If you want to take your style from basic to chic, all you have to do is emulate a French woman’s attitude towards fashion. Their go-to guidelines for an effortlessly elegant look are easy to follow and will instantly transform the way that you get dressed in the morning. Although we’re usually discussing the things that you should wear to dress like a French woman, today we’ll be covering what French women don’t wear – and what they wear instead.
A French Woman’s Way of Getting Dressed
Although the French way of dressing is often described as having some sort of mysterious “je ne sais quoi” (a quality that can’t be easily identified or named), the truth is, there are certain strategies that a French woman uses to get dressed that help her to achieve her effortlessly chic look.
A Balanced Approach: French women take a balanced approach when it comes to getting dressed. If they want to style a masculine piece, like an oversized blazer, they balance it out with a traditionally feminine piece, like a silk slip skirt. Or, they might take an approach on balance in terms of visual weight. An oversized blazer might be paired with a form-fitting bottom, like a pair of straight-leg or slim-cut jeans. This creates a visually pleasing effect!
Less is More: “Less is more” might be a French woman’s favorite motto to keep in mind when she’s getting dressed. This attitude also extends to other areas of her life, like her hairstyle and makeup. French women focus on quality over quantity, which means that they tend to stick to well-made products that contribute to a polished, chic look. Because they invest in quality fabrics and silhouettes, these pieces can stand on their own without the help of distractions or too many unnecessary layers or flashy colors. French women aren’t afraid to let a simple look shine.
Avoiding Faux Pas:
France is the home of the well-known phrase “faux pas,” and there are certainly fashion faux pas that French women avoid. These timeless style tips and tricks go beyond fleeting trends and contribute to that enduring “French chic” look that we all know and love.
I’ll go into more detail down below, but if you focus on keeping things simple, going for classic capsule wardrobe staples, and invest in quality pieces that fit well, you’re already well on your way to dressing like a French woman.
What French Women Avoid:
1. Athletic Wear as Street Clothes
Although “altheisure” wouldn’t earn you a second glance in the United States, it’s a lot less popular in Parisian street style. French women avoid wearing their gym clothes out and about, and leave the sweatpants, leggings, and athletic shorts at home. They prefer a polished look, even when it comes to their casual wear, and wearing your relaxed athleisure outfits in France would be a big signifier to locals that you’re a tourist. From a very young age, French women (and men!) learn to dress in a way that reflects a polished, respectful look.
What They Wear Instead:
Just because French women don’t wear their athleisure to grab coffee or run their errands doesn’t mean they don’t still incorporate comfortable, casual pieces into their low-key looks. They might choose one or two pieces of athletic wear, and then dress up the rest of their look with elevated basics.
If you want to wear your comfortable gym sneakers, choose slightly more polished pieces for the rest of your look. A sweater layered over a basic white tank, paired with pleated dress shorts, is a great alternative to your favorite casual Saturday or Sunday look. Whether your destination is the grocery store or a casual lunch, this is great outfit inspiration to upgrade your go-to athleisure look.
quince
Stretch Crepe Pleated Shorts
2. Fast Fashion
French women value quality over quantity when it comes to their clothes, and that means they stay far away from fast fashion items. The reason is that the quality of these pieces is much lower, and might even fall apart after a few washes. French women know that paying a little more up front for their pieces will actually save them money in the long run. Plus, quality clothing items tend to look and feel much better than their cheaply produced counterparts. These quality pieces are a big reason why French women always look so put-together and chic.
What They Wear Instead:
French women invest in their wardrobe basics because they know that these pieces will stand the test of time. They understand that investing a little bit more upfront in their staple items means that they won’t have to repurchase them time and time again. These pieces are also generally more expensive because they fit well and are made with quality materials, which means they’ll look better on you and also feel better on your skin.
Retailers like Everlane are not only more sustainable than fast fashion (a win for the environment), but also produce quality pieces that you can be proud to wear for years to come.
everlane
The Oversized Blazer in Buttersmooth
3. Lots of Logos
Although French women do appreciate big-name designers (after all, Paris is full of them), they also understand that less is more when it comes to logo and obvious designer branding. French women don’t feel the need to advertise how much they spent on a certain piece, or show off the fact that they can afford multiple designer items. Even well-known celebrities like Catherine Deneuve avoid wearing too many logos at once.
