As mentioned above, neutrals are a staple in every French girl's closet. Don't let that fool you, though. They still love to add pops of <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/spring-summer-2022-color-trends-runway-photos" target="_blank" rel="noopener">color</a> to give their look a little something extra. The trick is to start small and slowly build.&nbsp;The same goes for <a href="https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/prints-patterns-trends-fall-winter-2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">patterns</a>. French women don't rule anything out&mdash;they just know how to keep it clean, chic, and classy.&nbsp;

10 French Girl Style Do's and Don'ts

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