Dress like a French girl - details DO matter

Ever noticed how effortlessly Frenchwomen (of any age) rock their quintessential “je ne sais quoi” look? Truth is not only have they absorbed their nations fashion culture like mothers milk since birth, their ACTUAL mothers have consistently trained them on the secrets of “classic with an edge” Gallic style.

Don’t have a handy mere / grandmere with whom to consult on matters of sartorial splendour? No matter! Fear not, aide is to hand! That’s French for help! I’ll illuminate and elucidate with a few fun easy tweaks for your routine, a short cut to chic as it were!

#1 Be chic, always

Chic is what we are after here ladies, we are beyond mere fashion goddit? That’s not to say the typical French woman doesn’t read the latest mags ( in secret hehe)or indulge in a splash of trends now and again, but if we’re talking percentages here, her wardrobe breakdown will consist of sixty - seventy percent quality basics for day,20-thirty percent evening wear, and at most ten percent impulse madness.

#2 Gather your wardrobe basics

Before you start yawning about basics, do keep in mind-every day versatile pieces that are high quality and fit well do one thing for you that you may not have considered .They allow YOU to be seen and to shine.YOU and your personality provide the colour in your appearance, an ever clever French woman knows this. DO NOT let your fine self be upstaged by your own clothes, you wear them ,not the other way around.For this reason soft feminine neutral colours are the go, worked back with a splash of colour here and there.Think a red silk lining in a coat, a deep navy cashmere v neck sweater ,or a bright lipstick and clean, modern bronzed skin to break up that black business suit.

#3 Building your wardrobe capsule

When purchasing your basic capsule ( perfect jean, black cami, cream cami, navy/ black blazer, cashmere sweater, good foundation garments, ballerinas, silk scarf, basic stiletto in black and nude, patent is fine, t-shirts, LBD, white shirt, leather jacket, handbag) naturally buy the best you can afford-but if money is tight buy vintage or high street and have it tailored EXACTLY to fit your body as it is NOW! You will attain a designer look for a pittance.Quick example- let’s say you have bought a thrifty blazer that fits well at the shoulder and bust but still doesn’t look quite cool enough, get the waist taken in ,the arms also-I am talking as nipped as you can.Expensive blazers always have skinny arms to accentuate the negative space ie the gap between your arms and your waist thereby giving you an instant sharpness of silhouette - and sharp IS chic!


#4: Choose natural materials.

Natural fibres, pretty much always! Not only are they more pleasant to wear and drape more beautifully, but they are sensual! Little known but handy fact, stains are much easier to remove from natural fibres than from synthetics. Aside from the fact that you will you pretty much turn YOURSELF on wearing soft fabric against your skin, FUN!!!! Think silk, cashmere, cotton, voile. Your effect on the opposite sex will be heightened. Gentlemen LOVE soft natural fibres on a femme fatale! Imagine you are out on a date, chances are your intended prey (go you!) will respond better to a blush coloured washed silk slip dress, a cashmere loose weave sweater casually draped around your shoulders and bronzed oiled (NUXE gold dry oil, always -ladies!) limbs than a polyester and faux patent leather disaster.

Should funds be an issue (aren’t they always dammit!) always go for the plain colour not the print. Say you have $75 to spend on a top - buy the cotton in a plain colour. The same price top in a print will be inferior quality due to the cost involved in making the print. Again, allow YOU to shine, the most confident women don’t need to needlessly gild the lily all too much!

#5: Be a little bit subversive.

French woman avoid looking too “establishment” or Bourgeoisie, in spite of wearing mostly classic pieces by almost always having one small detail that is subversive, quirky, heirloom or unexpected, even out of place. This lifts their essentially classic look to one of distinction and is one of the secrets of French style. Embrace the idea perhaps of wearing a black business suit with say a pair of “Dorothy “ red sequinned shoes for day, or pairing a vintage band tee with a super conservative blazer and tailored trousers. Consider also a stack of rock chick knuckle duster rings with a floral summer maxi dress. I like for example to mix a military style khaki jacket with a blingy neckpiece that provides a focal and talking point! I also like wearing my Edwardian white embroidered dress (nigh on 100 years old and still going!) with my Balenciaga black boots, the mix of hardness/softness makes it work.