For French women, the quality of a piece matters more than advertising who made it. They appreciate designer labels for the care and attention to detail that they put into their pieces – they aren’t attracted to designer pieces for the status symbol.
What They Wear Instead:
A Celine belt, Prada sunglasses, and a Chanel bag are a few examples of designer items that don’t overwhelm your look with branding. Small logos on a buckle, clasp, or on the side of a pair of sunglasses are minimal and don’t distract from your overall outfit. However, try to stick to one visible logo per look.
nordstrom
Prada Cat Eye Sunglasses
4. Overly trendy pieces
French women are so widely admired for their chic, classic style because of their resistance to fleeting trends. Sure, they might partake in a select few now and again, but for the most part, they stick to a style uniform that’s both classy and timeless. They know what they love and they wear it! Trends can be a distraction when it comes to finding your true personal style, and French women avoid that extra noise by sticking to classic capsule wardrobe staples that never go out of style.
What They Wear Instead:
If French women do partake in trends, they tend to do so in a limited, micro way. Think a pair of shoes or a bag in a trending color, or a trench coat with a plaid pattern on the interior. Even though these pieces might be trendy at the moment, they can also be worn for years to come without looking outdated. They stay away from investing too much of their wardrobe space in overly specific trends that can look dated in a matter of months.
Curious about experimenting with a new trend? Try to look at the trend with a critical lens when it comes to purchases of products and media. Do you like it just because it’s popular at the moment? Or is it something you could see yourself wearing for seasons to come, even if it’s no longer popular?
nordstrom
Clara Cap Toe Ballet Flat
5. Too Many Accessories at Once
French women have a “less is more” type of attitude towards just about everything when it comes to their personal style – makeup, hairstyle, and clothes. This motto applies to their accessories, too. They tend to prioritize dainty, minimalist pieces that won’t overwhelm their overall look. Too many accessories can create overwhelming visual noise that can make your outfit appear too busy or disorienting.
What They Wear Instead:
French women reach for dainty pieces that complement their personal style. Think small gold hoop earrings, pearl studs, a small pendant necklace, a pearl bracelet, etc. They also limit how many they wear at once. Although heavy gold jewelry stacks might be popular at the moment, French women still tend to reach for their subtle pieces that don’t distract from their chic, polished look.
quince
Gold Diamond Bezel Necklace
6. Clothes That Don’t Fit Well
Ill-fitting clothes can make or break your outfit. It doesn’t matter how much the item costs, either. If it doesn’t fit well, it won’t look good! French women know that fit is everything. That’s why they pay close attention to the silhouette of the pieces they choose. They tend to stay away from pieces that are overly baggy or loose. Well-fitting pieces will always be in style, while baggy pieces come and go in the trend cycle. French women also understand that pieces that don’t fit well aren’t flattering and detract from a polished, put-together look.
What They Wear Instead:
From their shoes to their tops, French women value pieces that complement their figures and that fit well overall. They even take care with their oversized pieces to make sure that they fit in the way that they’re supposed to. This can come down to having your pieces professionally tailored or choosing silhouettes that flatter and fit your specific body type. For instance, if you’re choosing pieces like high-rise ankle jeans, make sure that they fit well at the hem, through the thighs, and around your waist.
When you’re styling an oversized piece, make sure that it doesn’t swallow you whole. It also helps to balance a larger piece out with more form-fitting ones. For example, style an oversized blazer with a pair of slim or straight-leg jeans and a low-profile shoe for a flattering look.
shop this post
High-Rise Straight Ankle Jeans
7. Ripped Jeans
Speaking of jeans, you won’t find French women reaching for denim full of holes, rips, or bling. These jeans make their way through the trend cycle now and again (hello, Y2K throwback), but that means that they’ll look dated quickly. Holes and rips can also detract from an overall smart, put-together look.
