When you walk the streets of Paris, it becomes easy to start picking out patterns in the style of native Parisians. They always look polished, but not too put-together. They prioritize balanced looks and like to play with mixing and matching feminine and masculine pieces. Their outfits are often simple, but are made up of quality pieces that fit right in with a capsule style wardrobe. These all sound like great style goals, right? The good news is, French style is attainable if you know how to recreate some of their go-to looks! Keep reading for 8 outfit ideas inspired by classic French girl style.
1. striped shirt + tailored pants + ballet flats + pearls + basket bag
shirt | pants | shoes | basket | earrings
When it comes to the wardrobe of a French woman, you’ll find that it’s full of neutral, versatile pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a great number of different outfits. Parisians typically have limited closet space, which means they invest in quality pieces that can be styled for a variety of different occasions.
If you want to dress like a French woman, try pairing high and low pieces together for a look that’s elevated, but not too elegant for everyday casual wear. First, start with a more polished piece, like a pair of tailored trousers. These are perfect for an office dress code, or can also be dressed down on the weekend.
On top, go for a more casual piece, like a striped t-shirt. Stripes are one of a French girl’s favorite patterns! Then, accessorize with another French girl favorite: the classic ballet flat. Finish your look with a basket bag and a pair of pearl stud earrings. Voilà ! You have the perfect look for a relaxed Saturday spent strolling the farmer’s market and your local shops in Parisian style.
2. white tee + cardigan + white skirt + pendant necklace + Mary Jane flats + basket bag
t-shirt | sweater | skirt | shoes | basket | necklace
French style is the perfect inspiration for a chic spring look. If you daydream about strolling the streets of Paris to enjoy the blooming cherry blossoms, you’ll love this romantic look inspired by French fashion.
First, start with a white poplin midi skirt. There are so many ways to style a white skirt, especially in spring and summer! It’s the perfect piece to elevate any look and will instantly make you look more elegant and feminine.
Next, add a white t-shirt on top, layered under a v-neck cardigan. You can add a pop of color with your sweater, or go for a neutral shade for a more classic appearance. Finally, add timeless accessories like Mary Jane flats for a nostalgic touch, a basket tote (perfect for holding a fresh bouquet of flowers), and a pendant necklace to complete the outfit.
3, vest top + straight-leg jeans + gold hoops + ballet flats + basket bag
flats | jeans | top | basket bag | earrings
If there’s one thing that’s true, it’s that French girls love their denim! When it comes to jeans, they typically stick to straight cuts, ankle cropped, or slim pairs. These are also often the most versatile styles of denim for a capsule wardrobe. French women also choose jeans that don’t have any distressing, holes, or rips – a polished pair will make you look more put together, even in a casual weekend outfit.
On top, you can elevate your look with a vest top. This pairing is perfect for chic spring and summer looks for an easy outfit formula that always looks put-together, but not overdone! Then, keep your accessories simple (and French girl-approved). Go for staples like a basket bag (a la Jane Birkin style), small gold hoop earrings, and a pair of cap-toed ballet flats. This pair from Quince looks very similar to a pair offered by Chanel!
4. little black dress + trench coat + pearls + shoulder bag + slingback heels
dress | trench coat | slingback heels | pearl earrings | bag
If you want to style a look that can take you from day to night in perfect French taste, start with a little black dress. After all, no wardrobe is complete without one! I like to recommend the style above from Everlane – it’s the perfect length without being too short, and has a flattering pintucking around the waist to highlight your natural curves. It’s also so comfortable and has a fair amount of stretch!
Ready for your next layer? Go for a French staple piece of outerwear: the trench coat. This is one of those French wardrobe essentials that will never go out of style, and that you can wear nearly year-round. The trench coat comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors, but a classic trench coat in tan is a great place to start.
Next, add your accessories. French girls prefer minimal jewelry, so pearl stud earrings are ideal. Add a structured leather handbag and a pair of slingback heels – now you’re good to go! And if you’re dressing for the office during the day, you can always change into a pair of loafers and add sheer tights for a more modest, office-friendly look.
5. cardigan + t-shirt + pendant necklace + jeans + bag
t-shirt | jeans | sneakers | necklace | sweater
If you’re looking for the perfect French-style outfit to run errands, here’s your outfit. First, start with a pair of straight-leg jeans. On top, go for a striped navy and cream cotton t-shirt. Then, add a knit cardigan on top. You can always tie it over your shoulders for a chic touch!
Accessorize with a French girl’s favorite shoe – white sneakers. Look for a pair with minimal branding if you want a classic look. Next, add a pendant necklace and a leather bag to complete the outfit! Who says you can’t show off your style at the grocery store?
6. trench coat + white dress + neck scarf + ballet flats + basket bag
trench coat | dress | shoes | basket bag | neck scarf
Just like every woman needs a little black dress in her wardrobe, I would also argue for the power of owning a little white dress, too! It’s a stylish, feminine piece that’s perfect for warm-weather dressing. When you’re ready for bright, fresh shades come spring, you’ll love reaching for a white linen dress.
French women love to incorporate a pop of color into their outfits. It’s the perfect way to add personality to your look while still remaining committed to a versatile capsule wardrobe. Shoes are a great way to do this! Style red ballet flats with a white linen mini dress, a trench coat, a silk neck scarf, and a basket bag for an outfit that would fit right in on the streets of the South of France.
7. blazer + button-down shirt + jeans + Mary Jane heels + earrings + leopard print bag
bag | jeans | button-down shirt | blazer | earrings | shoes
A black blazer is a French girl’s staple for workwear. Dress it up for a big meeting with a pair of tailored trousers or a slip skirt, or dress it down on casual Friday with a white button-down shirt and a pair of jeans. No matter how you style it, this is a chic piece that adds a slightly masculine edge to your look.
Add a pair of Mary Jane heels to your outfit if you’re heading to the office – they’re a fun, feminine shoe that will help to balance out the masculine features of your top and blazer. Add a leopard print bag for a bit of personality (or go for a neutral large work tote) and finish the look with a pair of gold and pearl hoop earrings.
8. floral midi dress + earrings + pendant necklace + espadrilles + basket bag
floral midi dress | espadrilles | earrings | basket bag | necklace
When it comes to dresses, French girls love a floral midi version! This flowy number is perfect for looks styled for spring through fall for a versatile outfit. It’s also great for layering – you can always add a cardigan, denim jacket, or leather jacket on top if you get chilly.
Lean into the feminine look of this piece with espadrilles – another shoe beloved by French women with a long history in French fashion. Then, add minimalist gold jewelry and a basket tote to complete the look! This is the ideal outfit for strolling your local gardens, or maybe grabbing a glass of wine at the vineyard with friends.
French Style Made Simple
It’s easy to get the hang of French girl fashion once you become familiar with a few of their favorite outfit formulas! These classic outfit ideas cover a wide variety of occasions and make it easy to mix and match pieces to get the effortlessly chic look of a French woman. Happy styling, and feel free to revisit this post when you need a little inspiration for classic French girl style!
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