5 Secrets To Dressing Like a French Woman

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The French have always been known for their chic, effortless style. Their fashionable, yet timeless look is enviable to many, so it only makes sense that we should look to them for style inspiration.

5 Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman by Courtney Livingston

When we think Parisian style, we often think of women wearing berets and breton stripes with a baguette in hand. However, in France, you’d be surprised to find that the majority of people don’t walk around like that. And if someone did, they would definitely stand out as a tourist.

5 Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman by Courtney Livingston

So what do French woman wear?

Taking what I’ve learned from my time in Paris combined with what French fashion experts have to say, I’ve come up with five secrets to dressing like a French woman.

1. Think Leather.

Leather pants, boots, jackets, gloves, bags- the French love their leather. And they don’t just wear “faux” leather- they go for quality. Parisian style isn’t about purchasing the latest trendy pieces, but rather, wearing quality clothing that will last a long time. And real leather lasts.

If you visit Paris in the winter, you will find a sea of black coats and clothes throughout the city. Black leather both blends in and stands out in the best possible way. So when you’re considering what color leather to choose from, know that you can’t go wrong with black.

2. Save the activewear for the gym. 

Unlike Americans, parisians don’t get caught walking about in workout clothes.

“We do not wear yoga pants as real pants!” Aloïs Guinut, the French personal stylist behind Dress Like A Parisian style coaching services, states.

Why?

“Firstly, as a sign of respect for themselves and secondly as a sign of respect to those around them,” fellow French personal stylist Anélle Coetzee says.

Parisians like to look put together at all times, which means wearing proper attire when out in public.

3. Lay your jeans to rest. 

French woman are on another level when it comes to “casual” or “business casual”. While in America it is widely accepted to wear jeans to most non-formal occasions, in Paris it is rare to find a local wearing blue jeans.

The world’s capital of fashion gives casual a whole new meaning. They prefer to wear black slacks or dress pants, in either skinny, above the ankle, or flared.

During my time in Paris, I remember sitting in the metro feeling under-dressed. Yes, under-dressed in the metro! Why? Because I was the only girl in the metro cart wearing blue jeans. Not only that, but I also wore sneakers with my jeans (Yikes!) so I looked even more ridiculous compared to the locals next to me.

In order to dress like a Parisian, you must dress like a professional on the daily. And once you switch out your jeans for classy slacks, dressing professional will start to feel less like a chore and more like the norm.

4. Don’t skimp on the coat.

As winter draws near, it can be tempting to wear the latest trendy coat, or the comfiest coat we can find. However, in France, they choose timeless coats that will last for years to come. Pee coats, leather jackets, and trench coats are the norm on Parisian streets.

When I first went to Paris, I wore my North Face jacket- it was comfy and totally in style here in America. Unfortunately, I once again felt underdressed among the throngs of French women. In fact, I only ever saw one other person wearing a North Face coat- and it was an American man!

Building a wardrobe à la francaise means saving the money you might have spent on that camo jacket you saw in Zara last week, and going hunting for one really well cut piece that will stick by you for more than one season.

5. Go for a neutral color scheme.

“When done well, simplicity is all you need, plus a few blues and whites,” says Nicolas Hobbs, a fashion photographer in Paris.

Keep it simple. French women tend to stay away from bright or neon colors, preferring tonal shades that don’t clash or stand out.

While keeping it simple, don’t be afraid to add your own personal touch to whatever outfit you’re wearing.

The reason French style is admired by so many around the globe, is because they are not fashion slaves, but rather style followers. They will carefully review the new season’s trends and select one or two items to update their look, giving solid basics a new twist.

As French model and music producer Caroline de Maigret said about French style, “the idea is to find the real you, and to not be a product of what society wants you to be.”

Dress to feel good and not to show off. Dress for yourself and yourself only and you’ll have mastered the ultimate secret to French fashion.♥

5 Secrets to Dressing Like a French Woman by Courtney Livingston

Get This Parisian Look: BLACK PANTS |TOP (SIMILAR) | HAT (SIMILAR)| BELLABEAT NECKLACE

What are your favorite fashions? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

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Follow me on Insta: @courtneylivin and on Pinterest: Courtney Livingston

And don’t forget to check out my new book, The Smart Girl’s Guide to Surviving Her Twenties, available online and in print on Amazon,  Thought Catalog, and Barnes and Noble.

If you liked this post, please Pin it and Share.♥

Thanks to ABMC and the Diane Gilman team for sending me this outfit!

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Hey ya'll! I'm Courtney, and I'm a Florida-born gal learning to live in East Asia. You can find travel tips, fashion inspo, and my daily adventures right here on my blog. My hope is that this blog will help inspire you to live your best life! Make sure to check out my book, The Smart Girl's Guide to Surviving Her Twenties, for more tips on how to survive, and thrive, throughout the most transformative decade of your life.

47 thoughts on “5 Secrets To Dressing Like a French Woman”

  9. I would stick out like a sore thumb in Paris apparently!!! haha! I live in my yoga pants but I will definitely pin this for later in case I ever get the opportunity to visit 🙂

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