How To Dress Like a French Woman

Find out what items you need in your closet to dress like a French Woman!

French women have such great style! Their outfits are always chic and beautiful. If you search for “french outfit” or “french style” on Pinterest, you’ll see hundreds of outfit ideas. Most of the women are wearing classic essentials that you probably already have in your closet!

Although I haven’t been to France, I put in a lot of hours researching about everyday fashion for women to share on the blog and in my capsule wardrobe e-books. Everyday when I’m not at work or spending time with my family, you’ll find me either in front of the computer or on my iPad studying about fashion and the latest trends. Last year I read, Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris. Jennifer Scott, the author, shares her life in France while she stayed with a French family. She tells about the way they lived, dress and lived day-to-day. It’s a very interesting book and I recommend it!

In my French Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe e-Books, you’ll find a few of these items that are in this blog post.

CLICK HERE to get your copy today!
Turn 21 pieces into 100 outfits

So, how do you dress like a French woman?

1. Start with clothing essentials in your wardrobe like a pair of skinny jeans or slim boyfriend jeans striped top, white button-up shirt, black blazer, white tee, a “little black dress“, ankle pants and trench coat. French women also tend to wear a white silk shirt. Most of the time silk shirts have to be dry cleaned, so you can opt for a cotton shirt which is machine washable. These basic pieces are the building blocks of a French woman’s wardrobe. These classic pieces are always timeless and never go out of style.

2. Wear a pop of blush pink or red with your outfits! The color can instantly brighten any outfit. A red lipcolor or a bandana scarf (blush or red) will instantly make you look chic!

3. Wear a French signature shoe and carry a structured handbag. A black heel or loafer are great choices for a French look. You can wear black heels with dresses, pants, skirts and even jeans. Loafers are the perfect casual shoe, but you can also wear them with skirts and ankle pants. Carry a black (budget-friendly) or neutral-tone (budget-friendly) structured bag to look chic!

4. Use the “Less Is More” concept. According to the book Lessons from Madame Chic: 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris, French women tend to have the minimal items necessary to have a wardrobe. Convert your closet to a “capsule wardrobe” to make your closet neat and easy to find your clothes. I have used kept a capsule wardrobe for two years now, and I have saved money, love to wear everything in my closet, my closet stays neat. Plus, because I buy less, it’s ultimately better for the environment!

5. Invest in quality pieces that will last you for a few years. Buy once and wear for several seasons, or even several years. If you’re needing a few essential pieces like the ones mentioned in this post and are on a budget, I recommend shopping the end of season sales or holiday sales (not just Christmas and New Years sales, but also President’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, etc). Retailers will have a few sales a year, so watch for items to be discounted before you buy. Also check consignment shops or thrift stores for previously owned items. When I first started a capsule wardrobe, this is how I found a few of my clothes. I found some items at a few thrift stores that still had the tags on!

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11 Comments

So many great tips! I love the classic French look!

Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Lots of French inspiration here! I’m popping over to Pinterest now! Thank you for hosting x
http://www.vanityandmestyle.com

Great tips..definitely think dressing like a french girl would make me feel classy. I’m loving all the neck ties and have a basket full from years ago. Hmm..you may have just inspired a look! Thanks for hosting!

Shelly|The Queen in Between