What They Wear Instead:
French women favor classic styles of jeans that they know will give them an elevated edge to their favorite casual outfits. Avoid any distressing or frayed edges for a cleaner look, like model, French actress, and designer Jeanne Damas (pictured above). Also, French women certainly have a few favorite silhouettes when it comes to their jeans. Wide-leg, straight-leg, and slim-cut are the most popular pairs worn in Paris due to their versatility and flattering look.
madewell
The Perfect Vintage Wide-Leg Jean
8. Ugg Boots or Crocs
Although I’ll be the first to admit that Ugg Boots are especially warm and cozy during a harsh Midwest winter, you won’t catch French women donning Ugg Boots or Crocs while they’re walking out and about. Although French women certainly appreciate a comfortable shoe, they also balance comfort with elegance and sophistication. Ugg boots and Crocs might be comfortable, but they’re especially hard to style in a chic way outside of leggings and a sweatshirt (which we’ve already covered – French girls avoid wearing these out and about).
What They Wear Instead:
Instead of chunky, fuzzy boots or holey clogs, French women reach for timeless, sleek shoes that complement their overall look. Think classic styles like ankle boots, leather sandals, ballet flats, or Mary Janes. These shoes won’t go out of style, and can elevate even the most casual outfit. Plus, even if you’re not a fan of heels, there are plenty of flat versions of all of these shoe types to choose from.
quince
Italian Leather Stretch Sock Bootie
Related: The 7 Must-Have French Style Shoes for Your Wardrobe
9. Heavily Embellished Items
French women dress for a chic, classic look, not necessarily to stand out in a crowd. They appreciate the ability to blend in to a certain level, and don’t value being the center of attention when it comes to their outfit. Therefore, you won’t catch them walking around during the daytime in overly blingy pieces, neon colors, or sequins. They tend to avoid heavily embellished items that can risk making them look tacky.
What They Wear Instead:
French women take a very minimalist approach when it comes to incorporating bling or metals into their outfits. If they do add any sort of embellishment, they do so in small quantities. Think a few crystals on a pair of ballet flats, a sequin headband, or gold buttons on a classic cardigan. These details are just enough to give their outfit a fun edge without going overboard.
j.crew
Emilie Sweater Lady Jacket
10. Sky-High Heels
If you’ve ever been to Paris, then you’ll understand right away why French women avoid sky-high heels! Not only is it because Parisians tend to walk a lot, but it’s also because of the ground on which they’re walking every day. Parisian streets are full of uneven stones and other surfaces, which makes it difficult to balance when you’re walking on tall, thin heels. French women don’t want to risk a spill on the sidewalk or nasty blisters, even if it is in the name of fashion!
What They Wear Instead:
French women balance style and comfort by choosing kitten heels or block heels to help them walk on the uneven surface across historic cities like Paris. Slingback heels are a popular choice for elevated looks, and a pair of kitten heels with a slingback can give you a chic edge while also ensuring you’re not wobbling around with an extra-tall heel. Even if you’re not balancing on cobblestones, a smaller heel is classy, timeless, and elegant, as modeled by French content creator and architect Julie Sergent Ferreri.
everlane
Studio Slingback Heel
Do as French Women Do – And “Don’t” as They Don’t
Although that heading might not be 100% grammatically correct, it serves as an important reminder: If you want to elevate your daily style to the chic level of a French woman, it’s important to not only dress as she does, but also avoid what French women avoid, too.
After all, Coco Chanel, creator of the little black dress and timeless fashion staples, once said, “Fashion changes but style endures.” French style icons and French women of the past can teach us a lot of lessons about enduring style – just take a look at the enduring style of French singer Brigitte Bardot, or the off-stage style of Josephine Baker. And of course, don’t forget about the first woman of style herself, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. These strategies, inspired by classic French women, will help you to refine your classic look and get that effortlessly chic style of the French woman!
Want to learn more about what French women do love? Up Next: 7 Parisian Dress Styles French Women Love
Nice insights on French style! Quick question, do French women also steer clear of certain colors or patterns, or is it mostly about the style and fit? Just curious how color plays into that chic, timeless look.
They typically wear neutral colors and classic prints (stripes, polka dots, floral, leopard print, but do like to incorporate a pop of color like red. What you would typically not see are bright and garish colors like neons, as well as “trendy” prints like tie-dye, chevron, etc
Nice overview of French style! I’m curious, do these fashion rules apply equally in smaller French towns as they do in Paris, or is it mostly a big city thing?
We find that the style is more casual in smaller French towns. So while there is some overlap, most of this is geared towards Parisian fashion!