Ever wanted to know the secret to how Parisienne women manage to look so effortlessly chic & stylish? How do they always look so elegant, refined & glamourous as they stand in line at the boulangerie or walking their poodle in the park? The good news is that you don’t need to be born in Paris to dress like a Parisian. Nailing French style is all about getting the basics right.
Invest in Classic Items
Paris is well known as the fashion capital of the world. French style is all about fun & expressing sensuality & individuality. Dressing like a Parisienne is not about where you live but how you think about style. It’s about dressing elegantly with minimal fuss. The idea here is not owning a lot of clothes but owning those classic items which work with anything and can be paired with each other to create loads of looks.
La Parisienne’s Capsule Wardrobe
First start with bright, red lipstick & tousled, messy hair. Then add:
- Fitted navy blazer
- Striped Breton top The Power Of The Perfect Striped Top
- White tailored trousers/skinny jeans
- Black/navy loafers or pumps
- White button down shirt
- Trench coat
- Scarves, especially tied around the neck
- Loose flowy fit, not tight dresses
- Pencil skirt
- Little black dress (in various styles)
From here you can add prints, textures & a pop of colour. Be playful with your outfits & don’t be afraid to add shiny socks, sequined sweaters or a funky brooch to a jazz up a plain blazer. For a Parisienne, individuality is all in the details. The trick is knowing what suits your body shape & not caring too much about current trends. French style is about maintaining balance. Create your own unique look & own it!
Shop Like La Parisienne
Parisienne women invest in classic, staple pieces like a coat or trench that will last them ten years. It’s all about finding the right fit & superior quality. They shop for winter in July & summer in January to get the best deals. Parisiennes prefer to shop in boutique stores rather than department stores. It may be more expensive but it’s worth it if you can pick up something a little different that stands out from the rest.
Colour Palette
You will never see la Parisienne dressed from head to toe in leopard print. She will wear a black evening dress, tux jacket & add red shoes. When buying your basics, it’s a good idea to choose earthy, neutral colours such as navy, beige, tan, grey, black, red & white. Remember that ‘less is more’ when it comes nailing Parisian style.
For a Parisienne, clothes and makeup should accentuate the beauty and individuality of the body. French fashion has always been about magnifying the woman inside the clothes.
“The Parisienne never gives too much away. When it comes to revealing herself, she follows one golden rule – less is definitely more”.
Caroline de Maigret, ‘How To Be Parisian’.