The interest lies in the mix of materials and unlikely pairings to provide visual interest. Just keep that unique piece to one only per outfit so you don’t distract from the overall look. A French woman also knows when to break the rules - for example, try wearing a super slinky white silk shirt unbuttoned seductively with a black, not nude lacy bra underneath, this will work and surprises the eye as long as the rest of the ensemble is clean and discreet, leave ‘em wondering!

#6 Maintain your wardrobe.

Maintain your clothes, shoes and handbags with military rigour; no self respecting French woman would be seen morte in scuffed shoes, buttonless cuffs or a stained white t-shirt. The cost of the clothes is immaterial, HI or LO, all should be cared for. Seems obvious but I have seen many a would be fashionista/style maven let her look down with sloppy care of her wardrobe. People notice this and will think you’re lazy or worse -clueless, and that’s not you! N’est pas? Invest in a sticky roller, quality washing detergent, some decent shoe polish and a sewing kit today!!!

#7 Sometimes less is more.

In terms of grooming as part of your look-in my time living in Monte (Carlo) and in France proper, I’ve noticed the French approach to grooming and beauty seems a little on the quixotic side. For example French girls don’t do salon blow waves often (they’re too busy drinking Rose with their lover and getting bedhead from a much more enjoyable source!). They don’t brush their hair much, colour it subtly, roots are cool, hairspray is not, and they even sometimes leave their tresses one day too long to wash! Seems laissez-faire? Not when you take the whole picture into perspective and that’s the magic, perfect but not!!! The skin is meticulously maintained (ever been to a French chemist? 10 percent meds, 90 percent moisturiser!) thereby allowing a minimum of makeup. A Gallic lass never hides her skin - again an unexpected look is de rigueur, a sooty eyeliner on a bare, perhaps lightly bronzed face with just a hint of pink balm on the lips is sexy, surprising but still sweet! I am looking at you Carine Roitfeld!

The clothes are perfectly maintained and styled and the attitude is one of “I am so fabulous I don’t have to brush my hair all right - besides I’m too busy living loving and laughing!” A word to the wise when it comes to nails - there is NO SUCH THING as a “French manicure” ok gorgeous people, it’s an American thing! The term was first used by Mr Pink, owner of Orly nail polish company - yes that’s his real name! French ladies wear ballet pink or red, no garish colours, that’s for teenagers not ladies of the world! Disregard the fact that Chanel trots out blues and greens each holiday season ,they are for the foreign market, not the local!

#8 Mix old with new, designer with vintage.

A French woman gives a nod to designer items and probably possesses more than a little Hermes, LV, Chanel in her wardrobe - but does she wear it all at the same time??? No, we’ll leave that task to Kim Kardashian, bless her! Top to toe designer is twee, contrived, vulgar and lacks true style, confidence and creativity. Always mix old and new, textures, hi and lo together for that bespoke look that is so very you! Try for example the softest jean you stole from BF, paired with a slim lace white victoriana blouse, dainty jewellery and red hot patent leather ruby spikes. Yes - keep ‘em guessing! An original look is a creative joy, feel it, live it, make it part of your life! Creativity in all things is a muscle flex it!

#9 Evening style, it’s not what you think.

Lastly, a word about evening - again this is where the French woman goes against the norm, here is where theatre and drama are welcome, albeit in balance. Basic rule, and it ALWAYS works - the busier the dress, the simpler the hair, makeup and accessories. The simpler the frock, the more extravagant the accoutrements. Say you have your heart set on full length sequins (hey I hear you, I AM the champagne diva!) try a simple, glowing, transparent undone makeup with good eyebrow game for balance, no red lipstick unless you want to look like a try hard drag queen, and a shiny ponytail worked back with a simple flat leather, yes even tan leather, sandal or kitten heel. OR try the sleekest, simplest most elegant LBD with a high bun and the biggest, blingiest earrings you can find, no eye makeup save a strong brow and THAT red lip!

Learn to have a critical but positive eye for your most flattering ensembles - take selfies, no they are not selfish! The biggest difference I see between the French woman and UK US AUS women is an ability to know her best looks and to critique herself honestly and adapt constantly to changing circumstance/ figure/ age etc without negative self talk. A French woman’s confidence and self acceptance is part of her unmistakeable allure!

Let me know how YOU channel/Chanel your inner French girl when it comes to dressing to slay, seduce, or scintillate - love to hear from you!

Les x