Try These Looks and You're Practically French
When stylish women come to mind, Parisians always top that list. French women are synonymous with style, and really, part of the reason is their understated approach to fashion that always looks good. After all, they tend to opt for classic and trend-resistant pieces that will look good season after season, instead of items that will end up in the resale pile after a few months.
When it comes to the style of Parisian women, their look can be summed up in three words: nonchalant, effortless, and chic. From tailored jackets to the perfectly cut jeans to a versatile pair of suede ankle boots, French women always add pieces to their outfits that are polished without coming across as trying too hard. Here, read about the women who inspire us and embody what Parisian style looks alike today, then shop some of the pieces they’re wearing now.
SABINA SOCOL
“There’s this sort of ‘uniform’ in Paris," Sabina Socol admitted when I asked about her take on Parisian style. “Not everyone dresses the same. Of course, there are a variety of styles, but I don’t know why I can always recognize a Parisian through his or her clothes when I’m abroad. I think Parisians are all about good basics: a good pair of jeans, boots, and a cashmere sweater. Quality and shape are super important. Also, as opposed to other big fashion cities, Parisians rarely tend to overdress.”
Claire Most
Clare Most agreed: “I think there are many different kinds of styles in Paris, but there is always this effortless and easy vibe in each of them.”
Cleméntine Desseaux
Clémentine Dessaux added that the “Parisiennes are very casual-chic. They will always choose undressed as opposed to super dressed-up. They love simple designs, and they always wear something quirky, even if sometimes you don’t see it unless they get undressed. They are all about details. They will always play it cool, like they really don’t try too hard.”
Anne-Laure Mais
“I think you find your personal style when you know yourself really well,” Anne-Laure Mais noted. “But as I usually say, style is more a question of attitude, so don’t mind what you are wearing. This is more about your personality.”
Marie Blanchet
“Fashion style in Paris, I’d say, is ‘effortlessly chic’ and somehow anti–fast-fashion,” Marie Blanchet added, “which is good, I think. It is in me, so deeply rooted that it is hard to explain. I’m such a Parisian cliché I think!”
SHOP THE KEY PIECES FOR A PARISIAN-INSPIRED WARDROBE:
Kristen Nichols is the Associate Director, Special Projects at Who What Wear where she oversees luxury, runway content, and wedding features, and covers fashion within the luxury market, runway reporting, shopping features, trends, and interviews with leading industry experts. Kristen has worked with brands including Prada, Chanel, and Tiffany & Co., and her style has been featured in publications including Vogue.com, Vogue France, WWD, and the CFDA. Kristen began her career at Rodarte, where she worked on styling, photo shoots, and runway shows, and at Allure, where she moved into print and digital editorial. She graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied art history and business, and currently lives in New York.
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