by Timeless memories, French style is the Holy Grail for fashion lovers everywhere. Classy French women don’t slavishly follow chic trends, but instead have an enviable sense of style that transcends them.
‘I believe that the French “je ne sais quoi” is inexplicable; it’s cultural!’ says Chrysoline de Gastines, co-founder of one of our favorite French brands, Balzac Paris. ‘It is a certain attitude towards time, fashion and the world that is unique to us. The art of our “je ne sais quoi” is an innate quality.’
Unfortunately, we cannot all be French. More unfortunately, for those of us who do not have the ‘innate quality’ that Chrysoline refers to, it takes effort if you look good without effort. But just because you’re not French, doesn’t mean you can’t at least try to dress like you are.
So we asked Chrysoline and Talia Collins – she’s half-French, used to work at Vogue France and now runs her luxury fashion label of the same name – for their advice on how to dress like a French woman.
Less is more
An overdone look is the antithesis to French chic. The ‘less is more’ philosophy is more influential, so to quote the inimitable Coco Chanel, ‘before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.’
Talia agrees. ‘My biggest rule is to keep my look as minimal as possible – nothing too flashy or over the top. I have always focused on block colors in my swimwear designs.’
One way to do this is to buy fewer, better pieces that make you feel great and belong in them, are timeless, and will last forever with care. Chrysoline loves clothing and accessories that are vintage inspired or passed down from generation to generation, giving them character. ‘Your great-grandmother’s necklace, your mother’s bag, your father’s Ralph Lauren shirt…,’ she says.
Neutral is king
If you’re already leaning towards neutrals, you’re shopping the French way. Keeping most of your wardrobe neutral makes everything go together easily, making styling quick and effortless. Bonus points for mastering full tonal dressing – the art of wearing different tones of the same color for instant polish (the trick lies in the mix of textures, according to our Fashion Editor).
Talia prefers a neutral palette, with some red pieces. ‘My wardrobe is full of everyday basics in mostly black, navy and white, but I love a red jumper or a red striped T-shirt,’ she says.
Don’t forget that leopard print is neutral too! Chrysoline loves it ‘in all forms, mixed with stripes or worn for the most daring look’, which is why it is the signature of Balzac Paris.
The nail of the ‘foundation’
Whether it’s a crisp white shirt, a loose Breton top or a great pair of jeans, build your French girl wardrobe around the main staples, in the highest quality you can. So what do you really want? Come to Talia and Chrysoline to tell us where to start:
The shirt borrowed from the boys
‘White or striped, with a masculine-feminine look that we like to be sexy and feminine,’ says Chrysoline.
Talia is drawn to oversized styles, with Charvet and With Nothing Underneath among her favorite brands.
The blazer and white T-shirt combo
‘I rely on statement blazers to lift my outfits,’ says Talia. ‘I love mine with shoulder pads.’
Chrysoline prefers to layer her blazers over a plain white T-shirt for the ultimate French girl formula. ‘It’s not unbeatable,’ she tells us.
The hero jeans
‘Look for a raw, well-cut pair in a thick fabric to wear over time and enhance your silhouette,’ says Chrysoline.
The French girl prefers stretchless 501s, says Talia, who has owned most of her jeans for more than a decade. ‘Frame and Agolde are my denim brands for straight leg styles, and for flares I like Nili Lotan and Isabel Marant.’
The quintessential trench coat
‘Preferably long, beige and roomy enough to slip a blazer or vintage denim jacket underneath,’ says Chrysoline.
The Chanel bag
‘I usually put my essentials in my pockets so I don’t have a handbag,’ says Talia, ‘but if I do take one, it’s usually a black Chanel flap bag or a Chanel evening clutch.’
The chic flat shoes
Talia is hardly ever in heels. ‘Most days for me it’s black or red trainers or ballet flats, unless it’s a special occasion,’ she says, ‘Even so, I won’t go higher than 8cm stilettos – and this is rare. Always comfort first!’
The silk scarf
‘The best alliance to spice up a round neck sweater, jeans and loafers or Converse sneakers,’ says Chrysoline. ‘Wear it in a bohemian style, in the hair or attached to a handbag … let creativity reign!’
Think about your clothes and makeup together
In a recent piece about French beauty secrets, Guerlain Makeup Creative Director Violette Serrat told us to think of red lipstick as an accessory and keep the rest of our look simple – no big jewelery or a huge bag.
‘It’s important to consider clothes and make-up together,’ she said, ‘not to match them, but to make sure the look is balanced overall.’
In terms of style, she’s all about jeans with a ‘big sweater stolen from my husband’ during the day, and leather trousers, a ‘grown-up top’ and heels at night. *kiss the chef*
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