How to Dress Like a French Woman Over 50

You can be chic at any age and this post is for the “fifty and fabulous” women that want inspiration from some of the most stylish women out there! These French women give great inspiration on dressing age appropriately, always looking chic, and never losing style. But really, these tips are good for any age as I myself have gotten some great reminders while writing this post. Here’s how you, whether you’re 50 or not, can dress like a French woman over 50!

How to Dress Like a French Woman Over 50

*photos via Getty Images. I apologize for any poor quality

1. Finish off your outfit with a scarf
Not every outfit needs one, but you sure can’t go wrong with it. Whether expertly tied or effortlessly draped, solid color or interesting print, it will add a stylish layer to your outfit and make you look fabulous!

shop similar scarves here, here, and here

Related: Fashion Over 50: Aging With Grace & Embracing the Size You Are Now

2. Break out your classic trench
Whether you go for your never-out-of-style beige or a twist on this classic staple, it’s always a good idea to have at least one of these in your outfit rotation.

shop similar trench coats here, here, and here

3. Don’t be afraid of animal print
Don’t think that a fierce print is for the younger generation. Non! It’s for anyone that wants to add a little edge and style to their wardrobe.

shop similar coats here, here, and here

Related: Fashion for Over 50: Chic & Sophisticated Inspo

4. Highlight your shape
Getting older doesn’t mean hiding under bulky layers. It’s still a good idea to show off your shape with a belt!

shop similar belts here, here, and here

5. Pair navy & black together
This is a “rule” that is meant to be broken. So chic, especially with age.

Related: 6 Fashion Rules You Should Break

6. Try out tights
You will not see a lot of opaque or skin tone tights on French women, instead, go for sheer or an interesting pattern or print.

shop similar tights here, here, and here

7. Wear long, classic outerwear
I’ve talked a lot about long, classic outerwear plenty of times in my posts on how to look elegant and timeless. I even dressed my mom up in a camel coat! Don’t think it just has to be a camel coat though to be chic. As you can see, rich green and navy look ever so chic too.

shop similar coats here, here, and here

8. Wear a blazer
Best paired with jeans for that put together but not trying too hard look. Whether you choose to wear boots or heels, you can’t go wrong or mess up this go-to outfit combo!

shop similar blazers here, here, and here

9. Have a go-to uniform
Sometimes you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Truly stylish women know what looks good on them and they don’t feel like they have to constantly shop. Pick a style uniform and add little tweaks to switch it up, whether it’s throwing on sunglasses, adding a belt, or changing your footwear.

Related: In Need of a Style Uniform? Here are 4 Foolproof Ideas

10. Build up a collection of tweed blazers
Chanel knows best… Even if you throw on a tweed blazer over a graphic tee, you will be irresistibly chic. A must-have for a French wardrobe! Related: 2 Seriously Chic Ideas on How to Wear a Tweed Blazer

shop similar blazers here, here, and here

11. Be mindful of skin
A French woman over 50 isn’t frumpish when it comes to their night out look. Instead, they’re mindful of the skin they’re showing and would much rather choose to wear something sheer to provide coverage and leave something to the imagination rather than let it all be on display.

shop sheer tops here, here, and here

12. Rock an all-black outfit
No “goth” days here. Try chic days! An older French woman knows that all-black is chic at any age and looks polished…not to mention slimming!

13. Embrace different styles of jeans
Don’t get stuck in a rut or think you can only wear one type of jeans! Whether you go for straight, slim, bootcut, or flare, it’s always good to have a couple of different styles in your wardrobe.

I’ve always had good luck with h&m jeans

14. Rock big sunglasses
It doesn’t matter if you’re over 50, you can totally rock some big sunglasses. Mess around with different shapes too. So chic!

shop sunglasses here, here, and here

15. Rock a knee-length dresses
Younger French women might rock a cropped cardigan and mini skirt…especially in the summer. And though a French woman over 50 isn’t dowdy, she is mindful of how much skin is appropriate to show at an older age. A great go-to length? Knee or midi!

shop knee-length dresses here, here, and here

16. Invest in boots
Boots are a staple and a shoe that you’ll wear the most! They’re especially useful to older women who aren’t interested in wearing heels, strappy sandals, or espadrilles (like the younger Parisian girls wear). Invest in a good pair of boots to still look chic!

shop boots here, here, and here

French women in this post:
Carine Roitfeld, 65
Catherine Deneuve, 76
Françoise Hardy, 76
Caroline Paulus, 61
Emmanuelle Alt, 52
Carla Bruni, 52
Isabelle Huppert, 67
Juliette Binoche, 56
Inès de la Fressange, 62

Looking for a French place to shop to get chic clothes to add to your wardrobe? Try Sezane, Balzac Paris, or H&M for budget-friendly options.

And check out my ultimate guide to French fashion if you want more style tips!

Share this post if you found it useful! Beaucoup d’amour!